Automatic Deactivation but no follow-up email to clarify problem

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

Hello,

For a bit of background, I am an artist hoping to sell prints, postcards, tote bags, etc of my art. Some of my artworks are reproductions and reinterpretations of Buddhist cave murals along with original paintings.

I have been struggling to get my Etsy shop up and running because my listings always get automatically deactivated when publishing. I think my descriptions are accurate and uncontroversial, and have fully disclosed that these items are designed by me but manufactured by a number of Print-on-Demand services both local and abroad. I assume something is getting automatically flagged by their detection system but I don't know what might be the culprit. My listing that includes art of "The Medicine Buddha" makes no claims of healing properties. The other listings seem even less controversial as they depict historical and folkloric themes.

To make matters worse, I have not received any emails clarifying the reasons for the deactivations so I cannot even take steps to rectify the alleged problems. I have tried reaching out to Etsy support but only received automated replies saying that they can't help me reactivate anything. Has anybody had any similar experiences as this? If so, what might be my next steps?

Thanks in advance, everyone

For reference, please also see the following for screenshot examples of my listing information, descriptions, tags, etc

https://gofile.io/d/LOijht

(images only and all previewable in the viewer; no need to download anything)

[NanaLetha]

It was most likely the word "medicine".

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

Thanks for your reply and I was worried about that too! But just to clarify again, only one of the deactivated listings mention "medicine". The others are historic/folkloric in nature but still got automatically deactivated. I've also seen far more controversial mentions of medicine/healing in Etsy listings that remain active so I'm not sure if it's really the culprit. 

[PlatypusDream]

"Healing", "Medicine".

"The Medicine Buddha, or Bhaisajyaguru, is revered as the healer of both physical and spiritual ailments."

I can't see the images clearly. Are there swastikas in them?

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

Thanks for your reply! I will tweak the Medicine Buddha description though that still leaves me stumped with the other listings that don't mention those potential triggers at all. It's also confusing as I've seen things like alleged healing crystals or psychic healing consultations for sale on Etsy (not condoning/shaming/judging - just observing) 

Also, there are no swastikas!

[PlatypusDream]

@OliviaPangArtGarden 

Just because you see other sellers getting away with forbidden claims doesn't mean they are allowed.

I see counterfeit goods, dangerous weapons, illegal drugs and so much more here... Etsy isn't curated and all sorts of dreck ends up here.

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

That's a fair assessment. Thanks for finding that Creativity rules page in the other post too. I will keep tweaking

[FallenAngelBrass]

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@OliviaPangArtGarden wrote:

I have not received any emails clarifying the reasons for the deactivations

---

Etsy won't give specific reasons for a deactivation, but usually does send an email with a general reason like "creativity standards."  Have you received any emails at all? 

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

None at all unfortunately! I tried reaching out to Etsy support but only ever got automated responses 

[PrimFun]

@OliviaPangArtGarden  Then respond to the email that you need more help.  That is how it works on Etsy.  They respond with generic, you respond back that you need more help.

[Duckwells]

A year or two ago, Etsy started pulling listings of museum reproductions that were being sold as prints.  This is a possibility for your listing, that repros are not allowed, that it needs to be original art to sell POD merchandise.

[PlatypusDream]

Etsy's Creativity rules have recently changed:

https://www.etsy.com/legal/creativity

Items ‘designed by a seller’ include only:

...

• Sellers’ original designs produced by a production partner: Original designs created by a seller and produced with the assistance of a production partner. Sellers must disclose that an item is made by a production partner, and provide accurate information about where the item is dispatched from.
  • e.g., A unique dress designed by a seller and reproduced at scale by a production partner; a colouring book designed and illustrated by a seller and printed and bound by a production partner; a graphic logo created by a seller and printed onto a phone case by a third-party printer"

[OliviaPangArtGarden]

Thank you for your information! That could be it. These reproductions were produced by me following expeditions to heritage sites and caves so it's a shame that I might not be able to explain that properly without triggering the automated system.

[PrimFun]

@OliviaPangArtGarden   Do you realize that many world heritage sites control what can and cannot be done with the artwork present.  Angkor Watt is one and the Eiffel Tower is another.  Much of it is controlled by UNESCO that decides who can and cannot sell artwork of the heritage areas.

The shop you are posting from is suspended permanently so you will need to appeal.  Think very carefully about going forward.   You will need to give Etsy a master plan of how you plan to move forward.