I love etsy and I think another pro is that people trust Etsy and it can be difficult to sometimes sell without that that trust that etsy has with its customers, great video!
I like having an etsy shop. I started it a few months ago and have made sales from my jewelry, artwork, and sewing projects. There's a lot of freedom to make whatever products you like, people can find my products and trust the site, and their fees are around 15% off the list price. So they are on the lower end for shop fees but you do have to do everything yourself. I also have instagram, twitter, and Pinterest where I post shop listings to get more exposure.
Thank you so much Katie, I really appreciate your advice. It was actually your video on painting with oils that pushed me to expand myself as an artist. With regards to mediums, I only knew acrylics, watercolors, oil pastels, and well, any crayola product out there haha. But it was your video that intrigued me so much, the versatility of oils and the blending time that it allows me, actually was the kick in the butt that I needed. I started making a lot more artwork like I used to, like I always have my whole life, and I came to a realization. I didn't want to be stuck at a 9-5 job where I was so unhappy and so tired from the difficult labor. My 27-year old body was starting to feel like a 97-year old. I couldn't get out of bed on my days off (only 2 days off, worked 50hrs/week at Amazon). I started to develop knee problems that have persisted & its been 3 months since I left my job. Anyway, I apologize for the long video, but I wanted to thank you & credit you for inspiring me. I started to call myself an "Artist" to the public, and on social media. I've only made a few commissions so far, however I'm working on my technique & spending a bit of time to educate myself before I immerse myself completely and just go completely & all in. Your videos are great, the information is priceless, so priceless that you should be selling it!!! :)
I had an Etsy store for 5 years. I sold nothing for the first 4yrs. About 2 years ago someone bought some of my bracelets in bulk; I thought she was buying them for gifts. I soon found out that the buyer was adding a charm to the bracelets and selling them on her website for 5x more than she paid me; and to make it worse, she was advertising on FB that they were "exclusively handmade" by her. Etsy didn't help at all. I closed my shop and now I can't open it again with the same name. The problem is that sellers can no longer rate customers. I fulfilled every order that buyer wanted and got no support from her. I would not sell on that site again.
Hi Alicia, forgive me I am struggling to understand. The buyer made you sales after 4years and was a repeat customer. Although the buyer made a sales pitch stating handmade by them, on technicality they added a charm so they have a percentage of that shared right with mentioning specifics of making the final complete product. More importantly they paid you. Give yourself credit you must of had a great product something like that should not put you off.
@@afromatrix So, you think it’s ok for someone to buy something someone else made, add an insignificant item to it, and claim the entire item was made 100% by them and NOT the original person and collect more money than the original creator? You were dropped on your head as a child then beaten several hundred times with a stupid stick.
I've been selling my art on Etsy for 4 years now. I've had some good luck selling - both high and low end. Also, I've gotten a few commissions from them. Recently, I started using their Pattern site, and have had a few sales there also. I like it, but it is very saturated. As you say, there's a LOT of work involved.
That is great to know! Been seriously considering it to sell my artwork. Mainly because today's working conditions (of having so little staff on) is really burning me out, and I feel like I can't go on much longer when feeling exhausted (even on my days off). Today, if you work in the food industry or retail, you nearly have to do the work of 2 people. Even if they would put a second person on for 4 hours, it would relieve me from being on panic mode as I struggle to get my list of tasks done on time. Fingers crossed that this will work 🙏.
I do love etsy, all said in this video is true and super useful. One main "con" I think that etsy has is that people must be registered to actually buy something. And there's so many people that doesn't have an etsy account and can't be bothered to register. And about the fee, I don't think is a "con" because is not high at all, having a website and using my own bank to process the credit cards also costs me a fee per every sell ( 3% or so). Others like Stripe aswell same 3% or so, and eBay which is 8% fee. Thanks for this video!!!!
hi Katie! this was a great response to all the discussions over the changes Etsy has made & the following controversy! you presented it in a more fair way by talking about both sides - the pros & cons! great info to hear from someone experienced with Etsy!! 😊👏❤️
Oh man! This video was super helpful! I'm getting ready to open my first shop selling my fine art photography and waiting to get all my proper materials so I can provide quality to my costumers.
It's true what you said. People only have so much space on their walls, and only so many walls, so they might keep popping in to look at it for a year. And maybe they can't part with anything, and so their waiting until they move into a bigger place. Or maybe they're waiting until they have a little extra cash. Now that would be a job, someone who buys art to decorate places, like people's homes, and restaurants. Yes, that's called an interior decorator, but you could be the person who supplies the interior decorator with paintings, I would love that.
Katie, thank you for this helpful video! I've been wanting to sell on Etsy for a while and you've answered many questions. What is your advice on shipping artwork (packaging and shipping costs)? Especially larger pieces. I've found it can be very pricey to ship. How can one keep the cost reasonable on the shipping. Do you offer a video that addresses this topic?
Thanks for making this video. It has offered me some kind of clarity when it comes to Etsy. My biggest thing, which I find highly inconvenient is trying to figure out Shipping esp. when its international. Ive lost alot of offportunities simply bc I'm iffy about selling outside the U.S. bc of Shipping costs. And I know that international buyers are alot more willing to spend money on art than American ones.
Just came across your most helpful video as I am thinking of also putting my artwork on line in the near future just need to get some pieces finished, thank you so much for your sound advise and your lovely manner of explaining things. Wishing you a happy day xx
I am almost ready getting crocheted scarfs and headbands with fabric flowers ready. But I'm also thinking about selling paintings if i get enough sales and feel confident enough. I don't plan on selling a specific group but whatever I feel like. I may even sell decorative pillow cases but I've never done that. I haven't found any videos "saying" to only sell one group of items. But I also plan on advertising myself on RU-vid although right now I'm only doing gaming.
Thank you for the great, informative video! I've been slowly trying to launch an Etsy store for a while now, first setting up an account, then starting to add items, etc.
Hi Katie! I'm thinking of opening an etsy shop.. but I'm thinking of doing originally painted watercolor clipart, but I also want to sell acrylic paintings on canvas. Do you think it's better to open separate stores?
Nianiani Running two stores will be a lot to handle and might get messy. I recommend just making an art store. You could start with one type of art and see what you think or just mix them together! 😊
I sell my art on Etsy, and it's not too bad. The fees have gone up, and it does hurt a bit. However, it's a very CONVENIENT platform (for me) to sell my work.
Hi lovely! I find you so encouraging. Do you mind me asking what model camera you use to photograph your art? I'm really struggling to find a great camera i can rely on :(
I have each of my paintings professionally photographed and pay between 20 and 40 dollars Canadian. I feel it is worth the money and if something like my house burned down with all my paintings, at least I would have the copies to make.
I enjoy your work tremendously! thank you for sharing your expertise! I am in the process of opening an Etsy shop. you can imagine how helpful this segment has been! can you share what other art platforms you use or recommend? keep up the great work you do!
Thank you for this vid - gave me a bit more direction. Can you open an Etsy store without a website? And get my artwork to be printed and fulfilled by a POD company?
Hello Katie, thank you for your video. I wanted to ask you how do you charge VAT on your artwork? Within the UK, EU and outside. Do you apply reverse VAT, do you have two prices ? Custom fees ? Is there a tool /website that can deal with it? Are you VAT registered as self-employed or business? Thank you! Cristina
You can even ask what kind or art they most love to see or have and that will give you more ideas on what to create,do you need something like a sellers permit to sell? Local state federal taxes?
Hi Katie, thanks for this helpful video, I currently use Artfinder to sell my artwork, however if I wanted to set up an Etsy shop is it ok to continue with Artfinder as well and run two online shops? Would you also be able to make a video about your experiences so far with sending out your Artwork to your customers and has it been an easy smooth process shipping your work abroad.
Hi there - love your tutorials. I use to be on Etsy and it was pretty good however I found that I ended up paying etsy a lot of money - do you find that their fees have increased considerably ? Cheers Kirsten
Thank you Katie! This video was extremely helpful. I’ve recently started my RU-vid Channel. I use IG and FB. My dilemma was my website. I currently own my URL and it’s connected to Shopify. It’s costing me $39/month, but I’ve only sold about $300 worth of product since May ‘18. That’s not even the profit. I’ve probably cleared $100. So, I’ve been considering Etsy. I really still want to keep my URL though for a bio and blog. Especially since I just ordered 500 new business cards. What site/hosts do you use for your website? Are you able to receive affiliate marketing as well? Btw, I am a huge fan of your work! Though our styles are different as artist, I find a similar quality in the way you approach your art as I do. Keep doing what you’re doing! You’re a great inspiration to a lot of other artists!
Sorry to hear you've been struggling with the whole website thing - I totally understand! I use Squarespace which is fantastic and you can change your plan at any time depending on your needs. I would recommend it!
Thanks Katie! I’m in the process of switching to FASO. We’ll see how it goes. I did take your advice and set up an Etsy Shop again. I’m going to try that along with Fine Art America for a print on demand company. I really appreciate all your video advice. The whole business of art is a complete labyrinth! 👩🏻🎨
This video was very useful! I have just opened an etsy shop today and I'm planning on selling arts and crafts. It's called BetzeebyBette if anyone is interested. 😁
I would say if you do want to sell on Etsy, have a variety of your work. I haven’t gotten one yet but I’ve been planning it out. It’s good to sell prints of your work instead of the original. So for digital artists this might be great, and you can still make prints of paintings or drawings. Also wrapping crystals is great way to also get ppl to look at your art and it’s a pretty easy way to make money!!
I am new on etsy. I have some painting to sell. But I'm facing difficulty to set payment option. After add listing it says "your county is not eligible" (I am from Bangladesh but I saw there have many Bangladeshi sallers) Could please help me out.
The etsy app on my phone doesnt even give me an option to post items I want to sell, and it doesnt let me customize my profile. I'll try later on my computer but it's just not convenient :/
Im planning to start my own business (nothing big more like making stuff,which i injoy, and selling to earn a little something)idk how to start i have been told to start on etsy but im unsure(especially and fees they have). Any advice plz?
Hi 😊 I'm having huge problems trying to understand the fees including shipping fees of 5%+ VAT which in France is 20% so when I add all the fees together, it's for me €15, 30. However I then will be shipping using recorded delivery which in France is €12,90 + VAT of 20% all together including fees = €30,20 which is s huge amount off my product price if I'm to offer free shipping which is recommended by etsy and preferred by me too. Have I calculated everything wrong do you think? I appreciate all - or any help 😊😊
Big question?? Might be dumb, new to this and trying to open an Etsy. A lot of my work is on mixed media paper, I’m just wondering can I sell them like that, or is there a way to enforce them or better idea?
Do you mean reinforce the paper that your artwork is created on? Is your main concern about the artwork getting damaged while being shipped to customers? You could... -create the images on thicker, more durable paper/material. -ship your artwork with mats and acid-free cardboard backing to prevent bending and give a more finished look (be sure to cut these to a common frame size or you could offer a selection of frames. Easier if your work has set dimensions so pieces, mats, and frames can be swapped to create sets). - sell prints of your artwork instead of or in addition to the originals. If a print is damaged in the mail, you can easily replace it. - create your images directly onto, or have originals printed onto stretched canvases or canvas panels.
+Katie Jobling hi Katie, do you mind if i ask, how much typically do you charge for say a painting like the two in this video? and how much do you think ppl should typically knock off the price if its a print as opposed to an original? thank you xx
Pricing your artwork is such an individual thing. My pricing usually depends on the size and the materials I have used. But you can work it out by how much you want to earn an hour x the hours you spend + materials etc. Hope this helps!
