Etsy Seller Interview with Yuko of Yukojewelry

How Yukojewelry 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 Yuko. I sell jewelry that uses high-quality gemstones. My jewelry is inspired by nature and traditional Japanese art. I’m very attracted to Japanese art, which delicately expresses the beauty of plants. Before opening a store on Etsy, I sold at department store events, but I had a hard time because of the long distance from my home and the restraints. So I decided to open a store on the web to give myself more free time and enough time to create jewelry.

Favorite items

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

These earrings express the elegance and presence of cherry blossoms so well, and it is often said as if they are actually in front of the cherry trees. They are selling well and bringing many customers to my store throughout the year.

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 a month to make my first sale. I work hard every day to incorporate the beauty that only I can express into my designs.

Managing Yukojewelry

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?

My store is run by me alone. My favorite app is DeepL. English is not my first language, so I double-check with this app to make sure I don’t make mistakes. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have changed the way international shipping is done. Currently, I ship internationally through an agent to keep shipping costs as low as possible. I no longer have to go to the post office, which makes it easier, but shipping costs are still very high, and I’m very careful not to make any mistakes.

The future of Yukojewelry

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

I haven’t set any goals for my store. I have had my store on Etsy for over 10 years now, and I’d like to keep my store on the web for as long as possible. Because selling on the web means that I can have potential customers all over the world.  The reactions of people from different countries are exciting and empowering.

Advice for new sellers

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

Custom requests are very important. Because behind the requests may be a hidden impression of my store that I’m not aware of or an idea for a new design.