what to do...

[#1]

given the post etsy admin put out "advising" sellers not to do a collective shop like we are working on, what do you all think is the best route to take with this?

[Former_Member]

Sounds like taking it off site might be the answer nithya-unless we get some sort of clarifications from etsy...but then how long do we want to wait-people need help and want to help now

[Former_Member]

bigpawsaints says

This just makes me sad. I know for a fact that etsy consumers would be thrilled to be able to shop in one shop to make purchases that would directly help the people of this horrible event. I'm so disappointed that this isn't happening...truly disappointed. In my mind, etsy has ALWAYS been the supporter of "community"...what the hell??? If this isn't "community"...then what is? I'm sorry, but the more I read about the "no"...the more angry I get. I have always been proud to be a part of the etsy community...but this is making me think twice about what etsy considers "community".

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me too-makes me very sad

[SarawenPerfume]

Hi guys, figured I'd join the team as I've been watching the other thread too.

Well, it's incredibly upsetting that Admin has basically said 'no' to this shop. It's Sunday morning and so much could have been done since Friday. :(

For now I've decided to donate items from my shop to go to my intended charity- http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaraWen?section_id=7921180

I've posted it to my Blog as well: http://www.sarawenperfumeart.blogspot.com

... and I'm going to do some Facebooking later.

Being a fairly new shop, I'm not getting much traffic though. Was a tag designated? It may help in getting views to our shops.

I want to help very much but basically being a starving artist, I don't have a lot of money. I figured this was the best way to give back..

But hearing Etsy's stance, it's all rather depressing.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

So much...for giving credit :(

OK...so - I'll convo lisajune.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

niytha - That could be a way to go...but I'm honestly clueless about blogging (and...all other forms of social networking) - so...I can't *really* give input.

I can say..that however this turns out -- all forms of social networking will be needed...a blog for sure.

Wish I could give better insight on this.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

bigpawsaints says

This just makes me sad. I know for a fact that etsy consumers would be thrilled to be able to shop in one shop to make purchases that would directly help the people of this horrible event. I'm so disappointed that this isn't happening...truly disappointed. In my mind, etsy has ALWAYS been the supporter of "community"...what the hell??? If this isn't "community"...then what is? I'm sorry, but the more I read about the "no"...the more angry I get. I have always been proud to be a part of the etsy community...but this is making me think twice about what etsy considers "community".
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Couldn't have said this better myself.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Welcome Sara :)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

OK...for the sake of just cutting to the chase here - I'm going to try to clarify a couple of things.

I think it's safe to say that people want to help Japan. That...should be evident here.

And...I think what needs to be totally clarified - is that these people want a Community-wide EFFORT to do so.

What is up for debate is WHAT the community-effort CAN be.

But, the bottom line is that the community wants to gather together...in large #'s...to help Japan.

But, based on Etsy's stance on what *we* "know" works -- *we* don't have a clue as to what we CAN do.

Bottom line - Etsy needs to step up to the plate here. They either need to organize something site-wide that is "legal" - that sellers can "embrace"

OR

they need to come forward and tell us the *rules* & *legalities) (on all levels) so that we can organize something on our own - whether that be here on Etsy - or off-site.

[Former_Member]

Ok, here's my initial thought on how to go about this with a blog -

1. Create a blog and invite everyone who is interested in contributing. I have already created "http://joyforjapan.blogspot.com" and can send across blogging invites.

2. We list whatever item we want to contribute over there with a link to buy.

3. The Buy links will come to our individual etsy stores or paypal links and then the sellers can contribute from Paypal directly to Red Cross or any other organization.

4. We could set up a separate facebook page for this effort and a twitter handle and spread the word in every way possible.

If we want the funds to be collected in one single account then it will be tricky without a community shop. So I think the sellers have to do this themselves.

Convo me your mail ids so that I can send invites to blog.

Regards,
Nithya

[BrazenDesignStudio]

I want to hear from Admin why they're not allowing this and what solutions they have to offer because frankly, the Etsy community NEEDS to have a place to help these people. Having individual shops be responsible for donating is not an answer, it's washing their hands of the whole situation and again, Etsy should be bloody ashamed of themselves.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Hi everyone.

I heard back from lisajune. (I had forwarded her both of my earlier posts).

She again assured me that she understands *my* (our) frustration.

Though she did not specifically answer any of the questions in those posts.....

she did say she was going to talk to people *there* to see what can be done. She will get back to me as soon as she as she can.

It's a start folks. So...please everyone try to keep the faith until we hear differently.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Oh nithya - you make that sound all so simple ;) (and it probably IS for those of you who understand it!)


but...seriously...you don't understand (me) - I am truly clueless about 1/2 of what you're saying :D

I am...a prehistoric dinosaur in these cases! LOL - so convo me in simple-stupid-pablum with all of that :)

I DO want to understand......just....ancient.... frustrated...exhausted...and another headache! All make attempting to "understand" - take so much longer!

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

I agree Brazen. Let's see what lisajune brings back.

(and..you stop laughing at my previous post about being a dinosaur!!)

[Former_Member]

LOL 4get! Let's wait for what the admin has to say. A blog may be an option, but it is definitely not the same as having it right here on etsy. It will make the lives of buyers simple by having everything in one place right here. Let's wait and see.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

:D nithya....

OK!!! But...I'm serious.... I really, truly need things like that in simple-stupid explanations.

I know my strengths (very well) -- but am also very well aware (and honest) about my weaknesses! (And they take a lot of time to learn!! "Time" - the worst 4-letter word ever, IMO!)

[Former_Member]

Any news from the Admins about how to handle this? I keep seeing treasuries dedicated to the sea on the front page and I feel it's tasteless.

[Former_Member]

thanks dee for convoing admin-and for letting us know some of what is going on. Let's hope we get some answers. glad to know they are working on it!

[Former_Member]

after reading about the amount of damage and loss of lives due to flooding in Japan-whole entire villages gone-that just is so so terrible- I am agreeing that treasuries to the sea are rather tasteless. what about treasuries full of japanese artists? or that beautiful peace crane treasury?

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Ktreasures - not yet. As soon as I hear, I'll let folks know. Promise :)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

FiveSparrows says

after reading about the amount of damage and loss of lives due to flooding in Japan-whole entire villages gone-that just is so so terrible- I am agreeing that treasuries to the sea are rather tasteless. what about treasuries full of japanese artists? or that beautiful peace crane treasury?
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I agree on the tastelessness at this time. The sea is beautiful...but when it rampages it is ugly as anything can be.

And though I LOVE the idea of treasuries of Japanese artists....I'd be oh-so-careful with that too. Sadly, we don't know the fate of those artists right now or their capabilities at this time. So, if used...a note "reminding" people that any purchases made by these lovely people will not be shipped for a long while, if at all.

I'm sorry...to bring home *that* potential reality. But the numbers....are staggering....and very sad.

The peace crane treasury.... a lovely idea. As well as any that are curated with thoughts of love, hope & strength.

[Former_Member · Accepted solution]

Hi!

As 4getmenottreasures said, I'm working with Lauren, Vanessa, Morgan, Sarah, and some other admin to determine the best way to use Etsy to organize around causes to help in the wake of cataclysmic events.

The first step though, a name to your cause, you seem to have figured out quite well. JoyforJapan, fantastic.

I would suggest members and supporters use this tag on Treasuries created to recognize the tragedy and feature items whose proceeds are going to charity.

You can also use this term JoyforJapan as a tag on items whose proceeds are being donated to charity.

Starting a blog to communicate your cause is also a good place to start!

Again, to reach me directly shoot me a Convo. I check my convos very regularly; it's an easier and faster way to get me a message. I'll post back with more information though when I have it.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

lisa,
thanks so much for posting back here. It's a huge start in the process....open dialogue - a good thing.

That said - and I will convo this to you....just in case....

would you please post here some clear & concise rules that folks donating to a specific charity for this cause need to do to cover themselves - on all fronts.

I do understand that they're in the various "policies" here -- but with all that has transpired - I think it's best to make sure that everyone understands - point blank. Cut and dry.

(there's a lot of confusion around all of this)

Thanks again - and I'll let the others know from the other thread.

Looking forward to your next bit of information.

[Former_Member]

i just convoed this to lisajune-thought I would post it here too.

Thanks lisajune! We appreciate that you are keeping in touch with us and that you all there are working on this. I agree with forgetmenot in the forums-this needs some rules and policies and something so everyone out there knows what to expect now and in the future. If there is a change in policy-a main announcement like what you made a couple days ago only very clear and concise with exact new rules and also again the rules for how individual shops need to use charity donating. I just don't think everyone out there knows that stuff.

Also-on the tagging thing-would the tag be shared outside this group-like if someone were wanting to search for shops donating, how would they know what to search for?

Of course, as someone pretty involved in h4h and who donated to the gulfcoast shop, I am still curious why the large shop isn't allowed-they just seem so effective.

Thanks again for working on this!

[BrazenDesignStudio]

FiveSparrows says

Of course, as someone pretty involved in h4h and who donated to the gulfcoast shop, I am still curious why the large shop isn't allowed-they just seem so effective.
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This is what I'd like to know, because I see other shops on Etsy that are running a collective venture to raise money for charity, so it makes me think our problem was asking for permission to do so!

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Brazen - no one asked for permission. The original thread in "ideas" was *found*....and it snowballed from there.

Gosh..that didn't sound right -- but...I think everyone knows how I meant it :)