Etsy and the "Coralgate scandal"

Alright, I've kind of been avoiding this blog entry since I didn't really want to bring more attention to the site I left behind.  I've seen more trouble on there than is worth mentioning and spent more money on their fees than anywhere else.  I left for many reasons and I'm very glad I left before all of this transpired.  That being said, I have finally decided that perhaps I DO need to write this blog entry.
*takes a deep breath*
Let me begin with why I left Etsy in the first place.  I was a member of the Etsy community for I'd say about 4 years.  In that 4 years I had experienced marginal success.  My jewelry sold alright... though the sales seemed to come in spurts.  My costume orders were high from mid-September to mid-October but often times I found that I could not always keep up with customers demands and eventually stopped taking custom orders there. 
One particularily low day, I realized how much of my actual profit had been going to Etsy over the years.  I also stopped to realize that I had not sold an item in any shop for almost 9 months straight.  And I realized what drives the Etsy machine was relisting and charging fees.  At that point, I decided I was done with them.  The jewelry market there was swamped and I just didn't have the money to keep up with the "big Etsy fish" anymore.
I was told about Artfire by a friend I had met on Etsy.  I've been there ever since and have nothing listed in any of my Etsy shops.  I have shopped there a little bit since.  That will stop.  From now on, if there's an artist I like and want to purchase things from ad they are only on Etsy, I will kindly convo them and ask them to email me privately to arrange the sale.  Etsy will get no more of my money.
Now, onto the "coralgate scandal".  First off, I want to go on the record as saying this is my OPINION on what has transpired and what I think of it all.  So, before you all blast me for it.... keep in mind I am entitled to my opinions and this is in fact my blog.  So, while you don't have to agree with me, posting comments blasting me for not believing the same thing you do... well it's just tactless and rude.  That being said, I do not believe any of my readers would do such a thing.  You all seem like civilized people who can agree to disagree with me without getting personal.
I don't want to rehash the entire situation in detail so... the short version.
Etsy has a blog calles the Storque.  They invited a guest jewelry designer to write a blog to be featured on the Storque.  The blog she wrote was about coral as being an endangered species and how she believes we should all boycott coral beads and jewelry made from it etc.  People on Etsy got all upset because Etsy did not put a disclaimer on this blog post stating they do not necessarily hold the same beliefs and the poster.  There are all kinds of things wrong with what Etsy has done and caused with this blog post.  So, as I display pictures from Etsy artisan shops that display coral, I'll dissect the pieces of this scandal and give my opinion on them. 
Point 1: Etsy should not have posted this opinionated blog entry without a disclaimer unless they share the viewpoint of the poster.  It has been pointed out by numerous Etsy sellers since this whole scandal errupted.  Even large newspaper and broadcast mediums put up disclaimers when they featured or interview someone with an opinion on a controversial issue.  Heck, telvision stations put up disclaimers before infomercials on late night television for crying out loud!  This is standard practice and for good reason.  And it's not a difficult thing to do nor would it cost them any more or less money that it did to put up the blog entry.  Common sense people!
Point 2: If Etsy did/does in fact agree with the poster view point, they should have banned coral from the site prior to the entry being posted.  I don't mind if a gourp of individuals wants to take a stand or support a cause they believe in.  But don't do it half-assed and just because you heard someone tell you a little piece of the truth about the issue.  If you want to take a stand on an issue, do the research yourself and decide if it aligns with you and your beliefs before jumping on someone's band wagon.  Activists and even just regular everday schmos will in fact selectively edit the facts in order to get more people to follow their cause.  Look into it before joining.  Then, make your decisions accordingly.  Be an intelligent adult about it.

 

Point 3: By not doing either of the above points, Etsy has essentially alienated their sellers.  They are allowing a featured artist to essentially tell all the readers to boycott products made from coral which in turn makes the actual sellers on Etsy who do sell and use coral look like environment moronic monsters.  This is what has everyone on Etsy pissed.  It's costing them sales and thus is going to drive business away from Etsy.  Kind of shooting themselves in the foot aren't they?  Since it's the artists on Etsy that have created the name, recognition as well as generated all that revenue.  The revenue that pays the Etsy administration's salaries.  Hmmmmmmm....

Point 4: While Etsy has acknowledged that it has upset it's artists and has attempted a half-assed apology stating that the above point was not their intention, they have done NOTHING to atone for it.  The blog post is STILL there.  Perhaps the deepest cut of all.  They will not acknowledge they made a mistake.  They will not do anything to defend what they did nor are they doing anything to fix it.  I guess it would be one thing if they had taken a stand and said "No, we have nothing wrong and here's why" but they haven't even done that.  They just acknowledge they've made people angry and then move on as if nothing has/was/is happening.  Wow.  Salt in wound there eh?

There are several other points that many Etsians are arguing, all of which I see as completely and totally valid.  I do not feel I need to discuss any more of them in great detail because really... I think it's pretty clear here that Etsy screwed up and won't admit it.  While I have previously stated I have nothing listed on Etsy now nor will I ever again for completely different reasons, I would not like to state for the record.... I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANYTHING OFF OF THE ETSY SITE EVER AGAIN.  If I want something from a artist over there, I will contact the artist directing to arrange the sale.  I will NOT allow any of my hard earned money to the Etsy admin.  I WILL continue to support the artists if they are willing to work with me OFF ETSY.

So, there you have it.  Feel free to comment, add, whatever.  Remember, this is my opinion and I felt it necessary to express it.

Bead Trends and submitting photos for publication

In April 2009, a friend and fellow jewelry artist walked into my classroom after the dismissal bell had rung for the day.  She had with her a copy of a magazine called Bead Trends. 
"I think you should submit photos to this publication."
"Really?"
"they published my things and your wire work is way better than my bead stringing.  Submit something.  See what happens."
She dropped the April issue on my desk, smiled and walked out again. 
I flipped throught he magazine and saw all the wonderful things that people had created.  Could my pieces really compete with these seasoned artisans?  By the following morning I had decided to investigate the magazine further.  I went to their website and poked around a bit.  ALL their photographs were submitted by artists, some of whom design and create jewelry for a living and those who likeme are hobby jewelry designers. 
I read up on their requirements for submission and decided to try it.  I submitted three photos of pieces I had created and waited to hear back.  It was so simple.  All I had to do was send an email to the address listed with my name, contact info, a description of the piece in question and a photo of the piece.  Simple. 

Amazingly, they accepted one of my rings for publication!  I was thrilled! 
The editor wrote a letter explaining that I was to send the ring to their company in a secure box, well wrapped and insured to them within a specified period of time.  They would then have their photographers photograph the item and then would send it back when the issue with my piece feautred was released.  They also sent two copies of the magazine as well as a $20 certificate for me to spend at Fire Mountain Gems. I thought this was a great deal!
I have since submitted and had several other jewelry pieces accepted for publication, including a pair of earrings featured in this month's issue.  I highly recommend this publication for great jewelry ideas as well as a means for getting pieces published.  It's great PR and super easy to get pieces accepted. 
My next goal is to be the 16 page feature artist in an issue.  Still working on that idea though.

Etsy vs. Artfire continued

There are a zillion threads on both the Etsy and Artfire forums about this topic.  I read them every so often and sort of see if there are any new ideas or arguments one way or another.  I know my opinion and how it applies to my shop and this is what I believe is the essential part of my decisions.  However, every once in a while there is a good argument or piece of wisdom picked up from reading the ranting and ravings of my fellow artisans.
Today, a newcomer to Artfire made some astute observations.  This person has only been there a short while... and their words really did kind of hit home with me.  This person isn't just ranting or raving but making rational observations.  I asked and they have granted me permission to repost portions of their post here.
"I joined Artfire about a week ago.(Around the time the new logo hit the front page)
I have a few observations about this place I thought might be interesting to some.
I first looked at this site about a week ago even though I had heard of it well before.
I didn`t come sooner because Artfire had a reputation of being invisible to buyers.
No traffic, no hits, no views, no sales.
I came here last week because the buzz about Artfire on the Etsy forums had grown to a fever pitch and I simply had to see what the hell everyone was going on about.
(Remember that, word of mouth is your best friend)
I signed up immediately for a free account and started testing the waters."

I want to stop here a moment to point out how this person discovered Artfire through Etsy.... exactly the opposite of what Etsy wants.  I find this painfully ironic.

"About a half hour after I signed up for the free account I signed up for a pro account because I was simply amazed at the selling tools I could get access to.
For selling abilities, sellers tools, and search function this place blows Etsy away.
I`ve never really put much effort into selling on Etsy simply because it looked like whatever effort I expended would be neutralized by Etsy admin.
I have since imported my entire Etsy inventory here and this place will be my focus.
I`m going to put everything in this basket.
The search sucked(I believe purposely).
Policy was made on a whim and changed just as soon as that whim changed.
Sellers needs were always ignored.
Admin statements were constantly contradicted by other admin statements.
I had no idea what I should do as a seller in some situations simply because admin had no idea what their policy was."

Another good stopping point.  I myself have learned through online selling sites that if your shop's policies are not crystal clear, you get more trouble than it's worth.  Policy is IMPORTANT in any business.  And after reading this comment on the forum today, I realized that all that time I had spent maintaining a shop on Etsy, I had never once looked for a site policy.  Perhaps I should have.  When I moved to Artfire, the policy was right up front and simple enough to follow easily.

"It slowly dawned on me that Etsy had no interest in my or any other sellers success."

What a horrible realization to come to.  And yet this was the bottom line that made me empty out my shops on Etsy as well.  I maintain an account over there only to shop with... and even that is sparse.  I shop on Artfire 9 times out of 10 and only go to Etsy as a last resort now.  Sad but true.
This person goes on to point out flaws in Etsy that most already have known, seen or heard about.  But this last part I'll share is what made me want to blog this information.

"Artfire, this place looks great, the tools rock, the community is golden,the fees are a fantasy come true. The problem with this place is the first thing I mentioned in this post.
It still has a reputation for low exposure."

This is where my fellow Artfire artisans and I need to focus our attention.  Artfire already gives me the best exposure on the web I've ever had.  The fact that we can be found by the google machine is awesome.... but we need to focus more on getting Artfire's name out there in the public.
So let's get to it!  This blog of mine is my first step in that direction.

WOOHOO!

I am the featured artist for this week from the AJDJSS Guild!  SUPER excited about that but haven't had time to blog about it till right now.
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=forums&op=view_topic&tid=6650

And I have some new pieces to show off as well.  Not all are listed in my studio yet but I'm hoping to get that done this week.

The pictures you see are just a sample.

Upping the anti on the experiment

OK... I've started my promotion of both my Etsy shop and my Artfire studio by offering a free gift. I will be offering a free pair of matching earrings for every pendant and necklace purchase made in either of my shops. On Artfire this is clearly marked in my studio by lovely little "free gift" banners on each listing picture. In my Etsy shop it is placed up in my shop announcement. I have started a forum thread for the specials in the Contests and Promotions section on Artfire and in the Promotions section on Etsy. Let's see how it goes.
I'll try to bump the threads in each forum area at least once a day.
I will be posting any sales resulting from these specials as well as continuing to post my view comparisons.
Here we go!

E vs. AF View Comparison 3-23-10 4:43pm

Etsy~ 24
Artfire~ 73

Etsy~ 21


Artfire~ 45


I rest my case. Etsy may be in the public eye more but it certainly does not show in the views. Artfire has better SEO and it shows.
Now, I plan to take this to the next level. Promotion. Will promoting both sites equally make a difference in the data? Hmmmmm.... let's find out. ;)

I -heart- Artfire!

I recently set up a studio on http://www.artfire.com/ and I have to take a moment to express how much I am pleased with this website.
I heard about Artfire through a friend I met on Etsy. I had been on Etsy for a few years and had done marginal business on the site. But I was depressed that my sales had all but dropped off the chart there and I was constantly being charged a percentage, mind you a small one, for any sales I was making. When you compound the sale percentage (3.5%) by the listing fees ($.20 per listing) it can really add up after a while. Etsy also encourages their sellers to keep their items "current" in the search engine there by relisting. Their feed is based on recency and not relevance.
I went to Artfire upon hearing tell of it and found a wonderfully set up site. Lots of color, user friendly, and fairly inexpensive. I discovered that Artfire is a "free" site. This means, there is NO listing fees and NO percentage taken for sales made. WOW. I was impressed. I signed up for a "Basic" studio right away and got started. I upgraded my account to a "Pro" account after a week for $12 a month. I was paying mroe than that on Etsy to list items and keep them current. A Pro account allowed me to do EVERYTHING a seller could want to promote my studio. I have a blog right on my studio page, am kept in the rotation of front pages regularily, can track my views easily, find my things in google searches almost immediately, and am seeing double the traffic in my little shop than I had in Etsy in the first month.

Which brings me to my next point. Artfire seems to be a fairly "undiscovered" site. Etsy has been around longer and has more face value to the public. Case in point, this article from the LA Times. www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz-crafts1-2010mar01,0,7104482.story
Now, I agree that all press is good press but it seems a little one-sided. And it doesn't seem to sound like the article is really all for Etsy either. I am happy to see them feature a real live artist though.
So in conclusion, this blog post is kind of my plug for Artfire. I feels its a much more user friendly website, offers for sellers and buyers more options and deserves as much if not MORE press than Etsy. Please take a look at http://www.artfire.com/ and give another handmade website a chance!