How NiagaraGlassMosaics 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?
Hello! My name is Michelle White, and I am the artist behind Niagara Glass Mosaics. I've been a seller on Etsy since 2014. Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, I now reside on a sustainable forest garden hobby farm in Niagara, Ontario, with my husband and several cats. I've been creating art all of my life and enjoy learning about and experimenting with new media. I studied biology at university, and my love of nature is reflected in my artwork. After taking a stained glass beginners workshop many years ago, I became interested in working with glass.
The most difficult decision I had to make when starting out was what art medium to focus on since I enjoy so many. At first, I included several art media, but eventually, I knew I preferred the intricacy and uniqueness of glass mosaics. At the same time, I tried out some local artisan craft shows. This allowed for vital customer feedback and grew my confidence. The technique I use for my mosaics is called "glass-on-glass." I hand-cut the glass mosaic pieces out of standard stained glass sheets and assembled mosaic illustrations with colored glass shards. The mosaics are adhered to a sheet of clear glass, framed, and grouted. Often, I hand-paint details to finish the artwork. The result is a detailed piece of artwork that "glows" when light is transmitted through it.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
It's hard to pick my favorite items, but I really enjoy creating landscape artwork, especially ones with lots of colors. I do find this section sells well because nature never goes out of style; it is literally "evergreen."
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 shop, I only had a few items listed as I was still learning the ins and outs of listing and shipping breakable items. My first sale came within my first month of opening. I have worked consistently to understand SEO, and the vast majority of my customers find me via Etsy and Google searches. Currently, I use Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest as my main outside channels to showcase my works in progress and artworks for sale. The Meta business suite is great for organizing and scheduling posts. I have set up shopping tags on IG and FB that link to the Etsy items featured to guide prospective customers to my shop. I also make sure to include a business card with every purchase. Owning a simple URL with your business name that links directly to your Etsy shop (mine is www.niagaraglassmosaics.com) is a great way to guide customers.
Managing NiagaraGlassMosaics
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 able to run my shop myself and handle all the shipping from my little rural location. I have found that companies like Clickship and Swiftpost offer great rates for various shipping providers and can easily schedule direct pick-ups. Research is key, not only in determining rates but also in the reliability of the carriers and the proper packaging of the items. I also buy shipping materials in bulk to help keep costs down. I have always just used a simple cell phone for photography and taken advantage of the great outdoors as natural lighting. When creating listing descriptions, I find Grammarly an excellent tool.
The future of NiagaraGlassMosaics
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
My goal is to maintain and hopefully grow the customer base while still enjoying and growing artistically. I also have a goal to continue to source sustainable packaging materials.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Research and read. There is so much vital information on the Etsy platform itself about not only what is allowed but also how to create compelling listings and advice on reaching and communicating with customers. Engage in Etsy forums and Etsy support groups. Understand trademarks and copyrights. Running a business entails constant learning. Etsy isn't a set-it-and-forget-it platform, especially when first starting out. There are often ways to improve listings, such as by learning photography skills, writing engaging descriptions, or implementing the elusive SEO.
NiagaraGlassMosaics
Hybrid Stained Glass Mosaic Artworks
