Shop From Tree to Home on MakerPlace
Kirsten Hellmer, artist/owner of From Tree to Home, fell in love with laser cutting when she was looking for a hobby while working as a corporate data analyst. As a creator of 3D layered art such as lake depth and topographic maps, mountainscapes, aurora borealis cut-outs and layered art of just about any place, the Corydon, Indiana-based maker is now in the business of helping people celebrate places they love through the heirloom quality art she creates. Learn how she blazed her trail to success and made the most of her store affiliate link by tapping into free social media feeds to earn more than $700 on top of regular earnings from her 15% commission on every sale generated through her link.
Tell us your story
I was a corporate data analyst for eight years before I discovered laser cutters. I joined a makerspace (i3Detroit) and fell in love with laser cutters when I was looking to learn their CNC (computer numerical control) machine, and it changed the trajectory of my life. I was just looking for a new fun hobby, not a total career change, but I'd never go back. I've been doing this full time now for five years.
Why laser cutting?
I love laser cutters. It's amazing to be able to create nearly anything. The flexibility that it has given me is incredible. I also love that I get to share my art with many people for a reasonable price. It's really cool to think that there are thousands of people in the world with my art hanging up in their houses (some of my pieces have even made it to Italy and Denmark!). I've been told they'll become family heirlooms, passed down for generations for the family to continue to love for years to come.
What makes your product unique?
I specialize in 3D layered art, including but not limited to bathymetric maps (lake depth maps), topographic maps, maps of golf courses, trail maps, and maps of just about any place/interest you could think of. The versatility of my products allows for continuous expansion and a never-ending list of art I can make.
I also specialize in acrylic pouring and fluid art. I mix paint extender (Floetrol) and acrylic paint, layered in a specific order so the colors don’t blend, and then pour it over a surface to create a completely unique piece of art. I have a niche because most people only do this on canvas, but I do it on wood pieces I cut and sell only at local art shows.
What is your creative inspiration?
If it's a paint pouring day––I like to turn on some Phish or Grateful Dead and jam out while I make some beautiful and unique pieces (plus, how fun is it that I get paid to pour paint?!).
What are your must-haves while you’re creating?
My 3M noise cancelling headphones. They're durable, block out the noise of my air compressors, and I don't feel truly focused until I have those on. They're beyond comfortable too.
What tips do you have for fellow sellers?
Promote yourself. Facebook is an incredible, FREE resource. I'm in a million Facebook groups that allow sellers to post. It doesn't matter if a post gets 2 likes or 2,000 likes, it's still more eyes on my artwork. They may not buy right now, but they might follow you, save your post for later, and buy a birthday gift in a few months, etc. The more people who see your work, the more sales you'll get. Conversion rates (orders per visitors) typically are around 2%-4% for retail. With that low of a rate, you want that 2% to be out of 2 million visitors, not 200.
Kirsten sells pieces like this Mountain Reflection 3D Wall Art in a variety of sizes
What's your secret to earning hundreds on commission from your MakerPlace store affiliate link?
I share that link and ONLY that link (why would I share another when that link gets me 15% back?!). Getting eyes on my art is the name of the game and the more people who see my art, the higher my sales will be. If my conversion rate is around 2%, and that 2% is only out of 200, it won't be sustainable for very long. However, the more I posted and shared, that 2% came out of a MUCH larger population. So, shout it from the rooftops that you're having a sale, while also SOLELY using the affiliate link.
It’s also important to use a compelling Call to Action (CTA). I noted in my social posts and other messaging that shoppers could only get the sale through that link, which was true since I didn't run sales on other platforms simultaneously. In reality, they could have gone to the main site and got the same price, but I wouldn’t have received the commission if I didn’t send them the affiliate link.
There's a bunch of Facebook groups geared towards handmade items where you can post, as well as local groups, etc. Find the right Facebook groups for your type of art.
I also post it on my business Instagram, make it my link in my bio, and then share that post to my business Facebook, where I have 2,700 followers and growing, and also to my personal Facebook. Because I was promoting a sale––and I don't ask for this often––I also asked friends and family to share my affiliate link, which garnered a few more shares that way.
I also included the link in my email to my subscriber list.
Why MakerPlace?
MakerPlace takes care of their sellers better than Etsy (I hope they don't lose this as they grow).
The funded sales, while I know were likely hard on the marketing budget, were incredible. I don't often run sales, because I keep my prices reasonable and don't believe in gouging, but they're still expensive for some people. The sales allowed people who had been eyeing my work for a while to snatch it up. Even if the funded sales were only offered to top sellers, becoming a top seller would be something to strive for and would increase traffic since sellers would be sending traffic to MakerPlace as they tried to gain that top seller status.
I'm excited to see how MakerPlace changes and grows, as it's still in its infancy.
With all the Aurora Borealis sightings this year, this piece of Kirsten's was a top seller.
Are you a Seller Looking for Social Media Inspiration to Post your Affiliate Link?
Check out this Facebook post that helped Kirsten earn hundreds of dollars in additional commissions from sharing her MakerPlace store affiliate link
Learn how Kirsten acheived success with her affiliate link in this MakerPlace Seller Affiliate Program Case Study
Watch the Interview!
