[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message]Niche : Jewelry and Accessories
Shop link : https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BalticAmberMala
Website : https://amber108.com[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Tell us something about yourself, how did you get started, do you consider yourself a crafter, maker, artist…
We – simply – love our amber malas, we use them for meditation, and we decided to offer them to more people.
How did you discover Etsy? Did you have any previous experience in selling handmade products? Why did you start selling online?
Recommendation from close friends was the best recommendation.
What products do you sell, what type of materials are used in your creations, how do you design your products, what makes your products stand out?
Only natural Baltic amber is used for our malas. simple 🙂 sometimes our clients ask to create wood or stone malas for them – and we do so. But amber is an absolute winner. Creating malas we follow the very clear transmission of how mala is constructed, but also artistic expression is very important. This is why some malas are classical beauties, and some have a really strong character.
How was your experience in learning to craft, are you self-taught or did you have a mentor, how long did it take for you to be satisfied with your creations?
Step by step learning helps a lot, also – talking to people, trying to fulfill their wishes how amber mala should look like. But also, it is a very good idea to listen to your heart and keep your line.
What was your original goal when you opened up an Etsy shop? What impacted your decision to start selling online? Do you consider online selling as a side-job, full-time job, or extra income to pay for your hobby?
The initial idea was to raise money for supporting Buddhist activities, which we do until now.
Did you have any fears or reservations before opening up your Etsy shop? Were you worried about profitability or product competitiveness? What are some concerns and questions you had before you got started? How did you overcome them?
No, no reservations at all – only curiosity and a sense of adventure. We opened the shop and followed the flow.
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How long did it take for you to get your first sale? Did you ever think you would make a lot of sales in the first year? What was the goal you were hoping for? How many sales an average you get per week?
We remember the first sale very well – we thought what a brave person who is ordering something from ar away country somewhere in Northern Europe. Everything went well then, so we continue.
Do you have a job outside Etsy? If not, are you able to commit full-time to online selling? How does your typical day look like? How do you manage time?
Yes, we have jobs outside ETSY. So, late evenings are dedicated to Etsy.
How does your manufacturing process look like for e.g. your best selling product? Do you create products ahead of the orders? Do you customize your products, if so how? What are the tools that you are using in the manufacturing process?
yes, some males are created ahead of orders. And some males are created personally for clients.
What is the biggest impact on the profitability of your shop? How expensive are the materials you use? How do you price your products?
Amber is an expensive material, that’s true.
What inspires you when you’re creating? How do you get ideas for new products? What are some methods or tools you use to get creative?
We use amber malas ourselves – so we know the subtle nuances about it.
Do you ship your product internationally? How do you handle postage pricing? What is the average time it takes from the order to the delivery? Do you use free shipping? If so, why? How do you package your products?
yes, we ship internationally.
Are you worried about competitors? Does it impact your business in any way? If there are a lot of similar products, how do you make your own stand out?
We like people who create malas.
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How do you deal with disputes or bad ratings/feedback? How do you manage presale and post-sale communication and customer satisfaction?
Some days are good, some days are perfect – we focus on the positive side.
Has selling on Etsy changed your life in any way? If so, how? Did you ever think you would get this far with your shop? Have you ever been stressed about dealing with customers and manufacturing products? How did you deal with that?
it is simply one more activity in life.
How important is social media for your shop? What are some common tactics you use to promote your products? Do you spend money on ads outside of Etsy? How do you generate excitement/hype around your products?
We do not create hype around the product, we tried social media, but the best recommendation is person-to-person.
What are some things you don’t like about Etsy? If you could talk to the CEO of Etsy what recommendations would you tell him to improve sellers and customer satisfaction?
It is getting more and more expensive to have space on ETSY.
What are some things you did to set your shop for success on Etsy? What is one lesson you learned the hard way?
always look for the solution, for the bright side of situation
What piece of advice would you give to new or established sellers or those considering selling on Etsy? How can they avoid beginner mistakes?
just start and follow the flow
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