Etsy Seller Interview with Jem of WoodenItBePrecious

How WoodenItBePrecious 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! I'm Jemma, and I run Wooden It Be Precious. I started working for myself 10 years ago, making keepsakes from outgrown baby clothes, whilst studying for a degree and raising my 2 boys. I soon discovered I needed to attach these keepsakes to a wooden base to ensure they couldn't be played with. Obviously, I have to make the bases look pretty by painting them, which then led me to make other painted items, which led to Wooden It Is Precious. Etsy was the main place to sell handmade items, so it was only natural that I would open a shop with them to sell my wares. I now have over 150 different products listed in my Etsy shop, the majority of which can be personalized. I love painting; I find it so therapeutic, and I love creating custom items, so when a customer comes to me with an idea, I'm more than willing to help (provided it's not copywritten).

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 to make are the family story plaques. Each plaque is 100% customizable, so no two are ever the same. The top plaque is a house, decorated to the customer's specifications, and each additional plaque is for a different family milestone, be it a house move, a new baby, getting engaged, etc. The great thing about these plaques is that you can keep adding to them as your family grows or as you continue your family journey together. The main reason I like these plaques though is that they satisfy my nosey side! I love seeing how people's lives have unfolded.

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?

Due to having a good following on Facebook and also receiving support from customers of my sewing business, it didn't take me long to get my first sale. I currently use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to attract customers to my shop. But the best thing I've found is through word of mouth; it's the best compliment I can get as a small business if someone has recommended me to a friend.

Managing WoodenItBePrecious

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 do everything for my small business by myself, from making the products to managing social media and running the shop. I don't really use any external tools and apps to help manage my shop. I find that the Etsy app is very useful for keeping me updated on anything I need to work on. I am, however, in several Facebook groups for Etsy sellers, so if there are any issues with the app, etc., I always head straight over there to ask if anyone else is experiencing the same issues.

The future of WoodenItBePrecious

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

With regard to my small business goals, I would mainly like to be able to continue making enough money to support my family. Obviously, I wouldn't complain if I was able to increase my profit margin, as long as it didn't negatively affect my family life. I would also like to continue to run my business with kindness and compassion. I'm a huge believer in treating others as you expect to be treated yourself and wish to continue to do so.

Advice for new sellers

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

My advice for new sellers would be to make use of all the tools available on the Etsy selling app. Make sure you use up all the tags and include a detailed description for each product. Make sure you include product sizes and lots of clear photos. Photos are so important as they are what's going to make a person place and order with you. Make sure you also use social media to help draw people to your Etsy shop.