Interview: Timothy Adam's Journey to the Top

Interview: Timothy Adam's Journey to the Top

I recently had the opportunity to interview an active face in the handmade community. This individual has taken entrepreneurship by the horns and wrestled his way to the top. Self taught and now teaching others through his latest venture, Handmadeology University. I am thrilled to present to you, Timothy Adam, founder of Timothy Adam Designs.

Q. What is the main site address for your business?
You can find my main site at http://timothyadamdesigns.com.This is the lading page for all I do!

Q. Tell us about the products you make and the materials you use.
I am a metal artist... not to be confused with a blacksmith. I mostly use cold techniques, like grinding, bending, hammering, and welding... Well welding is not cold. It’s molten hot! I mainly use cold rolled steel and recycled steel. I do mix in copper, brass, and aluminum here and there. I design furniture, art, sculptures, jewelry, and jewelry displays. I also take on most any custom work if it’s made from metal!

Q. How long have you been developing your craft?
I started welding and designing furniture in 2005. I only started designing jewelry when I joined Etsy in February of 2007.

Q. How did your craft evolve into a global store front?
I started selling my furniture in galleries and traveling to art shows. This was very time consuming and I really wanted to sell online... A good friend told me about Etsy in December 2006. So now I ship all over the world!

Q. What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
My most effective means of promoting is using my Handmade Marketing Formula that I developed. The Handmade Marketing Formula utilizes Faceook, Twitter, and Blogging to maximize your view and traffic.

My best marketing tip for Etsy shop owners is to treat your Etsy shop as a business. If you are looking to grow your handmade business and make a full time income, treat it like a business not a hobby. All my strategies are taught on my site Handmadeology University. [click here]

Q. What mistakes have you made while building your Etsy shop that you wish someone had advised you NOT to do?
I remember last Holiday shopping season when I shipped on of my jewelry displays to the wrong address... Not a good idea! I would say make sure you develop a system for keeping track of your orders when you have a ton coming in and you have to ship out.

Q. Is your Etsy business a full time job or is it something you do in your spare time?
Etsy is my full time gig. I have recently launched my coaching site Handmadeology University [click here].

Q. What goals do you wish to accomplish within the next year for your Etsy shop?
For my Etsy shop, my goals are to expand my display line and my jewelry line. I also plan on adding more sculptures to my shop.

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Canton Ohio. I attended college in Grand Rapids Michigan. I met my wife playing volleyball and have been married for 4 years. We now both run our own companies. You know what I do, but my wife is a photographer. You can check her work out here --> http://gracedesignsphotography.com
Q. Outside of Etsy, in what venues do/have you sold?
I sell on Art Fire and a few shows here and there... I also take custom orders from my website.

Q. What sets you apart from other sellers in your niche?
I feel that my designs and style are one of a kind. I use steel and turn it into works of art. I have taught myself all the skills that I know.

Q. List one or more Etsy sellers which you admire? And why?
One shop really comes to mind and he is a great friend of mine. That is Holcroft. Paul came to me with his product idea and I told him about Etsy… I told him everything I knew and he ran with it! Paul now is pushing 1000 sales and he also started an Etsy shop for his wife! Go Paul! Check him out. [click here]



To learn and see more of Timothy's work visit the bellow sites:

Website: http://timothyadamdesigns.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/timothyadam
Facebook: http://facebook.com/timothyadamdesigns
Blog: http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com
Other sites: http://handmadeology.com
Artfire http://www.artfire.com/users/timothyadamdesigns