Etsy Shop Tips

Hi! My name is Danielle Furstenberg. I live in Oklahoma City, and just started doing Etsy as a full-time job when I finished school in May. It looks right now like I’ll be writing for the OKEtsy Team Blog on the second and fourth weeks of the month.

I just officially started my business in January of this year, so I thought it might be a good idea to share two of the most helpful things I did when getting started. First, I super duper duper recommend signing up for and taking a free New Business Workshop. The Oklahoma Tax Commission offers one every few days all over the state. I was able to take one just a few blocks from my house. The one I went to was about three hours long, but the time flew by because it was SO informative and helpful.

I knew very little about the legal side of starting a business, so this workshop helped me a lot. I learned how to register for a FEIN number, open a business checking account, officially register my business, report sales tax, register my trade name – and I learned about things I can purchase for my business that are tax exempt.

Secondly, Etsy offers so many helpful articles for getting started. In the months prior to opening my shops, I tried to read a few articles from the Etsy Seller Handbook every night before going to bed. By the time I was ready to officially open my shop, I had learned a little about everything from photography and writing item descriptions to shipping internationally and pricing items.

Having that base of knowledge was incredibly beneficial to me starting out. I try to still read a few new articles from Etsy each week, so I’m always learning, but in reality it’s been several weeks since I’ve made time for that.

I hope my suggestions can help any of you that are just starting out! Also, if you’re new to Etsy and have questions or are confused, please head over to the OKEtsy Team Discussion Board! There are a ton of really nice people there that would be more than happy to help! Thanks!

Meet Our Members: AScrappyDesign

I'm very happy to introduce to you Heather of AScrappyDesign, a longtime team member, a true sweetheart, and a real class act. Let's all give her a warm round of applause. Heather, come on out!





1. Introduce yourself to the team.
My name is Heather Mills, and I am sole owner of A Scrappy Design in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, A Scrappy Design is only part-time for me but one day, I will be able to do it full-time . . . just wait and see. :D

Calendar Circle Tags -- Set of 12

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?
I make all kinds of paper goodies such as cards, gift tags, and scrapbooking embellishments. I started working with paper when my best friend got me hooked on scrapbooking, which turned into getting a second part-time job at the local scrapbook store to support my hobby, which turned into an Etsy shop! Making cards, for me, was very satisfying because the recipients were delighted to see a card that was handcrafted with a personal touch rather than just something purchased from a big box store. My cards are something that can be cherished and kept forever.

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?
I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I remember as a little girl making crafts with my little sis and selling them at a craft mall nearby. I started selling my paper goods on Ebay and had some success there, but then I found Etsy. It was so much easier for me to navigate and the fact that I could have my own store front was a plus. So, in January 2007, I signed up and immediately started listing.

Birdhouse Thank You -- Handmade Greeting

4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?
Between my full-time job and my Etsy shop, I don't have much time to do any other crafty things but when I have the chance, I love to draw and paint. Who knows, maybe some day you'll see some of my work in my shop. :D

5. What do you love best about Etsy?
I love all the people here on Etsy...they are all so supportive of each other.

Field of Mushrooms -- Handmade Paper Embellies

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?
My favorite thing about Oklahoma would have to be the unpredictable weather. I love how it can be 70 degrees when I go to work and as I leave work the same day, it's snowing.

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog, Twitter, MySpace, etc.?
Right now, I don't sell anywhere else online but I do have some of my stuff at the French Cowgirl.
Blog: http://ascrappydesign.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AScrappyDesign
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ascrappydesign
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascrappydesign

Heather also graciously shared some promotions tips with us in our group forum thread. Since she implemented these steps, her sales have picked up. Here are Heather's (paraphrased) secrets to success:

1. Use your blog wisely. Heather has done two new blog features that have generated some shop traffic.

2. Increase your tweets. Twitter is a great tool, so let your followers know when you have a new item in your shop or a new blog post.

3. Remember the forums. Heather said she avoids the Promotions section, but the Etsy forums are a good place to draw traffic to her blog.

Thank you, Heather!