How foxandbellejewellery got started
Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?
Hi, I’m Nicki, the owner of Fox and Belle, and I design and hand make gorgeous leather earrings and necklaces. I started Fox and Belle almost 5 years ago. I was a huge fan of big, gorgeous statement earrings but stopped wearing them as they were just too heavy and uncomfortable. I would want to take them off not long after putting them on! I discovered leather earrings and couldn't believe how lightweight and comfortable they were to wear. Suddenly, I was able to wear big statement earrings without counting down the minutes before I could take them off. AND, they were super stylish and came with loads of compliments. They made it possible to forget I was wearing earrings at all! So I decided to start making them myself. My very first pair were made out of an old leather handbag! Eventually, others became interested in my earrings, and I decided to create a little business on Etsy. Each order is custom made, hand crafted from materials sourced from around the world, resulting in unique earrings guaranteed to draw attention. I love using my creativity to come up with new designs and strive to keep my products fresh and fun.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Gosh, it’s so hard to pick my favorites! We offer such a huge range of earrings. There's something to suit everyone!
The colorful confetti leather earrings are popular in all of my designs. The colors are vibrant and make the wearer feel fun and happy. They are so super lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Our bluebell earrings are beautiful, delicate, and great to wear for a special occasion. Again, these earrings are so comfortable to wear and virtually weightless! They are very popular in hot pink right now. So fun!
Our golden floral earrings are a beautiful statement but lightweight, so you feel comfortable all day.
All of our braided leather earrings sell really well. The texture is gorgeous and fun. There are so many colors to choose from as well.
Getting sales on Etsy
How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?
My first sale came through the day we started our etsy store. My first couple of sales were from family and friends. It felt so good to hear that ker-ching sound!! and even better when I began to get sales from strangers. At first, you just can’t believe that someone would want to buy something you made.
To attract sales to my store, I use a variety of strategies, including Etsy paid promotion, social media posting, and paid Facebook and Instagram advertising. I try to post to social media daily to drive interest and run sales and promotions throughout the year to attract sales.
Managing foxandbellejewellery
How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?
I'm mostly by myself managing my shop—I create all the designs and source all the leathers and materials. I make all products to order and drop by the post office constantly. My husband helps with my bookkeeping and creating ads as he is more tech-savvy than me!
The future of foxandbellejewellery
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Fox and Belle is my side hustle and my creative outlet. I am also a nurse and teach nursing at university, so whilst I love being busy with orders, it is sometimes hard to fit into my life! I wouldn't dream of not having my business and I love, love, love to hear that ker-ching. I hope that my business continues to grow and orders continue to flow in.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
It's a bit of a roller coaster of emotions to begin with and can be overwhelming but just keep at it and you will get there! Make sure you create great pictures for your listings. Good lighting is the key. Remember that these pictures is what attracts people to your product. You need to make sure the picture is a true representation of your product so that customers are not disappointed when they receive a product they weren’t expecting.
I simply use my iPhone and the fabulous lighting by a window.
