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How HandcraftedByNite 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 shop is Handcrafted By Nite, LLC, and I have been making jewelry with various mediums for 31 years. I create jewelry with different themes, emotions, and places in mind. I love the way colors and textures can complement each other. I started selling on consignment in a small jewelry store, and it went really well. I was amazed at how excited people were to have my creations, but when I moved away from the area, I needed to find a new outlet for selling, and that’s when I discovered Etsy.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
It’s hard to pick a favorite in my shop. I would say my personal favorites are my peyote stitch bracelets. I enjoy them because they are one-of-a-kind, bold, statement-making pieces, and for the amount of time, I get to put into each one. They sell moderately well, and I think because they are such statement pieces, it takes a special kind of person to wear them.
My other favorites are rainbows, and they are shop favorites as well. They sell really well, and I think it’s because they make people happy. Whether it’s a pastel rainbow or a bold neon, I think happiness is the first emotion that rainbows evoke in people.
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?
I was extremely lucky in that I got a sale pretty quickly. It did take a little over a month, though. I remember it being so nerve-wracking at first to put my items out there and hope people enjoy them as much as I do. And what’s wonderful about Etsy is that you can see what people are looking at and get an idea over time of what people are enjoying and which listings just don't get clicked on. Currently, Etsy brings about 70% of traffic to my shop through the app and search. I bring in the other 30% through direct traffic and social media.
Managing HandcraftedByNite
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?
My shop is just me. I’m not great at social media, but I did get one listing to go a little viral. I only use Etsy and Pinterest at this point to run my shop. I handle all shipping and fulfillment from home. Thankfully, you can package, weigh, and print shipping labels from anywhere.
The future of HandcraftedByNite
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My biggest goal is to have my jewelry be a positive presence in someone's life. Whether they look at a piece and think;
I think this makes my outfit complete.
Remember that special day.
These gemstones give me strength, confidence, and support.
I have been rewarded by customers letting me know that my creations have been a part of major events in their lives: graduations, weddings, dates, etc., and I just hope that I get to continue to be a small part of other people's happiness.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My main piece of advice to a new seller is to try everything if possible. Explore what you can create. If it’s jewelry, post it even if you think it may not work for most. If it’s candles, maybe try a weird or funny smell. If it's clothing, try something a little out of your comfort zone. What’s nice about an Etsy shop is that you can cultivate and grow your talent. And don’t be afraid that others may not see or understand your talent. There’s a world of people out there, and there are going to be customers for you. You may have to be patient to find them, but they are there.
HandcraftedByNite
One of a kind handmade jewelry.
