Etsy Seller Interview with Nikki of MelonheadzClipArt

How MelonheadzClipArt 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?

Hi! My name is Nikki, and I am the illustrator, designer, crafter, and solopreneur at Melonheadz! My story started with a blog where I offered clipart doodles and scribbles for free. I made a lot of friends, and luckily, they urged me to start sharing my illustrations on Etsy. It was a total life-changer.

All of my art is drawn by hand on paper. It was then scanned into my computer and turned into clipart. There are very few things that I love more than some good paper and a good pen!

Melonheadz, "Clipart with a Heart." At the bottom of each piece, you’ll see some squiggles. It’s a heart with my initials and the year that it was drawn. A little piece of my heart goes with each one.

In the last 11 years, my artwork has taken on a life of its own. It flows out of my pen like a living thing, and I just sit back and watch it change and get better. I’ve learned a lot and am able to offer unique and fun illustrations that can be used in a million different ways.

Favorite items

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

This is a hard question to answer. Every set that I create becomes my favourite until I draw up the next one. One of the things that makes my heart the happiest is my reputation for representation.

My "kidlettes" are used in classrooms all over the world. Teachers will find lookalikes for each child in their class and use those images in ways that make each child feel special. I LOVE it when they send me a description for a child that is hard to match with an illustration. I want ALL kids to be represented in my shop. They are so much fun to add to gift tags, cards, chore charts, etc. for the kids in my own family too. Their eyes light up when they see a kid that looks like them.

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The other category that I love is my religious category. It’s a section that is near and dear to my heart. I love being able to share my faith through my art.

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 started my Etsy shop in 2012. My first sale was on January 12, 2012. I was very lucky to have a following because of my blog when I opened my shop.

I attract people to my shop in many different ways. Google search, word of mouth, social media, and Etsy search engines help people find the right clipart for whatever they’re doing.

If you have a young child who brings home worksheets or books from school or church, you may also see my illustrations on them. It’s an amazing thing that I can sit at my desk and draw something, and that same day it’s in a classroom or home on the opposite side of the world!

Managing MelonheadzClipArt

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 fill all of the positions at Melonheadz! I may be a little bit of a control freak when it comes to my art.

Currently, I don’t use any apps outside of what Etsy offers, but I am hoping to find the right ones that will help me accomplish my goals in the future.

My illustrations are all digital, so I don’t have to worry about shipping. When a customer purchases something from my shop, they are given a download link through Etsy.

The future of MelonheadzClipArt

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

More, more, more! The possibilities are endless. I hope to eventually branch out to some hard goods, printables, and original artwork options that feature my work. Building a brand and my Melonheadz community is key! I love that I have the opportunity to think outside the box and help people with whatever they need.

Advice for new sellers

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

Be patient. Be kind. Work hard. Be unique. Follow your dreams. Go for it!

The only real failure is not trying at all.