Etsy Artisan Interview - Star Mountain Dreams

RJ is the owner of Star Mountain Dreams, a cute shop operated by a seventeen year old. When I clicked over there, I thought I was looking at desserts! They are SO sweet! She tells us she's just learning how to make soap. There were only three items in her shop when I published the interview (she sold the others...) and they’re adorable. Maybe we can persuade her to make more this summer, if she has time!

• What's the name of your Etsy shop?

My Etsy shop is StarMountainDreams.

• What types of products do you sell?

I sell a variety of handmade melt-and-pour soaps, most of them food-inspired.

• What is your favorite item in your shop today?

Right now my favorite item in my shop is my cherry pie soap.

• How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I found out about Etsy when my sister opened a shop.

• Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

Right now, I only sell my handmade soap on Etsy and at a few local craft fairs.

• Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

I am a member of one Etsy soap-making team, the SAFE team. SAFE stands for Soap Artisan Friends of Etsy.

• Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

I’ve done a lot of crafts of various sorts from painting ornaments, to crocheting, to making jewelry and soap. I spend most of my crafting time on my soap-making. I love making soap; there is so much variety possible from the scents and molds available. I especially love using silicone molds.

• Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

I don’t really have a set procedure. I make sure the window shades are open to let in light and I try different backgrounds and props until I find something that looks good with the soap. I almost always use the close-up mode and try different settings until I find something that works. My only tip is to try and use morning light for your pictures; it just seems to do better.

• Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

I do have a Flicker account; it has pictures of my soaps on it.

• Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

Currently, I am still a High School student, so I don’t have the time for a job. My soap making and schoolwork keep me pretty busy.

• We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

My only advice is to post on the forums sometimes and talk to other Etsyians. Some of my customers are people I met on the forums.

• Where can people find out more about you - do you have a blog, website, instant messaging account?

I don’t have any of those yet.




My turn. My favorite has to be her Chock Full of Oats. It would be so neat in a bathroom, in your home, don't you think? Make sure to tell your guests don't eat it!