Stalking Success

[LuAtKeswick]

I've decided to create a new blog feature called something like Stalking Success, where I will have interviews with successful artist craftspeople, featuring their work, but also what they are doing right with promoting etc. I'm gonna do this by invite only, and have been through a few site where they tell you who the most successful sellers are.

I don't think Etsy has that kind of info. How can I found out who the really successful sellers on Etsy are?

Lu

[Former_Member]

etsy offered a recent story about their top seller's.
Maybe you could Google that question and the story will pop-up.

Or have you check the etsy blogs?

[LuAtKeswick]

I found this
http://www.craftcount.com/category.php?cat=3

[bapsicrafts]

that works too

[LuAtKeswick]

I've just been through the first 10 and then is something very noticeable.

They are mostly men, or couples.

This is surprising considering this does seem to be a female dominated industry.

I wonder what gives

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Etsy's top sellers sell supplies.
After that there come the ones selling ten thousands of prints of a few original artworks.
And more, using mechanical tools like button makers.
And then of course sellers of common vintage items.
After THAT come the sellers of unique handmade items (who could never produce those amounts of items, leave alone spend that much on marketing). For me Etsy is still all about small handmade businesses.

[LuAtKeswick]

Well, the list I'm looking at is Handmade

http://www.craftcount.com/category.php?cat=3

[Former_Member]

"After that there come the ones selling ten thousands of prints of a few original artworks.
And more, using mechanical tools like button makers."

Those things fall under the 'handmade' category.

Consider thatn many 'handmade' items do not require much skill or artistry. Even though they have every right to sell on Etsy, some handmade items don't really fall into the artisan/artist category you're talking about.

[LuAtKeswick]

That's true. Are we saying that its the blokes who are mechanical? I'll have to go back and have another look at that..

[BridgetFainne]

I think it depends on what you are looking for...........seems to me that craftcounts highest sellers are very much items that can be massed produced.
That is not to say they are not quality items,such as soaps they do have to come up with the scents,names etc. BUT if you are looking for OOAK items I think it will be quite hard to use craftcounts

[LuAtKeswick]

OK then. I could approach this differently. Who IS successful (by whatever definition) and how do I find them?
I have tried googling and checking blogs already

[ChristianaOdum]

Craftcount only shows the shops with the highest number of sales. I'm not sure if that's really what you're looking for since success is measured in different ways. Also, someone who has been selling on etsy since it's birth is certainly going to have more sales than the successful shop that only opened a few months ago. I'd recommend browsing etsy for items you like and read about the shop and the artist who made it. You'll find some great options there, and potentially find a jewel who hasn't yet been a featured seller.

[ShereesAtelier]

Yes, and remember, you have to define what you are considering success. Maybe you will feature different kinds of success?

Some sell a lot at low profit, so there may not be as big financial success as someone selling labor intensive, artistic creations and also getting top dollar for them.

Then there are people that are successful as in they have garnered fame through blogs and such, but maybe don't have a lot of sales. But they sell their insight, opinions, etc..

Then there are folks that have gotten book deals, been on television, opened brick and mortar shops that have done, gotten deals as fabric designers or surface designers and the visibility sprang from them starting on Etsy.

It would be cool if you touched on different aspects/definitions of success, as we all define the success of our businesses differently.

Looking forward to your features. Share with us when you get them going.

Sheree