I'm not sure how I feel about this..

[Former_Member]

I woke up this morning and checked my stats, usually I'll have maybe 20ish views, but today I saw over 550. WHAT?! Apparently I'm getting a loooot of traffic today from a blog dedicated to AWFUL BODY MODIFICATIONS. ):
They posted that I have an Etsy shop "full of fail" and that all of my items are made with "god awful toxic clay."

There have been concerns over the safety of polymer clay(which you can learn all about with a quick google search), but that's with wet clay, and it's only really concerning if you eat/burn it. I bake, cure & glaze all of my pieces, they're perfectly safe.

"The Arts & Crafts Materials Institute in Boston has tested the major brands of polymer clay and states that they comply with the ASTM D-4236 standard for safety of arts and crafts materials specified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission"


So on the one hand, I'm a bit upset that someone is posting that my items are toxic and spreading misinformation..but on the other hand I've had almost 800 views already today which is INSANE for me(most I've ever had is around 150.)
I have been getting some anon messages on my blog saying that my items are beautiful and it's a shame I use polymer..I just some of those people do their own research and won't automatically hate my stuff.

[Former_Member]

Eeek. I'd be uspet with that too. On the bright side, maybe some of those blog readers won't agree and will like your work?

[ittybittyminimart]

Post on your own blog about the safety! And do it today so it's right there for the on-looker. You can also add that info to your profile.
Are the hits turning into sales? If so, any publicity might become great publicity, even if it hurts a bit or is inaccurate.
Monopolize on that traffic and fill in the truth about your products!

[wildwomanbeads]

Katy:

I'd be very sure how I felt about someone doing that. I'd be furious! And I'd report it immediately to Etsy. The first rule of Etsy behavior is to be kind, even if you have unfortunate encounters with other shops/sellers. This is unfortunate, and you may not be the only person or shop being targeted. Etsy should know.

That said, I went to your shop, and your items are beautiful. You have nothing to feel badly about. Post a notice just as you did above, citing the safety of your materials and creative process, but also stand tall. You make lovely things.

This is just a person with an agenda to stir up trouble and cause some harm. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[Former_Member]

If it was posted on a blog there's nothing Etsy can or will do about it.

I agree - make lemons out of lemonade. Defend yourself wherever you can, and I'll bet the publicity pays off.

[Former_Member]

Post your safety disclaimer on your shop, and laugh all the way to the bank!

[Former_Member]

Retaliate with info - post that stuff on your blog. All of it. I work with polymer too, and there's nothing wrong with what you're using or doing.

Kill 'em with kindness. :D

Trust me - the worst day I've had this year was when I realized someone posted a necklace of mine over in the Regretsy forums. She said several nasty, and untrue, things about my lack of artistry and creativity. I was stunned and upset, and then watched the views roll in all weekend. I even got a few hearts out of it.

[Former_Member]

The only thing that you can do is post the safety information you have and invite customers to ask any questions if they have concerns....

[Former_Member]

Meridith- It's a tumblr blog that's bashing me, not someone on etsy.

I'm at work right now so I don't have too much time to update my shop with the safety info, I will be doing that this afternoon though. I have responded to the blog that made the post, and I posted on my own (since they linked to it and my shop) in case some people go there.

At least they were only complaining about the material. I personally love all of my items, and I have been getting messages from people agreeing, they just think they're toxic now. >.<

But hey, at least I'm up to almost 900 views today! gotten a couple favorites & some questions about earrings, so hopefully I'll get some sales out of this.

[Former_Member]

Wow, I would post the safety disclaimer as Laura said. Do it today, and like the saying goes "Any publicity is good publicity"

Good Luck!

[Former_Member]

Yep, I would do your own post and then comment with a link on the other blog. Haters. I wish they would have asked your permission before ensuing a personal bashing against your creations. I always let someone know if I am blogging about their work-if anyone ever disapproved, I would remove the post, but I am nice. I also use polymer clay.

[threestonebirds]

Ouch, that hurts.

I agree with what's been said above; if you have a blog, the safety of your clay would make a great topic to address. You don't have to mention the blog you're getting the hits from or say why you chose to write about it, but you don't want someone else talking about your shop when you know they're spreading miss information. It might even be worth putting in your shop policies under the additional information section if this is a widely spread belief.

You stuff is good – you know it and your customers know it – so I wouldn't dwell on this too much. Use it as an opportunity to maybe educate a couple of people but other than that don't let it get you down.

[Former_Member]

Ha, and I went ahead and favorited!

[OrangeDogCrafts]

Hi Katy,

I first want to say, I took a look at your shop & your creations are downright awesome! I agree with the advice that has been given. Also, I would write to the owner of the site as well. It is possible that they might retract their misinformed post.

Good luck & let us know what happens.
Mandy :)

[Former_Member]

Okay okay, so I put a disclaimer on my shop announcement real quick so maybe people will see that, I'll add it to my policies too to be safe. When I get home I think I'll be writing out a nice long post on my tumblr about polymer for everyone to see (:

I wrote to the nasty blogger about their false information this morning & also thanked them for all the traffic. They have posted more on their blog, but now they're just bashing other people..jerks.

Thanks for the kind words & helpful ideas everyone! (:

[MythOfTheWild]

Congrats on all of the views, but these might not be views you want. If people are coming over following negative remarks then they're likely to be looking for fault rather than looking to buy. Contact the blog and let them know that your items are within regulations - everything you've just told us - and ask them kindly to remove the feature.

And no, not "any publicity is good publicity." Not if the publicity is smearing a reputation that is either fully built or just starting out. It can be very damaging. It's so much easier to destroy something than it is to build it. Like Jenga. It takes a while to build the tower, but remove one block and the whole thing falls.

[Former_Member]

Kim-That's exactly what I was thinking, which is why I'm not sure how to feel about all the views. They were only bashing my materials though, strictly the fact that I'm using polymer, absolutely nothing was said about the design or quality (and going through their posts they like to bash everything) so I feel like theres not much to nit pick about..
They're not saying "look at this shop who uses polymer to make crap ugly earrings" but just "look at what they're using what a fail"
So I feel like if I somehow get these people to realize the blog is wrong..that the views can be worth while.

[LilacPages]

Well, I certainly agree that I wouldn't like such a statement of misinformation.

Katy, I feature Etsy shops on my website and would be honored to add you (and anyone else) to a polymer clay art article one of my contributors is doing. I like your items!
I know you have your own blog but more good info out there on Etsy shops the better! Good luck to you!

Mare

[ParadiseChicJewelry]

That's terrible, even if I read their blog I wouldn't accept that your items are not safe. These people should get their facts straight before they go around posting, on the other hand I think it will backfire and more people will be actually interested than turned away. Since you are explaining on your blog I think that will help also. I think your items are lovely!

[Former_Member]

Mare- That'd be awesome! I'd love to be featured on your website! thanks (:

[Former_Member]

Any publicity is good publicity.

Post a disclaimer about the safety of your products as stated above and people can make up their own minds about what they think of your items. =)

[SassiChic]

I had to write an article for work on the matter. Refer people to this:

http://advancinggreenchemistry.org/?p=2276

[Former_Member]

Katy, I checked out your shop. You have amazing work! I'm sorry this happen to you! :( But "Thank You!" for posting your experience for us so we can all learn how to be smarter with situations like this. Most of my item are made from polymerclay too so this is a learning experience for me as well. I only buy non toxic clay because I am the one working with it all the time and I wouldn't want any health hazard issues later on.

[Former_Member]

Maybe above your disclaimer in your shop announcement, you can add "if you're arriving here from the awufl body mod page, please see below" ..since only the first couple lines show up, maybe that'll get them to click and find out the truth ;)

[Former_Member]

Tsuki- GREAT IDEA! I didn't want to remove my sale so the disclaimer would be visible, but I didn't want people to miss it.. I'll do that right now!

And I guess it's not all bad traffic today, I just made another sale (:
I'm on a roll right now, I've had a sale a day since Friday, I'm not gonna let that stupid blog bring me down. :D