How LightweaverForge 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 called Lightweaver Forge, and it all started pretty organically. I’ve always been a big fantasy fan, and I originally began creating 3D-printed replicas just for myself. My home office walls are covered in the kinds of props and pieces you’ll now find in my shop. I shared a few photos in a Facebook group, just thinking other fans might appreciate them. To my surprise, I got a ton of messages asking if people could buy one. That gave me the push to open an Etsy shop, and then it really took off around Christmas.

From the beginning, I didn’t want to sell just anything. I wanted to offer things that I’m genuinely excited about. Every piece in my shop is something I would personally buy. The Cosmere, Percy Jackson, Eragon, Elden Ring, it all comes from a place of real fandom.

Favorite items

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

It’s honestly hard to pick a favorite. Each piece in my shop is tied to a story that means something personal to me. Eragon was the first fantasy series I ever fell in love with, so the Zar’roc sword replica will always hold a special place in my heart:

 Zar'roc Inspired Sword Replica | Inheritance Cycle Cosplay Prop | Inspired by Murtagh Blade | Eragon Fantasy Sword | Collector Display Piece

Percy Jackson is what first sparked my love of mythology, and my Riptide sword replica has ended up being my best-selling item by a landslide. I think it’s the perfect mix of fan nostalgia, display appeal, and accessibility:

Percy Jackson Inspired Riptide Replica | 3D Printed Celestial Bronze Sword | Perfect for Cosplay & Gifts for Fans of Rick Riordan

But if I had to choose the fandom that means the most to me personally, it would be the Cosmere. The Stormlight Archive, and especially Kaladin’s journey in The Way of Kings, shaped me as an adult. I identify with Kaladin more than any other character in fantasy, and that’s why the Syl Spear replica is probably the most meaningful thing I’ve made:

Syl Spear Shardblade Replica | 3D Printed Stormlight Archive Inspired Kaladin Spear | Perfect for Cosplay, Gifts & Fans of Brandon Sanderson

I’d also include Nightblood, which has become a fan-favorite. It’s a simple blade, but there’s just something about an all-black sword that you can’t resist:

Nightblood Sword Replica | 3D Printed Warbreaker and Stormlight Archive Inspired | Perfect for Cosplay, Gifts & Fans of Brandon Sanderson

All of these pieces, Syl Spear, Riptide, Nightblood, and Zar’roc, sell well because they represent more than just props. They’re physical pieces of the stories that shaped us. When fans see them, they don’t just see a replica—they see a moment from a book that changed them, and that connection is powerful.

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 listed my very first item, Riptide, on September 9th, 2024, and made my first sale just five days later, on September 16th. That early win was encouraging and gave me the motivation to keep going.

Most of my sales have actually come organically through Etsy SEO, especially after I started adding more listings and optimizing keywords. I use tools like Alura to help fine-tune my listings and stay competitive in search results, and that has made a huge difference.

Early on, I also shared my Riptide replica in a Percy Jackson fan group on Facebook, and that post brought in a big wave of interest. But beyond that, almost all of my other items have sold purely through Etsy search, which has been amazing to see. It’s really rewarding to know that people are discovering my shop just by searching for the kinds of fandom items they love, and that SEO has played a role in that possible.

I listed my very first item, Riptide, on September 9th, 2024, and made my first sale just five days later, on September 16th. That early win was really encouraging and gave me the motivation to keep going.

Most of my sales have actually come organically through Etsy SEO, especially after I started adding more listings and optimizing keywords. I use tools like Alura to help fine-tune my listings and stay competitive in search results, and that has made a huge difference.

Early on, I also shared my Riptide replica in a Percy Jackson fan group on Facebook, and that post brought in a big wave of interest. But beyond that, almost all of my other items have sold purely through Etsy search, which has been amazing to see. It’s really rewarding to know that people are discovering my shop just by searching for the kinds of fandom items they love, and that SEO has played a role in that possible.

Managing LightweaverForge

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?

The shop is mostly a one-person operation. About 90% of everything is handled by me personally. I do have a partner who helps me out with printing when orders start to pile up, but I manage the rest on my own from product development and listing creation to packaging and fulfillment.

Regarding tools, I’ve tested several different Etsy SEO platforms, but Alura is the only one I’ve used long-term. I mainly use it for keyword research, and since most of my sales come from Etsy search traffic, I’d say Alura’s keyword suggestions have been incredibly effective in helping new customers find my products.

For shipping and fulfillment, I keep things simple yet very careful. I bubble wrap each piece by hand and package everything securely to ensure it arrives safely. It's something I take great pride in. I’ve never had a product break in transit, which I believe speaks volumes about the care that goes into the process. Once everything is packed, I simply drop it off at the local post office and keep customers updated every step.

The future of LightweaverForge 

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

My biggest goal is to continue growing the shop and expanding the range of products I offer, especially for cosplayers and fans preparing for conventions. Events like Dragonsteel Nexus, where thousands of fans show up in full cosplay, are a huge inspiration to me. I’d love for Lightweaver Forge to be a go-to resource for people looking to bring their favorite characters to life, whether that involves a Shardblade, Mistborn daggers, or anything else from their favorite series.

There’s something truly special about helping someone feel more connected to a character through cosplay, and I want to continue creating high-quality, detailed replicas that make this possible. Whether for a convention, a display shelf, or simply to feel a bit closer to a story you love, I’m eager to keep growing the shop and supporting the community that has developed around these worlds.

Advice for new sellers

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

The biggest piece of advice I’d give is to sell something you love. Don’t just throw random trinkets out there hoping they’ll sell. Create something you’re genuinely passionate about. When you care about what you’re making, it reflects in the quality, in the details, and in the way you talk about your products. And buyers can tell.

That passion is what will keep you going through both the slow days and the busy ones, and it’s what will help you build a shop that actually means something, not just to your customers but to you.

Everything in my shop is something I’d be excited to own myself, and I think that makes all the difference.