For anyone who has an etsy store???

[mommyto4grits]

I don't know if this should be here or WAHM Well, but I was wondering if someone can give me their overall opinion of selling on etsy.
Are you happy with it? Do you feel it is better, for handmade items anyway, than ebay? Is it hard to promote, how do people find you?
I have been an ebay powerseller for years, but I have had enough of it, and don't really need to do it for the money.
I love to bead, and do jewelry, and have heard raves about BUYING on etsy, but know nothing about selling.
I am so used to eBay, I don't know what to expect.
Thanks!!

[Erinok]

Hard to say. I'm also pretty sick of ebay. I'm looking for another reasonable option. I've just recently started selling on etsy. I like it, but it doesn't get the traffic that ebay does. also, I think it is harder to get your stuff seen. but I'm a real newbie, interested to hear what others have to say.

[Kodachrome]

I sell on etsy and highly recommend it over anything else online.

My shop is currently empty and closed in preparation for doing some craft shows this spring/summer - but I've been selling my good there for almost two years now, and financially, it has been a good thing.

A few pointers (especially for more "traffic"):

* List regularly. This in itself gets people familiar with you and your little shop. Before you know it, one of your items will be featured on the front page of etsy in the "hand-picked" items. Maybe even The Storque articles.

(I've been featured in both, a few times, and believe it's because of my perserverance in listing - often, even if I wasn't making "sales.")

* Take GOOD quality photos (or the best you can)! Exceptional, and close focus of said product in a picture speaks mounds!

The date stamp on photos? Yeah, don't do that. Cheesy. I cannot express this enough...

It takes time, but if you're dedicated, it will happen.

Good luck!

[flapjack]

What about etsy versus hyenacart?

[danieliausmama]

I have an etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5365187 for a few months, and sold 15 items so far. The funny thing is, that like 5-6 items were bought by the same person. Well, I am not spending a lot of time there and not posting very often, so maybe you could do better if you spend more time. I can't compare with ebay - never sold there. But I heard, that ebay is not the best place for handmade stuff since most people just look for cheap stuff there.

[Cussin' Crafter]

I have an etsy store and I really love it--it's different than ebay (my hubby sells there) because there is more of a community feel to it. People are really helpful and setting up shop is pretty easy too. The only tough part is that you have to work yourself to get your shop name out there(http://cussincrafter.etsy.com) and you have to take really really good photos. The fees are really reasonable compaired to ebay and each item can be listed for 4 months for only 20 cents and they get a small percentage if the item sells. Etsy is definitely not perfect, but it is a great venue for a SAHM like me.

if you ever have any questions about etsy or need a hand setting up shop feel free to contact me

[dianamerrell]

I am somewhat new to Etsy, but I really like it. Their sense of community, and caring for the planet through repurposing and upcycling is awesome.

Feel free to contact me if I can be of any help


P. S. Hi CussinCrafter

[mommyto4grits]

Thank you so much for the tips, Wow everyone makes such gorgeous stuff!

[Fyrestorm]

You might want to check out the Etsy Mothering Street Team...there are a lot of on there.

I actually do pretty well there. I think having the street team has helped a bit.

http://team.etsy.com/profilest/mothering.shtml

[aprons_and_acorns]

I also sell on Etsy and I really love it. It's a lot of fun to buy on Etsy too. There are so many great shops over there. In my siggie there is a link to the MDC Etsy sellers blog if you want to check us out.

Also--I think Kodachrome gave you some really good advice in her post.

[leafylady]

I sell on Etsy too. It's easy. I love it, though I get tired of putzing with the photography.
You need to
list frequently
have good photos
and communicate with your customers. A thank you and a note about shipping date goes a long way with customers.
and have a great unique product
My links are all in my siggie, along with links to the MDC Etsy street team.

[Way Up North]

Lots of great input, and I agree, I like Etsy a lot, I thought as someone who also does Hyena Cart I'd pop in ~ I find them each different~ at HC it is a smaller community but I do a lot more business because it is my niche market (though Etsy has been very good to me, too) an dI can control the flow at HC better by planning my stockings vs. always having things in stock at Etsy.

[utopia760]

i love my etsy shop www.greenmama.etsy.com etsy is a lot of work and i hope you dont expect easy sales you have to promote like crazy list daily and relist daily. post in the fourms and promote some more. but it is fun!

[PNWmama]

Originally Posted by Way Up North

Lots of great input, and I agree, I like Etsy a lot, I thought as someone who also does Hyena Cart I'd pop in ~ I find them each different~ at HC it is a smaller community but I do a lot more business because it is my niche market (though Etsy has been very good to me, too) an dI can control the flow at HC better by planning my stockings vs. always having things in stock at Etsy.

I sell on Etsy as well (I'd give my shop link but I don't know if that is okay on mdc if you haven't paid for advertising?). I have been wondering about HC, thanks for the input!

I think I've done fairly well on Etsy. I started selling my Waldorf dolls and other items there in November and have made 70 sales so far, so I feel good about that. The thing on Etsy is that you frequently need to list or relist items in order to keep your product at the top of your category. If you don't then your item will be listed many pages back and often people won't get around to looking at it.

Though I really don't spend anytime on the Etsy forums, I think that even just hearting other seller's shops and items will help get your shop noticed by others. That and buying on Etsy as well . It's addicting!

[Hazelnut]

I was just coming here to ask about etsy! I've been buying on etsy for some time and I've been beading for years. I feel like I should really figure out how to set up shop and list some items. It's hard for me to make the time to bead, but it seems like you can just have a few items at a time.

I guess I'm just a little intimidated. I've been beading for a long time and I think I make good stuff , (knotting, wire wrapping) and I see a lot of easy stuff on there, but also some really professional stores. I've just never sold in this manner and I'm wondering if people have realistic expectations. And I've never sold on ebay (I'm not sure I would bother with crafty stuff, etsy seems so much more enjoyable to browse.)

I have a bunch of questions:

Is it easy to set up a shop? Do you need to be able to accept cc paypal?

How do you ship fairly fragile jewelry? Where do you buy jewelry boxes in bulk, and what do you mail them in?

what do you mean by relisting? How else do you promote? Do you need to participate in the forums at all? I feel like I could handle quick communication and shipment, but not another forum.

How do you come up with pricing?

Also I'm wondering about listing materials. At the last bead show I made sure to write down everything I was buying. But I have a lot of old beads that I sometimes restring and I'm not always sure what they are. I've picked up random pendants from all over that are unique. How would you label some things like that?

Thanks for reading. I don't mean to hijack, but I didn't want to start a new thread if the topic is already up there!

[beansricerevolt]

I have an etsy store as well. I've sold several things and am happy but do wish I could pick up on sales. I just haven't had much time.

[kamilla626]

Bumping this! Been searching for answers for questions like Hazelnuts!

[recycledbook]

i sell on etsy and love it, however it is A TON of work

[chichona]

This is a great topic with lots of tips! I am looking into opening an etsy this week alos when I finish some felt food.

Question- how much do you makr up your product? As in this is the cost for materials, how much do you charge from there based on labor?

Hazelnut- I am pretty sure I saw Michaels craft store carried jewelry boxes.

[ian'smommaya]

hey chichona~ how did that store opening go? i know there is a formula for marking up your product. unfortuantly i dont know it but i bet a quick google search under mark up product/cost would tell you.