How I turned hand embroidery into a successful Etsy business
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Learning Hand Embroidery in 2018
- Start of St Roger Street Etsy Shop in 2019
- Focus on Home Portraits in 2020
- Shifting Mindset towards the Business in 2020
- Optimizing the Etsy Shop
- Learning about Etsy SEO
- Better Pricing Strategy
- Throwing New Products at the Wall
- The Growth of St Roger Street in 2021
- Exploring PDF Patterns
- Custom Embroidery Home Portraits
- New Products and Experimenting with Christmas Kits
- Adding New Patterns to the Shop
- Growth and Success in 2022
- Plans for the Future
- Conclusion
From a Hobby to a Thriving Business: The Journey of St Roger Street on Etsy
Hello friends! Welcome back to my channel. My name is Kylie, the maker of all things St Roger Street. Today, I want to take you on a trip down memory lane, back to the beginning of St Roger Street. I'll share how I learned hand embroidery, the evolution of my business on Etsy, and the valuable lessons and insights I've gained along the way. Whether you're just starting your own hand embroidery business or seeking inspiration for your Etsy shop, I hope my journey can offer you knowledge, encouragement, and helpful tips. So, let's jump right in!
Learning Hand Embroidery in 2018
In 2018, I stumbled upon some beautiful hand embroidery hoops on Pinterest, and I was inspired to give it a try myself. I started with a couple of small hoops that I made as gifts for my niece and a loved one who was moving away from their childhood home. Little did I know that these humble beginnings would pave the way for my love of hand embroidery. As someone who had always dreamt of becoming an architect, the process of creating my first home portrait ignited a passion within me that I couldn't ignore.
Start of St Roger Street Etsy Shop in 2019
Encouraged by family and friends, I took a leap of faith and officially opened the St Roger Street Etsy shop on May 14th, 2019. With just one listing, a home portrait, my shop set off on its journey. I sold this listing twice for $90 each, marking the beginning of my revenue as an Etsy seller. In the first year, I focused primarily on home portraits, selling a total of 11 pieces. The prices for these portraits ranged from $110 for a six-inch hoop to $140 for an eight-inch hoop. Additionally, I sold a finished hoop for $27. By the end of 2019, I had accumulated 12 orders with a revenue of $1,327.
Shifting Mindset towards the Business in 2020
In 2020, I realized that my Etsy shop was more than just a hobby; it had the potential to become a thriving business. As I continued to work a housekeeping job, I immersed myself in podcasts, particularly Etsy-related content. One podcast that greatly impacted me was Lauren Keplinger's "Crickets to Ching," where successful Etsy sellers shared their journeys. I devoured these podcasts, absorbing any free information that could help me improve my shop. My main goal for 2021 was to increase the number of listings in my shop and expand my business.
Optimizing the Etsy Shop
One of the first steps I took towards optimizing my Etsy shop was filling in all the necessary sections. I realized that there were sections, such as the announcement and "About Me" sections, that were left empty. It was crucial for my shop to appear established, with all sections filled in, creating a pleasant and trustworthy shopping experience for potential customers.
Learning about Etsy SEO
Through podcasts and research, I learned about the importance of Etsy SEO. Prior to this, I hadn't properly optimized my listings with relevant keywords. For example, instead of using a simple title like "Custom Wedding Venue Portrait," I learned to include more descriptive and keyword-rich titles to maximize visibility. Understanding the significance of SEO boosted my confidence in growing my shop and reaching a wider audience.
Better Pricing Strategy
Pricing my products correctly was a valuable lesson I learned in 2020. Initially, I relied on family and friends' opinions when determining the price for my custom home portraits. However, I realized the importance of conducting thorough market research and considering various factors for pricing. By following a formula that factored in material costs, labor, Etsy fees, shipping fees, and desired profit, I was able to establish fair prices for my products. It was crucial for me to distinguish between labor costs and profit, ensuring that I valued both my time and the quality of my work.
Throwing New Products at the Wall
To further expand my shop, I followed the advice of seasoned Etsy sellers and decided to experiment with new product ideas. One product that I introduced was custom embroidery home portraits in the form of PDF patterns. This allowed customers to send me a picture of their home, and I would transform it into a personalized pattern for them to stitch themselves. I wish I had taken this leap sooner, as the custom embroidery home portrait PDF patterns became one of the best-selling products in my shop. This taught me the importance of taking risks and embracing new ideas to discover potential bestsellers.
The Growth of St Roger Street in 2021
In 2021, I focused on expanding my offerings by creating 13 new PDF patterns for my shop. Although 13 might not sound like a lot, creating each pattern entailed a significant amount of effort and attention to detail. Despite the challenges, my perseverance paid off as I sold four custom embroidery home portraits and a total of 26 embroidery house portrait PDF patterns. By the end of 2021, my orders had increased to 44, with a revenue of $1,426, showcasing significant growth in comparison to previous years.
Exploring PDF Patterns
Intrigued by the potential of PDF patterns, I decided to dedicate a separate video to showcase my experience with selling them. Creating PDF patterns required not only artistic skill but also technical knowledge to transform physical patterns into digital formats. By sharing my journey, I hope to empower other artists and entrepreneurs to explore this avenue for their own success.
New Products and Experimenting with Christmas Kits
Continuing the trend of throwing new products at the wall, I ventured into Christmas kits, selling seven of them. Although the product was still in the experimental phase, I remained open-minded and adaptable to customer feedback. Embracing the process of trial and error helped me identify areas for improvement while fueling my creativity and innovation.
Adding New Patterns to the Shop
Pattern creation became the backbone of my shop's growth, and I took great satisfaction in adding 23 new patterns throughout the year. Each new addition provided variety to my offerings and catered to the diverse interests of potential customers. The continuous expansion of my pattern collection became a driving force in attracting new buyers to my shop.
Growth and Success in 2022
The year 2022 marked a turning point for the St Roger Street Etsy shop. Sales began to surge, and I experienced a significant increase in both orders and revenue. The custom embroidery home portrait PDF patterns continued to be popular, and I sold four house portrait orders. Furthermore, I experimented with 23 new patterns, each offering a unique design to meet the growing demand of my customers. By the end of 2022, I celebrated 266 orders, generating $3,648 in revenue.
Plans for the Future
Buoyed by the success of the past years, my focus for 2023 is to continue growing my shop and increasing my monthly profit. My ultimate dream is to be able to work from home as a stay-at-home mom, providing a meaningful income that supports my family. While this goal may seem ambitious, I believe that dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to customer satisfaction will propel me toward realizing this dream.
Conclusion
From humble beginnings to a thriving business, the journey of St Roger Street on Etsy has been one of constant learning, growth, and perseverance. Through optimizing my shop, mastering Etsy SEO, implementing a better pricing strategy, and a willingness to experiment, St Roger Street has evolved into a profitable venture. As I embark on the next chapter of my business, the future looks promising, filled with endless possibilities and untapped potential. I hope my story inspires and encourages you on your own Etsy journey. Remember, success awaits those who dare to dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality. Happy stitching and happy business planning!
Highlights
- Discover how St Roger Street evolved from a hobby to a successful Etsy business
- Gain insights into optimizing an Etsy shop for maximum visibility and customer trust
- Learn the importance of Etsy SEO and how to effectively implement it in your listings
- Explore strategies for pricing your products to ensure fair compensation for your time and skill
- Uncover the power of experimenting with new product ideas to uncover potential bestsellers
- Follow the growth and success of St Roger Street, including revenue and order statistics
- Find inspiration and motivation to pursue your own dreams of turning your passion into a profitable business
FAQ
Q: What inspired Kylie to start St Roger Street on Etsy?
A: Kylie's love for hand embroidery and creating home portraits motivated her to open an Etsy shop and share her art with the world.
Q: How did Kylie optimize her Etsy shop for success?
A: Kylie optimized her Etsy shop by filling in all the necessary sections, creating a cohesive and trustworthy shopping experience for potential customers.
Q: How did Kylie improve her Etsy SEO?
A: By learning about Etsy SEO through podcasts and research, Kylie implemented keyword-rich titles and descriptions to improve the visibility of her listings in search results.
Q: How did Kylie determine the prices for her products?
A: Kylie established fair prices for her products by considering material costs, labor, Etsy fees, shipping fees, and desired profit.
Q: What new products did Kylie introduce to her shop?
A: Kylie experimented with custom embroidery home portraits in the form of PDF patterns and Christmas kits, which added variety to her offerings.
Q: What were some of the key milestones and achievements for St Roger Street in 2021 and 2022?
A: In 2021, St Roger Street sold 26 embroidery house portrait PDF patterns and increased the number of orders to 44. In 2022, the business experienced significant growth with 266 orders and $3,648 in revenue.
Q: What are Kylie's plans for the future of St Roger Street?
A: Kylie aims to continue growing her shop in 2023 and increase her monthly profit. Her ultimate dream is to work from home as a stay-at-home mom and provide a meaningful income for her family.
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