Etsy Seller Interview with Amanda of MisguidedDesignsShop

How MisguidedDesignsShop 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?

I'm excited to share with you the story of how I started selling on Etsy and the journey that brought me to where I am today. It all began with a passion for creating beautiful, handmade items and a desire to share my creations with the world. With the help of Etsy, I was able to find a platform to showcase my products and make them available for purchase. I decided to focus on crafting unique printable junk journals and supplies, but have since added clipart and paper packs to my list of items. I take pride in creating each item with attention to detail and quality craftsmanship, which makes every piece unique and special.

I started selling on Etsy in January 2022 with a vision to provide unique and creative products for my customers. I specialize in creating digital kits, which are pre-made collections of illustrations, designs, and images that can be used in various digital projects. I have always been passionate about art and design, and selling on Etsy has been a great outlet for me to express my creativity.

When deciding what to sell on Etsy, I wanted to create something that was both fun and useful. After doing some research, I discovered digital kits were the perfect fit for my shop. Digital kits can be used for many different projects, including printables, scrapbooking, greeting cards, and more. With this in mind, I began creating my own digital kits.

Most of my kits are created in Procreate, an app that specializes in digital illustration. With Procreate, I am able to create vibrant and unique illustrations and patterns that can be used in digital kits. I also use Canva to create other design elements. Additionally, I source some of my illustrations and designs from online marketplaces such as Creative Fabrica.

By combining my own illustrations with those sourced from online marketplaces, I am able to provide unique and creative digital kits for my customers. I am continuously adding new designs to my shop so that my customers have plenty of options to choose from. I love being able to provide customers with one-of-a-kind products that they can use for their own projects!

Favorite items

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

These are the products I love most, and I think they're selling well because of their design and attention to detail.. As a shop owner, I'm passionate about the items I sell and always want to create the best products for my customers.

First is Vintage Lock & Key JJK. When I finished the Vintage Lock & Key JJK kit, I knew it was something special. It is made in vintage  style, and the intricate detailing on the keys and locks is truly something to behold. The warm color of the pages stands out against the other parts and makes for a beautiful kit. Not only that, but the finished product looks great and really ties everything together.

What I find so intriguing about this product is how different it looks compared to other kits I have seen. It has a romantic side to it that I can’t help but love, yet it also has a sophisticated air about it. This type of juxtaposition is exactly what I strive for in my own work, and it’s why I enjoy it so much. In terms of its success, I think the Vintage Lock & Key JJK is doing extremely well because of its unique design. The colors are pleasing and they stand out, while the intricate detailing catches the eye. People also appreciate the fact that it is designed with care and attention to detail, making it a quality piece they can trust.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to add to your junk journal, you should definitely check out this Vintage Lock & Key JJK kit. I guarantee it won’t disappoint!

Next, we have "Funny Friends JJK." I create unique designs using a variety of different clipart. The clipart in this kit was carefully chosen to bring out the silliness in the design. They make a fun addition to any junk journal. I believe it’s doing so well because you can’t help but smile when you look at these pages. The kit is just so much fun to put together.

Finally, here is my floral JJK. This kit is one of my newest designs. I think it’s just absolutely beautiful. Each set includes coordinating envelopes, ephemera, and other accessories. Customers love being able to put these kits together, and I always love seeing their finished product! These are just a few of the items that make my shop special.

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 I first opened my Etsy shop, I was very eager to make a sale. After a couple weeks of hard work and dedication, I finally made my first sale! It was such an exciting moment for me, and it pushed me to keep going. From that point on, I knew that having a great product was absolutely essential if I wanted to succeed. That meant spending money on high-quality clipart and taking kits I was proud of. I also worked hard to create an attractive shop layout and product descriptions that were both eye-catching and informative. Making sure that I had a great product didn’t just help with my first sale. It also helped me build up a solid customer base and make more sales over time. As word spread about the quality of my work, more customers started finding my Etsy shop and coming back for more.

In addition to having a great product, I also realized the importance of great customer service. To start off on the right foot, reply quickly to any messages or inquiries I receive from potential customers. Showing that I value their business by responding promptly helps build a trusting relationship. It also gives customers confidence that their orders will be handled professionally. Strive to go "above and beyond" for your customers. If you’re able to accommodate special requests or provide unique add-ons with each order, your customers will be much more likely to remember your store fondly. Little touches like a handwritten thank-you note or a free gift can go a long way in creating a positive customer experience. By providing outstanding customer service, you can create an engaging and welcoming environment for your customers. With this approach, they’ll be more likely to return to your store again and again, helping your Etsy shop to thrive.

Lastly, there is marketing. I currently use Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy ads to attract customers to my shop. This has been extremely beneficial in bringing in new customers who may not have otherwise found my shop. Overall, having a great product and implementing effective marketing tactics and great customer service have been essential for me to succeed on Etsy. I’m proud of the progress that I have made and am looking forward to continuing to grow my business in the future.

Managing MisguidedDesignsShop

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?

Running a shop on my own can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and apps, it’s possible to manage everything efficiently. I use mostly Procreate and Canva for my shop, two tools that make it easy for me to create and design graphics for my store.

Procreate is an app that allows me to create digital artwork from scratch. I love how intuitive and user-friendly the interface is, allowing me to edit and customize artwork quickly and without any issues. With this app, I can create graphics that I can use for my kits as well as for my store’s social media accounts, clipart, and other designs that I can offer to customers.

Canva is another great tool that I use for my shop. It is a powerful design platform with an interface that makes creating beautiful designs simple. With Canva, I can create graphics and layouts for marketing materials such as banners, flyers, and postcards, as well as templates for my website and social media accounts. Canva is also very cost-effective, so it’s great for budget-conscious entrepreneurs like me. Because I can design everything myself, quickly and efficiently, these two tools have made running my shop much easier.

When someone makes a purchase from my shop, the product is instantly downloaded after the payment is completed. After the payment is processed, a download link is automatically sent to the customer’s email address, so they can access their purchase right away.

The future of MisguidedDesignsShop 

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

I want to establish a strong brand and increase my sales. I know that creating a strong brand for my business is no easy feat. It requires dedication, hard work, and strategic planning to build a brand that stands out in the marketplace and attracts loyal customers. which, in return, will increase sales.

Creating a successful business takes hard work, dedication, and a little bit of creativity. It’s important to be creative when it comes to growing my business and reaching out to customers. Being unique sets me apart from my competitors and allows me to stand out in the crowd. Imagination is key when it comes to coming up with new ideas that can help improve the success of my shop.

Advice for new sellers

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

The most important thing to remember is to be patient. It takes time to get the hang of selling on Etsy, so don't expect to start making huge profits immediately. My tips would be:

Create a unique brand and product line. Think about what sets your products apart from those of other sellers and develop a unique brand identity that will attract customers.

Take great photos of your products. Quality photographs are essential for showing off your products in their best light and creating an eye-catching listing.

Invest in marketing. Spend some time creating an effective marketing strategy that includes social media, email campaigns, and other digital marketing techniques.

offer exceptional customer service. Treat each customer like they are your only one, and always go above and beyond when it comes to customer service.

Be patient. As with any business venture, there will be ups and downs. Don't get discouraged if you don't see instant success; just keep putting in the work, and you'll eventually start seeing results.

With these tips, you'll be well on your way to a successful Etsy shop! Good luck!.