Etsy Seller Interview with Nataliia of PatternPalette

How PatternPalette 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 am an illustrator and the owner and founder of PatternPalette on Etsy. I live and work in Ukraine. I've been working in this field for about 15 years. I have worked a lot with fashion brands and textile designers, so in 2020 I decided to open an Etsy shop with my digital illustrations and patterns. My goal was to reach as many people around the world as possible, allowing them to use my designs and embellish their homes or personal projects with the beauty that I have created.

I draw with watercolor, acrylic, and digital. I also make custom orders because I am interested in continuous development and interesting projects. I have been drawing since childhood. Art is my whole life; I always drew and created illustrations, patterns, wallpapers, and children's posters. I worked as a fashion illustration teacher at an art school, created my online fashion illustration and fashion portrait course, taught people how to draw, and showed that it's easy and anyone can learn to draw. Now art is what saves me during the war, helps my family, and allows me to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine and friends who are currently at war. I am grateful to Etsy for its principled position and policy and for its help on behalf of all Ukrainians.

Favorite items

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

I have a deep love for all the artwork in my shop, but I am particularly fond of my clip art featuring animals or nursery designs for children. These pieces are widely used to create designs for children, and that brings me immense joy. It's truly inspiring to witness the results when people bring my illustrations to life. I imagine the happiness on children's faces when they have a poster with my illustration hanging in their room or when people use my designs for birthday decorations, patterns, or wallpapers for children. It's an incredibly rewarding feeling!

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?

I think I had my first sale within four days of opening my shop. It was watercolor lemon clip art. In the first month after the opening, I was able to turn a profit and pay off advertising and all taxes and fees.

Managing PatternPalette

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 run the store alone; I do everything myself, from creating drawings, patterns, and designs to creating listings, advertising, or SEO. I only have an assistant for retouching drawings and for processing watercolors after I scan them into digital format. In addition to watercolor paints, I use the following programs on my iPad: Photoshop and Procreate.

The future of PatternPalette

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

My goal is not to stop the development of the store, to create new projects, or to offer new designs to people from all over the world. That's why I dream that Etsy will reopen the opportunity to create new stores here in Ukraine. I have a few more ideas for new businesses.

Advice for new sellers

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

I can advise those who also draw and create digital products: don't panic, work constantly, and do something in the store every day. It can be bits of advertising, a description, the creation of new listings, the search for new directions, or new hashtags. It is necessary from the very beginning to treat the store not as a hobby but as a full-fledged business project that requires attention, time, and money. I recommend carefully studying the niche you want to dive into, offering something unique of your own to stand out, monitoring the quality of your product, being responsible for service, and being in touch. You have to love what you do, and then people will love your creativity!