How MommaBearCreates 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, I'm Jules, owner and creator of Momma Bear Creations. I opened my Etsy store in 2017 after taking redundancy from my job. I've always wanted to work for myself, and this was the ideal opportunity. I have always had a love for sewing. When I was a child, I used to make tiny keyring bears from scraps of fabric given to me by my neighbor, who made bears herself. I would sell these at school for pocket money! Memory bears and personalized gifts were a natural progression for me. My bears are quite unique as most of my patterns are self drafted so you won't find them being sold by other creators.

Favorite items

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

I love making all the memory items, as there's always a back story, and I feel I'm helping the customer keep their precious memories safe. It's always a great honor to be trusted with these sentimental garments. I've made keepsakes to mark all of life's journeys. I'm making a lot of school leaver bears and pillows at the moment. My favorite items are my memory pups; they are also one of my best sellers. I sell a lot of these to dog owners who have lost their beloved pet; I've even added their ashes, but I've also made them for many other occasions, including a christening gift from Nana's baby blanket, a school uniform, and a student nurse's uniform.

Puppy Memory bear, personalised dog keepsake made from loved ones clothing or blankets, pet memorial, dog lover gift

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?

My first sale on Etsy took a couple of months. I opened in May ( just me, my sewing machine, and my laptop in the spare bedroom!) I have since learned that this is a slower time of year for me anyway, but it gave me time to tweak my listings. I joined many groups and forums on social media, and I learned about SEO, keywords, titles, et cetera. It was a huge learning curve! I mostly use social media to drive sales. I have a store on Instagram linked to my Etsy store.

Managing MommaBearCreates

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 usually work alone now, but I've also had my husband, best friend, and mom help in the workshop! It can get lonely and frustrating juggling all the hats." After all, I'm an expert at sewing.

I'm not great on the internet, and bookkeeping is a whole new ballgame! I use an app called EZbooks to help with bookkeeping. Most of my shipping I buy through the Etsy app or the Royal Mail click and drop.

The future of MommaBearCreates

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

To be honest, we have been really affected by the cost of living crisis, so much so that I have had to get a part-time job for the first time in six years. So my short-term goal is to be able to give up work again!

Advice for new sellers

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

Do your homework; there is lots of advice out there! Don't expect overnight success; most of my first year was spent tweaking the shop and making new listings.

Check out what other sellers are making, but don't copy them; make your items different. If you're in a crowded niche, think about how you can make your products stand out. For example, my memory bears have the option to have angel wings, and the patterns are self-drafted, making them quite unique.

Don't undersell yourself; work on your price points, and don't forget to pay yourself! When I worked out how long my items take to make, I realized I was working for less than minimum wage! Enjoy it; it sounds silly, but if you don't enjoy making what you're selling, it will show!

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: Anything between £1000 & at it's best £13000!

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 50%

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 1.8%

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.