Podcast Summary: Ep 192 | Etsy and Beyond: Transforming Abstract Art into Energizing Home Decor with Leila Simon Hayes
Introduction
In Episode 192 of How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy, host Lizzie Smiley welcomes Leila Simon Hayes, a talented abstract artist and textile designer. Leila shares her journey of transforming abstract art into vibrant home decor, offering invaluable insights for both budding and established Etsy sellers. Throughout the conversation, Leila delves into her creative process, diverse sales channels, and the spiritual connection she fosters through her art.
Leila’s Selling Platforms
Leila emphasizes the importance of diversification in her sales strategy, utilizing multiple platforms to reach a broader audience. She currently sells her artwork through:
- Etsy: Her primary platform for connecting with art enthusiasts.
- Shopify: Hosting her own website to offer a unique shopping experience.
- Fair: Engaging in wholesale opportunities.
- Spoonflower: A print-on-demand service specializing in textiles and wallpaper.
- Good Mood Prints: A UK-based print-on-demand service that focuses on higher-end prints and framing.
- Houzz: A search engine connecting her to potential customers beyond traditional platforms.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [13:30]: "I sell on Etsy, Shopify, Fair, Spoonflower, Good Mood Prints, and recently got accepted into Houzz."
Understanding Spoonflower and Good Mood Prints
When asked about Spoonflower, Leila explains its role as a print-on-demand service for textiles and wallpaper, emphasizing its sustainability and high-quality outputs.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [14:25]: "Spoonflower is very thoughtful about the type of paper they use for wallpaper and it's simply more sustainable to print on demand."
Good Mood Prints offers mid to higher-end prints and frames, providing artists with a platform that values quality and artist-forward designs.
Artistic Process and Inspiration
Leila shares her unique creative process, which blends traditional techniques with digital tools. Her art begins in black and white, using ink and scissors to create shapes, which she then digitizes and adds color to using programs like Illustrator, InDesign, and Procreate.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [42:25]: "Everything that I make starts black and white... I follow my instincts and everything is very improvisational."
She draws inspiration from her childhood experiences with her grandfather's wallpaper business, highlighting how prolonged exposure to patterns can alter one's perception and relationship with art.
Business Challenges and Growth
Leila candidly discusses the challenges she faced while transitioning to a full-time Etsy seller. She recounts a pivotal moment at a poorly lit and noisy market, which led her to introspect about her business's purpose. This introspection was framed as a spiritual dialogue where her business "asked" her to grow and steward it better.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [24:04]: "What if your business has its own spirit to express? It's a wild thought, but empowering."
Leila emphasizes the importance of iterative processes in business, likening it to life's experiments. She shares her journey from creating a simple calendar as a gift to scaling it into a beloved product line, underscoring the significance of perseverance and adaptability.
The Spiritual Connection in Business
Leila introduces a profound perspective by suggesting that businesses possess their own spirit and purpose. She views herself as a steward, fostering a symbiotic relationship between her creativity and the community she builds through sales.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [27:52]: "Businesses are our way for humans to connect. It's a spiritual experience."
This philosophy extends to how she interacts with customers, often including personalized business cards and stickers to enhance the human connection behind each sale.
Tips for New Artists
Leila offers heartfelt advice for artists looking to turn their passion into a viable business:
-
Embrace Fear and Failure: Drawing inspiration from Georgia O'Keeffe's famous quote, Leila encourages artists to push past fears and learn from failures.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [46:57]: "You're never going to be ready. Just do the things that scare you in small doses." -
Iterative Learning: She advocates for an experimental approach, where each project serves as a learning opportunity to refine skills and strategies.
-
Consistent Engagement: Whether it's through daily challenges like her 100-day project or maintaining an active presence on platforms like Pinterest, consistency is key to building a dedicated audience.
-
Spiritual and Personal Connection: Leila emphasizes the importance of infusing personal energy and intention into business practices, creating meaningful connections with customers.
Building Community and Leveraging Platforms
Leila discusses the significance of building a community around her art. By engaging with customers directly, whether in-person at markets or online, she fosters a sense of belonging and mutual appreciation. She also highlights the role of platforms like Pinterest in long-term growth, noting that building a presence organically over time can enhance the effectiveness of paid advertising.
Notable Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [59:20]: "It is a long game, but it’s starting to work."
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a heartfelt exchange between Lizzie and Leila, underscoring the deep connections that can be forged through art and business. Leila's journey is a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and the willingness to embrace both the practical and spiritual aspects of running an art-focused Etsy shop.
Closing Quote:
Leila Simon Hayes [61:33]: "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do."
Where to Find Leila Simon Hayes
Listeners can connect with Leila and explore her artwork through the following channels:
- Website: lelasiimonhayes.com
- Etsy: Leela Simon Hayes
- Instagram: @leilasimonhayes
- Pinterest: Leela Simon Hayes
- Website Promo Code: Use code Lizzy20 at checkout for $20 off.
This episode offers a blend of practical business strategies and inspirational insights, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their Etsy shop and connect deeply with their creative endeavors.