How To Be A Handmade Boss – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Imagine waking up to new orders before you’ve even posted on Instagram or checked your Etsy stats. Sounds dreamy, right? That’s exactly what happens when your emails do the work while you sleep.

In this episode, Steph dives into why skipping email marketing is one of the biggest (and most common) mistakes handmade sellers make and how even a list of 100 subscribers can become a steady income stream.

You’ll learn:
💌 The simple maths behind email ROI (and how it adds up fast)
📉 Why relying only on Etsy or Instagram is risky
🌟 The hidden benefits of email marketing no one talks about
💬 Real stories from makers who built small lists and saw huge results

By the end, you’ll see exactly why email isn’t just another task - it’s your secret sales system.

🎁 Don’t forget to grab your course mentioned in this episode: The Maker's List Kickstart Kit & Course
👉 https://www.handmadebosses.com/offers/KM79eUH7/checkout

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

What do you do when chronic illness forces you to give up the craft you love? If you’re Gillian, you reinvent everything and end up with a jewellery business as unique as the pages it’s made from. 💛

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Steph sits down with HBSA student Gillian, the creative mind behind Paper2Pearls, to talk about the unexpected journey from patchwork quilts to paper jewellery, the challenges of crafting with arthritis, and how she’s used the Handmade Business Success Academy to bring structure, strategy, and new energy to her handmade business.

Expect real talk about mindset, planning, SEO, and how to keep going when life throws curveballs. Whether you’re at the start of your handmade journey or deep in the pivot stage, this episode is full of gold.

You’ll hear about:
        •        How Gillian’s business began with origami experiments after a health diagnosis
        •        Why learning to plan ahead changed everything
        •        The challenges of marketing a super-niche product (and how she’s tackled them)
        •        What it’s really like to go through HBSA as a neurodivergent maker
        •        And… how a peanut up the nose started a lifetime of “what if” creativity 😂

This one’s a gem. You’ll leave feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to keep building.

Website - www.paper2pearls.co.uk

Newsletter https://paper2pearls.eo.page/8fywb

Etsy - www.paper2pearls.etsy.com 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Paper2pearlsbyGilli/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Paper2pearlsbyGilli

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

Running a handmade business isn’t always a straight line and today’s guest, Claire, proves it beautifully. 🌸

After starting with fresh flowers and even pedalling around town on a trike (yes, really!), Claire found her passion and success in creating stunning artificial wreaths and arrangements through her business Jamesia Blooms.

In this episode, she opens up about:
        •        How personal loss inspired her to chase her creative dream
        •        The shift from fresh flowers to artificial designs (and why it worked)
        •        The behind-the-scenes process of designing wreaths and bouquets
        •        The ups and downs of social media and growing an online shop
        •        Her hopes for the future - including her dream of opening a cosy little flower shop

Claire's story is inspiring, honest, and a reminder that it’s never too late to pivot and find the handmade business path that truly lights you up.

👉 Find Claire online:
Website: https://www.jamesiablooms.co.uk/
Instagram: @jamesiablooms_andoccasions

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

Posting consistently on Instagram but still not getting sales? In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest reasons your content isn’t converting and how to fix it.

You’ll discover:

• Why likes and views don’t always mean product interest
• How to guide your followers from scrolling to shopping
• A simple content plan that works without eating up your whole day

Whether you sell on Etsy, Shopify, or your own website, these Instagram tips are perfect for handmade sellers who want to post with purpose and actually see results.

📌 Want your social media done-for-you every month? Join the Social Media Sidekick: https://handmadebosses.com/SMS

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

If your Reels are getting crickets (or you’re too nervous to even post one 🫣), this episode is for you.

I’m walking you through my simple step-by-step Reels formula made specifically for handmade sellers - no dancing, no lip syncing, no pointing at floating bubbles. Just clear, doable tips to help you finally feel confident on camera and actually get your products seen 👀

Inside this episode:

✅ How to write a scroll-stopping hook

✅ What to film if you feel awkward or unsure

✅ Real-life examples for candles, jewellery, knitwear + more

✅ The part most people forget (and it’s costing them sales)

✅ How to film a Reel in 15 minutes or less - even if you’ve never done one before!

This is your plug-and-play Reels strategy to get seen by real buyers without spending a penny on ads 💸

So if you’re ready to grow your handmade business on Instagram and actually make sales from it - pop your headphones in and let’s go 🎧✨

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

Feeling like your Etsy sales have dipped recently? You’re not imagining it and Etsy’s Q2 2025 earnings report confirms it.

In this episode, I break down exactly what’s going on behind the scenes at Etsy, why sales are down platform-wide, and what it means for you as a handmade business owner. We’ll talk about rising fees, buyer hesitation, and Etsy’s push toward AI and personalisation... all without the corporate waffle.

But more importantly, I’ll walk you through what to actually do about it. Whether you’re on Etsy, your own website, or both, you’ll leave this episode feeling calm, clear, and ready to take control of your strategy again.

✨ We cover:

• What Etsy’s report really reveals (and what most sellers miss)
• Why it’s not you - it’s the current buying climate
• 4 things you can do right now to strengthen your shop
• The truth about fees, platforms, and where to focus next

If you’re feeling a little lost or discouraged, this episode will help you zoom out, realign, and move forward with purpose. 💛

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode - What is a social media home hub and how do you find yours?

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

Sick of posting on Instagram and getting crickets? This episode is your full, step-by-step training on how to turn your handmade Instagram into a sales-driving machine - without feeling salesy or spending all day online.

Steph breaks down the exact strategy that handmade business owners need in 2025, including:

• What to post (and why!) using the 4 Value Pillars
• How to plan your weekly Instagram rhythm without burning out
• The difference between “Going Wide” for growth and “Going Deep” for conversions
• Real examples you can steal (whether you sell candles, mugs, or knitwear)
• And how to sell confidently, without needing a hot shower after every post 💬

Whether you’re stuck at “likes from your mum and best mate” or you’ve given up on Instagram altogether… this episode will get you back on track, feeling clear, confident and ready to sell.

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

🍁 Want to get ahead with your autumn product ideas and boost your handmade sales this season? In this trend-packed episode, I’m breaking down 15 of the biggest autumn trends set to dominate in 2025... with real, practical examples you can turn into products today. From modern rustic to miniature scenes, dupe-it-yourself decor to cosy accessories, I’m covering what’s going to be everywhere (and how to make it work for your handmade business).

🍂 Whether you sell on Etsy, your own site, or at markets - this episode is your seasonal trend cheat sheet. Grab a notebook and get inspired!

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

Struggling to get sales on Etsy? In this episode of How to Be a Handmade Boss, Steph shares 5 powerful tips to help your Etsy listings get found, get clicked, and get bought. Whether you’re brand new to selling handmade products online or you’ve been on Etsy for a while with little traction, this episode will show you exactly how to optimise your Etsy listings for more visibility, better conversion, and sustainable growth.

We’re covering:

✅ Etsy SEO tips for beginners

✅ How to write titles that actually get found

✅ What your photos really need to do

✅ How to write product descriptions that sell

✅ The truth about pricing and perceived value

✅ Why your tags matter more than you think

So if you’re ready to turn browsers into buyers and create listings that do the selling for you, grab a notebook and tune in!

🎧 Mentioned in this episode:

➡️ Episode 1 – The Beginners Guide To The Etsy Algorithm - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354025/episodes/14905260

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales 

In this feel-good episode of How To Be A Handmade Boss, I’m joined by the lovely Fran from Born to Shop Designs – and we’re diving into how she turned hobbies like gardening, crafting and music into a heart-led clothing brand that connects people through what they love. We chat about navigating business pivots, building a brand that feels like you, and why community matters more than ever (especially when you're not a fan of working solo).

Fran also opens up about leaving behind a business that didn’t light her up, starting again with a friend and fresh purpose, and how the Handmade Business Success Academy helped shape her journey. If you’ve ever questioned whether your idea is the one, or wondered if starting over means starting from scratch – this one’s for you.

💬 Topics we cover:
 • Making your business match your life (not the other way round)
 • Why it's okay to leave a business that’s not working
• How hobbies can connect you to your customers – and your best friends
• The mindset shift that made all the difference
• Fran’s tip for finding your thing when you’re full of ideas

🛒 Explore Fran’s brand: bourneto.shop 

Insta CTA

If your Etsy listings are getting views but not sales, I’ve made something for you 👀

It’s my free Why Isn’t Your Listing Selling? guide, and it walks you through the sneaky little shop blocks that could be stopping people from buying 🛒

Think: photos, titles, pricing, descriptions, trust, all the bits that make a customer go “yes please” instead of quietly vanishing into the internet abyss 🫠

It’s completely free, super practical, and you can grab it using the link in the show notes ✨

Grab you freebie here - https://www.handmadebosses.com/whynosales