Momwhoknits asked me why I chose to use Etsy to set up my online shop, and if I had ever heard of Artfire.com. Thanks for your question! Here is my answer:
I first heard of Etsy in one of the first issues of Interweave Crochet that I read. I was very intrigued, so I went to the website and looked around. I was very impressed by many of the outstanding, beautiful, creative, unique things that I found there. At that time I did not know of any other online handmade marketplaces. I have since read of Artfire.com a few times, but have never actually visited the site, so I can’t really give an opinion on it, except that Etsy’s marketing efforts paid off, and Artfire’s apparently did not. I am seeing a lot more ads for individual shops within Etsy, than I am for Artfire shops lately as well. When other sellers, or the Etsy admin, bring attention to the site, it helps all of the sellers, including me. I do not however feel that Etsy is perfect. I have a serious problem with their ridiculously low standards on what constitutes a “mature” item or image. However, I have discovered that the only place that I tend to happen upon such images unawares (and I never go seeking them, so it doesn’t happen any other way) is when browsing through the treasuries. So, I do exceptionally little of that anymore. I don’t know what the standards for such items are like on other sites, but maybe that would be worth investigating for me. So, really it was not a well-researched choice on my part. Aside from the maturity issues, I like Etsy a lot. I like the look of the stores and I have found SOOO many other sellers making fabulous things, that, atleast for that reason, I am proud to be a part of it.
Good luck to you momwhoknits if you decide to open up shop somewhere! I hope it goes fabulously for you!
Visit my Etsy shop at http://www.bananamoonstudio.etsy.com/
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| One of my recent listings. These are size 12 to 24 month mittens in a Superwash wool/Bamboo blend yarn. They are super soft! And so cute! |
