Posted on October 29 2020
We had to do a feature with our favourite spooky designer Elaina from the Spooky Doodle Club.
New to Etsy or just starting your small business? Read on to find out more about Elaina's journey as a small business owner.
Hello Elaina! We totally love your business Spooky Doodle Club. How did it all start?
Spooky Doodle Club started very unintentionally. In 2019, I graduated from college feeling rather lost. I had intended to pursue a career in academia, but I didn’t get into the graduate programs that I had applied to. Looking to pass some time and avoid job-hunting, I started my summer off by returning to an old passion of mine, - drawing. I shared these drawings on my Instagram and they slowly gained some attention. After doodling away for a month or two, I decided to list my artwork on Etsy. It took a while before anything sold, and my products have changed a lot since then, but I have been very fortunate to turn my doodling into a business.
The name “Spooky Doodle Club” started as a hashtag that I used to caption my drawings on Instagram, but I felt like it was a good summation of the brand I was trying to build, so I switched all of my old usernames, and now I guess I’m a fulltime artist!
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently thinking up designs for a winter collection of charms! I’m eager to try out the blue glitter acrylic charms from Zap!. I think they would make for a nice winter vibe.
What’s your biggest achievement so far for Spooky Doodle Club?
This month I hit 10,000 sales on Etsy! I’m honestly so surprised and blown away that I’ve reached this milestone. I’m grateful that people like my art and continue to support me.
If you had three magical wishes, what would you wish for?
Oh gosh. Umm… I think I would wish for universal healthcare, the ability to function without needing to sleep, and a big self-maintaining farm so that I could adopt countless animals to live with me.
Favourite piece you have ever created?
My favourite piece changes every time I make something new. Right now, my favourite design is my planchette multi-charm earrings, but I’m sure I’ll have a new favourite design when I receive my next batch of charms from Zap!.
Biggest struggle of being a one-woman operation?
The biggest struggle is having to manage all of the business elements that go on behind the scenes. Drawing/designing is the fun part, but I also have to spend a lot of time packaging orders, replying to emails, driving to the post office, ordering supplies, tidying my messy office, and troubleshooting problems that pop up along the way. For example, today my printer isn’t working so I’m going to have to figure out a way to DIY some backing cards. Fortunately, I really love what I do, so I don’t find it challenging to stay motivated. I could just use a few extra hours in my day!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own Etsy?
If you’re trying to make a business out of your Etsy, try to post as many listings as possible. This way, there are more possibilities for how people can find your shop just by searching in the Etsy marketplace. But initially, try not to dwell on the numbers too much. Growth takes time.
What song can’t you get out your head at the moment?
I don’t have a single song I’ve been playing on a loop at the moment, but I do have an album that I’ve been listening to for the last few months. The New Abnormal by The Strokes came out on my birthday this year, and it was a really good birthday present.
Favourite Zap! product?
My last two orders from Zap! have been for metallic acrylic charms. I really love their subtle sparkle. I’m eager to try the glitter acrylic charms next!
And lastly, where can people buy your amazing work?
My art is for sale at spookydoodleclub.etsy.com! Thank you!
