The Badge Archive

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From sticker sheets and friendship bracelets to handmade candles or bath products, Etsy is full of successful shops run by creators who make things with their hands. If you have the patience to produce items consistently, keep up with orders, and ship reliably, your shop could earn real income.

For a teen starting fresh, especially without a built-in audience or production system, here is a more realistic expectation of sale amounts:

Starter Phase (Months 1–3):

• Likely earnings: $0–$50/month
• This stage includes setup, photography, pricing, and early trial products
• Teens might make a few sales to friends, family, or early Etsy visitors
• Most energy goes into learning how to list, ship, and manage inventory

Growth Phase (Months 4–6):

• Possible earnings: $50–$150/month
• Earnings depend on product quality, consistency, and marketing
• More reviews bring trust, bundles may boost cart size, and traffic begins to build
• Teens might get repeat customers or seasonal spikes

Established Shop (6+ months with consistent effort):

• Possible earnings: $150–$300+/month
• Requires regular product updates, promotions, and fast shipping
• By this point, the shop has a small following and reliable processes
• A $300–$500/month range is possible — but takes time, persistence, and adult-supported logistics

Where to Get Started:

This guide covers how to start a physical product shop as a teen seller with help from a parent or guardian.

1. Choose Your Craft Products

• Pick items you can make repeatedly without frustration and are low on supply costs. All the costs for the products are coming out of your own personal funds to start.
• Popular beginner-friendly options include:
  • Stickers printed and cut by hand or machine
  • Beaded jewelry, clay charms, friendship bracelets
  • Bath bombs, scrubs, or candle jars
  • Painted bookmarks or illustrated stationery
  • Seasonal crafts like ornaments or keychains
• Start with one type of product and test demand before adding more

2. Set Up a Safe, Adult-Supervised Etsy Shop

• Teens 13–17 can run an Etsy shop with parental supervision and permission
• An adult must help manage:
  • The Etsy account setup
  • Payment processing (bank and tax details)
  • Shipping labels and delivery issues
• Work together to create a shop name and banner
• Be clear in your bio that this is a teen-led shop supported by an adult

3. Photograph and List Your Products Clearly

• Use natural lighting and a neutral background
• Include multiple angles, close-ups, and size reference shots
• Describe the product:
  • Materials used
  • Exact size and shape
  • Any variations (scent, color, style)
• Avoid over-promising. Handmade means natural imperfections
• Include how and when the item will ship (usually 1–5 days after purchase)

4. Price Your Products Smartly

• Calculate the cost of materials + time + fees
• Begin by estimating the full cost of making each item
  • Include materials, packaging, and your time. (Remember, boxes and envelopes to ship add to the cost and are not typically included in shipping fees.)
  • Factor in Etsy’s listing and transaction fees (usually a few cents per item and a small percentage per sale)
• Aim for prices that are low-risk for buyers but still respect your effort
  • Starting small helps build early reviews and trust
  • Raise prices gradually as you improve quality and add polish
• Beginner crafter price ranges:
  • Simple handmade bracelet: $3–$6
  • Sticker sheet (printed and cut at home): $2–$4
  • Mini candle or bath item: $4–$8
  • Painted bookmark or flat art piece: $2–$5
• Tip: Offer small bundles or themed packs to encourage larger orders
  • Example: “3 sticker sheets for $6” or “Mini gift set with bracelet + bookmark for $8”
  • Bundles boost your cart size without needing to raise individual item prices

5. Learn How to Package and Ship Safely

• Before listing your product, research how people normally package your item
  • Search Etsy or YouTube for “[your item] shipping guide” (e.g., “How to ship handmade stickers”)
  • Read product descriptions from other sellers to see how they describe packaging
• Start with inexpensive basics:
  • Flat items (like stickers or bookmarks) can go in sturdy envelopes with cardboard backing
  • Small crafts (like bracelets, bath products, or candles) work well in bubble mailers or small boxes
  • Use tape to seal securely and add padding if the item is fragile
• Learn how to buy shipping postage:
  • If you’re using Etsy, it offers built-in label printing with USPS (ask a parent to help set up payment and a printer)
  • You can also take your package to the post office counter and have them weigh it and suggest the best shipping method
  • Keep your item under 1 lb whenever possible. It helps control cost. A kitchen scale can be used to measure the weight of a package under one pound.
• Include a short thank-you note or simple freebie when possible
  • A handwritten “Thanks for your order!” builds trust and helps get reviews
  • You can also include a coupon code or tiny surprise (like a sticker or charm)
• Stay organized and create a small packing area
  • Use a shoebox, bin, or desk drawer to keep your envelopes, tape, labels, and extras in one spot
  • When an order comes in, you can pack quickly without searching for supplies
• After you ship, mark the order as “Shipped” on Etsy and check for updates
  • Etsy or USPS will provide tracking
  • If something goes wrong, respond politely and offer a simple fix. Buyers value good communication.

6. Promote Your Shop Consistently

• Post on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest)
• Share process videos or behind-the-scenes photos
• Join local markets or craft fairs if allowed
• Ask friends and schoolmates to share your shop with parents
• Consider making seasonal collections (Back to School, Holiday Gifts, Summer Themes)

7. Stay Professional & Track Everything

• Use a spreadsheet or notebook to log:
  • Materials purchased
  • Inventory made and sold
  • Etsy fees and income
  • Customer reviews and feedback
• Respond to messages quickly and kindly
• Ask for reviews once you fulfill an order
• Keep product listings updated with current quantities and shipping time

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What to Expect & Why It Matters
Selling handmade crafts is a true business—fun and creative, but also demanding. Teen sellers learn to plan, market, and deliver reliably. It’s a great way to explore pricing, presentation, and consistency. You won’t make hundreds overnight, but with steady effort and growing reviews, this can become a long-term hobby or entrepreneurial skill set.

Sample Logs

Here’s a Shop Tracking Log broken into clear sections. Teens can build this in Google Sheets, Excel, or keep it as a printable workbook. The design makes it easy to see what was made, what was sold, what was earned, and what still needs attention.

Section 1: Supply & Inventory Tracker

Date	Item Made	Quantity Created	Materials Used	Cost Per Item	Total Cost	Notes
7/15	Fall Sticker Pack	10 sets	3 sticker sheets + cardstock	$0.75	$7.50	First batch for launch

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Section 2: Listing Activity Tracker

Date	Listing Title	Changes Made	Price	Quantity Listed	Photos Updated?	Live On Etsy?
7/16	Fall Sticker Pack	Added preview image	$3.50	10	Yes	Yes
7/18	Leaf Bracelet Set	New listing	$5.00	5	Yes	Yes

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Section 3: Sales & Order Log

Date	Product Sold	Quantity	Earnings (Before Fees)	Etsy Fees	Shipping Cost	Profit Estimate	Shipped?
7/19	Fall Sticker Pack	1	$3.50	$0.60	$1.45	$1.45	Yes
7/22	Leaf Bracelet	2	$10.00	$1.20	$2.85	$5.95	Yes

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Section 4: Customer Communication & Reviews

Date	Action Type	Customer Name	Message or Review Summary	Replied?	Follow-Up Needed?
7/23	Message	JenB	Asked when order ships	Yes	No
7/25	Review Received	SamT97	“Super cute! Fast delivery.”	N/A	No

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Section 5: Weekly Summary

Week of	Total Sales	Total Expenses	Estimated Profit	Listings to Restock	Other Notes
July 15–21	$13.50	$10.35	$3.15	Sticker Pack (Low stock)	Add thank-you freebie

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These logs helps teens see what’s working, catch delays early, and understand their actual earnings. It also builds great habits for organization, pricing adjustments, and customer service follow-ups, things that really matter as their shop grows.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

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This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

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