" I know you didn't make that."

[#1]

How many times have you scrolled through Etsy lately found shops full of items that you know they didn't make? For me, it's almost 3 or 4 times a day that I find a shop that sells items I have either seen in the Asian food market, the Dollar store, or items that 10 other shops have the exact same item with the same photos!

One of the draws to Etsy that I had a few years ago was that it was a collection of Indie crafters who were able to use the amazing Etsy platform to sell their art online around the world. It's a great concept! We work together as crafters to promote each other, support the handmade community, and enjoy the tradition of crafting. But increasingly Etsy has filled up with nonsense.

Am I all alone in thinking this? Honestly, I can take the feedback. I love Etsy. I love my shop. But I am just a little frustrated with this.

[Former_Member]

So we use our own voices. We all should have Facebook, or Twitter, or Pinterest. We have the abilities to stand up for handmade, promote each other. And well.. I won't speak badly about any shop here on Etsy. But.. I have a blog..... : )

[Former_Member]

And I should say. I am not going to be calling anyone out or trying to be nasty to anyone.

[WindDancerStudios]

It is a problem, so big a problem Etsy now has a dedicated team who works on it full time. It does take time and it is on going. Like you all said we need to work together. But one of the reasons it does take so much time is sometimes honest crafters also get accused. Etsy doesn't want to shut down you or me. So they have to give them a chance to tell their side. If you are for real you get to stay, if not one more gets closed down. It's a process.
Personally, rather than driving more traffic to the resellers by talking about them (All PR is good PR depending on your view point) let's talk each other up, spread the word about true hand crafts. Teach your friends and buyers the fine points and what to look for in Quality hand crafted items :) Blog about each other, submit to Craft Gossip, or other hand craft only mags in print and digital. We can make a difference, even if it feels small at the time.

[Former_Member]

Every day on the first page of Weddings/Bridal party, there is a listing for floral print cotton kimono robes from India. A handful of shops sell identical robes, and between them, they sell over 200 a DAY.

That is definitely not "handmade"

[Former_Member]

Don't even get me started in the Wedding Party section. Just do a search here and on Ebay. That is all I am going to say.

[Former_Member]

What concerns me are the news stories this week of the collapsed garment factory (300 killed, 100 missing),...last year it was a garment factory fire (same country: dozens killed because the doors were locked to prevent theft). Obviously these are human tragedies, but also terrible press for the retailers using the factory, even as they all claim ignorance.

.

[Former_Member]

I hadn't heard that story. That is terrible. But you know there are sweatshops in this country too. Think about it if it says Made in The US but the price is too low to be able to pay employees minimum wage, especially if they are made close to border states. I know we have illegals that work here for lower than minimum wage. I mean nothing against the workers at all. They are just trying to make a better life for their families. But that is not fair to them.

[Former_Member]

Nothing against the workers. The workers are not the ones selling. Somebody is taking advantage of them.

I think that once you reach 100 sales, you should be required to fill in an "About" page, to show where and how you make your "handmade" items.

[Former_Member]

When I started this shop I was looking around for some cool hooks to hang my bags on and came on here to the shabby chic stuff and priced it and it seemed a little pricey for some junk covered in paint. Then I went online to hobby lobby to order canvas and decided to check out theirs while I was there, and lo and behold! They have the same items! And they are remarkably cheaper!

I just tabled it and decided to wait for Spring here to get some good outdoor pics in natural light. But then I went to see what people are selling their bags for and was really disheartened. I cannot make a bag for what some of these mass sellers are selling for. Even if I were to buy the fabric at wholesale, I still have a lining, outer, and stabalizer in a lot of my bags, plus the hardware, thread, and time! And listing fees and overhead costs. And I like to use cool fabric- which adds more to the cost! I felt like I needed to price my bags lower than what it costs me to make them- or at least cut time out- just so people would even look! They are still priced low compared to many of my items, but I don't know what else to do. So sad.

[Former_Member]

Well I have had over 100 sales and I haven't set up an about page, can't figure it out, I am not a computer person. But I think it is pretty obvious that I hand make my items. Each item is custom made to fit each girl individually. They are all custom to fabrics, colors, and I do make my own patterns. I send them the websites to where I purchase my fabric so they can choose. Actually sometimes I even tell them to stop by their local Joann's or Hobby Lobby so they can see the fabrics in person, or send them swatches from my wholesaler (which luckily is only 5 minutes from my house), or order swatches from my silk supplier (unfortunately not wholesale). And I make all my samples to fit my daughter and use her as my model. The only ones on the mannequins are dresses I have made for customers, and try to take photos of them to post different colors and fabric options. Also I french seam and factories don't do that. And it is a 6-8 week wait, not next day shipping. Big red flag when it comes to clothing makers.

[AntsyArtist]

It is discouraging. I am forever hyping Etsy and their high standards on what gets listed. I encourage artists and crafters to set up Etsy shops. Then I see what I think are resell items in their newsletters. I am sure most buyers are really searching for handmade products and will see the difference. However, over time, the whole Etsy ethos may succumb to entirely different type of market and we will feel the squeeze.

[MerlinMN]

Janet V. from 7PineDesign says .
I think that once you reach 100 sales, you should be required to fill in an "About" page, to show where and how you make your "handmade" items.
---------------
All well and good, but there would have to be a new category for true handmade and it would have to be juried. Etsy doesn't have the manpower for it.
I try to explain my handmade items, but again, does every buyer read and understand everything in the listing? No : (

[TandRHandweaving]

My about page explains how I personally design, warp and weave each and every textile in my shop. All of my listings describe the particulars of the hand woven textile I have created. I am not sure every buyer reads everything written about my textiles but I do think they realize that my weaving is done the old fashioned way and that is why they purchase from me vice buying elsewhere.

When I look at the overseas sweatshop produced textiles here on etsy it frustrates me. My traditional craft is done one thread at a time with each and every thread passing through my hands many times while in the process of being woven on traditional wooden looms. Sweat shops use many people, electric looms and wholesale cheap quality yarns to produce textiles. It is hard for me to compete, yet I do because I believe that traditionally woven textiles are an important link to our past and a hope for our future. Etsy is a great venue for quality handmade goods, I just wish the resellers and the mass marketeers were not here.

[Former_Member]

they have always been here, and will always be here. This site has the traffic. They know that. If they decide not to sell here anymore, then you will know that etsy is in trouble.

Don't forget if you are selling in the same category, they are still your competition even if every last one of those swine were banished . ebay is only a click away.

so, the question is.....

what will you do about it?

[Untwistedsister]

How much of the problem do you think is because of the loose definition Etsy uses to define 'handmade". I think that if Etsy went by the FTC definition and classified it's handmade in accordance with that definition, there would be alot less problems. To me it's like deciding that it's okay to list things as Made In USA when, for instance, you take a piece of furniture made in South America and someone from Nebraska paints it blue and then labels it "made in USA". And where IS the FTC in all of this?????

I'm not saying that hand embellished or altered or assembled shouldn't have a place here, but just a different labeling so buyers are not led to believe something that isn't true.

[Former_Member]

What will you do about it?. If it's a matter of competition, you differentiate yourself and educate your customer. But it's not just a matter of competition.

It's a matter of reputation.

Craftspeople want to be proud of the venues they choose. You don't buy a table at a crafts fair where you will be selling next to fake Tupperware and imitation Michael Kors handbags.

Therefore what you do if you care about the site, is you help report things that are cheapening Etsy's reputation.

[PotteryLodge]

I remember years ago, when I first was told about etsy. I was amazed at the beautiful pieces I saw. Now, its sad that many shops are taking advantage of 'handmade'. I even saw one shop gloating about all their sells, then I saw they were selling 'handmade' jewelry for $1-$2, some even as low at $.20. I couldn't believe my eyes, especially the fact they were proud of selling so many! Its just sad.

[NatashasDesignz]

I must admit that when I joined Etsy I was under the impression it was just for handmade, but I have also seen a number of shops where I know this is not the case :-/

[Former_Member]

What will you do about it?. If it's a matter of competition, you differentiate yourself and educate your customer. But it's not just a matter of competition.

It's a matter of reputation.

Craftspeople want to be proud of the venues they choose. You don't buy a table at a crafts fair where you will be selling next to fake Tupperware and imitation Michael Kors handbags.

Therefore what you do if you care about the site, is you help report things that are cheapening Etsy's reputation.
.....................

I used to do it more, but was told some obviously factory made crap was allowed.

makes sense when you consider that vintage is 20 years old her. Nowhere else. I tell that to some antiquey stores I sell to, they spit out their coffee.

that same thinking applies to rules for handmade here.


so, what I do is try to help the handmakers sell more. Then, they will do the same.

[Former_Member]

I was talking to someone who USED to sell on Etsy recently. They received a warning for flagging a shop that was OBVIOUSLY not handmade, including a link to the wholesaler for the item. That was the last straw for them, they shut down their shop that day. I guess Etsy frowns upon people flagging too much. Even if it is an obvious and legit reason for flagging. Just a warning for people trying to be a good Etsy-Samaritans!

[TaylorMetalDesigns]

I agree it is frustrating. I just try to concentrate on my craft and trust that the customers who want authentic handmade products will find us. :)

Peace, SuzAnne

[Former_Member]

Yeah. Extremely low prices on Etsy may not be truly handmade. Hopefully Etsy continues to attract real "handmade" and real "vintage" artists. :)

[GisellasDesigns]

There is also many sellers who buy bags and just embroidery on them. It's that consider HANDMADE? :/

[Former_Member]

I guess the definition of 'handmade' is problematic, many mass produced things are made by the hands of underpaid factory workers in appalling conditions - the factory that just collapsed in bangladesh for instance. :(
Its hard to shout "its not handmade!" when infact its is and what we really mean is "its mass produced!"

[Frecklesoriginals]

You are right Janet, Handmade covers so much. All the people in that horrid building were making by hand. But what else could you call crafting? I think if people look at your profile and see who you are what you do and where you craft your goods they will see for themselves. The thing is will they bother and do they care? YES some do. But the price issue of mass produced has to be fly in the ointment.