Etsy Seller Interview with Glynda of GlyndasVintageshop

How GlyndasVintageshop 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?

My Etsy shop is GLYNDASVINTAGESHOP, mainly because my name is Glynda and I sell vintage home decor on Etsy. I have been selling mostly part-time for 8 years. I initially thought Etsy only sold handmade goods, so I paid no attention to opening a store, and I was leery of giving anyone my banking information online. On Christmas of 2015, my sister was told by her sister-in-law that Etsy allows shops to sell items that are 20+ years old! I was very excited and ventured into it. My first sale was a Beatrix Potter tin for $13; I was over the moon! I have had a love for antiques and vintage decor as far back as I can remember. My mom had a few antiques in the house (the most memorable was an ironstone chamber pot on the coffee table with a plant in it); she also had a friend who collected antique furniture, and I was drawn in, as a little girl, by the detail, charm, and character of it all. I source my items through vintage stores, auctions, garage sales, marketplaces, and free items on the side of the road. I’m a "STOP THE CAR" kind of girl, and my husband complies. God Bless him.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

I have found a few items that sell well, depending on the trend at the time. A few years ago, it was woven wall trays, baskets, and trivets. Lately, I have found that 1930s cut glass spooners sell well; I have no link, as they have all sold out. Another favourite seller is original art, signed or unsigned. As gallery walls are popular right now, oil paintings, prints, plaques, etc. are selling well. Another popular seller is artisan pottery: planters, mugs, ashtrays, etc., 

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 happened about 3 weeks after I began, and of course, I thought it would happen immediately, so I was ready to throw in the towel, and then I heard a "Cha Ching"? I advertise daily on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Every time I list an item, I share it immediately for lots of exposure.

Managing GlyndasVintageshop

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 am up at 7 a.m. daily, and upstairs to my shop I go every morning with coffee in hand. I look forward to it every day. It is never drudgery. I prioritise what needs to happen that day by making sure my packages are out on time. A courier (Sendle) picks them up at my front door weekly. Then I make sure I post a few items to keep my algorithm in play. I polish, reair, photograph, clean, package sales, buy supplies,etc. It’s never boring or slow; there is always something that can be done, even if it’s reading up on new ideas and plans provided by Etsy, taking a course, organising my shop, etc.

I manage the shop by myself; I love being my own boss, and I find myself pleasant to work for (most of the time), so staying on top of things and not letting too many orders build up is important. I use Sendle, and a courier will come to my home each week and take my sales to deliver. They are fantastic!

I use PhotoRoom to help with my photos, along with my iPhone 14 for photography. I take the background out and make it white with this app for an ideal picture of the item for sale.

The future of GlyndasVintageshop

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

I plan to continue doing exactly what I am doing, as well as organising my inventory better, continuing to improve my photography skills, and keeping up with the ongoing decorating trends.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Do some research before you start; look at what other successful shops are doing. Create your own niche and don’t second-guess yourself; ask friends and family for their critique to help you improve, if needed; and lastly, don’t give up. Etsy is fabulous at helping you with every issue. You will eventually hear a "Cha ching," and it will likely make you jump out of your skin.

Having an accountant that understands online sales and how tax, business number, and submitting to the government work helps as well. Be organised and keep every receipt. Best of luck!