Etsy.com

Jewelry Discussion
1

I know one person in Orchid-land has tried Etsy, but has anyone else
(www.etsy.com)? I haven’t given it a thorough looking over, but
there appears to be some creative spark and ingenuity. Some of the
things appeal strongly to my recycle nature, like carry bags/hand
bags crocheted from those now ubiquitous plastic bags.

Christine in Littleton, Massachusetts

2

I am currently on etsy, and while I haven’t had any sales on Etsy
itself - I have had about 10-12 on my website from people who found
me through Etsy. Its a very inexpensive, user friendly version of an
eBay-type site… .you only pay a 10 cent fee per item if it doesnt
sell, if it does sell then its 10 cents and a small percentage. There
is a great community of bu yers on Etsy that really support handmade
work. I would encourage you to give it a try, because really you
don’t stand to lose much more than a couple dollars if it doesn’t
work as a venue for your work.

Hope this helps!
Courtney

3

My own personal experience on etsy.com is that you need to be VERY
patient. I have sold only one piece so far, but their fees are very
reasonable, so that is to their favor. I think it is a bit
over-saturated with jewelry at this point. I love the environment
though! All those creative people coming together is awesome. I am
debating whether to start a shop on ebay or not. It just seems that
there is too much there, prices too low. Although, my stepdaughter
makes incredible clothing for girls, and has built up a real
following through the last few years. I would start my own website
in a moment, if I thought it was going to bring me some more traffic.

“Inspiring the creativity within you.”

Sacha Cottage Studio
Independent Luxe Jewels Consultant
www.luxejewels.com

4

I am listed on Etsy since February. I haven’t sold anything yet, but
at the same time, I only listed three pieces there so far. I love
the site and find myself going there a lot just to browse and see
what people are making. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that
people who BUY on Etsy, are the same ones who are LISTED on Etsy.
Still, a sale is a sale. It’s a fun venue and some people seem to be
doing very well with it. I notice inexpensive items seem to sell
better, things in the under $20 range. It seems amazing to me that
people will shell out $45 for a crochetted teddy bear, but not the
same amount for a pair of hand made sterling earrings. When I first
started making my own jewelry, a friend in the industry told me,“Work
with precious metals and stones.” I didn’t have the money to invest
and instead chose sterling and gold-filled. Now it seems to me I
should downgrade to brass, as the people who buy my designs don’t
seem to care what they are made out of. I don’t understand it and to
add insult to injury, I recently saw two PLASTIC necklaces in Lucky
magazine selling for $239, what gives? Sorry, this has turned into a
rant. I love creating jewelry, but I wish the pieces would walk out
the door and sell themselves.

Augest Derenthal

5 
I notice inexpensive items seem to sell better, things in the
under $20 range. It seems amazing to me that people will shell out
$45 for a crochetted teddy bear, but not the same amount for a pair
of hand made sterling earrings.

Your “rant” is one of the difficulties of being in this business. I
frequently hear one of two comments: I either don’t charge enough
for my beautiful work, or my work is beautiful but too expensive.

BTW, stick with it. And don’t rely on the internet for your sole
method of selling. You won’t get anywhere. You have to get out an
about locally. This is one painful lesson I’ve learned the hard way.

Miachelle

6

lol Yeah why can’t our wares go out and peddle themselves so we can
put energies to making more. I went to Etsy and was captivated by
items there so I signed up. I have over 80 drawings and paintings
that can be made into prints as well as my jewelry.

Teri
Silver & Cameo Heritage Jewelry
www.corneliusspick.com

7

Hi August,

In my experience, the people least likely to care what what material
jewelry is made of are artists. My first major sale was to a painter
in my first show–I had way overpriced (I thought) a copper and
glass necklace, hoping not to sell it, and, as soon as she sold a
painting, she turned around and gave me all her money. If this is the
market you are selling to, forget about gold. Try focusing on e.g.
how well you use color. Artists are used to valuing an object based
on criteria other than cost of materials.

Good luck!
Lisa Orlando
Albion, CA, USA