How did you design your first product?

[#1]

Hey there!

I'm writing an article about product development and thought I'd check in with the experts - you!

I'm so curious to hear how you developed your early products.

What worked?
How have you changed your product development process over time?
Did you always have a vision for a full product line, or did you start with one strong idea and grow from there?

I can't wait to hear your product stories and hope you'll all chime in.

Thanks!!
Audrey

[Former_Member]

Hello Audrey,

In my early stage of working on my Etsy jewelry shop I didn't have much supply. I gathered some beads, fabric and tools from my home town Syria and took them the Dubai where I settled with my husband and started my Etsy shop. I couldn't sketch an idea and work from there, I had to start from the materials I had. I found my self working with fabric to make a big flower and this is how I did my first necklace: https://www.etsy.com/listing/110843141/blue-teal-ribbon-necklace-with-a-satin?ref=shop_home_active_2

Now I start my designs from a sketch but still can't be very flexible as my materials are all collections from boutiques I found during my travels. Such as leather from Paris, lace from Turkey and gemstones from Dubai.

I didn't have a strong Idea about the overall look of my product line and I am still developing it. However, I knew what colors to use and how bold the designs I wanted.

[ArabellaBlossoms]

It is really interesting to read about others' creative processes.

The design of my bags and accessories begins with the fabric. Often I create a design story/memory board just in my head as I search through my cupboards of trims, buttons, zips and other new and vintage items I have gathered over a lifetime of creating and sewing. (I often get side-tracked as I find that my storage cupboards flood my mind with memories about some of the beautiful fabrics and trims.)

I may think about the design, construction and trimming of the item I am making during times in my garden, reading, browsing shops or sewing something else. Sometimes I sketch, other times I lay pieces together so I can keep looking and rearranging.

Then the item comes together and when I complete it, it feels like part of the family after all that input! The trouble is I end up with more creative ideas than I can actually make in the time available. I am sure I am not alone with this problem!

[Former_Member]

A friend gave me a large amethyst crystal pendant as a gift during my divorce. The shaft of the Indigo crystal was covered in femo clay and other tiny bits of obsidian then strapped to a chain.

I couldn't help but think the crystal was choking and its natural beauty was trapped among all that extra stuff.

I took the entire pendant apart and wrapped the crystal in copper wire and finished it with leather cord.

It seemed to me I had released its spirit.
In essence I had released my own spirit too. From then on so many doors opened and I was introduced to the lapidary world and collecting specimens. I taught myself how to wrap with wire in my own style and how to present stone pendants for others.

It was the evolution of my spirit and a way back to me. Divorce is tough, but I had lost my soul in the marriage.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

I started with some scrap wire and a process I like to call "wire doodling". At first it was just for fun, but I then showed a piece to a friend and she wanted one.
After that I talked to people and brain stormed as to what they would want/need that I could make for them. After I had the ideas for what to make, I figured out how to make it and started selling.
It is a constant process of finding out what and who then how.

[Former_Member]

Hello Audrey,

I just joined the team this morning. Yay! I've been on Etsy for several years, now, and this is the third and final shop I've opened. When I first began, I was struggling through an unfortunate situation with my now ex-husband. Before the split, I poured everything into saving the relationship, but somehow, it doesn't always work, and it didn't. At the time, I was living moment to moment, not knowing what to do with myself; I needed something to remind me that everything was going to be alright. I plastered positive quotes on the walls all around me. I wore jewelry a lot, so I tried three different charm bracelets that eventually found themselves discarded on my dresser, not as meaningful as I was hoping. My search, somehow, brought me to gemstones and their said energies and purposes. After drawing a few pictures, I designed my own charm bracelet, just for me, with all the reminders and special meanings that I needed, a hand carved elephant and amber for happiness, blue lace agate and a dove for peace, obsidian and a little lamb (my dad always called me that) for gentle hearts, etc. I wore the bracelet to work, and some of the ladies commented on it, asking if I could make one for them, too. I did, and then I thought, I'll make a business with this. It began. I sold at schools and to friends. I even made a website for myself and ordered business cards. I was such a happy mess, so busy. Then, I met someone that wanted to join me as a partner, and things changed. She didn't want to make charms or use the materials I had, and all of that was shot down to my very quiet dismay. After continuing with little success with her in the lead, I decided it was time for me to get back to me. Now, a few months later, I'm back to me, I have begun to add my charms in another style, and I'm making even better quality jewelry than ever (I can solder now!). And I'm very happy with my handiwork.

Before signing out, I'd like to express my gratitude to Etsy and all of it's members for being here and providing a space for me to flourish and grow as a human and a business. Thank you.

Pip

[Former_Member]

I made lots and lots of soap before I started this shop, but I wanted to make sure my branding was right before I just jumped in. The soap is easy - I wanted to find the perfect font, something simple, that would show that I was serious about my soaps, but I still wanted to have fun. I researched what color jars I wanted (yes, seriously), whether I wanted ribbed or non-ribbed lids (lotiony hands sort of demand ribbed, don't they? :D), and I asked my Etsy friends what sorts of things they wanted to see.

My shop has evolved quite a bit, as far as what products I offer and what scents I choose, but my careful planning as far as my branding and how I wanted to present myself hasn't changed much. It seems to be working for me - I have great customers, and I love my job!

[EarthborneArt]

I've always been a ceramic artist so when I needed favors for our wedding, I made little dishes out of the crocheted and embroidered linens my grandmas had made. That was the beginning of my product line called, "My Grandma's Linens. Since then, I have searched flea markets and yard sales looking for more textiles. I have expanded on the sizes and colors they come in. And have improved immensely on the quality of the product. Practice does make perfect.

[StudioCherie]

I made a gift for a friend's baby shower, the diaper bag I had always wished for with my babies. When she opened it, everyone was enthusiastic about it. One gal said, "I'm inviting you to my next baby shower." Another said, "I need to have another baby so I can use one of these bags."

Marketing that product was really hard though because it needed demonstration. It was not just a bag with some cool pockets, it was a little complicated. That made me think about getting down to the essence of what was important about it. To follow up, I designed (and still sell) the pared down version. That design exercise, getting down to the essential, has stayed with me.

Every bag or product has started as either a gift, a customer request, or something to fill my own needs. The utility of the item and having the user in mind has always been my jumping off point. Even though I don't know every customer personally at this point, I still envision looking them in the eye and saying, "yes, I made that the best it can be."

My sewing pattern line has grown out of my desire to keep moving forward and designing the next thing. I am happier in the creative mode than in the production mode. The patterns can handle the production part, while
I keep on creating.

[Former_Member]

I survived, and enjoyed, a tour of the Big Apple one summer chaperoning 11 college students in a band. This trip inspired it all. Back home in Indiana I spread out on the floor encompassed by my art journal, Rand McNally maps, paint, glue and... some transparencies. The wheels of my create heart and mind began to turn. This idea to paint abstractly, layer, bend and cut the roads we traveled, and compose a personalized, post-cardesque, map of NYC just for me. (Now my top seller). I thought it was pretty and that was all that mattered.

Then, two years later, I needed to contribute to an evening of art with friends. Short on time, I grabbed my NYC map art and bolted. Who knew the group would love it! With their encouraging words as my confidence I tried another map piece, which lead to many, many more and, well, another two years down the road, and I'm just mad about maps! These custom pieces celebrate the places around the world my friends adore and the cities the hope to see. I just love designing maps for unique people and hope these images empower them to boldly follow their dreams to travel. My style is always evolving and I love that variety too.

[GrannyKnowsBest]

I remember very well my first product, I was so enthousiastic about my teal and lime knit handbag. I remember the excitement of creating something that will be desplayed in a vitrine, that I imagined how it will be taken shortly after I published it. Well it didn't happened that way, but I wasn't discouraged. Instead I started thinking globally, see the whole picture...so I decide to make series of products. For exemple, now along with this handbag I have a hat and mittens in the same colors and pattern. So I turned it to my shop line, most of my knited accessories are matching.

[Former_Member]

How did I design my first product? Wow! That really takes me back!

Back in the 70's crocheted vests were really THE thing for every young girl to wear. But I couldn't crochet very well and I really wanted a vest. My mother could both knit and crochet but she really didn't have the time to make one for me. I had made an afghan but never even dreamed of doing anything more difficult.

So I made a deal with my mother. I would purchase the yarns and she would show me the basics of pattern design so that I could make a vest. I had made sewing patterns so i figured that this probably wouldn't be much different.

After some experimentation, I finally came up with a design that looked similar to
https://www.etsy.com/listing/155243629/vintage-70s-crochet-vest
except that it was done in some really wild colours.

Once my friends saw what I'd made, they all wanted one and so the beginnings of crochetgal's was born.

Of course at that time more than 40 years ago I never thought that it would have evolved into the business that it has become today.

Over the 40 years I've put the crochet on the back burner to pursue a very successful career in the business world but the crochet hooks have always been around. In the past 15 years I've had the opportunity to bring the hooks back to life again, working with new fibers and ideas.

My creative process has always been pretty much the same. Have a vision and go for it!

[Former_Member]

I 'm knitting my whole life. 20 years I was knitting not order different things .... sweaters and hats, scarves and coats. Many of my works are still my clients . were even wedding dresses . One day I decided to try a different material . and I got the arm wire . it turned out that knit from it as exciting as of yarn , and decorations are obtained simply amazing .
 First, there was the usual copper wire and I came up from her knitting tubes . I pre- strung beads on the wire is different in size and color . these tubes are surprisingly worn on a lanyard or chain. and once I hung up on a tube scarf ..... and it came out very nicely. this is my first tube is still kept as a memory in my casket. Now I try to look for new ideas .

[Former_Member]

The very first thing I made was a small clutch, that was odd shaped, this awful pink pattern, and surprisingly well made! It's where it all began. I learned how to sew in about 2 hours and now I've so many more products and have expanded the amount of complexity I have in my bags. I couldn't be more proud!

[JudysLittleShop]

This is a fascinating thread. My story began in 2011 when I found a man's necktie in a thrift shop and thought it was a shame that it was made for men.
It was 100% silk with soft little red and gold flowers and green leaves against a black background made by Fendi in Italy. I took it home and my first ladies necktie scarf was born. I loved the result and was encouraged to offer my scarves on etsy.
My earring jewelry began with the pearls/beads/crystals that I used for accent pieces on some of my neckpieces.
My photo notecards grew out of a love of travel and wanting to capture the memory.
Like so many others here, it's a continuing journey of discovery and the love of creating something that you love and want to share.

[Former_Member]

I designed my first pair of baby booties (aka “butki” in Polish slang) for my best friend’s newborn baby. It was far from perfection... It would not pass the quality control I have for my items today! It was almost 4 years ago. Little bit later that year my twin niece and nephew were born and I made more 'bootkies'...
I used my experience working with textiles, but the design part was totally creative and innovative to me, I just followed my imagination and that's how it's done until this day. I try to improve every item I create and the quality is much better too. I had no idea I will be selling my baby shoes, I was encouraged by friends and family and I am grateful for that boost of confidence. I love what I'm doing!
Here is my first pair I designed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootki/5923331638/
the next ones:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootki/5922801835/
and the ones I make today:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/89676094/baby-shoes-chic-unique-gift-for-newborn?

good luck with your article!

[McRtyCards]

What a fun thread.
1980's, big hair, bigger shoulder pads, 2CV car, no computer or mobile phone... and I made my first cards.
Made my own letterpress printing blocks, used an old printing technique to give a gold raised image and handpainted them in watercolours.
It would have been so much easier with the range of rubber stamps and heat embossing powders available today.
I did it the hard way: learning how to use a massive process camera to make photo negatives, adapting newspaper printing plate technology to make the printing plate, and reinforcing a floor to take the weight of the printing press.
Someone even made a video of me making a printing block in the mid 80's - a YouTube pioneer! lol

[Former_Member]

Love this question!!! Best thing I ever did was just start working and OHhhhhh how I would laugh at the original products, the poor listing titles and subpar photography. Designing handmade frames and cards are still my product line but I feel like I've "grown up" with the help of Etsy! Getting customer feedback and doing a little bit every day to be better as an artist and seller is input I could've never expected after graduate school. Now, hearing the stories about how people have given driftwood picture frames as gifts or custom music note cards for a special occasion have kept me excited about why it is that I do what I do!!!!

[AlasseArt]

My “product” developed as a passion. I stared out painting my animals, friends’ animals, all for free. All for the love of it.

And then someone said- “you could sell that.”

So, I started with a few listings for custom pet portraits. A couple sizes for acrylic portraits, one size for watercolor.

That didn’t work.

I wasn’t selling any portraits online, and my friends still wanted them for free.

So I sat down and did some research. I expanded to sell prints, but the prints, they’re still pet portraits. Well, all of them except the dinosaurs. They’re more of an imaginary pet portrait. And then I added cards, more custom portrait options and original art.

So, while I have expanded to selling prints and cards, I still haven’t strayed from my initial product. Pet Portraits. It’s what I do.

[CustomWebsiteStudio]

I developed my early product in HTML which is a programming language of the internet. Gradually moved to microsoft web technologies like ASP.net and scripting language like javascript and jquery. Today i use almost 7 programming languages to make a custom website for clients. Hope to add more to my skills.

[Former_Member]

I developed my first 7 t-shirt designs after I spoke with my son and his friends about starting a clothing line for them and other young males who were looking for more than what was already out there for them to choose from. My Strathmore sketchbook, prismacolors and createx air brush colors is where it all started. I sketched out about 25 designs and narrowed it down to the first 7 designs to introduce my line which are in my etsy shop now. Next I had the idea to do hand painted caps. I did caps for my son and friends and got such an overwhelmingly positive response that it has become one of the primary things I love to create as of now.
Right now I am trying to get more t-shirts done, adding OOAK sets (t-shirt and cap combos), working on getting better quality photos of my items, and thinking of more cap designs while I do my SEO research and social media exercises. :-)

[14xbags]

Hi Audrey!
My very first recycled leather bag was made without any intent to sell. I actually made it as a gift for my best friend's birthday. The design was a hobo style with a long round strap. I didn't use a pattern, so I let the leather jacket lead me. When I was finished the shape was interesting haha, but I fell in love with it. The whole process of actually handmaking something really spoke to me. From then on I started collecting jackets and making my patterns out of paper first. I did a lot of hand stitched accents to help reinforce (since I didn't have the equipment I have now) this is actually where my shop name "14X" came from, my very first bag had 14 hand stitched x's to reinforce where the strap attached. Anyway, my process of design has changed leaps and bounds since those days. I've learned so much about construction and geometry that I can visualize the pattern for my new designs before I even start on a prototype.

I still make my bags one at a time but my production of them is so much more streamlined.
As original bags sold I was able to purchase more and more tools and machines that really make the difference.
My designs have also evolverd. I no longer limit myself in my designs, my best tool I've found is to remember to tell myself that I CAN do something different.
Xoxo
Kimberly

[LoopingHome]

I just started a year ago with my business idea. I'm still learning from this wonderful community of Etsy :)
I started to create a full product line that coordinate with each other. I still do it because I like to show variety of products and how you can dress up a modern house with crochet!
But I have a curious product history :

One of my best selling products are the pieces of crochet hand painted, an idea that emerged when a consignment of yarn was defective.
I work with recycled yarn textile industry, this wire was white and had stains that did not come out after washing, so I tried to paint with fabric paint and loved the result.
As from then, I developed this product line with neon colors in baskets, placemats ... but without defects yarn :)

[TheRightJack]

My mother loved playing the card game, cribbage. As she got older, she would lose her place on the tiny boards that are the standard for scoring the game. She would say "what street am I on?" because you went back and forth on the same track. I decided she needed a cribbage board that had a continuous track. Looked around and didn't find what I wanted, so I started to make one. Then I thought, she really needs it to be much bigger than a standard board so she can easily see where she is as well as her opponent. I made a really big one and saw that it was really big enough to be a table..... there was my first cribbage board coffee table!
My mother was thrilled! Showed it off to everyone... of course, orders started coming in. But, I was really too busy with my work and family. Once I retired, I decided to make a few and see if there was a market for them and to my surprise, my small business took off. Cribbage players just love them. I enjoy what I do and think of my Mom these days when I am working on my cribbage tables.

[andralynn]

As an artist, sometimes it can be difficult to focus on just one type of art (there are so many to choose from!). When I first started, I was all over the place with my work -- from realism to landscapes to portraits -- looking for my own unique style, my own niche. It wasn't until I merged my love of stories with my love of painting that I found ME in my work, and that has made all the difference --because when you love what you do, other people will too.

[MARTINELI]

It was long time ago and all started when my grand-grand mother showed me how to crochet a simple chain.She also made me a very special gift-a 100 years old Singer sewing mashine.I was only 7 years old,but for me it was a real treasure. It was the apocalips for my mother,because I stole from her wardrobe a very nice rose fabric and tried to design my first dress.....well ,from the all big piece of fabric I made only a mini skirt,but the most important thing was that my mother gave up...)))))