Etsy Seller Interview with Natalia of NataliArtist

How NataliArtist 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 Natalia, and I have been drawing since childhood. Even in kindergarten, the teacher told my parents that I have a talent for drawing and it needs to be developed. So I knew that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. In 2017, I worked in a bank, but I always felt that I was in the wrong place and that I should do art. And one fine evening, I accidentally went to Etsy. I saw a lot of talented people who sell their own handmade goods. I realized that I should be one of them. I quit my job and started my own shop on Etsy. It's a funny story because I didn't have money because I quit my job and had a stable income, but I had a great desire to realize myself as an artist and give people joy in the form of my paintings. At the beginning, I didn't have any orders for several months, but I worked hard and continued to paint portraits of people for free. I remember my first Etsy order. A man wrote to me. He said that he wants to propose to his beloved woman. He asked me to draw three pictures from the history of their lives. The paintings depicted romantic events that they experienced in their lives. It was so touching. My shop has been around for 5 years, and I have 2500 portraits, but I still remember my first Etsy order. I am grateful to the Almighty that that evening I accidentally went to the Etsy website and was able to realize myself as an artist. Now I paint portraits of animals and people, and I absolutely love my job. I draw portraits on a graphic tablet and send the portrait to the customer in electronic format. If the customer wants to print a portrait on canvas or photographic paper, he can do it on his own in the printing house in his city.

Favorite items

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

I like all my paintings that I publish in my store. Some products sell better than others. But these pictures are my favorites. I draw in different styles, and I hope you appreciate my paintings.

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 was 3 months after the store was set up. I use advertising to attract new customers.

Managing NataliArtist

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'm the only one running my store. I personally communicate with customers and draw portraits.

The future of NataliArtist 

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

I want to increase the number of sales of my products, and I will be glad if more people know about me.

Advice for new sellers

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

I advise you not to be afraid of changes and difficulties. The main thing is to love your work, and success will surely come. I am from Ukraine, and there is war in my country. Only drawing helped, and the support of loved ones helped me to endure all the horror that the Ukrainian people went through. Because when I draw, it really calms my soul. I put a piece of my soul into each of my portraits, and I do it with love.