I just discovered you today. TY for being real and transparent about your first month as a seller. I'm officially launching my website on September 8th, but I went straight to Shopify. Just heard so many things about Etsy that just decided to go right to my own website. I will be following you on your journey. Good luck with your next launch. The cat and fish stickers are my favorite so far ❤
Congrats on launching your site soon! And Shopify is a great platform that a lot of people like to use. Thanks for the kind comment and good luck to you too!
I used to drive to the usps store to drop off packages too before i start my 9-5 job; but then i realized that etsy also allows you to to schedule usps to pick up packages; saves lotsa time, gas, and energy!
I heard about this feature! For now I don’t mind dropping off since usually it’s just 1-3 envelopes, I feel bad scheduling pick up when it’s so little 😅😅 maybe once I get more orders
I started an Etsy shop on January and even though I’ve had a few struggles, I really love to do what I do. Also, we use the same manufacturer (twinsss). I love seeing someone else going through the same things as me, it’s very refreshing. Anyway- I love your art style and best of luck with the USPS situation. ❤️
I'm really glad you're showing the real struggle of a fully handmade creator of products from design to finish but I believe BTS videos such as this are all what is going to help boost your commercial presence. We all have to start somewhere!
Thanks for the support!! And definitely, I started making this content to show all sides of running my shop, and there’s a lot of both good and bad. ❤️
Hi friend. I haven't launched yet, but when I used USPS to set an envelope of my stickers to my friend last month it got lost. Now as I prep for launch I'm considering options that at least include tracking. :'( Hope no more of your packages get lost and thanks so much for sharing your journey.
Ah I’m sorry to hear you also lost a package 😭 USPS really needs to step it up. Luckily I haven’t had too many issues in the past 2-3 weeks but I’m always a bit nervous about it 😅
Can I ask what art application and devices you use to draw your stickers? I'm quite curious about it since I'm thinking about buying new devices and trying out different digital art application
USPS also lost one of my sticker packages recently! Definitely felt a little gutted about it as im just starting out my business as well. Lovely video tho, keep it up!
Are you also selling items that are classified as the small envelope category? Like the Pitney bowes tracking? Because yeah they sometimes take a while to do updates and such. Usually, I just make sure to let all my customers know the package was shipped out and if they do run into any issues receiving their package to contact me. Definitely understand your stress, I went through a lot of that too 😭
Love your sticker designs and your content! My best friend and I are also still getting in the swing of things with our small businesses and content creation. Definitley got a new subscriber from us so we can follow your journey as you grow too❤
Hey! I think if you’re just selling digital things you can definitely sell from anywhere in the world since your customers would just be given a download file. But, I’d imagine there may be better platforms besides Etsy. I’m not as familiar with other platforms, but people do prefer Etsy because they do a lot of the advertising and can bring traffic to your shop. I think it could be good to do some research though!
The fish has its own character. He has a freckle on his fin that's why other fishes know it's Bob or Joe.. Or whatever the name is XD Lol you can even make a story about it for children. About his fin and why he's a special fish. You know how Japanese illustrators are also big on the details? They can def make a flippin cool story about that fish with a freckle
Hello! Are you asking on making handmade stickers? I have a video on how I make stickers, but it’s more about me drawing stickers and how to print with a manufacturer. If you’re interested in handmade stickers, I’d recommend looking into the Cricut cutting machines and there’s a lot of creators that use it for making stickers!
Well this goes for the lucky people who don’t get suspended for no reason like so many of us. I think recommending the Etsy platform who treats their sellers like dirt is becoming morally inacceptable. Its like recommending to your best friend to stay in a toxic relationship and accept domestic violence.
I totally get you, there are obviously lots of issues I didn't touch on in terms of frustrations with Etsy (I've already had many). I guess personally, it's just easiest for me to start with them because I don't need to build my own site and manage a lot of the more complicated aspects of running a business. Also, like many others, I'm very new to running a business, so it's common to default to Etsy since they have so much stuff built in. So, I guess I'm not really recommending them, but just documenting my journey as a small business owner, and with that, making sure to really be transparent about the good and bad. That being said...if one day I can sustain myself more or my shop gains more traction, I would LOVE to move off Etsy 😅
I am always curious about the designs. I assume this product and the stickers are for kids, like 8-year-olds and younger. Managing a store on any platform is not easy.
I’m honestly not too sure, I feel like there’s a lot of people in their teens and 20s that have bought my stickers too! But definitely get your point, it’s not easy trying to come up with stuff that works for multiple groups of people 😅
Mostly because I had to buy a lot of things to set up my shop. Things like a label printer, packaging materials, and also the cost to print my stickers all adds up more than what I'm making from sales.
@@imjoannazheng that makes sense. even without the cost of the equipment you bought (the printer/materials), your sales were still lower? (i hope im not being too direct lol. im just curious cuz i'm also planning on selling art)
@@LlesiSea No worries! I guess technically if I didn't have equipment cost, then I'd be breaking even but yeah because i don't have that many sales, paired with spending a decent amount on opening costs, I'm not making profit. I think it's kind of to be expected to be in the red for a while opening any sort of business, unless you already have a big following
@@imjoannazheng Just stating that Decals are hard sell right now because of all the competition. Everyone can't sell decals. They can try but they won't succeed. Some of us do this for living and all the competition is hurting...
I get that, the way I see it is this can happen with anything, and running a business would be hard and competitive regardless of what you’re selling. My goal is to create art that I enjoy and if one day this can be my full time job, that would be my dream 🙂
The only people that are hurting from there being competition are the people with the poorer quality decals. If you build a strong brand and do great designs, the competition can't hurt you.
I feel like I am watching this before your channel and business gets really big!! Your stickers are super cute and you're very inspiring, thank you!!✨
Aw that’s so kind of you ❤️thank you!
I just discovered you today. TY for being real and transparent about your first month as a seller. I'm officially launching my website on September 8th, but I went straight to Shopify. Just heard so many things about Etsy that just decided to go right to my own website. I will be following you on your journey. Good luck with your next launch. The cat and fish stickers are my favorite so far ❤
Congrats on launching your site soon! And Shopify is a great platform that a lot of people like to use. Thanks for the kind comment and good luck to you too!
4:19 cat yelled “FAKE FAN”😂 Love the stickers!
Haha thanks!
Your stickers are charming! I hope you can see it through these tough, early months! Have faith!
Aw thank you so much! Appreciate the kind words :)
I used to drive to the usps store to drop off packages too before i start my 9-5 job; but then i realized that etsy also allows you to to schedule usps to pick up packages; saves lotsa time, gas, and energy!
I heard about this feature! For now I don’t mind dropping off since usually it’s just 1-3 envelopes, I feel bad scheduling pick up when it’s so little 😅😅 maybe once I get more orders
woaaaah the banana caution sign is such a brilliant idea! excited for more content from you, this video gives such cozy vibes! ♥
Haha thank you so much!
I like the dot on the fish fin. I think it adds character.
Thank you!! And lol it seems like that’s the general consensus, so dot is staying! 🐟
I started an Etsy shop on January and even though I’ve had a few struggles, I really love to do what I do. Also, we use the same manufacturer (twinsss). I love seeing someone else going through the same things as me, it’s very refreshing. Anyway- I love your art style and best of luck with the USPS situation. ❤️
Congrats on you also starting your shop! And yay twinsies, makestickers is great. Best of luck to your shop as well 😊❤️
Happy to have found you and watch along with your journey! I recently opened my sticker Etsy shop just last week! 😅
Omg congrats!! 🥳 That’s a huge accomplishment, and I wish you the best! ❤️
I'm really glad you're showing the real struggle of a fully handmade creator of products from design to finish but I believe BTS videos such as this are all what is going to help boost your commercial presence. We all have to start somewhere!
Thanks for the support!! And definitely, I started making this content to show all sides of running my shop, and there’s a lot of both good and bad. ❤️
I am on my first month journey right now so this video was very relatable and helpful. Following you! small business unite! 💕💪
Hi there, glad that I could help out! Good luck to you and your small business!! 🥳❤️
Woaaa im also 23 and just opened my Etsy shop for stickers too :’) this is super cute and relatable, we got this!!
Wooo let’s go! 🥳
Hy! I really enjoyed watching this video, I always enjoy watching artists fulfill their passions and sell their art online!
Hi there, thanks and glad you enjoyed the video! More to come 😊
no wayyy!!! can't wait they're back 🎉
🥳🥳
the freckle fin is so cute....
I'm happy that people actually really like the freckle fin! Happy accidents I guess 😂
Hi friend. I haven't launched yet, but when I used USPS to set an envelope of my stickers to my friend last month it got lost. Now as I prep for launch I'm considering options that at least include tracking. :'( Hope no more of your packages get lost and thanks so much for sharing your journey.
Ah I’m sorry to hear you also lost a package 😭 USPS really needs to step it up. Luckily I haven’t had too many issues in the past 2-3 weeks but I’m always a bit nervous about it 😅
love your video.
etsy is pretty hard to start with but keep going your stickers are so cute 🥰
Thank you!! It’s hard but I love creating fun stickers and sharing art ❤️
Beautiful stickers and this is really sales and what is name website for sale and Can drawing faces be sold in addition to stickers?
Thanks! And I sell my stickers at sleepyjoart.etsy.com
But I currently don’t draw faces for my shop 😊
Can I ask what art application and devices you use to draw your stickers?
I'm quite curious about it since I'm thinking about buying new devices and trying out different digital art application
looks like procreate on ipad. it’s a pretty great app for only 10€ payment once.
Hi! I use a 4th gen iPad pro and use procreate to draw. Hope that helps!
@@imjoannazheng thx a lot
keep this up! Lovely sticker designs.
Thank you so much! 😊
Love your honesty in regards to making a profit on Etsy. Love your video, very relaxing. 🧘♂️
Appreciate it! I'm excited to be documenting this journey and of course showing both sides, the good and bad
USPS also lost one of my sticker packages recently! Definitely felt a little gutted about it as im just starting out my business as well.
Lovely video tho, keep it up!
It's super disheartening, especially when you can't really do much about it! But thank you and good luck to your store as well!
What app did you use go create the stickers like draw them in? It is compatiable on a ipad pro?
Hi! I use procreate on an iPad Pro to draw everything and then I put the designs into MakeStickers to have them printed
I just had my first sale on my shop too and it's for USPS first class shipping. Makes me nervous because it's not updating 😭😭
Are you also selling items that are classified as the small envelope category? Like the Pitney bowes tracking? Because yeah they sometimes take a while to do updates and such. Usually, I just make sure to let all my customers know the package was shipped out and if they do run into any issues receiving their package to contact me. Definitely understand your stress, I went through a lot of that too 😭
Hi! Do you have a recommended image size for your stickers? :o
Hi! Usually when I draw my stickers on procreate I create a canvas that’s at least 1000 x 1000 pixels so it won’t come out blurry.
2:32 🤣🤣🤣 They never do. I stopped filing claims years ago - it’s not worth the time. I just take the L and reship asap.
lol yep, still haven’t found that lost package to this day but luckily as of the past few months I haven’t had any major issues anymore 🫡
Spooky to hear about USPS losing your order😧. But I’m wishing you the best on your journey!😊
Thank you!! 😊
Keep going, your designs are so cute! Wondering what you are using to track your income and expenses? 😊
Thank you so much! And currently, I'm using notion to track them. Hope that helps!
Love your sticker designs and your content! My best friend and I are also still getting in the swing of things with our small businesses and content creation. Definitley got a new subscriber from us so we can follow your journey as you grow too❤
Thank you so much! And wishing both of you the best for your small business journey 🥳
thank you for the asmr 🥰
😅
SUPER CUTE stickers!!!
Thank you so much! 😊
Is it a viable option, in your opinion, for people outside of US to use Etsy? To sell digital stuffs like wallpaper etc.
Hey! I think if you’re just selling digital things you can definitely sell from anywhere in the world since your customers would just be given a download file. But, I’d imagine there may be better platforms besides Etsy. I’m not as familiar with other platforms, but people do prefer Etsy because they do a lot of the advertising and can bring traffic to your shop. I think it could be good to do some research though!
@@imjoannazheng thank you! Yeap, I definitely need to do my own research as well. I hope your store gets more traffic as well!
THANK YOU !!
You're welcome!
The fish has its own character. He has a freckle on his fin that's why other fishes know it's Bob or Joe.. Or whatever the name is XD Lol you can even make a story about it for children. About his fin and why he's a special fish. You know how Japanese illustrators are also big on the details? They can def make a flippin cool story about that fish with a freckle
That is such a cute story! Seems like the freckle needs to stay 😂
ive had orders a month late do to customs, they eventually show lol
Yep, luckily it’s gotten a lot better now. My orders used to take almost a month and now it’s back down to like 1-1.5 weeks 😭
WHICH APP DO YOU USE TO DRAW THESE STICKER DESIGNS?? THEY ARE SAUUURRR CUTTEEEEETTETET
Thank you!! I use procreate on my iPad
Makes me feel inspired :DD
Yay, I'm glad!
Subscribed ❤I’m an artist who is getting ready to launch my own social and channels and you are inspiring me!
Thank you, and wishing you the best for your launch too!
Can you taking vedio how to handmade stick？🎉
Hello! Are you asking on making handmade stickers? I have a video on how I make stickers, but it’s more about me drawing stickers and how to print with a manufacturer.
If you’re interested in handmade stickers, I’d recommend looking into the Cricut cutting machines and there’s a lot of creators that use it for making stickers!
Loved the video!! The struggles are so real and I haven’t even launched my shop yet 🥹
Thank you! And YES the struggles are real, but it's worth it in the end. Wishing you the best of luck
subbing for the 'meow' interruptions XD
Haha there will probably be many more in the future 🤣
make sure you have a back up site or you reroute your customers their etsy randomly bans people
Oh wow I didn’t know Etsy does that, that’s good to know 👍
Etsy "randomly" bans people for not following the rules, but I've never heard of it actually being random.
@@bedhead-studio there are multiple youtube videos
Well this goes for the lucky people who don’t get suspended for no reason like so many of us.
I think recommending the Etsy platform who treats their sellers like dirt is becoming morally inacceptable.
Its like recommending to your best friend to stay in a toxic relationship and accept domestic violence.
I totally get you, there are obviously lots of issues I didn't touch on in terms of frustrations with Etsy (I've already had many). I guess personally, it's just easiest for me to start with them because I don't need to build my own site and manage a lot of the more complicated aspects of running a business. Also, like many others, I'm very new to running a business, so it's common to default to Etsy since they have so much stuff built in. So, I guess I'm not really recommending them, but just documenting my journey as a small business owner, and with that, making sure to really be transparent about the good and bad.
That being said...if one day I can sustain myself more or my shop gains more traction, I would LOVE to move off Etsy 😅
That's a bit of a stretch. How are people being treated like dirt?
I would change the shop name.
I chose it based on my personality and name, and liked it for the vibe of my art store, so I’ll probably be keeping it for now 😊
I am always curious about the designs. I assume this product and the stickers are for kids, like 8-year-olds and younger. Managing a store on any platform is not easy.
I’m honestly not too sure, I feel like there’s a lot of people in their teens and 20s that have bought my stickers too! But definitely get your point, it’s not easy trying to come up with stuff that works for multiple groups of people 😅
I'm almost 30 and these are the kinds of stickers i buy
why aren't u making profit out of it ?
Mostly because I had to buy a lot of things to set up my shop. Things like a label printer, packaging materials, and also the cost to print my stickers all adds up more than what I'm making from sales.
@@imjoannazheng that makes sense. even without the cost of the equipment you bought (the printer/materials), your sales were still lower? (i hope im not being too direct lol. im just curious cuz i'm also planning on selling art)
@@LlesiSea No worries! I guess technically if I didn't have equipment cost, then I'd be breaking even but yeah because i don't have that many sales, paired with spending a decent amount on opening costs, I'm not making profit. I think it's kind of to be expected to be in the red for a while opening any sort of business, unless you already have a big following
@@imjoannazheng I hope you grow and things go well ^^
There are already to many people selling decals....
Nothing wrong with that, more options to choose from 🤷🏻♀️
@@imjoannazheng Just stating that Decals are hard sell right now because of all the competition. Everyone can't sell decals. They can try but they won't succeed. Some of us do this for living and all the competition is hurting...
I get that, the way I see it is this can happen with anything, and running a business would be hard and competitive regardless of what you’re selling. My goal is to create art that I enjoy and if one day this can be my full time job, that would be my dream 🙂
The only people that are hurting from there being competition are the people with the poorer quality decals. If you build a strong brand and do great designs, the competition can't hurt you.
You are very beautiful, I like you very much, I want to be friends with you, I hope you will not refuse me, you are really very beautiful
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. Just want to be honest though I am in a relationship!
Sleepy joe is joe bidens nickname, lol!
Lol! I realized that after I chose the nickname, but I guess at least I did Jo instead of Joe 😆
Sorry girl, too slow for me.
Okay 🤷🏻♀️