Supposedly in the spirit of protecting the consumer, several publications have featured articles on Etsy, the question being whether or not items are or are not handmade by the artist? While Etsy has stated that sellers MAY use additional people to help them in certain parts of their operation, shipping for example, the change in their policy did not affect the great majority of Etsy artists who make their products from beginning to end, without any outside help. All of the publicity about the change on Etsy has caused buyers to wonder about the legitimacy of the artists on Etsy, and thus has had an adverse affect on traffic and sales. The timing was impeccable, coming just before the holiday gifting season.
Let me assure you that there are STILL many talented artists on Etsy, who design and make their own pieces. We not only design and assemble, we also do sourcing of materials, photography, marketing, shipping and more. If you look for the phrase "One of a Kind" or OOAK, you will find creative and original work on Etsy that your family and friends would love to receive as a gift.
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire
This is a great article Gloria and so true.I have been fortunate that my sales have been pretty good.Now last year was a bust.Things have slowed down now in my shop.But for a while I was busy.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do about that? I have no answers.I have lowered my prices and have had many sales.
Thanks for bringing attention to this topic. Jo
Thank you, Jody! I am glad that Etsy has been good for you the past couple of months. This trend is causing me to rethink my sales strategy for 2014.
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