Typewriter Print | $20 | Paper and Canvas

In this edition of the Writers Spark series (where you can get to know the writers behind the Handmade Spark blog posts) we meet crafter, writer and photographer Shelley McElhiney (aka Sam’s Stuff).  Shelley uses a range of eco-friendly, vintage and up-cycled materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind creations that tell a story.  Here Shelley shares her take on running a handmade business.  Her advice for Etsy sellers – to take everything with a grain of salt – really hit home for me! Does it strike a chord with you too?

1. Tough ask but…give us a bio in one sentence!

I am easily distracted by shiny objects…

2. What do you create?  What drew you to this particular craft?

I make eco-friendly jewelry and accessories from vintage items, mostly natural materials and even occasionally something that I literally found on the ground.  I like to give there items a new purpose and a story to tell.  I am attracted to things in music, in art and in writing that have something to say, and I like giving something that is ‘unusable’ a new purpose.

3. What inspires you?  How do you keep your creative spark firing?

Everything and  anything!  Other countries and cultures, history; I’m constantly coming up with new ideas.

4. Tell us about your day job…

I’m pretty independent and my current job doesn’t really require a lot of creative thought, so it gives me plenty of time to think up ideas.  It gives me some downtime, in a way, to rest from being overly obsessed with craft business, so there’s an odd sort of balance.

5. What kinds of things do you enjoy writing about?  Where do you get your ideas for blog posts?

Everything and anything; social issues, the questions we all have.  There are no real answers to most of these questions and I enjoy seeing the different ways that we all think.  My inspiration comes from news, art, media from around the world and the things I experience day to day.

6. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt running a handmade business?  What advice can you pass on to other Etsy sellers?

I’d say to take each piece of advice or bit of criticism with a grain of salt.  Even if something is working well for another seller, it doesn’t mean it’s right for your business.  Even if something didn’t work for another seller, it doesn’t mean it won’t be right for you.  Take each bit of advice or criticism and look at it in terms of your business – how might it apply to you?  How doesn’t it work for your situation?  And then adjust to make it work or discard it if it’s completely inappropriate.

I’d also say to make what you want to make, don’t just do something because it’s the latest trend – the market may already be saturated, probably won’t last long and if you don’t  make what you want you won’t be any happier than if you are working for someone else, doing things you don’t like to do.

7. And for blog writers?  Any advice on writing posts and engaging readers?

I’ve always loved to write and it’s been so many years of growth and change, that I’m not sure I can answer that very easily.  I have learned about the technical aspect of posting and developing a blog.  My personal blog (Random Stuff by SAM) is on Blogger which itself has been changing since I started posting a blog.  It’s an easy place to start.   Next I need to make a blog button and figure out how to make an RSS feed work.  It’s always a process of learning and trying new things.

8. How do you market your business?  What has worked for you?

The marketing avenues that have worked best for me so far have been free or nearly free.  I have met many great people who have been wonderful about spreading the word.  I try not to get too obsessed by analytics and numbers, so I can’t say exactly where I have gotten the largest number of sales.  I know that I’ve gotten views from Flickr and some from Twitter, but probably the largest number of fans and followers have come from other blogs that I follow and whose authors I’ve gotten to know.  One of my best customers is an old high school friend that I’ve reconnected with on Facebook.

9. Time to pay it forward!  Tell us 3 favourite Etsy shops that we should support…

Shana’s Shop – great little magnets, beautiful photos and stationary in this shop run by a brother and sister duo

Laksaware – the most awesome little re-useable dish scrubbers ever!  These work better (and are cuter) that the ones you buy in stores.

Ninon – I love her fun creatures and whimsical style!

There’s a lot more than 3 and virtually everyday I find more.  I hate just naming three, I feel like I’m leaving too many out.  I’ll just say these are three great shops out of many.

Thanks Shelley!

Sam’s Stuff on Etsy

Sam’s Stuff on Facebook

Random Stuff by SAM

Sam’s Stuff on Twitter

Sam’s Stuff studio on Artfire

Sam’s Stuff studio on Facebook

~ Emily Orphin