How bridalspain 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?

My name is Julija Craven, and I am the creator, owner, and designer of the Bridalspain Etsy shop. Originally, I am from Lithuania, but having lived and studied in many European countries, I am now living in Spain, in a small seaside town called Sitges. Inspiration for starting my own shop was my own wedding. I was looking for ideas online and decided to make my dress and accessories myself. Though I am an economist by university degree, I have always worked as a seamstress in a few designer ateliers in London and Berlin. My friends loved my handmade wedding bags and garters so much that they asked me to create the same for their events. and the rest is history.
My first online business was on eBay and Dawanda, and 13 years ago, I subscribed to Etsy. I found Etsy to be the most accommodating and easy to work with. The first products that I sold were bridal bags, garters, and flower girl and bridesmaid accessories. I visited local fabric markets and small factories and searched for quality fabrics that were on sale in order to offer silks and natural materials at very affordable prices.
In 2011, I won Mrs. Spain and represented Spain in the Mrs. World 2011 pageant in the United States. I was awarded the Mrs. World Photogenic title and decided to take my shop to a new level. I began to focus my designs not only on European customers but also on buyers in the United States. My sales increased by 200% in the last two years, and I discovered that specific velvet wraps and Japanese knot bags were becoming my best-sellers, so I decided to focus on the demand. My product choices come after customers write me with custom design requests. I create it for them, take photos, and offer it on Etsy. After years of trial and error, I finally figured out what the most searched for and desired products were.

Favorite items

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

My favorite item is a Japanese knot bag that I created after one customer asked me to design her Japanese-style wedding. I created many items, and the bridesmaids had this style of accessory. They loved it so much due to its super easy design, elegant design, comfortable use, and unique style. It literally goes with any outfit. Plus, I use a wonderful velvet that makes it look expensive.

Japanese knot bag purse clutch green velvet wedding

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?

I sold my first item in 3 days, but since I started using Pinterest and subscribed to Etsy ads, my sales have increased dramatically.

Managing bridalspain

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?

As I also run a small atelier in my town now and create items for offline clients, I have 2 part-time, self-employed seamstresses who help me to pack, register parcels, attend clients, and take photos for my website and social media. Etsy emails and Etsy customers are 100% attended to by me; my Etsy shop is my baby, and I will not trust it to anyone. I have two phones, one for the Etsy app and Etsy media and the other for my website and customers from there. I use two Etsy apps, the old one and the new one, as I like both of them.

The future of bridalspain

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

As my shop is growing rapidly now, I have a new winter collection coming up in December that will include lots of faux fur wraps and winter accessories. I plan to increase my Etsy ads and use new Etsy features ( automatic email replies etc.)

Advice for new sellers

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

My advice is to create items that you like yourself but also listen to your customers' needs. Be patient. Try your best to offer the best customer service. Communicate with your customers, as each of them is the most important person. I met the most amazing customers on Etsy and learned many sad and happy stories. Always contact your customer after the order is delivered. Inquire about your customers' experiences in your store and solicit feedback on what could be improved. Treat customers in a way : "The customer is always right " ( although it might sound strange), but that makes buyers to come back to my shop , advertise it to their friends, and and post-star5* reviews. Stay positive , trust life, and work hard! 

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: 18,000

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: 50% 

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 2.1 ‍