Etsy

taibhse

Just wondering if anyone here uses etsy. I know some people have heard of it but are certainly in a minority.
With all the sales hullaballo and the days like black friday in America it just seems like the greedy multinationals are taking everyone in, with their tastes for over-consumption.

Would it not be better to buy a quality handmade item, from an artisan seller, that supports the individual; rather than the corporations whose items come straight off a production line in China, while being made for a fraction of what they sell it for.

It just seems we are bombarded with images of consumerism with this whole attitude, but I suppose that's because it's these same multinationals who pay for flashy adds to flog their wares.

This year though I took the handmade pledge and refuse to give in to this mentality.

So what are peoples thoughts?

Das Kitty

Not too bothered about consumerism to be honest, I enjoy shopping, but I do buy on Etsy.

Their geekery section is absolute class.

I also use it to get ideas for stuff of my own to make and you can buy the supplies from there too.

JaneyMc

I love Etsy. I would prefer to buy off Etsy if possible, I think if someone has a high rating and what looks like to be a quality product. then I would rather buy something their product. I love buying things that time and effort went into, by someone who enjoy's what they are doing.

I use it more for supplies and pattern's than anything else but I have gotten some really nice presents on it though.

I love the different type of searches that are available, I think it's a really well developed website, and it's so different from everything out there.

Aisling&M

I just started my own page. There's still a lot of work to do on it and work to do for it but my philosophy is, why not?
I've also been told a more Europe-orientated idea is to be found here.

taibhse

my friend got me into it. She set up her own shop http://drunkendolly.etsy.com. I like the whole feel of the site and it seems to be kind of a craft movement and a mindset that isn't present in Ireland.
It's hard enough to even get what your looking for in the craft shops here!

JaneyMc

taibhse wrote: »

my friend got me into it. She set up her own shop http://drunkendolly.etsy.com. I like the whole feel of the site and it seems to be kind of a craft movement and a mindset that isn't present in Ireland.
It's hard enough to even get what your looking for in the craft shops here!

Nice stuff there, hoping to work with resin myself soon.

Tbh I wouldn't even call the craft shops here crafts hops because they are so expensive and VERY limited. I have yet to come across a decent one.

ztoical

Recently set up my own Etsy shop as I had a DA print account for ages but the cut they take was just to big - I find Etsy's price structure much better and their layout is easier to blend with your own website if you have one.

el_loco_blanco

Has anyone an Etzy shop? If so is it worth having one? I am contemplating setting up a shop on it for my photography. I would like to know though if people are getting sales from it?

inugie

I've had an esty shop for just over a year now and it is worth it, if you are willing to invest some time in it. I found that you need to list items frequently as the site is so big that your items gets lost very quickly. You can either list new items or renew old ones, either way it costs 20c (in US$) a pop, with an additional fee if you sell something.

I recently also set up a shop on ArtFire which has zero fees (on the basic package) but also less traffic. It may pick up though cause everyone on the forums talks about it and apparently they have a large marketing budget in the US. I'll be keeping my eye on that one.

In the end it all depends on what you are selling. If you are in a market that is saturated already, like jewelry, you are at a disadvantage because of the additional shipping costs to the US where most (although not all) of the buyers are. My sales were about 50 % from the US and Canada, the rest from the UK and Germany!

Hope that helps,
Inugie

Larianne

I spent a whole Saturday afternoon looking through all the vintage clothes for sale. There was some amazing 40's dresses. Unfortunately not in my size. I think it's a great way to promote your stuff and it also reaches a wider audience.

el_loco_blanco

Thanks for that inugie.

I had a look through your etsy shop and I love your stuff. Have you any others from Balbriggan area? I live in Balbriggan so they might make some nice presents for friends living in the area. I presume you work off a photograph.

inugie wrote: »

I've had an esty shop for just over a year now and it is worth it, if you are willing to invest some time in it. I found that you need to list items frequently as the site is so big that your items gets lost very quickly. You can either list new items or renew old ones, either way it costs 20c (in US$) a pop, with an additional fee if you sell something.

I recently also set up a shop on ArtFire which has zero fees (on the basic package) but also less traffic. It may pick up though cause everyone on the forums talks about it and apparently they have a large marketing budget in the US. I'll be keeping my eye on that one.

In the end it all depends on what you are selling. If you are in a market that is saturated already, like jewelry, you are at a disadvantage because of the additional shipping costs to the US where most (although not all) of the buyers are. My sales were about 50 % from the US and Canada, the rest from the UK and Germany!

Hope that helps,
Inugie

inugie

el_loco_blanco wrote: »

Thanks for that inugie.

I had a look through your etsy shop and I love your stuff. Have you any others from Balbriggan area? I live in Balbriggan so they might make some nice presents for friends living in the area. I presume you work off a photograph.

Thanks, I appreciate your comment. I dont have much more than the prints on etsy, but am working on an etching from a photo taken in Skerries. I live in Swords so most of my work is born in the area. I do work off photos yes, photoshop them and then hand traced to get to the simplified version for lino.

Thanks again, let me know if youre interested in a print - can alsays do a special deal for a 'local'....

stitchlily

I have bought a few things on Etsy, and am going to set up a shop there soon. Mostly I've bought patterns and things that can be emailed, but the rare times I have bought anything to be posted, I found the Americans really polite and fast. I even got one order quicker than a different order from England. I love the whole layout of it, it is very easy to do searches for unusual items..

I was wondering about dawanda? How do the two compare?

clorofil

I am a seller and buyer on etsy since a year now. I am from Switzerland and moved to Ireland 2 months ago. I moved my little shop here to continue my business, because i love it .

I sell kawaii (=cute in japanese) jewelry and funky accessories.
Here is my etsy shop if you want to have a look: http://mlleclorofil.etsy.com

I absolutely love etsy. I found wonderful crafters friends and artists there. Since i found etsy, i try to buy handmade every time i looking for something special and unique !

JaneyMc

clorofil wrote: »

I am a seller and buyer on etsy since a year now. I am from Switzerland and moved to Ireland 2 months ago. I moved my little shop here to continue my business, because i love it .

I sell kawaii (=cute in japanese) jewelry and funky accessories.
Here is my etsy shop if you want to have a look: http://mlleclorofil.etsy.com

I absolutely love etsy. I found wonderful crafters friends and artists there. Since i found etsy, i try to buy handmade every time i looking for something special and unique !

I love your stuff, I was actually looking at it a while ago!! I'll probably be making a purchase in the new year!

amdublin

My friend uses etsy. She makes the most amazing beaded jewellery:
http://tomgirl.etsy.com

She's also started a new one - very different and unusual wedding jewellery:
http://maryanngetsmarried.com

Also makes fab hand made buttons:
http://buttonbee.etsy.com

Check them out! Perfect for pressies....

legoblock1

Love etsy site.. Have bought a few vintage bits and their delivery service is amazing! Also impressed with quality of clothing.. Will be using their service again

Tiriel

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