Etsy Seller Interview with Renata of Brlogarka

How Brlogarka got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

I am Renata, the founder, and owner of Brlogarka, a brand of miniature earrings inspired by nature and life. I am from the charming pocket-sized European country of Slovenia, and my maiden name, Medved, translates to 'bear' in Slovenian, which served as the inspiration for my brand name. Although the name might be challenging to pronounce for non-Slovenian speakers, it has a special significance to me.

My passion for clay started in primary school, and it has remained my favorite material to work with ever since. In 2014, due to the economic downturn, I lost my full-time job, and Brlogarka became my full-time hobby. With a leap of faith, I gave myself a trial period of three months to establish the brand as a prospective full-time job opportunity. And, fortunately, I succeeded! Within three months, I started selling my jewelry in several shops in Slovenia, participated in craft fairs, and sold items online via social media.

Taking the leap of faith paid off, and I started my own little business. In January 2018, I decided to open an Etsy shop. Even though it felt overwhelming at the time, I reminded myself that "done is better than perfect." Although my products are crafted to perfection, I struggled with photography, but I decided to start building the shop product by product and photo by photo. Even after five years, I still consider it a "work in progress."

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

Every item in my shop holds a special place in my heart, as I only sell the ones I truly love to create. However, if I had to pick just a few favorites, I would choose the following:

Cherry Earrings: perfecting this design took me over two years, but it was worth it. Every pair is meticulously handcrafted to resemble the real fruit, from the color to the shine to the stem. No molds are used, ensuring that each set is unique. As cherries are my favorite fruit, this design is especially close to my heart.

Edelweiss Earrings: One of my most popular designs, these delicate and beautiful flowers are a client favorite. I love receiving photos from customers who take these earrings to the mountains and photograph them alongside real edelweiss flowers.

Daffodils, and Ladybugs Earrings: I adore making mismatched sets that combine different but complementary motifs. This particular set features daffodils and ladybugs, which look fantastic together and always bring a smile to people's faces.

Peony Earrings—My newest design is already generating a lot of attention and love. It all began with a special order from a bride who wanted earrings to match her bouquet. I liked them so much that I decided to list them in my shop.

I believe my earrings are so popular because they are entirely handmade without the use of cutters or molds. I strive to make each miniature as realistic as possible, and I always choose motifs that are meaningful to me and my brand rather than chasing trends.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long to hear the sound of my first cha-ching. Just a few days after opening my shop, a customer who I had met at a craft fair purchased a new pair of earrings for herself. However, after that initial sale, I found that sales were inconsistent and quite slow. Sometimes I would only receive one or two orders a week, and occasionally only a few a month. Thankfully, my main income comes from the craft fairs and shops that sell my earrings. To attract more customers, I work hard to promote my brand through social media. Additionally, I make an effort to improve the listings that don't receive much attention and advertise the popular ones through Etsy advertising.

Managing Brlogarka

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

Running a small business can be overwhelming, especially when you're a one-person show. That's exactly how I felt when I opened my Etsy shop. In the same year, I almost burned out. I was responsible for every aspect of the business, from the creative process and sculpting to photographing and marketing the items, managing orders, attending craft shows, and dealing with the bureaucracy. It was just too much for me to handle alone. Fortunately, my husband noticed how stressed out I was and offered to help. Despite having a full-time job, he would come home and dedicate his free time to assist me for a few hours each day. It was tough, but it gave us a chance to work together as a team.

Eventually, we realized that we needed more time and energy to devote to the business, so my husband made a bold decision. He quit his day job and joined me full-time at Brlogarka, turning it into a family business. We now both make earrings, and while I handle the creative process and social media, he manages the Etsy shop, packaging, shipping, and all the paperwork.

The future of Brlogarka

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

As I mentioned earlier, our shop is always a work in progress. With new ideas and seasonal designs constantly being created, it feels like a never-ending project. My top priority has always been to ensure that my customers are satisfied, so the quality remains the most important aspect of my work. To take things up a notch, I'm currently working on improving my photography skills, and I'm excited to start incorporating videos into my listings. But above all, what really brings me joy is the creative process of making new designs. I find inspiration in my everyday life, and I love the feeling of bringing something new and unique to the world. So, while the store may never be "finished," I know that my passion for creating will keep it going strong for many years to come.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

I believe that the most important thing when starting an Etsy shop is to sell items that you truly enjoy making. Don't simply create something because it's trendy or popular at the moment, as that's only a short-term strategy. Success on Etsy is a marathon, not a sprint, so it's important to be persistent and patient, and never settle for less than your best work. Continuously improve your listings by researching keywords. Don't wait for Etsy to bring traffic to your shop; take the initiative to connect with your customers through social media and attend craft shows, if possible. Remember that Etsy is not the core of your handmade business, you are! It's important to remember that Etsy is just a tool to help you reach people all over the world and showcase your unique talents and skills. Ultimately, your handmade business is your responsibility, so make sure to put your best foot forward every step of the way.