Meet Etsy Seller Twinzz Shop

Today we would like to introduce you to Kelly

and her Etsy shop Twinzzshop

Twinzzshop has been selling on Etsy since November 2009, she sells bodysuitz, teez and onesies for twins, triplets and siblings. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
At my baby (well "babies" I had twins!) shower I was really disappointed cause I didn't receive anything twin related! While on bedrest right before having them I went online and found that many designs were really expensive or poorly designed or both! After having my twins and once they were home, even in the double stroller, people would stop me and ask if they were twins?! There is 2 infants, unless I stole one, yes they are twins! So I took some of my husband's old t-shirts and my 1st sets of twin onesies "pb & j", "milk & cookies", and "peas & carrots" were created.

What is the story behind your shop name?
In feb 2008, when my husband and I were shocked to find I was pregnant (after being told the previous November it wouldn't happen for us), we got another surprise during the ultra-sound when my doctor asked "do you see what I see?" We had no idea what we were looking at, I saw two "blobby things" and she replied, "well, there are definitely two"... "two? two what?" those 3 words changed my life as we welcomed our b/g TWINS that following August!
They inspired my shop of "TWIN ZZ"s tees for twins and because of our last name, they were the "Twin Z's" in the NICU for a month after their birth.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
How much I love creating new designs. I used to be an art teacher before I had the twins, and it's a way for me to stay creative with drawing/designing new shirts etc.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favorite design to make is the "mac & cheese" set cause it takes the least amount of time/sewing, but my favorite set is really the "rainbow" set cause my friend's twins created such an adorable photo.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Dealing with copycats. I have even had customers buy a twin set from me, photograph their twins wearing them and then start selling them in their shop! I also have several people that have very similar designs to some that I created years ago pop up recently, but I just keep plugging away making the most quality designs/products I can, and hopefully my brand will win out. they say flattery is highest compliment, but with business it feels more like theft. I think the hardest thing is trying to just ignore it and continue my success.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I use old t-shirts or pj's and recycle them by creating my appliqués, this way they don't end up in the trash/landfill. I handsew each one so they are "heirloom" quality. I want my onesies to not only help create a great photo memory celebrating twins/siblings, but I want the mom to want to hold on/keep my onesies too.

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
A multi-tasking mom of mulitiples? ;)

What do you do when you aren't working?
Have fun exploring/growing with my twins.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
My goal is to reach 2500 sales this year.

Twinzzshop is offering 15% discount to our blog readers. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "ETSYKIDS" at checkout.

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Meet Etsy Seller Sunshine Knit And Sew

Today we would like to introduce you to Sunshine

and her Etsy shop Sunshineknitandsew

Sunshineknitandsew has been selling on Etsy since April 2012, she makes fun and characterful crochet hats and accessories. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I have dabbled with knitting and crochet for the last 10 years. I really enjoyed making things for my family and friends. I started making so much I decided to open a separate shop for just my knits.

What is the story behind your shop name?
It is just my name and what I do in this shop :-)

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I enjoy the character hats I create. I don't work from a pattern and I have yet to write one down when I do it. I just make the base (the hat itself) and then start putting the face together. Some are characters we know...Elmo, Grover, Hello Kitty...while others are made up of my imagination.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Keeping up with everything is what I find most challenging. The pictures, the description and trying to post something everyday. It seems really hard for me to keep up with, although I do think I am getting better.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want everyone to fall in love with what I create for them. I try to go above and beyond for each of my customers. I really want them, or the ones they bought them for, to love wearing what I made. 

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Probably crazy. Although, that's how I would describe myself too :-) I work all the time...if I'm sitting down my hands are busy. But they would also probably say - hard-working, patient...my husband calls me a machine.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I'm a mom of two young children - so I'm always working :-) I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with the kids and work out of my studio in the house. But I also enjoy swimming and dancing with the kids and just trying to be in the moment. 

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I also have another Etsy shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunshinetextiles
Here I create items from polymer clay. I use a lot of my handmade buttons on my knitted items. I also make jewellery.

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Meet Etsy Seller AuntMsCreations

Today we would like to introduce you to Marilyn

and her Etsy shop Aunt Ms Creations

Aunt Ms Creations has been selling on Etsy since November 2010, she sells practical, functional, and fun for children and adults. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I started out by making hooded towels for baby gifts. I realized that those who received them loved them so I thought why not try to sell them? Then I added other items for children as I thought this would make my shop more cohesive. As I create and add items it often leads to another idea. I have plenty more ideas of products that might be added in the future!

What is the story behind your shop name?
I am privileged to be the aunt of 26 nieces and nephews (17 on my side and 9 on my husband's side). The oldest ones starting calling me Auntie M. When I was looking for a shop name I wanted something that could be remembered easily, reflected who I am and what I have for sale. So I thought that using Aunt Ms was great and added Creations so I could be open ended to what all I include in my shop in the future.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
That people like what I have for sale and are excited about my products. I love creating items that people need- things that are practical, functional and yet fun.
I also love the feedback I receive from my customers online and at craft shows that I attend. It's so confirming when you hear the enthusiastic responses to seeing my products and the desire someone has to purchase something- or when someone has a hard time deciding what to buy because they are interested in lots of things.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I would have to say I like to make everything that I offer in my shop or I wouldn't offer them. But I love the Hidden Treasure bags that have the different themes.
I was an early childhood teacher for many years and would have loved to have these bags to use to teach concepts such as letters, numbers, shapes and colors. They offer a fun and unique approach to teaching little ones basic concepts. My second favorite items are the doll sleeping bags- they bring smiles to young girls faces which brings a smile to my face in return!

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
It is extremely difficult to get noticed when there are so many shops and many selling similar products. I offer the best product I know how to create and try to entice potential customers with great descriptions, good titles and the correct tags so my items are found in the search.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Sell products that I love to make. Offer great customer service. Stand behind my products. Show integrity and be appreciative of every inquiry and every sale and every treasury that I am included in. Bring delight to my customers when they open the package, see the items wrapped in tissue paper and tied with ribbon with a hand written thank you note!

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Organized. Joyful. Dependable. Creative.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love to read, hang out with my husband and daughter as well as with extended family and friends. I also am very active in my church and lead a weekly Bible study for women.
Sewing to me is not work but fun and relaxing!

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I really enjoy running all aspects of my business- from creating to packaging and all the steps in between! My husband is my biggest cheerleader and my daughter is so excited whenever I have a sale!! I couldn't do this without their support!

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Meet Etsy Seller ThatsTheCutestThing

Today we would like to introduce you to Vicky

and her Etsy shop ThatsTheCutestThing

ThatsTheCutestThing has been selling on Etsy since March 2011, she sells knit & crochet photo props, clothing & accessories. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
My loyal customers and my curiosity were my major motivations for opening my Etsy shop. I'd been selling crochet and knit children's clothing and accessories at an annual large craft show since 2005, and every year my returning (and new!) customers were more persistent in asking for contact information, my business website, and custom orders. It took me two years to persuade myself to turn my hobby into a business, but I did so as I was curious to try it and grow from the experience. I opened my Etsy shop on March 16, 2011.

What is the story behind your shop name?
Every creative person has their own style, and what I find myself making are more "classic cute" items. My business was "The Cutest Thing" in earlier years. That name was taken when I first registered on Etsy, so I expanded it to "That's The Cutest Thing" based on my first customer at my first craft show. As soon as I'd opened my craft booth in the early morning, she ran into my booth, grabbed a toddler sweater that was hanging on my display, held it up for her friend to see and said, "Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen?!" The name seemed to be the perfect fit for my style and my customers, so I kept it.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I wasn't a seller that believed that simply listing an item would make a sale, but I'll readily admit I wasn't prepared for the ENORMOUS amount of work it takes to establish and maintain your shop! My first year alone was spent making inventory. Shipping profiles, teams, Facebook, taxes, marketing, photography, advertising, treasuries, accounting, RTS sales, graphic design, spreadsheets, wholesaling . . . my learning curve has fallen off the chart over the past two years to say the least. And it still continues . . .

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I love the current popularity of bonnets! I love dressing little girls, and I find bonnets so much fun to knit and crochet. It's also nice for my business that they appeal to both my target populations: family members and photographers.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Organization--something I used to be very good at doing before opening my shop, but not so much anymore! A small business is a never-ending task, and it has infiltrated all aspects of my life. I always feel I'm one season/photo shoot/month BEHIND all the time. Summertime is catch-up and stock-up time for me, so I'm hoping this fall I'll be in a better place.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I believe that parents and photographers should have access to unique handmade clothing and accessories for their children and clients that are cute, beautifully colored, comfortable, durable, easily cared for, meticulously finished, and safe to wear. All of my creations are made with the mindset that they will become family heirlooms, just as my grandmother's handmade items for her grandchildren did. It's so much fun (and quite a compliment) to see photos of others using and enjoying what I made for them. And I love the idea that something I lovingly crafted will be treasured by someone on the other side of the world!

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Caring, independent, meticulous. I think I'll stop there as any additional becomes quite . . . colorful! ;-)

What do you do when you aren't working?
In addition to my shop, I work full-time as a pediatric and neonatal critical care nurse. Believe it or not, I do manage to squeeze in fun things around the two jobs! Another passion of mine is serving as a nursing volunteer on international (11 and counting!) and domestic missions and in a local community low-cost clinic for children and adults. I also love antique shopping and collecting, baking, photography, traveling, gardening, and watching movies.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
My best tip for my fellow Etsy sellers: Search locally for resources you need for your shop. In 2011, I needed to find a photographer for professional model photos of my items. Rather than employ a modeling service that would take a lot of time, shipping, and logistics, I did a "local" search on Etsy to find a photographer that other local sellers were using. Right away I found beautiful photos in Vintage Pretties by EMA's shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintagePrettiesbyEMA) by Elizabeth Alexander. When I contacted Eliz Alex Photography (http://www.elizalexphotography.com), I was blessed to find out that she was happy to do model photography for me, and that Vintage Pretties was her shop as well! Working with her over the past two years, my shop photos have been completely transformed into a cohesive gallery of my creations. I'm supporting local business, a fellow Etsian and small business owner, and I made a great friend in the process!
In the same vein, I met fellow Etsian Julia McPherson of Innerspace Marketing, LLC (http://www.innerspacemarketing.com), through a local Etsy team. She has been my "go-to" person for a new logo & graphic design, ad buttons, and marketing and advertising materials for my shop. Julia is wonderful to work with, always responds rapidly to my requests, and she's transformed my brand and made my business endeavors much more professional-looking on a daily basis.

I'd love for you to become fans of my Facebook and Pinterest pages!
http://www.facebook.com/ThatsTheCutestThing
http://www.pinterest.com/ThatsTheCutest

ThatsTheCutestThing is offering 15% discount for our blog readers! To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "ETSYKIDS15" at checkout, valid until August 31, 2013.

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Meet Etsy Seller MeysMadeCoolCrochet

Today we would like to introduce you to Sarah Meys

and her Etsy shop MeysMadeCoolCrochet

MeysMadeCoolCrochet has been selling on Etsy since January 2013, she makes crochet hats and photography props all proudly handmade in New Zealand. Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
Our first daughter. She was born bald and it was a very cold winter so I taught myself to crochet pretty hats for her to keep her warm. These hats received many compliments when we were out and about, so I decided to take the plunge and start selling them.

What is the story behind your shop name?
Meys is the Dutch surname I received when I married my awesome husband. I hand make everything I sell so it made sense to stick with something basic like 'Meys Made'. I added the 'Cool Crochet' because that is my shop style. Modern, colourful creations for cool kids. Fun fact: Meys is pronounced the same way as 'maze'.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favourite item to make is my Pukeko hat. The Pukeko is a native New Zealand bird so it's great to be able to make something that is unique to this wonderful place I live.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Living in little old New Zealand. I feel so far away from the bulk of Etsy buyers. Etsy is still growing in popularity here. I am striving to get the word out about how amazing it is.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to make sure that every kid looks cool and stays warm so strive to produce bright, fun products for kids of all ages.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I'm a stay at home mum of two beautiful daughters (2 years old and 3 months old) so I spend most of the day caring for them and work when they are in bed. On the rare occasion that I'm not holding a crochet hook or nappy bag then I play my flute or cornet as I live and breathe music.

MeysMadeCoolCrochet is offering 10% discount off any purchase. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "ETSYKIDSBLOG" at checkout. Valid until the end of July 2013.

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Meet Etsy Seller Rising Star Art

Today we would like to introduce you to Karen

and her Etsy shop RisingStarArt

RisingStarArt has been selling on Etsy since May 2008, she makes whimiscal folk art, children's books, prints, notecards and original paintings featuring bright colors, an unfettered imagination and unbridled joy. Karen is an award winning artist and author/illustrator. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I was very excited about etsy and finding an audience that appreciated handmade items and my original art.

What is the story behind your shop name?
I call my studio "House of the Rising Star Folk Art." When I was at the lowest point in my life, I had a dream where my father called me in a telephone booth and told me to "go to the house of the falling star." I understood that to mean- "look within", as at that time, I was the falling star. My life has turned around in a myriad of ways and because I survived many hurdles, I now see myself as a rising star, not a falling one.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The amount of work it takes to make my items, get found, filling orders, uploading etc. I

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I just love painting and creating images from my imagination. I think I am living out my childhood through the images that come into my mind. I giggle sometimes at myself with the stuff I come up with. I make myself happy with my color palette.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Figuring out SEO and how to create good listings.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I have been blessed with a gift that is unique to the world and I have an obligation to share it. I create images from the heart that I want to uplift and give joy to others. I believe that art should be accessible to all and offer prints and originals in different price ranges so that everyone who wants it can own a little piece of my world.

How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Bright, vivacious, outgoing, a little crazy, driven, caring

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love to garden and have created little vignettes all over my yard featuring some of my handmade ceramic items and plants I love. I also created a special garden for my cats and pollinators featuring catmint, catnip, lavender and other perennials.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I took up pottery 2 years ago and also have another shop on etsy featuring decorative and functional pieces.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/risingstarpottery1

RisingStarArt is offering 10% discount in her shop. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "IREADABOUTYOU" at checkout. Valid until 24th July 2013.

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