Etsy Seller Interview with Lara of HouseofSeance

How HouseofSeance 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 name and image were inspired by the often otherworldly and spiritual aspects of quality vintage objects. My vision is for people to be able to reconnect with the past, the same way one might reconnect with their loved ones through a séance. I chose the floating woman image to suggest not only levitation during séance but an overall sense of freeness and weightlessness, which is fundamentally how I want to connect with people.

My background as an artist has strongly influenced the way I channel my creativity through my shop and business. I see my shop somewhat like a painting, where different parts come together to make up a whole. I want my objects to resonate with the customer to create a certain mood or emotion, or perhaps trigger a memory once forgotten. I also love to always change things up, push ahead, and surprise my customers with new and unique finds.

I am fascinated by the history and nostalgia each vintage item carries, its journey into my possession, and ultimately the hands of new and appreciative owners. It’s so rewarding to see these items, with their beauty and character, endure for decades to be reused again. Plus, nothing compares to the fun and excitement of stumbling upon an incredible gem in a place where you least expect to find it!

Favorite items

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

My favourite items are some of my high-end and rare rugs that, if I could have the proper space, I would keep to showcase in my house. I also love my paintings by Mayumi Oda, an artist that I have followed for years now, and I showcase several of her paintings at my own home and in my inventory for sale. I love this particular artist because she features women as goddesses in her work.

All of my favourites take time to sell due to their nature of being rare, therefore on the pricier side. However, when they do sell, be it through designers or private buyers, it makes me happy that they find their new home and people who love them as much as I do.

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 started my shop on Etsy at the end of 2011. My first sale was in November 2011, a set of cute and colourful mid-century frosted glasses. This was a real catalyst for my motivation for future efforts.

Keeping my shop's image consistent with new and interesting items has always been my main goal in attracting customers.

Word of mouth has played a big role for me, as has knowing my clients’ tastes. However, my clients, mainly, are designers, set design decorators, and antique/vintage aficionados, all of them in search of that one item that stands out for their taste. Once I know what my clients like, I populate the inventory with what I know will be in demand. I also pay attention to trends and what’s in demand in the market.

Managing HouseofSeance

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 the CEO and Owner/Founder of House of Seance, but I also have a fully dedicated and committed team, all of them working towards the success of my shop’s operation, customer service, creative photography, and rug expertise.

As for tools, I mainly use Etsy’s seller’s app. All shipping is via FedEx and USPS, though we take credit for our expert packaging, ensuring the safe and proper delivery of our items.

I try to have relevant keywords to help customers search for and find the specific products they are looking for, and I am active on several social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, where I get good traffic and traction.

The future of HouseofSeance

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

Keeping my inventory exceptionally unique has been and will always remain my main goal. This takes lots of personal care and involvement in my time as a buyer.

In the recent couple of years, and thanks to my in-house artisan rug expert, I have been able to offer the service of customization of my existing rugs to accommodate the client's living spaces.

As an ongoing effort, I would like to bring in more artwork and upholstered furniture.

Advice for new sellers

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

Having a name and an image for your shop that tell a story is truly key, at least for me.

Keep the creativity flowing! Always try to be playful and have fun! This will make customers visit your shop often (even if it’s for fun), leading to future sales.

Lastly, list consistently, be patient, stay on top of trends, and keep living up to your vision while you keep building.