A Questionnaire for anyone in the Etsy community! (as part of my research project...)

[Former_Member]

Hello!

My name is Sarah and I am currently enrolled in an anthropology class for which I am studying about this new culture of Etsy. I would be more than happy to receive some answers back about your thoughts on this culture and your participation in it. I will keep your name anonymous, as fitting with the ethical code of research for fieldwork, or at least use whatever your shop name is, as that is publicly known already. Though the point of this exercise is getting some data, so I probably do not need to reference anyone directly anyway. If you are going to respond to this, I would think it easier to copy/paste your answers to a conversation with me-- as that way everything stays confidential as well. Thank you so much team members!


Questionnaire:

How did you hear about Etsy?
a. Friend or family
b. Another internet site
c. Media (newspaper article, Martha Stewart show etc.)
d. Other

What originally drew you to the Etsy community?
a. Its accessible format and relative ease to create a shop
b. Reading other people’s stories of success and creativity
c. The ability to be seen by many people
d. It was cheaper than opening up a real shop
e. Most of the above-mentioned reasons
f. Other

What kinds of feedback have you received from people in the community?
a. All positive
b. Mostly positive
c. Mostly Negative
d. Mixed
e. None

When you are thinking about an upcoming project, do you ever reference Etsy for ideas?
a. Always
b. Sometimes
c. Never

How do you feel about the site-moderated content (blogs, recipes, videos, meet-ups) on Etsy?
a. It seems cool, but I don’t read it or participate in it.
b. It is distracting to buyers; they should focus more on promoting within the community.
c. I have participated and frequently read the blog section.
d. Sometimes I will read an interesting blog if it catches my eye.
e. Other

Have you ever been involved in a dispute with others in the community (buyer/seller issues, cyber bullying etc.)
a. Often
b. Sometimes
c. Seldom
d. Never

Do you know people on Etsy outside of the internet?
a. Yes, these are my friends and family using it
b. Yes, but we met on Etsy first and later in person
c. Yes, these are associates in the same field as me
d. Yes, I have met people from the meet-ups/craft nights
e. No, but I would like to
f. No, I don’t really have an interest in being known personally by people online

Prior to being involved in Etsy, were you using other venues or communities to promote your craft/art?
a. Yes, I was involved in the local art scene in my city (includes putting up your art in a public space)
b. Yes, I used my own website to feature my art
c. Yes, I attended/participated in craft festivals around my region
d. Yes, I used word-of-mouth and business cards to promote myself
e. No, Etsy is the first time I have been able to sell my creations
f. Other

Etsy is very centered on DIY and handmade, does this factor into your life outside of Etsy?
a. Yes, as much as possibly I try to incorporate elements of both
b. Yes, but sometimes I wish I could buy more handmade things or learn how to do more for myself
c. No, I mostly just sell on Etsy what I have made but do not buy much else handmade
d. No, but I would like to incorporate more into my life

Are you currently:
a. Married
b. Married w/pet children
c. Married w/real children
d. In a relationship
e. Widowed/Divorced
f. Single and ready to mingle (or not)

Do you live in:
a. City apartment, studio, bedroom, closet
b. City loft or townhouse/condo
c. A house in a town/city
d. A house in the country/rural area
e. I live wherever I can (couch surfer/nomad)

Is Etsy a primary source of income for you and/or your family?
a. Yes, and it is the best job ever
b. Yes, but I may have to look for occasional jobs elsewhere to make ends meet
c. No, I have another (full or part-time) job on top of selling on Etsy
d. No, I have a significant other who is providing for me and helping me achieve my goals
e. No, I live with my parents

Depending on how you answered previously, would you like Etsy to be your main source of income, or is it more of a hobby?
a. Yes, most definitely
b. Yes, but it seems like a far off goal
c. No, I am happy having a “real” job and this on the side
d. No, I do not need it to make monetary gains but it would be nice to have a little extra income
e. It is just a hobby that I love, no money necessary!

Where do you create your special creations?
a. At home in a studio
b. At home wherever I can make space
c. At a studio outside my home
d. At a shared studio space for artists
e. I do not create, I buy vintage things and resell them
f. Other

Do you feel a special commitment to staying with Etsy for your virtual shop?
a. Yes, Etsy has helped me out so much and I have a following on here
b. Yes, I have been satisfied with what I have accomplished through here and see no need to switch it up
c. No, I would probably take my goods elsewhere to sell if some other opportunity presented itself
d. No, I already sell on multiple venues and do not feel any special attachment to Etsy
e. Not sure

Are there any reasons that you would leave Etsy permanently?
a. Yes, if they increase fees
b. Yes, if the user-friendliness declines
c. Yes, if they offend me or my clientele in some way
d. Yes, if they get too big and my shop can no longer compete with all the others
e. No, not that I can think of
f. No, but I am sure something could happen to make me change my mind
g. Not sure

Do you consider yourself part of the “new domesticity” movement? (meaning the uprising of crafting, DIY skills, home-centered values, the simple life etc).
a. Yes, I have been practicing such skills for a while now and encourage others to do the same
b. Yes, but I didn’t necessarily know it until now
c. No, I am not interested in those things
d. Not sure

Have you witnessed aspects of the community that you would wish to change? If so, please respond freely.

Any other comments or observations about your experience with the Etsy community are welcome!

:D