~ Discussion about "Clarifying Our Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing"
http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2014/clarifying-our-guidelines-on-outside-manufacturing/
From this Etsy Administration article note this quote that makes a change:
"Since then, we’ve noticed that sellers were still unsure of exactly who needed to apply, and who did not. The exemptions that we initially created — digital prints and posters, music, books you authored, and 3D printed items — turned out to be more confusing than helpful. So we’re eliminating them. Anyone who works with a third party to produce items they’ve designed will need to apply to sell those items on Etsy. We realize this is creating more work for some sellers who’ve been successfully selling on Etsy for years, but it’s the best way to be fair and clear."
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In follow up of the above article you may wise to read this discussion as it is un-folding:
Let's discuss: Clarifying Our Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing
https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/13808625/
This above discussion is now at 10 pages in length on the Forum board for Discussions.
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Note the first post contains this information:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BijouxLaudine
BijouxLaudine wrote:
Example one:
If somebody carves a pendant out of wax and has it cast by an outside company, then puts it on a chain and sells it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is manufactured and not handmade.
If somebody buys a mass market pendant, then puts it on a chain and sells it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is handmade, not manufactured.
Example two:
If somebody designs their own fabric and has the fabric manufactured by an outside company, then uses that fabric to make a pillow and sell it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is manufactured and not handmade.
If somebody buys mass market fabric, then then uses that fabric to make a pillow and sell it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is handmade, not manufactured.
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Hi Bijoux,
You mentioned two examples of handmade versus not handmade in your post.
--- According to our new guidelines, these examples could both qualify as handmade on Etsy. ---
With this application, we're asking sellers to share a lot of details about their outside partners and how their items are produced. Once the application is approved, buyers will be able to learn more about how the items they are purchasing are made. It is intended to give sellers the ability to seek the kind of outside assistance they may need to create their items, while ensuring that the marketplace remains a place to connect makers and buyers. Having your application approved demonstrates to buyers that you are deeply involved in the production of your items, even if parts of your designs are outsourced to other businesses.
Filling out the application is not a penalty, but an opportunity for sellers to share more with us and with the community about how they produce the items they design and make.
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My thoughts are we will need to follow for further information, yet, make sure we are complying well with the new policies.
What do you think?
