Anyone every heard of Yellowsmith.com??

[Former_Member]

I was on my shop's Facebook page and saw that I had a message from a representative from yellowsmith.com, saying that they liked a pair of my earrings.
Then they invited me to submit one of my designs for a contest on their page.
The person said they'd manufacture my design with me getting royalties for the sales.
Here are some of my concerns:
I'd like to make the items myself if they sale them/ put them on their site. If they needed more, I'd make more, but I don't want anyone else making them on their own. You know what I mean, right?
Is there anything I should think about? I don't have my name trademarked yet or anything...I'd definitely want to do that before putting my stuff out there...IF I won the contest, I mean.

What do you think??

[Former_Member]

I got a similar email here on Etsy. The prize for the contest they thought was perfect for one of my items was to be part of a DIY kit. Um, no thanks.

[Former_Member]

Ew, that sounds like a nasty prize. Yeah, I wouldn't want my stuff to be part of a DIY kit. Then anybody could do what I do - that's not special!!

[Former_Member]

Anyone else?

[Former_Member]

yellowsmith was called shopbevel until a few days ago
i did submit a few of my designs there but they never got enough votes to be produced (i figured that getting some money out of what they do is better than not getting any money at all)

[Former_Member]

That's true, Barbara. My husband's friend put it this way, that I could be a
"designer" for their site. I wouldn't have to give them the stuff that I make, but could make different things for their site. It's something to think about, I guess. Thinking of it that way doesn't make it sound so bad.

[WindDancerStudios]

Shopbevel is now Yellowsmith? Isn't that their third name in a year?

I was approached when they were Shop Bevel. It's crowd sourcing, a popularity contest for your jewelry. You get enough votes they'll do a short run, mass producing your jewelry and you get something like 17% royalty of what sells. They pick the price because the catch phrase is designer jewelry at deeply discounted rates. So if they sell for $10 you get $1.70 each. Sell 100 and you get $17. Whether or not that's a good thing depends on your viewpoint, what your original price is and the actual price point they choose. BTW the only way they can make your stuff is to have it in their hands - so yes you do give it to them. I've heard some people ask for the purchase price in addition to the royalty, it's something to think about if you're considering it.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for that info, Dana! Getting 17% of what I work hard to make is not what I want to do. And at a discounted price. I read about that royalty but didn't get to that price point yet. It's still a lot to think about, though. I think if I did try it, I wouldn't use the things I sell on Etsy; I'd make something specifically for their site.

[WindDancerStudios]

Strike that royalty fees are 15% so $1.50 per $10 and $15 per 100

Info is in the design challenge page if you're looking for it.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Dana :)

[WindDancerStudios]

One of the Etsy sellers that said she was doing well on there said the same. She kept the two lines separate, smart move I thought.

[JonEicher]

You have very cool jewelry!

[Former_Member]

Thank you, Jon :)