Etsy Seller Interview with Evi of PEARLDAZZLE

How PEARLDAZZLE 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 Evi, owner of PearlDazzle on Etsy. I have always loved jewelry and accessories, although I worked in a completely different field. But the passion I felt for jewelry kept growing, and I began to attend workshops until the right moment arrived. As I love to travel, I discovered my love for pearls. It was love at first sight! So, I started using pearls in my jewelry and began to sell it to my friends. My pieces were well received, so I opened my Etsy shop. I'm so happy that my followers and buyers feel the love and care in my items. That is why I have suppliers from all over the world in order to provide quality at very affordable prices.

Favorite items

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

My favorite items? Mmm… Difficult question because each piece in my shop is inspired by something different, has a special meaning, or even has a unique story behind it. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to mention the single pearl necklace, which is one of my best sellers, as well as the multi strand pearl necklace. They are two of my favorite items, as I am in love with all kinds of real pearls. I also love minimalist jewelry, for example, the satellite chain necklace, which is also one of my best sellers. When I make jewelry with gems, I really enjoy it. Each gemstone is special, but I'll mention the topaz and the labradorite. The first has a lovely sparkle, and the second has a lovely adularescence. Check for yourself, and you'll discover the beauty of them all..

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 came pretty quickly. But I had to work hard for the next ones: Etsy ads and optimization of my Etsy listings. Now, I don’t invest as much in Etsy ads as before because I invest in other channels, mainly Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I have a Youtube channel, but I'm in the process of preparing my videos, which you'll be able to watch very soon. I still continue to work on finding the right keywords and tags, making the right modifications to my listings, and uploading short videos. So, my customers come from the channels mentioned above. I want to keep my community engaged with my shop and its updates. When my phone rings, alerting me that a purchase has been made, I get excited because I realize that someone out there loved a piece of me.

Managing PEARLDAZZLE

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?

Managing my shop implies a lot of work. Don’t forget that I am the owner and the only employee of my shop, so I do all the work by myself. I upload the new listings and make the necessary modifications to the old ones. I take pictures of the items, although depending on my budget, I sometimes go to a professional photographer. I optimize the listings by choosing the right keywords and tags, writing complete descriptions of my items, etc. I run social media, and many times it is not possible to post everything I want because of a lack of time. I make, prepare, and ship the orders as soon as possible. When I make new designs, I try to incorporate new gems or new materials, so I consult my suppliers. They are my backup when I'm out of stock for material or item or when I want to check out new stuff. It is a solitary job; you work under pressure, but you get used to it. Many times, I just stop and go for a walk in order to disconnect. And that feels so good. In terms of tools and apps, I use my Etsy rank, Alura, Google metrics, and sometimes Photoshop. I'll mention the paper planners and journals. I'm in love with them, and it is a great way to keep notes, and write down ideas, tasks, etc.

The future of PEARLDAZZLE

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

I am an entrepreneur, so my goals are to increase sales in my Etsy shop and on my own website. I really want to dedicate more time to my social media and get in touch with my customers. I love to show my items, interact with my followers, and get feedback. In order to do that, I understand that I have to learn how to use certain tools that will help me automate more time-consuming tasks quickly, as well as hire someone so that I can delegate duties and tasks. This way I'll have more time to dedicate to getting inspired and offering beautiful items to my beautiful buyers.

Advice for new sellers

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

Building a business and reaping its benefits is a slow process. It may seem impossible at first, but you'll have to insist. Ask yourself about your budget, the item(s) you want to sell, marketing, etc. This means that you'll have to make a business plan before you start any project that needs money put into it. After you have cleared this step, you can proceed with the purchase of your materials or items without spending a lot of money. In the beginning, it'll be a trial period where you'll see the flaws of your business, so you don´t want to have spent a significant amount of money. Don´t give up. Be patient. Learn about SEO and marketing basics, use social media, and analyze and review your strategy as needed.