How KarpouzakiStore 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?
Hello, my name is Mariana, and I am the proud owner of KarpouzakiStore, an Etsy store that offers a unique collection of products inspired by the natural beauty of Greece. Karpouzaki means "little watermelon" in Greek, and the name is a nod to my last name, Karpouza. My husband and I began Karpouzaki as a way to promote Greece's natural beauty and to share our love for our home country with the world. We started the store in 2018 after realizing that we wanted to create something together that reflected our passion for design and our love for Greece.
The first step was deciding what to sell on Etsy. We knew that we wanted to offer products that were unique and reflected the essence of Greece. So we came up with the idea of creating a collection of designs inspired by Greece's stunning landscapes, architecture, and culture. From there, we decided to offer a range of products, including bracelets, necklaces, rings, and more!
Creating our products is a labor of love. Our jewelry designs are inspired by Greece's beautiful islands and landscapes, incorporating elements of the Mediterranean Sea, the Greek islands' stunning architecture, and the colors of Greece's natural landscape. Each piece is designed to evoke a sense of wanderlust and adventure, capturing the spirit of Greece's culture and history. We source our materials from local suppliers in Greece, ensuring that our products are of the highest quality. Overall, our goal at KarpouzakiStore is to create unique and beautiful jewelry inspired by Greece's natural beauty and to share our love for Greece with others. We are proud to be a part of the Etsy community and to offer our customers the opportunity to own a piece of Greece's stunning landscape and culture.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
Thank you for asking about my favorite items in my shop! It's hard to choose just a few, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say that my favorite pieces are the "Santorini" bracelet, the necklace with a white ceramic bead and a light blue evil eye, and the "Mykonos" The "Santorini" bracelet is one of my favorites because it captures the essence of Santorini's breathtaking volcanic landscape and its deep blue waters. The combination of the round black charm, the white and light blue evil eye, and the stunning supporting paper creates a piece that is both elegant and striking. I love how this bracelet depicts Santorini’s volcanic history, and it's also a great reminder of the beauty of the Greek islands.
The pendant is made of white ceramic and has a smooth and glossy finish that adds an elegant touch to the design. The Greek island ceramic necklace with the white round ceramic pendant is another favorite of mine because it's inspired by the iconic blue and white buildings of the Cyclades Islands and captures the essence of Greece's stunning islands. The combination of the white ceramic charm and the evil eye creates a unique piece that's both simple and striking. I love how this necklace can be worn with both casual and formal outfits, making it a versatile piece that's perfect for any occasion.
Finally, the "Mykonos" bracelet is one of my favorite pieces because it's inspired by the vibrant and lively atmosphere of Mykonos, the "Island of the Winds"! The bracelet features a round charm with a beautiful wave pattern that's reminiscent of the crystal-clear waters that surround Mykonos! The waves on the charm evoke the feeling of being by the sea and the calming effect of the sound of waves crashing against the shore. I love how this bracelet can be worn on its own or paired with other pieces for a layered look!
All three of these pieces have been popular in my shop, and I think it's because they capture the beauty and essence of Greece's culture and natural landscape. They're also versatile pieces that can be worn with many different styles, making them great gifts for anyone who loves Greece or just appreciates unique and beautiful jewelry.
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?
Earning your first sale on Etsy can be a challenging and exciting experience, and it did not take that much time for our shop to make its first sale (excluding family and friends!). We launched our shop in 2018, and it took us around a week to make our first sale! It was a small but meaningful step for us, and it gave us the motivation to keep working on our shop and our products! In terms of attracting customers to our Etsy shop, we use a combination of strategies.
Firstly, we focus on creating high-quality products that are unique, beautiful, and have a strong connection to Greece's natural beauty and culture. We believe that our products are not just pieces of jewelry but also representations of Greece's stunning landscape and history.
Secondly, we use social media to promote our products and reach a wider audience. We have an active presence on Instagram and Facebook, where we share images of our products and the inspiration behind them. We also collaborate with other creators and influencers in the Greek community to expand our reach.
Thirdly, we ensure that we provide excellent customer service to our customers. We respond promptly to inquiries and messages, and we work hard to ensure that our customers are satisfied with their purchases. This helps to build trust and loyalty among our customers and encourages them to recommend our shop to their friends and family.
Overall, it takes time and effort to attract customers to an Etsy shop, but with a focus on creating high-quality products, an active social media presence, and excellent customer service, it's possible to build a loyal customer base and grow a successful business on Etsy.
Managing KarpouzakiStore
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?
Managing an Etsy shop requires dedication and attention to detail. Our shop is managed by both me and my husband, and we work together to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
To manage our shop effectively, we use a range of tools and apps. Firstly, we use Adobe's Illustrator and Photoshop to design and create our products. These tools allow us to create high-quality designs that are unique and beautiful.
We also use the Etsy app to manage our shop on the go. This app allows us to receive notifications of new orders, messages from customers, and updates on our shop's performance. We also use the app to update our shop's listings, respond to customer inquiries, and manage our shop's finances.
When it comes to shipping and fulfillment, we handle everything ourselves. We carefully pack each item by hand to ensure that it arrives at its destination safely and securely. We use the Greek Postal Service to ship our products domestically and internationally. We also provide tracking information to our customers to ensure that they can track their orders and receive them on time.
We believe that managing an Etsy shop is a collaborative effort that requires a combination of creativity, organization, and attention to detail. By working together and using the right tools and apps, we are able to provide our customers with a high-quality shopping experience and build a successful business on Etsy.
The future of KarpouzakiStore
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
We have big goals for our Etsy shop in the future! Our main goal is to continue to create unique and high-quality jewelry inspired by the beauty of Greece. We want to expand our product line to include even more products that showcase the beauty of our country and its culture.
We also aim to reach more customers from all around the world and increase our sales. We plan to achieve this by continuing to market our shop through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, as well as through online advertising. We also hope to collaborate with influencers and bloggers to help spread the word about our shop and our products.
Furthermore, we are constantly striving to improve our customer service and customer experience. We want to provide our customers with the best possible shopping experience by offering fast and reliable shipping, easy returns, and excellent customer support.
Finally, we would love to eventually open a physical store in Greece where customers can come and see our products in person. This would allow us to connect with our customers on a more personal level and showcase our products in a physical space. Overall, we have many exciting goals for the future of our Etsy shop, and we are dedicated to working hard to achieve them!
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
As someone who has gone through the process of starting and growing an Etsy shop, my advice to new sellers would be:
- Focus on creating high-quality and unique products that stand out in your niche. Take the time to research your competition and identify gaps in the market that you can fill with your products.
- Invest in great product photography. High-quality photos can make a huge difference in how your products are perceived by potential customers. Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and showcase your products from different angles.
- Price your products competitively. Do your research and make sure your prices are in line with similar products in your niche. Be careful not to price your products too low, as this can signal low quality and attract bargain hunters.
- Stay on top of your customer service. Respond to customer inquiries and orders promptly and professionally. Go above and beyond to ensure your customers are happy with their purchases and feel valued.
- Promote your shop through social media and other marketing channels. Use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your products and connect with potential customers. Consider running ads or collaborating with influencers to increase visibility.
- Be patient and persistent. Building a successful Etsy shop takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate success. Keep working hard and making improvements, and you will see results over time.
Overall, starting an Etsy shop can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By focusing on creating high-quality products, offering great customer service, and promoting your shop effectively, you can build a successful business on Etsy.
KarpouzakiStore
G R E E K Bracelets, Necklaces and more!
