Podcast Episode 232: How Her Original Art Got Her Invited to Etsy HQ - with Melissa Mary Jenkins
May 07, 2026
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/_cOicJhB5aQ
ABOUT MELISSA:
Melissa lives in rural Ontario, Canada. She was a high school teacher until 18 years ago when she had her twin daughters. Melissa has been an Etsy seller since 2010, launching her current art shop in 2013. As an artist and natural ink maker, her landscape and still-life paintings reflect the beauty of the natural world surrounding her home studio and her love of all things vintage. This spring, Melissa was invited to celebrate International Women's Day at Etsy headquarters in Brooklyn along with 5 other Etsy shop sellers, where she spent the day with Etsy female leaders including Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
In this exciting episode of How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy, I have the pleasure of reconnecting with my dear friend Melissa, an incredibly talented artist and Etsy seller. Melissa has been on an inspiring journey since our last conversation, and I can't wait to share her latest achievements and insights with you.
We kick off the episode by discussing Melissa's recent recognition by Etsy, which began with her unique sardine paintings. After I suggested she explore this theme, her work caught the attention of Etsy's marketing team, leading to her art being featured in their summer trend report. This recognition has opened doors for her, and we dive into how she has successfully navigated the challenges of being an artist on Etsy.
Melissa shares her background as a high school teacher turned artist, detailing her journey of launching her Etsy shop in 2010 and her passion for creating vintage-inspired artwork using natural materials. We discuss her recent invitation to Etsy's headquarters in Brooklyn to celebrate International Women's Day, where she had the opportunity to meet Etsy's CEO, Kruti Patel-Goyal, and other female leaders within the company.
Melissa recounts the experience of touring the Etsy office, participating in workshops, and engaging in meaningful conversations about the challenges and triumphs of being a seller on the platform.
Throughout our conversation, we explore the human side of Etsy, dispelling myths about the corporate world behind the platform. Melissa emphasizes the genuine care and passion of the Etsy team, which was evident during her visit. We also touch on the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision while adapting to trends, as Melissa has done with her sardine paintings and other works.
As we delve deeper, we discuss the significance of traffic sources for Etsy sellers. Melissa reveals that 70% of her shop's traffic comes from Etsy itself, while she drives the remaining 30% through social media, primarily Pinterest. We analyze the effectiveness of her marketing strategies and the importance of creating emotional connections with customers through her art.
This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to launch, grow, or pivot their Etsy shop. Whether you're an established seller or just starting out, Melissa's story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for success when you combine passion, creativity, and strategic thinking. Join us as we celebrate the journey of artists on Etsy and the incredible community that supports them.
EPISODE DETAILS:
Melissa Mary Jenkins is back on the podcast sharing all about her experience visiting the Etsy Headquarters after her original art made waves on Etsy. Listen in to hear what the new CEO is really like, what Etsy is actually focused on, and how you can build a successful art business, too.
**“How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy” is not affiliated with or endorsed by Etsy.com
STUFF I MENTIONED:
Previous Episode with Melissa: Ep 169 “How this Artist Built a Thriving Etsy Business Selling her Original Artwork https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/169
Check out the video of the workshop at Etsy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-t3qcf184o
Free Ads Masterclass: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/request-etsy-ads-masterclass
FIND MELISSA:
Insta: @melissamaryjenkinsart
HOW I HELP ETSY SELLERS GROW:
⭐Scaling Society: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/scaling-society
⭐"How to Blow Up Your Etsy Shop" free training: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/interested-in-blow-up-shop
⭐Trendspotting: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/trendspotting
----------------------
🎙️ Apply to be on the Podcast: https://sprw.io/stt-xfsV5fhDxxT3NJGVBghmWp
FIND LIZZIE:
Find me on Instagram and TikTok @HowtoSellYourStuff
HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF WEBSITE: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/
HOW TO SELL YOUR STUFF SHOWNOTES: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/blog/232
*Some of the links above are affiliate links which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can see my affiliate disclosure here: https://www.howtosellyourstuff.com/affiliate-disclosure
Check out my eCourse Suite
Are you ready to dig in and learn exactly how to get your listings seen and sold on Etsy? You can do this! More than likely, you just need to make a few tweaks!
Learn at your own pace with my digital courses that are immediately available or hire me for a coaching session.
Get Connected:
Get resources, tips & tricks, and loads of inspiration delivered to your inbox.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
