We are talking about this topic right now over at the Jewelry Making Forum: Is Etsy Passé?
I was prompted to post this question over there for a few reasons. First, there seems to be a lack of google love shown to jewelry designers at Etsy, which considering how long the site has been around and that the primary hand-craft product over there is jewelry this seems unbelievable.
Also, there are so many sites now modeled very similarly to Etsy, like Artfire.com, that this also made me wonder if jewelry designers are spinning their wheels over there. Has it just gotten to be so big that it is saturated with jewelry now? Is it time for jewelry makers to move onto new territory or should they spread out and cover more than one site with their jewelry designs?
Comments
etsy administration has been inattentive to their customers (the sellers) needs for quite some time now.
the only reason i stay is because it’s cheaper than hosting my own site, and easier.
i have to bring all my traffic there myself, i have very little “direct” traffic, according to the new Google Analytics. Most of it comes my my own off site promotion and advertising
ArtFire is GREAT so far; lots of built in traffic and the admin is attentive and helpful, something etsy seems to have “forgotten” how to do as they grew too large, too fast.
I have been with Etsy for over 2 years now and I have only sold 10 items. Since I’m not new to jewelry making but am new to selling online; Etsy was my first place to actually sell jewelry.
I am going to be checking out Fuzzb.com to set up another shop. I may also just concentrate on promoting my website: http://www.ivonnardonascreations.us/
I was with Etsy for about a year and the only sales I had were from people I directed there.
There is some much jewelry online, who does one get noticed?
Wow! What a surprise to see this written about ETSY! I just joined about one month ago, hearing about it last year. I have had six small sales. I make jewelry and sell some supplies. I hope to list rubber stamps and scrapbook supplies soon. I hope etsy doesn’t just fade away. I am going to check the other places out to see what they have to offer as far as advertising for us. The competition for jewelry is too much. I make wire & beaded dragonflies, beaded pendants, etc…
My site is: camille1955.etsy.com
Take a look and let me know if I should stay put or go somewhere else. Thanks, Camille
I have been selling on Etsy for a couple of years and have had more luck there than Ebay and the fees are much more reasonable. That said the best was to get people to notice you when selling jewelry is to heart people that you like and to keep track of people hearting you. Also if you do any other crafts and can post them in different categories you will get more traffic. Good luck to all
Samantha
dolphindaze1@comcast.net
Etsy is what you make it, it is unwise to list items and expect them to sell without some sort of promotion. This has its good points and its drawbacks, both of which many sellers could write books about. The other sites available also have good points and drawbacks. I started on Etsy almost 2 years ago, I’m a wire jewelry artist, and to date I have sold 317 items. Others have sold more, many have sold less. Treated seriously, as a business, etsy is a viable place for jewelers to sell, if you are willing to work.
I have to admit I have not done a lot to promote my jewelry sales at Etsy, but it does seem rather hopeless with sooo many jewelry pieces listed on the site. I think if you sell supplies your sales are better. I have also been told frequent listing is a good idea, but that means making new stuff without selling the old, so I am open to looking at other sites and possibly my own website as well.
I don’t quie understand how selling 17 items on etsy in three years gives you any insight into how e commerce works.
Like any website where you sell a popular item, you need to have an innovative product, an effective marketing strategy and talent.
It really doesn’t matter how many people sell jewelry on etsy. The goal to to bring them directly to your shop. There are thousands of talented and successful jewelry sellers on etsy, the numbers grow daily.
The other sites pale in comparison both in views and sales. Who could possibly make a living on ArtFire.
Etsy passe? That’s a ridiculous statement.
I’ve been on Etsy for about 9 months and have had 160 sales to date. One great way to get noticed is to list or relist several times a week. If you space your listings apart, you can relist just before an item cycles over into its next billing month so that you don’t get hit twice in the same month for listing that one item. The newly listed items are featured first so it pays to get your items relisted. Also, take really great photos and use all 5 spots allowed. Customers like multiple views as well as pix of the item being worn. Don’t underprice your items, price indicates quality to many. Research like items at different shops for comparable prices. You can sell, you just have to be proactive. Try to find your own unique twist to your designs, or a special niche market to add to your wares.
What an interesting topic…I just started my etsy shoppe in January. I offer unique, quality jewelry for reasonable prices. It is affordable and easy to use, compared to trying to maintain the website that I had. I have a FT job and tried selling at work, but the time demand was too great. So, etsy seemed the way to go. I took good photos and gave good descriptions and followed all the suggestions and have not sold a single item. I have not showcased anything yet–does that work for anyone? I would love feedback and suggestions. My site is CrystalGoddessLisa.etsy.com. Thank you for posting this timely article.
Jewelry seems to be a huge thing,I personally don’t do it very well but have seen very beutiful and unique items.I think etsy itself is saturated and get more traffic on my own site.There is always room for unique jewelry but how to get seen???
Thanks for all the good advice. I’m happy with etsy and I do work at it everyday just like a “real” job. I’ve had six sales in one month, which is pretty good. I had cards printed that I hand out everywhere I go and I do add favorites and visit other sites to generate interest. I’m having fun! It gives me so much freedom and a creative outlet.
I just checked out artfire.com and listed some seed beads to see what happens. It’s free and I have nothing to lose.
camille1955.etsy.com and now camille1955.artfire.com
camillescreations.blogspot.com
Jewelry is no different to other products – home preserves to fashion, you have to build a brand (designer) following. You have to be noticed and talked about (referrals).
You can’t do that purely online. You need to promote yourself in the real world at markets, retail outlets that carry one-off accessories and be brave, carry a small flyer of your best work around with you in your bag/car and whenever you see a store that suits your creations just hand the manager a flyer and invite them to look at more of your designs at Etsy … or your own site (Google has FREE sites and easy to create but no shop so buyers can click through to your Etsy shop).
Small self employed hairdressers, day spas, beauty and makeup artists, with an intimate shop and customer base is a great way to promote yourself locally. Offer your hairdresser 10 to 25 percent of everything sold by her referrals and pay her/him as soon as you sell. Might only be enough for a cup of coffee but income, no matter how small, is more important than ever (in these tough times).
Every time you drop in to pay you are reminding them that you are a professional supplier of desirable products. They are accustomed to sales reps visiting them all the time so make it a pleasant experience for both of you. Win/win.
School and church fetes are a great way to promote yourself locally. You may not make a fortune but you’re marketing your talent to people who would have otherwise not even known of you and your work. When you sell at a fete or market you see first hand how much interest there is in your creations, what is the most popular, what price they are prepared to pay all of which helps you work your Etsy store better.
Etsy is an elaborate check-out, nothing more so don’t be too hard on them. What they do they do well and at the right price. If you’re not selling then examine your product, the way you attract people to your site and especially monitor where your sales are coming from (age, lifestyle, profession, price range) and you’ll almost always see a pattern emerging. Then spend all your energy talking, showcasing and marketing your work to that group of people.
Etsy is a bit like renting a shop in the worst location in the mall, tucked away where there is not a lot of walk-by traffic so you have to work hard to draw people to your store and into it.
Something that helps you achieve that is what big department stores do – specials, or more to the point … something desirable (gift lines) at the right price, that they can find there all the time and keep coming back for.
Every jewelry store does it, they stock charms, chains and earrings because everyone buys one, or all, of those things on a regular basis. While they’re shopping for those they discover something they just have to have (not planned, spontaneous purchase and usually expensive but a “must have”).
Do I sell on Etsy? No, I have spent years developing a client base and I treat them like royalty, even design things just for them, then ring them and say … “you have to see what I’ve made just for you, you’re going to love it” … and most of the time they do because I know them so well, what they like and when they are due for something new.
Sherry said, “I don’t quie understand how selling 17 items on etsy in three years gives you any insight into how e commerce works.”
First of all, I never claimed I had an “insight.” Heck, if I did, I’d be making the big bucks over there
I simply asked some questions.
Also, I have not been selling on etsy for three years. I just opened my shop this past spring.
I am learning a lot from the feedback here! Thank you for everyone who has commented.
I don’t have an Etsy shop, but do browse around looking for presents. The comment about liking multiple views is very true; especially a mixture of overall and closeup. And I’d never buy from someone whose prices show they’re not including the cost of their time/labor, because they’re undercutting the market in an unsustainable fashion.
Lisa said, “I have a FT job and tried selling at work, but the time demand was too great.”
This is also one reason (of many) I opened a shop there. I often get asked by friends and coworkers about my jewelry, but usually it is either not appropriate to bring it to work to sell or I’m too busy. This way, I can just direct people to my shop over there.
I was really impressed with the comments made. However, I have to say like most people, I am no good at marketing. It’s very difficult trying to market jewellery to the real world, as people sometimes just ‘turn their noses’, some people actually expect me to make pieces for them for free! Others see me as some kind of saddo, which is why I have stopped telling people I meet that I make jewellery. But then I suppose that is more of a culture (being British) thing/where you live.
I have spent a lot of money on etsy but no results, tried many sites including facebook & other networking sites. Setting up my site wasn’t too expensive but I have only made 1 sale, I check the stats & discovered people have being visiting just not buying. I had at one point decided to give up jewellery making all together, as it has cost me time & money.
But I knew deep down I couldn’t as the ideas still keep coming. Not one to leave things undone, I have to put the many ideas in my note book into the reality. Added to that I enjoy making jewellery, especially after a hard day at work, it’s the best therapy!
I suppose the lesson is to keep at it, no matter what.
Even though I used to have my own website, I also used Etsy as it was a great way to raise my profile. I used it as one of a number of ways to market my work. I do wonder, however, if the market is becoming crowded now in certain areas, and perhaps this will continue as more people are turning to crafts to make extra money?
I have been on Etsy for two years now with a shop selling jewelry and one selling supplies. Actually, I have not had that many sales but I enjoy working on Etsy especially the people I meet. Also, I love to look at all of the other beautiful crafts that artists around the world crate and giving them feedback it does make me feel a part of a community.
That being said there are so many jewelry artists on the site that it seems a wonder that anyone finds your shop at all. I am looking for additional outlets.
I also tried etsy. Listed for several, several months with no sales. Very disapointing.
I’ve been on etsy since summer of 2008. I’m learning that it is not easy to sell jewelry online. It takes a lot of hard work and research on how to promote my site. I also have an artfire shop that has had no sales. I’ve not promoted my artfire shop as I have my etsy shop, but plan to in the near future. I’m also trying to find my niche, will be offering more unusual jewelry in the future. I’ve found that the successful sellers have found their style and offer something that no one else does.
I have to say that after watching a neighbor with a etsy shop, I see that a person can make a good living with etsy She has sold over 2000 things in a year and probably made around 50,000 last year. a good amount for what she does. it’s all in marketing, without that, your just another person on the net selling something.
How would you suggest you market your Etsy shop or any online shop? I’ve had my Etsy shop for about 2 months now and I also have a blog (eklecticexpressions.blogspot.com) and I don’t seem to get a lot of traffic. I even joined an Etsy team but they don’t seem to help either. Does anyone have any suggestions on properly marketing their Etsy shop? I’m talented & creative but ignorant when it comes to marketing.
What a difference a day makes. I have officially signed up with ARTFIRE and I’m keeping my ETSY site also. The more the merrier.
camille1955.artfire.com
camille1955.etsy.com
camillescreations.blogspot.com
All part of the marketing!!!
Thanks to everyone who responded helping me to go forward and never look back…except to check up on my sites!
I know little about Etsy but the few times I’ve tried to shop it looking for a specific designer but not knowing their exact username i was unable to find them. This is a total diservice to the designers and as a buyer of jewelry I was very frustrated with the site. It could just be so much more user friendly and in turn I’m sure more pieces would sell! Why should someting so innovative as Etsy have ANY boundries to selling their wares, isn’t that what it’s about? They really need to revisit this issue.
how can you blame etsy that you couldnt find a specific designer that you didnt know the name of??????
i love etsy. if you want to succeed at anything you have to want it enough and work your butt off!
I’m with you mymy…like anything else, you have to give 100% to make it sucessful.
I love ETSY and will continue to work hard at it…If I could just get off the computor now and go make something! LOL
camille1955.etsy.com
camille1955.artfire.com
I have been with etsy.com for seven months, and I have only sold two items which was directed there by my son who is a businessman and very involved with the web, twitter, facebook. He sent a business associate there. It is so disheartening to look every day and see the low views you get, it is like you are in a small little sardine fish in the Atlantic Ocean of artisans. Etsy has gotten way too big, but they forgot their small beginnings and they don’t give a hoot about us. They don’t do a thing to help you, and they showcase so called artisans who are so way out and kookie, that a traditional jewelry design like myself never would get showcased. They pick these rediculous things that have no class and no rhyme or reason and you get shoved aside. They have something that they showcase new people, well they never showcased me. I wrote to them complaining, and never heard back. I will stay there because I have 55 items on there and it doesn’t cost me anything. I will not renew or place any more items on. After six months I am done with them. I think I will take a look at Artfire. I heard good things about the site. Also I do upscale craft shows and have home jewelry parties, so I am not depending on etsy to make a few extra dollars. I did make a few friends on etsy because I bought their pendants and they in turn recommended me on their site as I have with them. So as far as etsy is concerned they stink! You write a complaint, and they don’t even have the courtesy to answer your mail. So disallusioned and disappointed in them.
I wonder if this person who made 50K on Etsy actually made that much when you take out cost of goods and labor? If that’s profit…WOW! That’s very impressive!
My problem with Etsy is that people there undervalue their work so much it cheapens the value of everything on the site. You have to factor in cost of goods, user fees, shipping and insurance (in case an item is lost or damaged) and your time/design skills and then add on profit. If not…it’s a hobby and not a business. I see a good amount of stuff on there that is selling for cost of materials, how can that be worth your time?!
Everything is what you make of it, but I’ve decided I’d rather sell goods on my well traversed website than be stuck a sea of people who mostly don’t value themselves or their work. That being said, there are some amazingly talented folks there who do value there goods and seem to be doing quite well.
I think it’s a cool idea and some folks have done well with it, but it’s become so oversaturated I’d say it’s tough to build something new there.
Cheers,
Madge
I have shoppped on etsy consistently since finding it a couple of years ago. I think it’s a wonderful site! It’s a big 24/7 ArtFair~~~I almost exclusively purchase jewelry. I know what I want, and do searches for what I want. I look for quality~~uniqueness~~talent~~materials~~contemporary up to date styles. Frankly, somethings that don’t sell has nothing to do with self-promotion, it’s just pure talent. If someone is talented, The produce WILL Sell on etsy. If I find a beadmaker I like, I’ll even search feedback ratings to find designers who use their beads, and sell on etsy. Alot of women want cutting edge products~~~I’ve even well known personalities who shop their. Etsy needs to promote itself period, to get more people to Shop there.
I enjoy browsing on Etsy, but I have definitely heard mixed reviews from acquaintances who have accounts.
I checked out ArtFire and was not impressed at all. They seem to have only low-end jewelry–or at least low priced. I make fabricated copper, brass, silver and gold pieces and don’t think my things would fit there at all.
I’ve never tried internet selling, have always gone through a specialty store. However, the store is closing, so I’m thinking about going online.
Hmmmm…It’s all very interesting. there seems to be a sharp difference between those who are happy making $18 a month and those who are doing it for a living. I fall in the latter category…and after almost a year on Etsy, I would have to amend some previous posts which state that one has to work at 100%. I think it’s more like 150%. Though Etsy holds promise — I just sold to someone in the Netherlands! — it is EXTREMELY difficult to “really” succeed there.
~ ” MantaWave “
I don’t know about etsy slacking off as far as jewelry sales. Is there any way to get stats on that or are they hidden?
Anyway, I’m trying to spread myself around right now and the only place that’s really biting is Ebay, but I do mostly beads.
Eventually, I plan to move into higher end jewelry and it seems to me some of the best post on 1000markets.com
I have been selling art on Etsy for about a year now and recently made the leap to selling jewelry that is art. I’ve made some sales but they are sporadic. I was hoping that shrinking down my art form and selling rings and bracelets would be the trick to ramping up my Etsy sales. I guess we’ll see!
Etsy is definitely a full time job and you really have to work at it. I am finding that the jewelry category is swamped with listings. I listed yesterday and my rings are already 22 pages back and it has only been 24 hours!
I agree, Etsy does hold promise but it really is something you have to WORK at.
http://krakenmosaics.etsy.com
Etsy has been passe for a LONG time. I was on there for over a year and NEVER had a sale, which prompted me to open my own online store called The Knot & Bauble Shoppe and this store is open to all people creating handcrafted items and is by FAR way cheaper than Etsy.
We are currently having a company do SEO work on our site modeled after the designers crafts – meaning everything that the person makes and writes in their descriptions goes into meta tags and content writing so that we are found easier through the search engines.
If you are interested, jump on over and take a look. We are getting loads of interest and since we are cheaper, more focused, you might find us better.
I have been using Etsy and Artfire for about a year now. I like those sites much better than Ebay and all their fees. But I wanted to mention that there is a new place to sell online which just started in January called zibbet.com I have a new store there http://www.zibbet.com/suncreations. This is a place where there are no fees to list, you only pay a fee when the item is sold. Since it is new, there’s lots of room for jewelry and other crafts and it won’t be lost in oversaturation. Check my store out. Join Zibbet and try it out.
To mymy: I believe what Abbie meant was that she can’t search by the name of a specific artist if she has forgotten their user name or store front name, which often differs from the name of the actual artist. This has been one of my biggest problems with etsy. Some of my friends have tried to search my name when they’ve forgotten what I call my business, and can’t find me.
I listed my first lot of items today and almost immediately I was so far back on the “just listed section” that any sane person would never have bothered even looking through so many pages. I then jumped on the “pounce button” to check out the “shops with new listings that have not yet made a sale” and I must have been at least 50 pages back. I then searched sellers by location and was stumped as to why my shop wasn’t showing up in my country. I did the same for state and nothing – my shop wasn’t listed. I then typed the name of my suburb in and there my little shop was! I emailed Etsy and asked who the heck would search listings under my little suburb (which is located in a little city).
I figure Etsy is is like lotto. You list your item, hope it’s clicked on by a buyer looking at the “just listed” page or you’ve lost the draw and have to play again and list another item. Etsy is the winner with my 20 cent ticket, lol. It’s such a shame I actually spend decent money making my product because I just can’t afford to re stock for the sole purpose of adding listings in the hope of getting noticed while I’m on the front of the “just listed page for 5 seconds.
Wow! What a surprise to see this written about ETSY! I just joined about one month ago, hearing about it last year. I have had six small sales. I make jewelry and sell some supplies. by Jewellery supplier
I just opened my Etsy store and I agree with the few people on here that said you really have to get out there and market yourself! Sure, I haven’t made a sale yet, but I’ve only been open a few days. I’m still working on getting product out there! I love what I do and will do it forever, whether people want to buy it or not!!!
Visit my shop: shimmerandshinelaura.etsy.com
I started on etsy, and will always have a shop there, but I also started an artistryarts shop! At only $3.00 a month & a “Layaway” option for buyers, I can see this new site going places! I tried Artfire, but saw few views & no sales. I have yet to see artfire advertising their site!
I’m liking Trendy Indie myself. Have yet to make a sale, but I think I like the template bit and the fact there are no listing/seller/commission fees and your listings don’t expire. Just a flat $6.49 a month is all I pay for all I care to list – and they have magazine coverage coming out in August.
I agree Etsy has gotten a bit too crowded – same reason I gave up Ebay. I have a Zibbet shop too, but I just like T.I. better – I listed 11 items on T.I. in the same time it took for 2 items on Etsy. Check it out!
Etsy has become way too saturated, and if your style is more high fashion than crafty stay-at-home-mom, it isn’t a good forum for you.
I’m not doing well on Etsy either even though I promote on the site, on facebook, on twitter, etc. etc. Too many jewelers. Lately I’ve been slacking off because it is just too depressing. I’m concentrating on applying for summer art shows. I do much better there as patrons see and appreciate my work.
Note to artists who list on Etsy: If you put your name as one of your tags, then the search will bring up your work. Search on “Sheila Wissner” and you will find the jewelry I’ve tagged with my name.
I also agree with those of you who believe Etsy needs to advertise the site more to generate more traffic. Many people have never heard of Etsy or ArtFire of 1000Markets etc. If they advertised it would be a different story.
I think selling stuff online can be a bit dangerous to your wares. If you sell on Etsy and you send your (potential) customers there, they will see all the other stuff made by other people at other prices and you might lose a customer. Better to have your own stand-alone website where customers look at you and you alone and send people to that (and shopping carts are not compulsory – if people want it bad, they will email for it). Good luck!
There are issues with Esty, the biggest issue has me doing my own website – in which no-one will need to register/login to make a purchase. There is so much competition you really need to know your brand, and be able to market and sell your product. At the moment I don’t know if Etsy is my demographic – I make mid to higher end jewellery. I’ve noticed that quite a few successful sellers have most products under $50. I take great care and pride in my work and designs and I won’t undersell. Some people worry about having ideas stolen, but that can happen anywhere even in a bricks ‘n mortar shop. I have my strengths and I sell them to my customers. I’m going to do a relaunch and see what that brings – some sellers seem to be successful with mid-higher prices so I’ll keep going. If it doesn’t pan out I’ll have my own site were I can dedicate my time to promoting online and off. I joined with Etsy last November but didn’t list until this year – I didn’t know that would make a difference but it does. There are a lot little things to know about Etsy to be successful there and it’s a lot work. For other J.A.’s out there don’t give up! We’ll find out where’s best for our individual products, building a sustainable business takes work and dedication.
Etsy is just a marketplace. People are constantly complaining because they don’t sell anything and feel ignored. Your 20 cent listing is just that – a listing! Etsy doesn’t owe these “artists” anything more. The vast majority on etsy is a total shit show but no one will admit it. You get out what you put in to it. If you have bad ideas or style no amount of work will save you. I don’t believe in a cookie cutter look but so many people don’t have common sense when it comes to design.
Etsy is a gong show.
The original concept was lost in the money grab. The imports, the resellers, the junk! What a mess.
Ruby Lane is by far the best place to sell jewelry and yes it is juried. But lets be honest, if a jewelry designer can’t make it past a jury, you might not have what it takes. Sticking beads on a pin and calling it earrings…doesn’t exactly make you a designer.
I can’t tell you how many times, I have seen ordinary, boring, crap refered to as “stunning designer jewelry” on Etsy. Out of the countless so called jewelry designers selling there, one in a thousand is actually designing something they could honestly call “stunning”. The rest is utter garbage.
Etsy Sucks and Artfire Rocks! Oh, and try calling Etsy… Good Luck with that one! ;D
Good post. Etsy is definitely a big step up from selling on eBay. Hooray for artisans, I love Etsy for inexpensive, well thought out gifts, but if you are truly doing something different and work in a higher price ranged category sites like Etsy, Artfire, Big Cartel, Dawanda will, um, not exactly cheapen your label like on eBay, but they won’t exactly help. You are better off trying to get in to stores like Saks, or on sites like Stiitch.net & Polyvore. Sure they have approval processes, but that’s the only way you can keep clear of the junk!
Good post. Etsy is definitely a big step up from selling on eBay. Hooray for artisans, I love Etsy for inexpensive, well thought out gifts, but if you are truly doing something different and work in a higher price ranged category, sites like Etsy, Artfire, Big Cartel, Dawanda will, um, not exactly cheapen your label like on eBay, but they won’t exactly help. You are better off trying to get in to stores like Saks, or on sites like Stiitch.net & Polyvore. Sure they have approval processes, but that’s the only way you can keep clear of the junk!
A few of you have talked about selling your jewellery on both etsy or other sites or your own websites. Can you clarify for me – are you listing the same item on multiple sites then, or different items on the various sites? What happens if you sell the same item in two different places? Do you then have to make another the same?
Great discussion – thanks.