Rise Up Designs

 Let’s talk about something that every shop owner stresses over at some point: “How do I get my listings SEEN on Etsy?” When I first launched Rise Up Designs, I spent hours creating products — tumblers, wraps, keychains — and then stared at my stats wondering why no one was finding them. 😩 Sound familiar? Now, I’m not saying I cracked the Etsy algorithm (I wish! 😂), but I have figured out a few key moves that made a difference in getting found — and getting sales. So for today’s Flex Friday, I’m sharing 3 real things that helped my listings show up more consistently. 1️⃣ Get serious about your titles Your title isn’t just a description — it’s a search tool. I used to write cutesy or vague titles, but now I start by thinking: 💡 What would my ideal customer type into the search bar? Example: Instead of “Sparkle Teacher Cup” I go with:  Teacher Tumbler with Straw – Back to School Gift – Glitter Glass Can – Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea It may sound less poetic, b...

 OK, let’s be real... shipping is one of those “ugh” parts of running a creative shop. It’s not the fun glittery part ✨ — but if you don’t keep an eye on those costs, they will EAT your profits alive! 🐍 Since I run both an Etsy shop and my mobile craft business, I’ve tested all kinds of ways to ship smarter, not harder. So today’s Flex Friday is all about sharing what’s actually worked for me — in real life, with real orders. Here are my top 5 ways to save on shipping (aka: more $$ for Starbucks runs + new supplies 🙌): 1️⃣ Rethink your packaging 🎁 Size + weight = shipping cost. Even shaving 1 ounce or going down one box size can save you money: Use poly or bubble mailers when it’s safe to do so Cut down your box size (no need to ship air!) Keep packaging light — but still pretty for your brand ✨ 2️⃣ Score supplies on auction apps 🤑 One of my favorite hacks: I use local auction sites! 🎯 Here in San Antonio, I use an app called MacBid and bid on returned/overstock shipping s...

 This month has been one for the books — and by “books,” I mean the messy, half-filled planner I keep swearing I’ll update. 😂 But for real, check this out: 🌟 Biggest sales month to date! (cue the confetti… and maybe a mild panic attack) 🌟 350+ Instagram followers — hi, friends! You’re the real ones. 🌟 Month 2 as a Star Seller on Etsy — still pinching myself 🏅 🌟 Launched my Wrap & Rise Mobile Craft Party website — because apparently sleep is optional when you’re chasing dreams 😅 And while I could post the polished version with soft lighting and filter-perfect photos… let’s be real for a second. ✨ I’ve knocked over a tray of glasses thanks to a rogue gust of wind. ✨ I’ve confused two orders and had to channel my inner Sherlock to fix it. ✨ One of my glass straws shattered mid-wrap — RIP, lil’ buddy. ✨ And yes, I’ve stared at the screen wondering if I can juggle it all without turning into a walking UVDTF sticker. But here’s what I’ve learned: You can be wi...

We’ve all heard the tips: 🧼 “Spring clean your Etsy shop.” 🔍 “Audit your listings and keywords.” 📸 “Make sure your photos are top-tier.” And yes — all of that does matter. But the biggest shift I’ve made in the last 3.5 months? It’s not about aesthetics. It’s about alignment . Let’s Talk Real Etsy Life: Since launching in February, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of my shop. I’ve experimented. I’ve tested. I’ve rolled with it. And here’s what I found: 💡 Premade glasses and cup kits — these crush it in person. At craft fairs and pop-ups, people love to see, touch, and personalize. They get it instantly and it’s an easy sell. 💡 UV DTF Wraps and digital-style listings — these sell better online . Etsy is full of DIYers who love the flexibility of customizing their own glassware, and they’re happy to buy just the wrap and add their own spin. That tells me everything I need to know: 🛍️ The same product doesn’t always work on every platform. The Shift I’m Ma...

 While everyone’s out here planning pool days and vacations, small biz owners? We’re over here thinking about seasonal trends , inventory shifts , and how to make summer sales sparkle . This week’s Flex Friday isn’t about slowing down — it’s about leveling up with intention . Because if you’re an Etsy shop owner (or building any creative biz), summer is the perfect time to: ✅ Refresh. Rethink. Realign. Here’s what I’m doing right now (and maybe you should too): ✔️ Auditing my listings – Are my photos clear? Are the tags and titles still working? What needs a glow-up? ✨📸 ✔️ Looking at seasonal trends – Am I aligned with what people are shopping for right now? Think: weddings, travel gifts, end-of-school, sun + fun! ☀️ ✔️ Checking analytics – What’s selling? What’s not? What needs to be featured more? (Yes, data can be cute.) 📊 ✔️ Planning content – From social posts to product drops, summer is a great time to get ahead — or at least feel a little more in control . 📅 ...

There’s this thing no one tells you when you start juggling a full-time job and a side business: Rest isn’t a luxury — it’s a requirement. 🛑💆🏽‍♀️ Over the last couple of weekends, I finally gave myself a little breathing room. Family time, quiet moments, less hustle, more peace. 🌿✨ And this week? I went all in. I took a full day off — not just from my 9–5, but from Rise Up too. 🙅🏽‍♀️💻 No orders. No Canva. No posting. Just me. Lunch at my own pace with my sis. 🥗 A few errands without rushing. 🛒 No pressure, no lists, no multitasking. And let me tell you…I didn’t even realize how much I needed it until I felt myself exhale. 🧘🏽‍♀️ Here’s what I’ve realized: 👍🏽 When you’re constantly creating, planning, working (and let’s be honest — stressing), it’s easy to believe the lie that says “You have to keep going.” 🚨🚀 But the truth is: You can’t be your best, most creative self when you’re running on fumes. ✨ You can’t pour into others when your own cup is dry. ☕️ ✨ You can’t serv...

Sometimes the biggest wins don’t come from big crowds or big booths… They come from a two-hour craft fair at an elementary school , under paper flowers, surrounded by community, family, and the unexpected magic of handmade joy. This week’s flex? A Fiesta-themed event hosted by my niece Gracie’s school , and y’all — it ended up being everything. Gracie, the Accidental CEO 👧🏻✨ Knowing she might get a little bored, I brought Gracie some silicone beads to play with while she sat at my booth. You know, just something to keep her busy. Cut to: Gracie crafting up the cutest little keychains you’ve ever seen , and casually laying them out on the table like she’s been doing markets for years. No sign. No price. Just sitting there being adorable. Then it happened… A woman walked by, picked one up and said, “Oh my gosh… these keychains are BEAUTIFUL!” 😍 I blinked. Gracie blinked. I said, “Yep! They’re for sale!” ( Internally: Are they? They are now. ) The lady BOUGHT it. Gra...

Let’s talk about something that’s not often covered in the small biz playbook: Donating your work. Not just for kindness (though that’s a big part)… but as a meaningful, strategic , and feel-good way to grow your brand. ✨ Recently, I donated some of my products—tumblers, shirts, and bags—for giveaway bags at an event. And let me tell you… it wasn’t just “oh cool, free stuff.” It was purposeful, branded, and impactful. 💡 Why I Did It I love supporting good causes—and if my work can bring someone joy and get my name out there? Even better.  Here’s what I focused on: Making sure every donated item represented my brand vibe Including a thank you card or branded tag with each piece Using it as a way to show people the quality of my work in a hands-on way No pressure to buy—just a moment of “oooh, this is cute!” that connects them to Rise Up Designs. 🧠 It’s Not Just Free Stuff… It’s Brand Awareness Think about it: That person uses the tumbler at work Someo...

Let’s get something straight: I love running my small business. I love my tumblers, my wraps, my kits, my customers. But sometimes… the universe throws me a big ol’ glitter-covered curveball. 🥎✨ And that’s when I remind myself: “Jecca, it is not about perfection—it’s about powering through the mess with a hot glue gun and a prayer.” 🙏🏽🛠️💁🏽‍♀️ So today, we’re talking about the chaotic moments behind the scenes that don’t make it into the Etsy thumbnails. 💥 Exhibit A: The Craft Fair Catastrophe Setting: sunny day, cute booth, charcuterie on deck. Me: “Everything’s perfect!” Mother Nature: “Hold my wind.” 🌪️🫠 One gust….very large one. ONE. And my shelf of glass tumblers? Yeeted. TWO shattered glasses, a straw massacre, and me trying to act calm while scooping shards like I’m auditioning for Survivor: Craft Booth Edition. 🫳🏼🧼🥴 Customers tried to help (angels!) but I was like, “Nooo there might be glass, please don’t bleed at my booth!” So yeah—I packed up early. Did I cry late...

Okay okay— can we talk about what just happened?? I woke up, opened my Etsy dashboard, and saw something that made me do a double take before the coffee even hit: FIVE SHIRTS SOLD. OVERNIGHT. Like, while I was literally asleep. 😴👕✨ Even better? They were two different designs —three of one, two of another. That’s not a fluke. That’s a flex. 🎉 This Was a High I Didn’t See Coming I just recently added print-on-demand (POD) to my shop. It was one of those quiet decisions like, “Let’s just test this and see what happens.” Spoiler alert: THIS happened. And it was magic. It reminded me that sometimes, the things we quietly create behind the scenes are the exact things people are out there looking for. ⚙️ But POD Has Rules... And You Gotta Follow Them If you’re using systems like  Printify , or any other POD platform—let me hit you with some tough love: The setup matters. A lot. They’re not hard to use, but they are specific. If you don’t follow the instructions o...

Flex Friday Edition Let’s talk about something no one really wants to talk about but absolutely needs to: Maintenance. Not for your car (although… maybe check those tires too), but for your craft equipment. More specifically—my Epson F170 sublimation printer , aka: my quiet co-worker who lives on the shelf and sometimes throws a tantrum when I ignore her for too long. 🖨️ 😅 Why This Matters (AKA: Learn from Me So You Don’t Cry Later) I love creating. I love crafting. I love dreaming up designs, applying wraps, making tumblers, and hearing people say, “OMG this is SO cute!” What I don’t love? ❌ Weird color streaks ❌ Clogged print heads ❌ Mystery lines across my designs And guess what causes that? Neglect. (Sorry, Epson. I swear it’s not personal.) 🛠️ My Setup & What I’ve Learned I use the Epson F170 for sublimation work and let me tell you—it’s a great little machine when you treat her right. But if I forget to run nozzle checks or skip maintenance for a few d...

Let’s just go ahead and normalize this: You can be doing the thing, growing the business, shipping the orders, and STILL feel like you’re winging it half the time. Because that’s exactly where I am. I officially launched my Etsy shop on February 12, 2025 , and since then, it’s been a wild, wonderful, and occasionally wobbly ride. I’ve been: 📦 Making and shipping orders 💻 Blogging daily 🛒 Selling UV DTF wraps 👕 Launching print-on-demand tees … and still staring at my screen some days like: “Who gave me permission to be the CEO of this operation??” So here it is—my “still figuring it out” list —a collection of things I’m fumbling through and surviving anyway. 🌀 1. Etsy SEO (aka: The Algorithm Mystery Mansion) Search engine optimization is one of those things everyone swears is the key to success… but nobody can really explain how it works. One day I’m adding long-tail keywords like a boss, the next day I’m wondering if I should delete half my tags and start over. I know...