Etsy Seller Interview with Burak of ChalcedonCrafts

How ChalcedonCrafts 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 Burak Yağmur Yılmaz, and I am the founder of Chalcedon Crafts. I began my journey in e-commerce as a seller, initially offering interesting gadgets in local markets across Turkey. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to sell products—I wanted to design them.

I’ve always been drawn to leather goods like wallets, belts, and other accessories, but my true passion lies in design. Since I wasn’t producing the items myself, I partnered with skilled artisans and makers who could bring my ideas to life. This collaboration helped me take my business to the next level.

Eventually, I discovered Etsy—a platform focused on handmade and unique items, which turned out to be the perfect fit for me to expand my business globally. I noticed that customers were especially interested in personalized and customized products, so in 2018, I launched my Etsy store with a line of personalized leather accessories.

In the beginning, I offered simple items like wallets, belts, and passport holders. As my store started gaining views and sales, customers began asking for different types of leather goods. I paid close attention to their requests and also studied what was trending and selling well. This led me to expand my product range to include items like camera straps, phone holders, sofa organizers, and more.

My store has grown steadily over the years, and I continue to do my best to offer new and unique products. I usually gather ideas by observing people’s needs and exploring internet trends. Once I decide on a product idea, I think about how I can add a unique touch to it. After finalizing the design, I collaborate with my makers to produce a prototype and determine the variations we’ll offer.

Favorite items

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

My favorite items are our leather phone holsters, leather sofa organizers, and leather camera straps. These have become some of our best-selling products, and I personally appreciate their simplicity, functionality, and elegant design. I believe our leather phone holsters, in particular, stand out as unique on Etsy, which is why they tend to attract a strong interest—especially from male customers. You can check these items with these links:

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?

As far as I remember, it took about a month to make my first sale. Soon after, I began receiving multiple orders. To improve visibility, I use Etsy Ads and continuously work on the SEO of my listings. I also make an effort to regularly add new products to my store. To support traffic outside of Etsy, I primarily use Pinterest to promote my items and reach a wider audience.

Managing ChalcedonCrafts

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 started my business as a solopreneur, and it remains a home-based small business. I collaborate with skilled leather artisans who help bring my designs and ideas to life. For product photography, I work with professional photographers, but I also take many of the photos myself using my phone. I use tools like Canva and Photoshop to edit and retouch the images.

To improve my listings’ visibility on Etsy, I use SEO tools such as Allura, along with other optimization resources. I personally handle all shipping and logistics. I’ve partnered with UPS to ship my products worldwide and use custom-branded packaging materials to ensure a professional presentation.

The future of ChalcedonCrafts

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

My goal is to continue strengthening my brand identity and making Chalcedon Crafts more recognizable and memorable to customers. I plan to expand my product range with more unique and original designs, as I firmly believe that uniqueness is the key to long-term success on Etsy. I also aim to enhance the overall shopping experience by improving product presentation, packaging, and customer service. In the future, I’d like to grow my presence on other marketplaces and possibly launch my own standalone website. Ultimately, my vision is to build a well-known, trusted brand that customers return to for high-quality, personalized leather accessories.

Advice for new sellers

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

My advice to new Etsy sellers is to focus on offering something unique and high-quality that reflects your personal style or passion. Take time to understand your target audience and what they’re really looking for. Listen to your heart and also the voice of your customers. Product photography is incredibly important—make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and showcase the details of your items. Also, invest time in learning about SEO and how Etsy's search algorithm works, because good visibility is key to getting those first few sales.

Be patient and persistent—it may take time to see results, but consistency pays off. Keep improving your listings, listen to customer feedback, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas. Lastly, treat your Etsy shop like a real business from day one. Branding, packaging, and customer service all matter and can help you build trust and stand out in a competitive marketplace.