November's Featured Etsy Seller ♥

Alright guys, I know I've been slacking on my blog lately. With 5 boys and a few scares of the swine flu, it's been a couple hectic months! Last year I used to do a monthly feature including some of my most favorite Etsy sellers and their products. I love selling on Etsy, but the most fun part is all the buying! I find it so fascinating how each item I have ever received from Etsy has been wonderful and you can really tell just how much detail and care that are put into each product.

This month I want to feature Ophelia over at opheliasapothecary. I recently purchased a Perfume and Fragrance Sampler "Try before you buy". I have never purchased handmade perfume before so I figured since the price was sooooo great I really couldn't pass it up! I ordered two and was able to choose the scents! I chose Ralph Lauren Romance & Apple Orchard.
I was so excited when it came in the mail. I opened the package and OMG..you would not believe the packaging! That in it's self I think was the most well done packaging I have received so far since buying on Etsy! The scents come in great sample size bottles with cute tags marked for scent. (she also threw in a x-tra scent) hehe, it's called Starry Night. Oh my, they all smell so so good! I'm normally very picky when it comes to scents. But these smell AWESOME!! I think my favorite (if I HAD to choose) would be the one she threw in for free...Starry Night! They also all came in an attractive silver tin to keep them all together and to top it all off she included a handwritten note thanking me for my purchase. This seller is a true class act and takes pride in each & every item that she sells. I'm definatly going back for more!

The Interview:

Tell us more about you name, location ect.
*I moved to kansas city about 10 years ago for my career, and ended up staying!

How did you first hear about Etsy?
*I think I heard about it when shopping one day. Someone asked me if I had and Etsy store....and I said 'no, but maybe i need one!'

What is the meaning behind your shop name?
*I totally fell in love with the name in high school when reading the play, Hamlet, in my english class. I decided back then, that if I had an alter ego, 'Ophelia' would be her name.

What inspires you?
*mainly greek mythology and Shakespeare. ...oh, and music. I can get lost in creating fragrances and blending oils. I get in this zone, and hours can pass before i realize how long i've been in my studio!

Aside from creating things, What do you do?
*play with my miniature doxies, watch old movies, and clean.....I'm alittle OCD! lol.

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
*take beautiful pictures, set your standards early for your shop {even before your first sale}, and never~ever fall below your standards...set goals for yourself....you are the only one that can hold yourself accountable! Know what your niche is....brand yourself, and do it well. Two major Don'ts: don't go to the forums and complain about lack of sales....this time would be better well spent working on things you can control....photos, descriptions, branding, or building positive business partnerships. and the second don't....don't try to sell your product by putting down other sellers or competitors. sell on your product features and benefits...know your product and business well. Discrediting others and their practices makes you look bad.

How do you promote?
*I actually don't....I try to be helpful in the forums and I renew often. But, my number one, best advice for selling.....is to list something new every day. When I'm in the zone, and get something new listed regularly...sales seem to follow!

Ten years from now you would like to be?
*healthy, happy, and in love. I have some pretty major medical issues so ten years would be a gift in and of itself!

So get on over to Etsy and check out opheliasapothecary, you will not be disappointed!