How MatterOfTimeRings 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 name is Tash, and I’m the owner of MatterOfTimeRings. I was looking to buy a ring with a certain phrase on it, but every shop I went to said the phrase was too long, so I decided to make my own. I enjoyed the process of making the ring and did more and more, which then led me to decide to open an Etsy shop and sell my rings. I create my rings by using metal stamps on aluminum blanks. All my resources are from ImpressArt.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
My current favorite is the ‘long story short’ hidden message ring. It’s a very unique and niche ring; only Taylor Swift fans will understand the reference. It’s been my most popular item since its release, and I’m constantly having to restock it. I think it does so well because there’s nothing else like it, and the hidden message is a subtle reminder to keep going. Another favorite is my personalised rings. I love seeing other people’s ideas and what they want on their rings, especially when I hear the story behind them.
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 believe I got my first sale just a couple of weeks after opening my shop, which was a great feeling. Since then, the sales have gone up and up quite rapidly. I have a background in digital marketing and understand the importance of SEO and keywords, so I take advantage of that and focus a lot on behind-the-scenes marketing, as well as running an Instagram account for my shop. I also offer a discount to customers to encourage them to return.
Managing MatterOfTimeRings
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 currently the only person managing and running my shop. I do all the creating, packaging, shipping, marketing, and finance. I get my shipping labels on Etsy and print them on label paper using a normal printer. I use Adobe Illustrator to create my graphics, business card, and thank-you card, and Lightroom to edit my product photos. I use digital printing to outsource my thank-you and business cards. Everything else is done in-house.
The future of MatterOfTimeRings
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I don’t really have any set goals for the future. Currently, my shop is just a hobby and something I do on the side of my full-time job. I’d love for my shop to continue growing and see how far we can go.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
If you’re thinking about it, just go for it! Do your market research beforehand, see what products are similar to yours, and find a way to make yours different and unique. Take the time to set up your shop, create a consistent brand image, and stick to it. Photography is hugely important, so making sure your product photos are of high quality and look engaging means people will be more likely to click on your shop as opposed to others.
MatterOfTimeRings
hand stamped jewellery
