Does anyone here have experience with Etsy?

[Sugarcoated]

I'm going to start an Etsy page to sell my sewing/crafts . . . have put it off for a while because I was intimidated. Tonight I was reading the basics of starting, it doesn't seem too awfully complicated, but it seems somewhat involved and does cost a little money. Any thoughts, advice? It would be really helpful to hear any experiences, either as a seller or buyer.

[postatomic]

1. I'd be interested to know this too

I had never heard of it until just a few months ago. Don't keep up with the internets like I should.

[Warpy]

2. I'm a customer over there, mostly for luxury fibers to spin,

so I know people are selling things. Does that help?

As far as starting a business goes, Etsy is one of the cheaper ways to go.

[hippywife]

3. I'm sure this question has been asked over

in the Marketplace Forum where you can also post links to your items. I can't remember the answers but if you search there I think you will find what you're looking for.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=213

Wishing you success! :hi:

[madmax]

4. I spend way to much money on Esty. Beads and such

I too was thinking about setting up a 'store'. Still 'thinking' ;)

[northoftheborder]

5. I love to browse Etsy, ....

I haven't tried to sell anything there, but would definitely consider it, if I had something handmade or a vintage piece. I'll bet it is less expensive than E-Bay to list, but would be interested in what you find out about it. I do have a lot of vintage hand-made linens that I should give up and sell, but I'm a borderline hoarder, and just love to use them around the house! I did purchase one item from Etsy, an unusual neck scarf, made of felted wool enclosed in sheer silk. I love it, and never have seen anything remotely like it.

[Tansy_Gold]

6. Some information and a kick -- opened my Etsy store today

I make a variety of handcrafted items in several different media. Although I do several live-action (?) art/craft shows every year, I never have enough room to display all the items in all the media. Therefore, my inventory acummulates faster than I can dispose of it. After much pestering/nagging from friends, I went to Etsy and opened a store today (7 Nov 2011).

www.AZAngelFeathers.etsy.com

It's very easy to do, and not very expensive. The only up-front cost is the 20-cents per item listing fee. You'll need a credit card or PayPal account for verification, plus good photos of your wares and some creativity in describing them.

Warning -- One thing caused me a lot of difficulty, and maybe I'm just monumentally dumb, but in the event someone else runs into the same thing: When you register, your "username" will become your shop name as well. The only way to change it after you've registered is to change your email, delete your account, and start over. If I had known this ahead of time. . . .

Anyway, other than that, it's really quite easy.

How successful it is, well, only time will tell!


TG

[DemReadingDU]

7. AZAngelFeathers

Hi Tansy,

I noticed this site in your sigline at SMW. Will you be listing more of your pretty pendants?

[Tansy_Gold]

8. I added some more yesterday

And in the next few days will be adding more pix of the pieces that are already there.

[DemReadingDU]

9. Awesome!

I will check them out!

[Tansy_Gold]

10. Thank you!

:D

[arikara]

11. I just sold something on Etsy

I listed around a dozen stained glass pieces on etsy and finally sold one just before the listings expired. I think I'll relist, its not expensive to have a shop there.

I used to sell on ebay. The advantage to Etsy is that its way cheaper to list than ebay, its user friendly, and it has a nicer feel to the site than ebay. Ebay is busier, I sold more there, but they also took a far bigger cut. If you have any questions feel free to ask.