Etsy Seller Interview with Renata of Renush

How Renush 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 a graduate of the London College of Fashion in footwear and accessory design and product development. During my college years, I got interested in the traditional technique of molding, which, combined with vegetable tan leather, provides endless possibilities for manipulating and sculpting the hide into different shapes. This marriage of technique and material inspired me to begin my career as a designer and maker. Vegetable-tanned leather is free of chemicals and toxins. The vegetable tanning process uses plant-based tanning and not chrome tanning, which is very harmful to the environment. I'm passionate about sustainability and take a zero-waste approach to my raw materials; I use every bit of the leather hide. In creating my pieces, I am always left with offcuts, but by using recycled leather salvaged from these offcuts from my other designs, I am giving new life to material that would otherwise not be used. My products are various types of bags, corsets, corset belts, leather jewelry, earrings, tech accessories, and dog accessories. I'm always trying to stay original. I design and make items that I would wear or use myself. I source my material from the UK, and all production is local—everything is made by me in my studio in Brighton. Having previously sold my products in boutiques, markets, and craft fairs, I started my Etsy shop in 2012 as I wanted to reach a wider customer base who sought out unique, handmade pieces and appreciated the skill each designer put into their products. Etsy was the perfect place to achieve this. My client base is all over the world, and I take great pleasure in seeing where my products are going and being used across the globe. Without the Etsy platform, I could have never achieved this as fast and securely.

Favorite items

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

This is a difficult question. All my designs are very close to my heart. Otherwise, they would not be listed in my shop. I am very proud of my molded leather pieces, which are the corset belts, leather chokers, and necklaces. Some elements of the leather clutch bag handles are also molded. I feel I am representing the ancient craft of traditional leather molding using vegetable-tanned leather, a technique that is not practiced by many people nowadays. It is very hands-on and time-consuming, but as a result, you have a unique sculpted piece. I would like to keep this very old technique alive by using contemporary designs with molding.

I have various bestsellers. Currently, the off-cut recycled leather 3rd-year anniversary cards and my cable ties are very popular. I have boxes of off-cut leather, and it is great fun to come up with new designs such as these that people will cherish.

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?

When I opened my Etsy shop, I was very focused on selling locally at various markets and events. I did not dedicate much time to my Etsy shop. Etsy sales started only six months later and increased gradually. After my first order, I realized I must spend more time on my shop by improving my tags, descriptions, and photos. The Etsy seller's help book is a great tool to gain knowledge. I also take part in several virtual events for Esty shop owners. I am also using social media and the marketing tools of Etsy to attract customers with high-quality products and designs.

Managing Renush

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?

I am the designer and maker of all my products. I also deal with all of the business operations myself, including the packaging and shipping and all the customer service. I use Etsy marketing tools and good SEO to attract customers. I promote my shop through all the media channels, like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. I ship everything through Royal Mail and buy the labels through Esty. Using Etsy labels saves time, helps customers track their orders, and notifies them of the estimated delivery date.

The Future of Renush 

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

To continue to grow my business by creating high-quality contemporary designs that customers like to purchase and cherish.

Advice for new sellers

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

Firstly, originality is so important. Try to distinguish yourself from other sellers and let your personality shine through your products. Customers will recognize the distinctiveness of your items. Secondly, be patient and use the Esty sellers' help book and webinars for inspiration and advice. I have made lots of improvements to my shop based on these sources of information. Thirdly, value your customers, be responsive, and always try to deliver excellent service. When your work is as personal to you as mine is to me, some types of customer feedback can be difficult to deal with. It’s important to remain professional at all times and remember that you can turn a negative experience into a positive one by treating customer service as equally important as designing and making.