I have no clue if this is the right spot but I was hoping someone could tell me about selling on Etsy. Im thinking of starting a shop and would love to get some info Thanks!
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My Dad had one for awhile, or maybe still does, but they take a percentage of the sale price is my understanding.
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I've tried it a few times. The first time I found it difficult to get noticed, but I did sell some things. I think it would be really hard to make a living, unless you have a brilliant product that nobody else is selling.
The second time there was a newspaper article written about my product so it sold well (about 80 in 2 weeks, a seasonal product). That time I got really frustrated with people complaining over stupid things. I think part of that was because I was dealing with a crowd that doesn't usually shop on Etsy.
Either way, I found Etsy and Paypal's fees to be not so bad, about 3% each.
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I have an Etsy shop (well, 2 technically!) and Etsy is very user-friendly. I would recommend looking around their tutorial and FAQ forums because they are great sources of knowledge. Their mobile app is also user-friendly and it’s pretty easy to set up listings either from the app or the full site.
Both Etsy and PayPal levy fees on sales (PayPal does a % of your final sale price, Etsy does $.20 to list + a % of sale price), and IMO those fees are very reasonable.
It is hard to get noticed if you make something that a lot of other people also make. Keywords are your friends, as are really good photos. Timing your listings is also helpful (so your listing appear at the top of the pages at heavier trafficked times of the day).
My Etsy shops make “fun money” – they cover their expenses fully and give me some cash to play with each month. I would *never* depend on an Etsy shop for income; I think the people who make it are very few and far between, and most people who do very well spend a lot of time marketing on Etsy.
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I crochet and make little dolls. I found some patterns I can sell so was just going to make those. Itll be for fun, to support my hobbies or to treat my kids to stuff not a real income. Im a hobby photographer so I know about lighting at least
I made these for my kids parties and would sell things like these
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@Mrs. Chocolate: They're so cute! Please share your shop name when you have it up and running!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Those are awesome! I'd shop at your Etsy store!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Those are adorable! I think its unique enough to give it a try as a hobby shop at least.
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i want to hug each and every single one of them. good luck!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: if i send you a pattern can you make something for me, I wouldn't mind paying. I tried to make it myself but it was a disaster
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@Mrs. Chocolate: can you / are you allowed to post these in the Classified section of HB??
They are adorable!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Those are adorable. I'd be interested in those!
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@bunnylove08: Sure I can try, no promises! Is it amigurumi? Im not that good outside of making toys to be honest. I thought making hats would be easy since I could make toys and wow I was wrong! It might be me though Im odd like that
@Mamaof2: I have no idea
I havent even started anything I was just thinking since I recently discovered I could sell them
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Yes Amigurumi. I purchased a patter on raverly and I'm not very good at crocheting
Doh I attached the picture in the earlier post
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@Mrs. Chocolate: They're so adorable. I would totally buy some
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@Mrs. Chocolate: i would definitely be interested once your site is up and running!
i also have an etsy shop (invitation designs) and really like how easy it was to set up and fees aren't too bad.
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Your dolls are so cute! I want to buy some now! If you make one, I' sure HB will be a big enough customer base
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Your doll animals are so cute! I would love to buy some for my next party. Can you make a giraffe by any chance?
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@bunnylove08: That is too cute! Love love this unicorn friend.
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Also try selling on Instagram. You follow different shops so they will follow you back and do give always. I have seen lots of success with Instagram shops.
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@Kimberlybee: I can but the question would be if I could find a small enough one for favors and if I am allowed to sell them. I have two giraffe patterns but dolls are huge
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I don't want to be a jerk, but if you're selling toys geared for kids (not as adult knickknacks) there are a bunch of safety compliance rules on materials, buttons, etc. I have heard of sellers getting fined by the CPSIA (I think that's the right acronym) without much warning. There is a great compliance group on Facebook called CD Compliance with lots of info.
Aside from that, I agree with @yoursilverlining in that pictures are super important, and smart tags/keywords. If you look in the Etsy forums, there are lots of folks willing to help.
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Those are so cute!! I would buy them.
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@Mrs. Chocolate: those are cute! If you swapped the button eyes for felt (or yarn) I'd buy them as dog toys, too
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@scg00387: Hmm interesting. Ill have to ask my friend who sells on etsy since she makes dolls. I think the thing is how would anyobe really know if it was for a kid? As the seller I just make something and the consumer buys it for their own purpose. I have a lot of toys I bought pre my kids for me even if they were for kids. Im sure there must be wording to disclaim stuff like this but I am glad you mentioned it and I will look into it more. I bet thats why people sell patterns more than actual toys
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@Mrs. Chocolate: There are lots of people who are non-compliant and still sell; it's just one of those things. Same with any kids clothes. It's frustrating! I'd love to sell a few handmade clothes but am not in a place to devote the $ or energy to becoming compliant. I would guess you can have a disclaimer, but you wouldn't be able to tag "kids toy" etc. then.
It is definitely why patterns are sold more often! I'm working on some toy sewing patterns for the same reason
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Those are adorable!
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@scg00387: yeah ive seen those disclaimers before. I could probably just do that
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Cute! I bought some knit rattles for a friend on etsy!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Omg they are super cute! I would totally buy one. Keep me posted on your shop name or if you decide to post on HB classifieds!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: Those are adorable! I'd totally get one. Please share your shop if you get it up and running.
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@Mrs. Chocolate: LOVE!!! Yes, please let us know when you set up shop! I would love to order a few, they're adorbs!
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@Mrs. Chocolate: OMG these are super cute. Please tell us when you set up shop!
I sell prints & cards on Etsy and it hasn't been too fruitful for me but the community is really welcoming and I've heard good things from other sellers. As long as you're not selling copyrighted content, you should be fine.
I havent even started anything I was just thinking since I recently discovered I could sell them
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