Artfire v Etsy

[Tela]

I have to start selling my large hoard of jewelry to keep up with my hobby and full house. Can y'all add your 2 cents for me here? Honest opinions is all I want. I have half decided to go with Artfire, but I'm still not sure. I despise selling and wouldn't do it, if I had a choice. Ugh! I so don't look forward to doing it.

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edited to add that doing shows or home parties is not an option for me. I used to sell on eBay and prefer online selling.

[Kate]

You have some gorgeous pieces! I bet that will be hard for you. I'm planning on trying out Etsy right now. I just can't seem to come up with a name. I'm drawing complete blanks! Etsy seems pretty reasonable and has a lot of traffic.

[glenda]

From what I have read Tela it seems people get more sales from Etsy than Artfire as I think you have to do alot of promoting with Artfire. I have only read this and so it could be wrong. I only have a very limited knowledge of Etsy.

That said your work is stunning you could probably sell it anywhere!!

Have you thought of creating your own website? I know that Etsy/Artfire etc have a huge audience but I'm fairly sure you have a great following now also?

There are sooo many people selling jewellery on Etsy/Artfire.

In my opinion I think you are more likely to stand out from the crowd on E-bay I always did well with Ebay.

I am currently putting together a website - using an e-commerce software - and it doesn't look too bad.

If there is anything I can do to help please let me know!

[Tela]

Kate, I saw on your picture that your last name is Deline. Is that de-line or de-leen? If it is De-line then Delight comes to mind. Kate Deline's Delightful Creations! Anyway, that just popped into my head....

Glenda, who is hosting your website? Is it strictly for the Euro market? I'm thinking of a website, too. Right now, though, I am sulking cause I don't want to do any of it. I'll be better tomorrow. I hope. LOL! (I've been looking at Artfire for hours today and I'm sick of looking at it!)

[Kate]

Tela, it is de-line. I like that and will toss it around for a while. I feel so wishy-washy and confused right now. Like you at the moment, I need to sell to support my obesssion. We are fairly new retirees and still fairly young. At least young enough to not collect retirement.
I'm also so excited, I signed up for a class tomorrow for pine needle baskets. I've attempted them but I think a class would be so helpful. Here in Florida we have access to needles. All we have to do is gather them. I will thank Christine for that to inspire me to make another attempt.

[laura]

Some people do better on Etsy, some on Artfire.. And it seems there's a more or less constant migration between the two. And many people keep both to reach different target groups.

I chose Etsy for a start, but I think that it's becoming more and more like a social network (all those hearts, favorites, teams, circles), and Artfire is more like a stand alone shop that gives you more freedom and control (e.g. linking out).
The pricing model is different, buying experience is different, the competition is huge on both..
Artfire charges a fixed monthly fee, on Etsy you pay for each listing and comission for each sale. Once you start selling more (and list new items on a regular basis), Etsy is actually a more expensive venue (although it costs peanuts to start and just "be" there).
On Etsy a customer has to register to buy from you, AF has a guest checkout.

Right, people say that you have to drive your own traffic to Artfire, but the same is true for Etsy. While Etsy has a huge community and probably much more inside traffic, most of this traffic gives you "hearts" only.. (they actually put a "favorite" button right next to "add to cart" now!!) and that's only IF you get your titles/keywords right so that people can actually find you.

Why not try both if you don't have a gazillion of pieces to sell?

And + use Ecwid on your own blog (free and you're in full control, takes only minutes to set up).

[Tela]

Laura, I just checked out Ecwid. How freakin' awesome is that??!! I had no idea something like that existed. How do they do it for free? OK- I'm going to open a thread abt Ecwid and squeeze you for info. This sounds too good to be true. (For me, at least.) Thank you!

[shiny]

FWIW - I buy a lot of copper stuff, and an occasional bit of jewelry, from Etsy. I never even look at Artfire. But I would visit all of your websites!

[Tela]

Well, Shiny with any luck I'll be up in the not too distant future and you can have a look see. You're more than welcome!

[Renate]

Kate, "Deline" is a beautiful name, and rhymes so well with Design. ;-)
So what about "Deline Design" or "Kate Deline Design"?
The beauty of using one's own name - instead of a descriptive name - is that it allows you a lot of flexibility what to sell under the same cover if you would want to. You could shift from wire to beads to pine needle baskets or whatever, and your brand name would still work well. I have chosen "Auf Draht", which means, "on wire", which seems to limit to wire-related products.

[Vicky]

Hey Kate,

Divine also rhymes with Deline, so how about Divine Deline Designs - you would then have a 3 D logo to play with, too.

[Kate]

Funny, my daughter came up with that too. Only it was Deline's Devine Designs.

[glenda]

Hi Kate!

There is a Divine/Devine Designs already around (on JL) not a Kates Divine Designs though. Just thought I would let you know in case it sways you either way!!

Tela! Sorry I didn't reply to your question I have been spread way too thinly of late!!

My website is international!! - Ha ha ha that sounds so BIG!!!

I am using paypal and so it will convert currency for me. I think I have even mastered the Postage!!

How is your coming along?