My shop was automatically put on VACATION mode by Etsy

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

How do i object to ETSY putting my shop on vacation mode after I have just made my first sale in a month. Even the text was automatically issued without my permission on the holiday page.

[Former_Member]

If you were making medical/healing claims, that is probably why Etsy disabled your shop.  Hopefully they sent you an email about the issue.  Check your spam folder.  You can't make any type of healing claims, etc. and sell on Etsy.

[VivianJoel]

Using the name Nelson Mandela without permission may have been a problem …

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

I work closely with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and mostly use Mandela's name in reference to history and who the Robben Island Fencing was and who it held captive. So this should not be the issue. 

It says it paused my account due to assisting me with my order processing. Which I do not need assistance with. I am ready to sell again.

Thanks for your commentary.
Greetings from South Africa.

[VivianJoel]

Except you aren’t using his name in a historical reference. You are using his name as a profit for yourself.  IF you have license to sell products this way, then post it.  Otherwise I would expect the greater honor to Mandela would be to forge your own success with your own strength and freedom and not ride on any one’s name but use your own to do so.   I suspect someone has made a formal complaint and I would get your ducks in a row quickly and make the changes in your store now while you still can.  Cape Town, South Africa, yes I have been there.  Beautiful.  It may not seem like it but we are trying to help you.

[Amaradorn]

Check your emails (even the junk mail folder) to see if Etsy contacted you regarding verifying your ID or bank details. Has your billing payment/credit card expired? Did you have any listings deactivated by Etsy prior to the forced vacation?

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

 My payments are all up to date, and have not received any correspondence from ETSY.

Thank  you for your commentary and assistance to find out what the issue may be.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Legacy Collection is handmade in South Africa, creating much needed skills development in South Africa.

Do you make the jewelry yourself? If others are making the jewelry in your shop, you need to list every person involved as a member of your shop or a production partner. However, the jewelry must at least be designed by you.

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

Yes I am the designer and I make the jewellery in Cape Town, South Africa. 

I have staff that assist me to hand made some items. But I am the designer and owner of my business. And I do support all local industries and always ensure skills development is the main aim with my employees.

[TinTeddy]

None of these staff are declared in your shop, just yourself.

It is a strict Etsy rule that all team members must be individually named, with what they do in the process of creating the products.

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000336867-Roles-for-Shop-Members

[NostalgieCT]

Could it be the using of a famous person's name and photos of famous people in a for profit shop? Just guessing here. The pond ice is very thin around celebrity inspired art, not even likenesses but using their name at all unless you have express permission or licensing agreements. I've noticed that there has been recent crack downs in this area on Etsy. Shops put on reserves, forced vacation or shops disappearing altogether. Beautiful work. Hope you can get this resolved.

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

Hi There - thank you for your feedback.

All the celebrities I have used on my page I have met in person or been in communication with directly, so permissions are ok on that front.
The only image in question might be the Frances Fisher image, I should change that one. 
But Frances is also ok with permission to use her as a friend of legacy. I do have her permission.

All other images are owned by or on a media shoot for Legacy Collection. 

ETSY said they have put me on holiday to assist me with order processing. But I do not wish to have this assistance. I am still able to sell and cope with my sales. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@ByCharmaineTaylor  Do you have a license or permission from the others in writing?  Do you have permission from the Foundation to use their name.  Etsy has a policy on this and what is required.  Check Our House Rules for it,

[CoquetteBath]

you are showcasing a lot of famous folks in your shop. Maybe they have bought your jewelry but unless you took the photo AND have their permission to use the photos...you can't. If another photographer took the photos, you need a release from that photographer AND the individual.

Personally when I see such namedropping...I question the entire shop. Because I'm aware of how hard it is to use celebrity images and seeing that...makes me wonder.

Also, you state you're a maker but no photos of you in work. That would be incredibly helpful. As so many folks aren't makers...it helps (especially in some categories) ensure customer confidence.

[VintageGiftsEE]

I am not surprised - Mandela necklace !!!!

And the other people , do not ask us why , you know the answer .

Just find legal items to sell 

[ByCharmaineTaylor]

I know and have coordinated with The Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa who runs Madiba's legacy and IP => and mostly use Mandela's name with regards to historically that it held Nelson Mandela and other comrades captive. So legally I am able to state these. 

But thank you for your comments and assistance to see why my store is on Holiday Mode. It says it is assisting me with my orders and pausing it to assist me with this regard, so I am not suspended. 

Warm greetings from Cape Town, South Africa. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@ByCharmaineTaylor   Etsy uses that when they are investigating.  It's not just for order catch up.  Chances are you need to provide proof you can legally use the name.  It's not enough to say you work with the Foundation.  It is also possible that someone has filed with Etsy against the use of celebrity photos.  Just because you know them is not enough.  You have to haver permission in writing.

Check your email including spam. 

The other possibility is an error.

[howtobooksandmore]

Do you have all these permissions in writing?  If not, I would get them as soon as possible and post the permissions in your shop and send them to etsy.  Unless it is in writing, it is not legal.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

Basically, do you have their permission to use their trademark/s to sell your items?

"Nelson Mandela" is trademarked

You cannot use those two words, if you are selling something, unless you specifically have the permission of the trademark holder

it is specifically trademarked for

class 14
Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes; jewellery including earrings, cufflinks, chains, charms, bracelets, brooches, pins, rings and trinkets; clocks; watches; containers of precious metal including plates, baskets, boxes, cases, drinking containers; coins; collectable coins; commemorative coins; non-monetary coins; drinking containers; candlesticks, figurines (statuettes) of precious metal; diamonds; gold objects; imitation gold objects; medals; key rings and fobs; gold and silver wear; ornaments of precious metal and semiprecious stones; pearls; napkin holders; ornamental pins; badges of precious metal; drinking vessels; powder compacts; vases; candelabra; precious and semiprecious stones; silver plate; horological and chronometric instruments.

class 35
Retail services connected with the sale of precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, jewellery, earrings, cufflinks, chains, charms, bracelets, brooches, pins, rings and trinkets, clocks, watches, containers of precious metal, plates, baskets, boxes, cases, drinking containers, coins, collectable coins, commemorative coins, non-monetary coins, candlesticks, figurines (statuettes) of precious metals, diamonds, gold objects, imitation gold objects, medals, key rings and fobs, gold and silver wear, ornaments of precious metals and semiprecious stones, pearls, napkin holders, ornamental pins, badges of precious metal, drinking vessels, powder compacts, vases, candelabra, precious and semiprecious stones, silver plate, horological and chronometric instruments, clothing, headgear, footwear, compact discs, DVD's, videos, books, mugs; advertising; marketing; promotional services; business management.

the trademark holder , who you need permission from is

The Trustees the time being of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, 41 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Republic of, South Africa