Welcome—I’m so glad you’re here for a relaxed coffee-time chat. As I mentioned previously, this interview series has been a long-held dream. When I launched my Etsy shop a few weeks ago, I wanted to sit down and ask experienced blogging friends about the many questions that come with starting a handmade business. That idea became this interview series. I feel honored that these busy blogger-shop owners took time to share their stories. Today they introduce themselves and tell how they began selling handmade goods.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and let’s get started.
Day 1: Meet the Teachers — Four Bloggers Share Their Handmade Business Stories
(bird graphic used with permission from Heather @ Sewing Daisies)
Question: I’ve followed some of your blogs for a long time, and one of you I’ve only recently met. Could you each introduce yourselves and explain how you started selling on Etsy?
Gina from Shabby Creek Cottage:
Hi, I’m Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage and The Shabby Creek Shop. I began blogging to document the transformation of my childhood home, sharing projects, inspiration, and practical tips. My blog launched in April 2009, and after receiving warm encouragement from readers, I opened my Etsy shop in October 2009. More recently I moved the shop to its own site, where I continue to curate and sell vintage-inspired, handmade pieces. My goal has always been to create a beautiful, thoughtful collection that reflects my home and aesthetic.
Gina’s shop now features an online catalogue showcasing her collection.
Jami from Freckled Laundry:
Hello—I’m Jami, author of the DIY vintage-chic blog Freckled Laundry. I share decorating ideas, craft projects, and the progress of my journey as an Etsy shop owner and aspiring textile designer. I’m married and the mother of three: a nine-year-old son and two-year-old twins. Between family life and home projects, I use Etsy as both a creative outlet and a way to earn extra income as a stay-at-home mom.
Freckled Laundry began as my blog name and naturally became my brand. I launched an Etsy shop in November 2010, initially selling handmade baby shoes. In February 2011 I started creating clay tags, and that change shifted my shop’s direction and growth. Word of mouth and beautiful product photography helped the business gain momentum.
Jami’s handmade tags and photography are beautiful and carefully presented.
Lisa from The Pennington Point:
I opened my shop to meet three needs: to supplement our family income after hard economic times, to have a creative outlet, and to teach my daughters how to manage a home-based business. Over time the shop evolved, but those core goals remained the same. I have many creative interests, and finding a focus was challenging until one experience helped shape the business.
While having towels monogrammed as a gift, I realized local services lacked creativity and flexibility in design. That led me to buy an embroidery machine so I could personalize items the way I wanted. Friends loved the results and began requesting pieces, so I focused the shop on personalized, monogrammed products. Turning a personal passion—creative monogramming—into a business made perfect sense for our family.
Lisa’s family — she’s a devoted mom and teacher to her children.
Aimee from My Pink Life:
I’m Aimee, wife and mother to three children under five. Family life keeps me busy, and I enjoy exploring creativity through both my blog and my Etsy shop. I’ve had an Etsy presence for a few years and became much more active about a year ago. I create hand-painted signs made from salvaged barn wood. The business began when I made signs for our home; friends liked them and asked for their own, and the shop grew from there through referrals and repeat customers.
Such a sweet family—Aimee balances creativity and home life beautifully.
I feel like we’re just getting started, and there’s so much more to learn from these talented women. If you want to know each of them better, click their names above to visit their blogs and see more of their work and stories.
Tomorrow we’ll continue this series with a conversation about product branding and graphic design for handmade shops. See you then!
Linking up to Home Stories A – Z
