Item:  Beeswax Tea Light Candles
Seller:  dragon06

This Etsy shop has a great selection of tea light and votive candles.  This seller (Amanda from dragon06) says she is also happy to do custom orders for handmade candles, soap, or lotion!

Amanda told me about her shop the other day via my Etsy shop submission page.  I have been featuring shops that have come my way from this webpage all month.  Here are some other great Etsy shops featured in September:

Taupe Brown Satin Ribbon Rose Ring
Mod Burp Cloth Gift Set
Black Labradorite Bracelet

Amanda told me she is 36, married, and living in New Jersey with her many pets.

“I’m very much a “do it yourself” kind of person,” she said, “and that’s how I got started in making candles and soap for myself, my family, and my friends. I’ve been selling on Etsy since 2007.”

When she is not crafting for her Etsy shop, Amanda said she loves to cook and bake.  “I love walking along the waterfront with our dogs. I also love reading – mostly fantasy or sci-fi books,” she said.

Amanda told me that there are are lots of shops she loves on Etsy.  “But the one I frequent most is Tamara’s Herbes,” she said.   “She has wonderful teas and herbal body products. She’s a great seller and very friendly and helpful.”

Amanda has a few great tips for sellers on Etsy.com:

1. Be patient! It takes a while to get noticed when you’re new. Just focus on filling up your shop and listing or re-listing every day.

2. Buy or trade with others on Etsy to start building good feedback.

3. Promote your shop outside Etsy as much as you can to help drive traffic. So do advertising and start a blog, etc.

4. Again – be patient! Focus on your art and the sales will come. Try not to stress about it!

So what is next for Amanda and her shop?  “I’m currently working on container candles to add to the shop. These will be scented, all natural, soy and beeswax candles in glass containers. I’ve been perfecting the blend and testing them, and I think my customers will love them!” she said.

Amanda also has a lot of awesome Halloween candles for sale, so be sure to peep her stock of holiday items!  Just click the shop name (dragon06) at the top of this feature, or follow Amanda on Twitter @craftydragon.  You can also read her blog!

- Jackie