I’ve been working on a secret project and I’ve just finished it.
While setting up my Etsy shop a few weeks ago, I found myself searching the web for answers to many practical and technical questions. Questions like: where do you store finished crafts? How do you design a shop banner that attracts customers? How do you photograph products so they look irresistible online? What I really wanted was a conversation—sitting around my ocean-side kitchen table, chatting with fellow bloggers who also run handmade shops and learning from their real-life experience.
Those conversations became the inspiration for a new idea.
I reached out to a few bloggers I admire, and they generously agreed to help. I’m excited to announce that next Monday, March 26th, marks the start of a 7-day mini series here at Harbour Breeze. Four talented bloggers—some I’ve followed for years and one I recently met and already admire—have agreed to answer my questions about the practical details of selling handmade items online.
(bird graphic used with permission from Heidi at sewingdaisies.com.au)
The featured contributors are:
Jami from Freckled Laundry, Gina from Shabby Creek Cottage, Aimee from My Pink Life, and Lisa from The Pennington Point. Each will share honest, practical answers to questions about creating and running a handmade business online.
Over seven days, we’ll tackle the essential topics that every maker and small business owner faces when selling handmade goods: from branding and photography to workspace organization, packaging, promotion, and the challenge of balancing creativity with everyday life.
Day 1: “Meet the Teachers” — Four bloggers tell their handmade business stories
Day 2: “Product Branding” — Graphic design, store banners, and creating a consistent brand
Day 3: “Organizing a Workspace” — Practical tips for makers who live where they work
Day 4: “Presenting Your Product” — Product photography techniques that sell
Day 5: “Wrapping Up a Sale” — Smart, attractive packaging and preparing items for shipment
Day 6: “Promoting Your Shop” — Effective ways to get the word out and attract customers
Day 7: “Balancing It All” — Time management and multitasking strategies for creative entrepreneurs
If you’re setting up an Etsy shop or any online store, this series is designed to give you actionable tips and real-life examples. Expect concise advice on presenting products professionally, building a recognizable brand, optimizing product images for search engines and social media, and creating packaging that delights customers while protecting items during shipping.
Beyond the technical details, these posts will also explore the softer but equally important side of running a handmade business: how to organize a productive creative space, how to manage inventory and storage, and how to keep momentum while juggling family, work, and other responsibilities. Whether you sell sewn goods, paper crafts, jewelry, home decor, or any handmade product, you’ll find ideas you can adapt to your own shop.
I hope you’ll grab a cup of coffee and join us each day as we open up these conversations. I was deeply encouraged and inspired by the candid answers the bloggers shared. Their insights not only helped me move forward with my own shop, they reminded me why I love making things and connecting with customers.
Even if you don’t currently sell online, this series offers useful lessons about small-business branding, presentation, and organization that apply to many creative pursuits. Bring a friend, take notes, and come ready to learn.
See you Monday—I’ll have the coffee ready.