Etsy Insights: My top tips for the Etsy Design Awards | Etsy Success

SarahSnippets · 2025-08-13T15:19:55.678000Z

Hi everyone, My name is Sarah. I am an artist, an art teacher, and the owner of SarahSnippets. I am based in Connecticut and sell paper collages and accessories. Being named as a finalist for the 2024 Etsy Design Awards was such a proud moment, an incredible experience that gave my shop and art great exposure. I first opened my shop in 2019 as a platform to sell my original paper art, inspired by nature and handmade with love. I love what I do—the biggest challenge as an entrepreneur is that there is never enough time! I’m the sole creator, and I do all the social media, shipping, and handling. Running the business side takes more effort than I expected. I have always loved seeing the winners of Etsy Design Awards and their beautiful creations—I wanted to be among them. Last year, I decided to apply with my piece, 'Florida,' from an ongoing art series I’m working on, hoping it would get selected and help promote that collection. If you're considering entering the Etsy Design Awards, I encourage you to go for it! Here are my top tips for entering: Start early: The toughest part was setting aside the time to complete each question with care, something I really paid attention to. As a full-time teacher and part-time seller, I chose to "chip away" at the application, giving myself space to read it over and share my story. This allows you to give each question the attention it deserves without feeling overwhelmed. Tell your story thoughtfully: Your application is an opportunity to showcase not just your product, but also the details behind your craft. Take your time to share what inspires you, your creative process, and what makes your shop special. Showcase your work with high-quality imagery: Invest time in this part of the application as well! Take your photos in a clean, well-lit area, so you can highlight the details of your item. Consider taking photos and video from different angles, and if you can, include a process video to add more context. I was overjoyed to learn that I was a 2024 finalist; as a result, I sold many pieces last holiday season, including the one that was picked. My advice is to definitely submit your item today! There is nothing to lose and so much to gain. What steps have you taken so far to prepare your application? Whether you’re just thinking about applying to adding the final touches to your submission, share with us in the comments below so we can cheer you on! Best of luck to everyone this year!

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Etsy Insights: My top tips for the Etsy Design Awards | Etsy Success | Etsy Community