Etsy Seller Interview with Utary of Oyeta

How Oyeta 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 started my Etsy shop after I resigned from my previous job as a guest relations manager at a 5-star resort and decided to be a full-time mother and housewife. I loved my previous job, as I met lovely people from around the world. I started sewing at a young age. My mother taught me. I remember growing up in a house full of handmade things. I love small pouches and clutches and began sewing them for myself, and soon my friends started to order from me, and then my Etsy shop opened. I am so glad that I have received a positive response to my handmade items. It's the best feeling in the world when my customer is happy with my work.

Favorite items

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

The linen and lace clutch is my favorite. It is delicate and made of linen. The lace is a special edition lace, and I only have it in a small batch because the store no longer restocks it, and all I have now are the remaining fabrics I stocked in my craft room. I love the flower details and the simple design.

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?

It took me two months to make my first sale on Etsy. I attract customers through organic reach on Etsy via keywords for titles and tags and in the description. I also do social media on Pinterest, but not consistently enough. I plan to be more consistent this year so I can boost traffic and sales.

Managing Oyeta

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 handle the shop all on my own while doing my best to be a stay-at-home mom. I sew, pack, and do all the photo editing, listing, and sending of the packages to the post office. I normally do it all at night, once everybody is sleeping and the house is quiet. Nighttime is the best time for me to work because I can concentrate and feel at ease. Once I pack all the orders, I go to the post office in the morning after I drop my daughter off at school.

The future of Oyeta 

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

My goal is to sell more and make this my main income. At the moment, I am still struggling with time management, but hopefully things get better as my daughter grows older and becomes more independent, so I can focus more on my shop and create more and more pretty clutches.

Advice for new sellers

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

Don't give up. Things may get rough at the beginning. Learn more, adapt more to the current situation, and read other seller experiences to give us more insight about selling on Etsy.