How I Run 4 Etsy Shops Without Losing My Mind (Most Days) |

If you’d told me years ago that I’d be running not one, but four Etsy shops, I’d have asked if sleep was still part of the plan.

And yet, here we are—juggling multiple brands, answering messages at odd hours, and still managing to have dinner before 6pm (because this girl loves a routine).

Before you ask: no, I don’t have a team. There’s no assistant named Sandra handling my emails. It’s just me, my sketchbook, a garden table, and a very well-used spreadsheet.

Here’s how I make it work (mostly) without crying into my tea.

The Shops

Just to give you an idea of the madness:

? Celeb Invites – Editable party invitations with a sprinkle of fun
? Lily&Co – Gorgeous invites with softer vibes
? Watercolour Lilley – Digital papers, clipart, and shabby chic magic
? Celebrately Graphics – Where the gnomes and animals live (and occasionally misbehave)

Each shop has its own audience, its own voice, and its own to-do list. Yes, it’s a lot. But it’s also brilliantly fun.

What Keeps Me Sane (ish)

1. Routine, but Make It Gentle

I have chronic illness, so my energy isn’t endless. I work in short blocks, using a flexible but focused routine that allows me to:

Rotate shop tasks (designing, uploading, customer messages)
Track what needs updating (Etsy loves a freshened-up listing)
Plan content for blogs and Pinterest without combusting

Some days I’m a machine. Other days I’m a soggy biscuit. I honour both.

2. The Magic of Drafts & Templates

I batch create like it’s my superpower:

I keep a bank of ready-to-post listings (lifesaver)
My Canva templates? Obsessed.
I reuse descriptions, tags, and mockup styles to stay consistent (and save my brain)

Working smarter doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you sustainable.

3. Knowing What Each Shop Needs

Each shop has different seasons and audiences. For example:

Invites slow down in November/December ? clipart picks up
Gnomes have very strong opinions about spring designs
Bundles sell well during holiday lead-up weeks

Understanding the rhythm means I don’t panic when one shop goes quiet—I just shift my focus.

4. Low-Energy = High-Impact Tasks

On days when I can’t draw or write a listing, I:

Update tags or titles
Create mockups from previous artwork
Plan blog content or freebies
Schedule Pinterest pins

Even a slow day can move things forward.

The Truth? It’s a Lot. But It’s Also Freedom.

Running multiple Etsy shops isn’t for the faint-hearted (or the unorganised). But it’s also given me:

Creative purpose
Financial independence (even if it’s “bit by bit”)
A job that works around my life—not the other way around

I’m still learning. I still forget things. But I’ve created a work-from-home life that suits my health, my schedule, and my love for drawing mice in waistcoats.

So yes—it’s a bit mad. But it’s my kind of mad.

? Want to start your own Etsy shop?
I share beginner tips and real-life lessons over on my second blog Living the Hustle. No fluff. Just what works (and what doesn’t).