Welcome to the first installment of our new series of weekly interviews! I will be asking Etsy’s top sellers to share advice and information about their business that you will hopefully find inspiring and useful in regards to your own handmade endeavors.
This week I am excited to introduce Olga Hagedorn of cupcaketree. She creates the most delightful hand carved rubber stamps. I have already added some to my favorites list and my mind is overflowing with project ideas. Check out her shop and her blog for some fantastic craftiness!
What is your business name and what kinds of products do you sell? cupcaketree, I sell hand carved rubber stamps
Is there a story behind your store name? I learned the art of cake decorating a few years ago, which I love very much, but my favorite thing to decorate were the cupcakes. When searching for an available name on Etsy, it was the name that came to me!
How did you get started in your handmade business? I originally started on Etsy with a polymer clay charms shop, but as I got to know the website and saw what was selling, I noticed this very small niche with hand carved stamps. I quickly learned how to make them and a few weeks later I opened the shop.
Where do you sell your products both online and offline? The only place that I sell my stamps is on Etsy right now.
How much time do you put into your online activities? I spend a few hours each day online.
Which online activities do you feel have helped your shop the most? Re-listing often, taking clear photos, doing interviews like these, and being chosen to be featured in blogs.
What is your schedule like on a typical business day? Answering convos, sketching out onto the rubber and carving the stamps. Every few days I do mailings. Each day brings something new, so there is never a ‘typical’ day – especially with the kids around.
What are your biggest challenges selling on Etsy? I wish there was a quicker way to re-list sold items, and more options for the pricing (like having the personalizations charged by the letter)
Do you have any time saving tips you could share? Organization!
What social media do you like to use and how do you use it? I get a lot of hits from Facebook, although I do not have anything that I have actually put on there. Besides that, I do not use social media at this time.
What is your favorite part of your handmade business? I love being creative, and it is such a thrill to have someone like what I have created so much that they purchase it – and then come back for more!
What are your hopes and aspirations for your store and where do you see yourself going from here? I hope to continue to create stamps, and to continue to be successful on Etsy. It’s a wonderful place for artists, I only wish I had found it before.
Do you do anything to stay inspired and what motivates you to create? I am always looking around for inspiration – in nature, online, all around me.
What are three tools in your workspace that you could not live without? 1. my pink Speedball carving tool 2.rubber 3. my pencil
Thanks again to Olga for taking some time out of her busy day to answer a few questions. I hope you found some useful tips. If any of you have any questions that you would like me to ask in future interviews, please leave them in the comments section.
really interesting interview. I love your photos! thank you olga and kerry!