How KidsCraftsLLC 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?
In 2013, I founded Kids Crafts, a company that initially supplied holiday-themed craft kits to Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and Macy's for their in-store kid events. However, we started receiving inquiries from people who wanted to buy our felt craft kits online. Although our custom crafts were originally only sold to our retail partners, we decided to expand our offerings and opened an Etsy shop to make our felt craft kits available to a wider audience.
Our customers quickly fell in love with our crafts for several reasons. Firstly, we used high-quality felt materials that ensured durability and longevity. Secondly, our crafts featured self-adhesive felt stickers, making them easy and convenient to assemble without the need for glue. This made them particularly popular among young children, children with special needs, and nursing home patients, who appreciated the simplicity and accessibility of our kits. As a result, our Etsy shop became a hit, with customers raving about the quality and ease of use of our felt craft kits. We were thrilled to provide a fun and engaging crafting experience for a diverse range of individuals.
We expanded our product line in 2019. As I reflected on my role as a mom during the pandemic, I realized two essential things. Firstly, my daughters were spending too much time on technology, and secondly, the impact of my work as a successful small business owner on them was far more positive than I had realized. They were inspired by seeing me run my own business and even started their own small businesses, such as lemonade stands and rock painting collections. They felt empowered and capable of doing anything because they had seen their mother blaze her own trail.
This realization led me to combine my passion for empowering girls with my love for crafting. I wanted to create crafts that not only provided an engaging activity but also highlighted historically mighty women. So, I made the decision to start over from scratch and rebrand our entire company. Our new mission became empowering girls through our crafts by showcasing the stories of trailblazing women who had dared to dream and make a difference. Now, when girls purchase our crafts, such as a dreamcatcher, they also learn about the powerful women who have pursued their dreams and made a lasting impact. With this new focus, we have been able to connect with our customers on a deeper level, inspiring them with stories of women who have overcome challenges and achieved greatness. Our Etsy shop has become a platform for celebrating women's achievements while providing fun and educational crafting experiences for girls. We are proud to be a part of encouraging the next generation of girls to be unstoppable, just like the mighty women we highlight in our crafts.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
One of our all-time favorite items in our Etsy shop is our Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar. While December is often filled with sweets and treats, we wanted to offer a unique twist on the traditional advent calendar. Our Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar features a Do-It-Yourself Ornament Kit for each day of the month, with each kit labeled with the corresponding day in December. This means that kids can pull out a new ornament each day and get creative. Once the ornament is complete, they can use one of our fun stickers to place it on the corresponding date on the top of our box, creating a visually appealing and interactive way to countdown to Christmas.
In addition to the fun of crafting, our advent calendar also includes word scramble and word search activities on the inside of the box for added enjoyment. Plus, we've included fun ideas to do throughout the month of December on the sides of our box, making it a truly immersive and engaging experience for kids of all ages. One of the reasons why our Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar is a bestseller is because of its versatility. It's suitable for a wide age range and recommended for ages 4 to 100. Each craft kit is pre-sewn and comes with self-adhesive felt stickers, eliminating the need for glue. It’s perfect for young children, children with special needs, and nursing home residents because of its simplicity and the fact that no glue is required.
Another top seller for us is our Speak Like Maya Rainbow Wall Hanging Craft kit. Just like Dr. Maya Angelou, who was never afraid to speak up for what she believed in, we believe that every girl's voice matters. That's why we've created a special craft kit inspired by one of Dr. Angelou's most famous quotes: "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud". With our kit, young girls can create a colorful wall hanging that will not only serve as beautiful decor but also remind them of the power of kindness every time they see it.
At Kids CraftsTM, we're passionate about empowering girls and teaching them valuable skills while having fun. Our brand is more than just a "girl activity", It's a blend of education, entertainment, creativity, and fun. As a woman-owned small business, social impact is at the heart of what we do. We're proud to donate a portion of our proceeds to non-profit organizations that empower girls across the globe. Join us in our mission to inspire the next generation of leaders and show them that anything is possible. Check out our shop on Etsy and discover the empowering world of Kids' Crafts.
With summer fast approaching, our InnovateHER Business in a Box Craft kits are the perfect activity to keep your girl engaged and active this summer. Our Kids Crafts InnovateHERTM collection is for the crafty girl with an entrepreneurial spirit. This craft kit collection is designed to jumpstart a girl’s interest in entrepreneurship, with everything she’ll need to construct, package, and sell the handmade crafts she creates. We also include a Mighty Girl Business Planner (think of it as a business plan for pre-teens) to get her thinking like a boss! Because lemonade stands are so last century! This set of three craft kits will keep your girl busy all summer long. It is the perfect educational toy and makes great gifts for kids.
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?
When we first started our Etsy shop, it took us about a month to make our first sale. But then we discovered tools like Alura, and everything changed. The ability to search for top keywords and optimize our listings has been a game changer for us. We were able to easily identify the most relevant keywords for our products, which helped us attract more traffic to our shop and increase sales. In addition to optimizing our listings, we've also taken advantage of Etsy's marketing tools, particularly through ads. This has allowed us to expand our reach and connect with a wider audience of potential customers.
Managing KidsCraftsLLC
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 currently manage the shop myself. We use Pirate Ship for all of our shipping. It seamlessly integrates with Etsy and offers reduced shipping costs.
The future of KidsCraftsLLC
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
Our goal is to continue to grow and add new product offerings to our shop. We would also love to be featured by Etsy.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Success doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and effort to build a thriving Etsy shop. My advice to new Etsy sellers is simple: don't give up! When you're just starting out, it's normal to feel discouraged if the sales aren't pouring in right away. It's important to stay persistent and keep working towards your goals. One key to success on Etsy is optimizing your listings. Make sure to use relevant keywords, create compelling product descriptions, and showcase high-quality photos.
Regularly review and update your listings to ensure they are performing at their best. This will help your products get discovered by potential customers and increase your chances of making sales.
Stay up-to-date with trends in your niche or industry. Pay attention to what's popular and incorporate those trends into your products, listings, and marketing strategies. This will help you stay competitive and appeal to your target customers.
Most importantly, understand what drives your target customers to make a purchase. Put yourself in their shoes and think about their needs, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your products, listings, and customer service to meet those needs and exceed their expectations.
KidsCraftsLLC
Crafting the next generation of mighty women!
