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How littlecopper 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 store is Little Copper Vintage. The name is a translation of my maiden name, Calderazzo, which is either a maker of little cauldrons or a little person making them; we don’t know. My father opened Little Copper Antiques in 1980 in Geelong, and I ran the shop for him while he did the buying and restoration. We had to close the physical shop in the late ‘90s due to a downturn in the local economy, and much of the stock came home to storage. After he died too early, Mom did not know what to do with the goods, and as I worked part time, I took on the task of selling them. The internet was still in its infancy, but after a few years of plodding, selling locally, and advertising the old-fashioned way, a kind person mentioned this place called Etsy, and so was born Little Copper Vintage.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I would say my best sellers would be gloves, hats, handbags, and ceramic egg cups. I love hats, my wonderful handbags, and gloves myself, so this helps with my warm descriptions.
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?
Gosh, I can’t recall how long it took to get my first customer. I attract customers through good customer service, who in turn recommend my shop. I use Facebook, Instagram (although I don’t "get" Instagram), and lots of local donations to worthy fundraisers with a business card attached. I also set up a Google page-type thing. I forget what it's called.
Managing littlecopper
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 run the store myself, with the occasional help from Mom for advice, information, and cleaning certain products. I use only the tools included on Etsy. Shipping is done using Australia Post, and sometimes I use the Etsy postage pay/print function when it is applicable. I use all recycled packaging, which is rescued or donated locally, except sticky tape and postage labels.
The future of littlecopper
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My plan is for the shop to add the supplement to our household as I can no longer work a regular job. I should be able to continue this well into "retirement" to help us have a few nice little extras that a pension would not allow. I have the knowledge, a good eye for what is appealing in vintage goods, and a good supply of items, which I enjoy hunting for. And my physical frailty is not a hindrance to this kind of work.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Enjoy what you do! Have fun! Be yourself in your communication with customers. Allow your voice to come through in your descriptions. And do go the extra mile for your customers; they truly appreciate it.
Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.
Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: It varies: some months there are none, some up to $400, depending on which items sell. But rarely this high.
Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 50%
