Etsy Market Boom is a Boon to Handmade Polymer Clay Jewelry Sellers
Still fretting over this weeks etsy server crash and log-in problems? Here's something that will cheer you up:
If you sell handmade stuff in a shop or store at www.etsy.com then have a look at this Google Trends growth chart and say to yourself, "I'm in the right place at the right time!" You can bet that's what Etsy's founder Robert Kalin is saying.
What the chart tells you is that Rob Kalin and his team are doing a phenomenal job at bringing web traffic (aka customers) to see all the wonderful polymer clay jewelry pendants, handmade beads and felted bunnies that you have posted up for sale in your Etsy store.
According to this article at The Storque blog, Etsy's June 2008 numbers are record breaking with 301,850,000 page views and $6.5 million of goods sold for the 30 day period! Wow!
As a polymer clay bead maker and hand made jewelry maker, there's lots for you to love about etsy.
First of all, it is an easy to set up stores and they are inexpensive to maintain, No need to pay overrated table fees and spend endless hours sitting in a booth at poorly attended craft fairs. In my opinion, the online marketplace is much better place to be and from what the Google chart above is telling us, I think others agree (many others).
There is lots of support and how to tips in etsy forums and on their blog (The Storque). Etsy labs is a fun resource with chat rooms on all things an etsy seller might need or want such as info on business, support, shop set up and team meetings. There are also places like the 'Lounge' where you can show and tell what you are working on and get feedback from other etsy shop owners.
Etsy is also a cool experience for the buyer. with the treasury feature, gift guide, geolocator, time machine and the coolest color tool you could ever play with!
No wonder sales are going through the roof!
So for all of you making handmade polymer clay jewelry and polymer clay canes that have been tossing around the idea of selling your goods, forget about those horrid craft fairs (they are so last year anyway), and consider becoming an Etsy Seller.
Filed Under: 13: Musings-News, 14: Feature Guests, 16: Sell Your Stuff by Comment. 
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Comments on Etsy Market Boom is a Boon to Handmade Polymer Clay Jewelry Sellers
8:12 pm
Hey Cindy!
I just found your blog via Heidi Blankenship's blog and just love your first three videos! I hope to be able to purchase the rest in just a bit…once some fun funds come in!!!
1:02 pm
I really like etsy, too, Cindy. It's inexpensive, not nearly as restrictive as ebay, and it's a friendly, upbeat, no-garage-sales-here atmosphere. I think of it as an artists' mall, where studios have open doorways and the atmosphere is cheery.
Cat
5:35 pm
@Keri Lee: That's great you enjoyed the videos! You will be very happy with the 39 videos in the course when you do get it… in it I reveal the secrets to makeing great polymer clay beads!
@Cat: Thanks for your comment. In this world of big-box clones having an indie shop like Etsy where you can buy and sell unique items is like a breath of fresh air! I like your description of an 'artist's mall, where the studios have open doorways'!
@Everyone: You can pull up a list of all the articles I've written about etsy by clicking on this link: How to Sell On Etsy (this list is growing regularly so check back often).
6:44 pm
I was amazed to see how many polymer clay products are available on Etsy – great place to see some really inspirational artists!
Eileen
4:11 pm
I agree Eileen!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Millefiori Beads by Polymer Clay Cane Artist Iris Mishly [Israel]
5:05 am
I love etsy but never thought about this chart :) as etsy seller of course i am happy!
2:37 pm
That is great BorneoDiva! Went to your site and love your work. So unique and cool! Thank you for commenting here!