…and, so it begins. How I started my Etsy shop.

The answer to how I opened my Etsy shop is a bit humorous. It happened quite simply one Sunday evening, in 2017. My friend Lisa called, wondering, “Who did your graduation invitations last year?”

I reminded her that I “did them”. I designed and printed them. It is kinda what I do - I am a graphic designer and all.

“Oh okay. Can you send me your Word file?” (little secret: Word and I do NOT have a good relationship… there is no Word file…never will be! )

Rather than telling Lisa about my dislike for Word, my response was, “Why don’t you send me your sons photos and the info. I can make your invitations!”

A few days later Lisa’s beautifully printed invitations arrived (in total we created THREE different styles.) She was beyond thrilled with the finished cards. With tears of joy glistening in her eyes she said, “You know what, you should open up an Etsy shop or something. These are awesome!”

I thought. Hmmm…an Etsy shop?

Truth: I really didn’t know ANYTHING about Etsy. I was not an Etsy shopper. Let alone could I imagine anyone wanting my “designs”.

I am a “learn as you go” kinda gal. I did a little clicking around, read a few blog posts and the Etsy FAQs. Within a week Artful Jen was born. (www.ArtfulJen.Etsy.com)

Humble beginnings with graduation invitations and printables…led to shower and wedding invitations…which spawned personalized street signs wall art - THE ultimate wedding gift.

I learned that in my Etsy shop unique personalized gifts are really what my shoppers wanted. This led me to a new shop section: embroidered baptism quilts; and most recently, pearl trimmed denim jackets for the bride!

This Etsy shop has been quite adventure thus far! …and many late evenings creating cards. It’s so exciting to see the photos from across the country…even the around the world! I have “met” some really great people while working on their personal projects…and I still feel that personal connection. It’s really pretty amazing.