How PellegrinGraphics 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’m Gidget Pellegrin, owner of Pellegrin Graphics. I design and engrave many different items that can be used in a variety of settings. I began wood burning as a hobby and became interested in glass engraving by hand through that process. During this time, we found out my son had mild Cerebral Palsy. Between the doctor's visits and therapies, I had to step down from my customer service position to be there for these visits. That is when I decided to give Etsy a try with my wood carvings.
Eventually, I began adding glass engravings and continued to branch out, engraving different materials other than wood and glass. This also peaked my interest in learning graphic design. Thanks to this generous Etsy community, it led to a family production. I was able to include one of my daughters in adding glitter to the glitter-dipped glasses, and my other daughter helps with packaging. My son is now also helping with editing photos. I'm so glad I decided to take that first step. I am now able to be there 100 percent for my son, thanks to my family's support, and I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people through Etsy.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I find myself changing favourites on a regular basis. Right now, I have two favourites. That would be my personalised photo-engraved windchimes as well as my personalised photo-engraved tumblers. I absolutely love the outcome of these two items, and they usually come with a fantastic backstory from my customers when they send over their photos to be engraved. These seem to be the most sentimental items that sell well, and I absolutely love that I am a part of that and am trusted with something so special for my customers.
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 on Etsy was shockingly quick. I would say within the first 24 hours of listing my first item. I’ve sold through e-commerce for close to twenty years and was surprised at how easy the process was when selling on Etsy.
I have since tapped into their Pattern website to help branch out a little more with some independence. I love that it automatically links my products from Etsy, and it is a true timesaver.
Managing PellegrinGraphics
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?
Currently, this is a family expedition. My husband and daughter help with shipping and packaging. I have another daughter who helps with applying extras to orders, such as glitter-dipped wine glasses, and my son has become my go-to for helping me design items. I handle the final designs, engraving, and inventory.
We use social media for promotion, such as Pinterest, TicToc, and Instagram, and a variety of apps for design. For instance, Photoshop is a major tool I had to learn to use for the design process.
I use Photoshop to remove the background, so the subject in the photo is the focus of the engraving.
Microsoft Word is my go-to for fonts. There is such a wide variety of fun and interesting fonts to choose from, and if someone is interested in a specific font, it's easy to point them in that direction.
Wave accounting has been my go-to for many years. This helps me track expenses, and it is extremely easy to implement my receipts. It keeps track of spending, so when tax time arrives, it is stress-free. The best part is they offer this service for free!
Along with the stats tools Etsy offers, I also use Google Analytics to better understand traffic. It helps me understand where I should focus my marketing strategy.
The future of PellegrinGraphics
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
I am always on the lookout for what I can engrave next. Right now, I have a few name brands that have reached out to me that I will be contracting with and adding to my shop, and I am also looking into opening my first brick and mortar to help with local shoppers.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
Have patience! It takes time to grow a business, and there will be many ups and downs. Focus on what you can control, such as marketing and customer service (word of mouth).
Focus on quality, NOT quantity. It’s important to remember that each item is meant for someone who will treasure it. It will become a part of a special memory for them, or perhaps something that will be passed on for generations.
Always have a plan because, just as your talent will not stop evolving through the years, neither should your business.
Communication is one of the most important things that I can think of in sales. Online sales have become instant gratification over the years, and when someone reaches out about your product, the quicker the response, the quicker the sale. Everyone has competition, and if you take too long to respond, they may just move on to the next
