Comments on: Ripping Through the Veils of Illusion Around Online Art Marketplaces

By: Do The Math for the Juried Art Exhibit — Art Biz Blog

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:04:48 +0000

[…] makes you $110 in the hole […]

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By: Year-End Review — Art Biz Blog

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:02:15 +0000

[…] When did you ask for help or hire someone? How did you strategize and track your growth? What resources did you discover? What technological skills did you learn or improve? What books did you read to help your career? What videos or films were useful? What grants did you apply for? What grants/honors/awards did you receive? What organizations were you involved with? What business seminars/workshops/lectures/classes did you participate in? Where did you save a wad of money? […]

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By: Brenda Braun

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:12:54 +0000

Let alone all the people I see that are selling “crafty” things for $15.00. Just putting that item in a box and addressing the label takes all the profit out!>>>
not necessarily true. My biggest seller is sterling silver toe rings & ear cuffs. In July I sold $1500 worth of $10 cuffs/toe rings in my etsy store. I can make at least 100 toe rings in about an hour. So even if you want to cut it in half to cover my supplies, time marketing, photos, listing …it is quite profitable for me.
Of course, I don’t just make toe rings but when you price properly, do your labour effectively (it costs me more to make one toe ring at a time then it does to spend an afternoon knocking out a few hundred), purchase supplies in bulk (my last precious metal order a couple weeks ago was $1800), you can make a comfortable income with lower priced items.
I am finding Im getting a lot of repeat buyers for the rings plus repeat buyers who are back for more involved pieces.

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By: Monday Marketing – Online Business

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 03:32:00 +0000

[…] Hubby has handled the time effort in eBay for the last 8 years, and now he is picking up Etsy. Alyson Stanfield had yet another good post on analyzing the time you spend – or need to spend – setting up your online outlets. I will […]

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By: Kerry Steele

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 00:21:56 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Michael, I couldn’t agree with you more. Some of us live in locales that have a limited art scene and Etsy helps us find our customers. I should add that whether it be in a gallery or online, the relationships built within a community are essential to either venue working. If it were not for bloggers talking about my work and people pinning my work on Pinterest I would have had greatly reduced sales.
I do exhibit locally but its slow going and I have not sold a single painting locally vs. 49 in the in past 8 months on Etsy.

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By: Liz Crain

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 05:09:07 +0000

In reply to Cynthia Morris.

Hi Cynthia, I’m jazzed you enjoyed this post!

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By: Liz Crain

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 05:00:33 +0000

In reply to Shelly.

Shelly,
I enjoy your balanced view of how Etsy fits in to the rest of your creative world and the marketing of it. I especially appreciate you saying “as long as I prioritize my time and allow myself time to create…” because it’s so key.

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By: Cynthia Morris

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:49:05 +0000

Great article, Liz. I like the open eyes approach to making decisions about where to spend our time, attention and money.
Thanks for being so transparent about your experiences. It really helps understand the options on a deeper level.

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By: Shelly

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:46:27 +0000

Liz,
I really enjoyed your article and gleaned yet more information as well as an objective opinion regarding Etsy! I am an Etsy artist/seller as well. I have been at it for just about a year. The way I look at it, it is yet another medium to get my art out into the world and seen by those who would not be exposed to it through gallery or art show sales. Yes, it does take some time and attention, especially at first, but really marketing yourself to galleries, entering shows, competitions or weekend art shows take similar time, expense, attention and preparation as well. As long as I prioritize my time and allow myself time to create, I find it gratifying, challenging and creative too! I will continue tweaking and re-vamping my Etsy shop as well as finding other successful means to market my work. Thanks so much for your input!

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By: Liz Crain

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:30:13 +0000

Thanks for the link, Jim!
Wow am I glad I used the word “guesstimate” because in my research for this post I saw many other numbers. I chose the more conservative ones from Handmadeology. Just my choice.
It’s important, too, to note whether the numbers refer to Users, Sellers, Active Shops or ???. My number was Sellers, yours is Users. You’ve helped this be that much clearer, so thank you.
The post was not necessarily about definitive Etsy – it’s just where my learning experiences lay – the Big Mind takeaway is to be aware of a pantheon of considerations and expenses that may not be obvious to a newbie and, armed with that awareness, to research the scope and mechanics of the marketplace one is considering entering, and draw conclusions for oneself.
We can appreciate how much of a moving target this might prove to be. It’s very good to have the experiences, links, opinions and knowledge of others and then make our own call. Thanks again!

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