Throw-back Thursday: Etsy Greetings

I recently came across an old interview of mine from the Etsy Greetings team. It was done in 2009 but I think I would answer all the questions the same today, seven years later.

1. Tell us about you and your shop.
I have held many jobs in many different fields but I have always had a creative hobby on the side, which means I also have every expensive piece of specialized equipment: a glass grinder for stained glass, a table top loom for weaving, all kinds of pliers for making jewelry, a gocco printer, bookbinding cloth... But my favorite creative outlet through it all has been paper-making. Sometimes you’ll see another hobby creep into my paper — some yarn remnants from a knitting project will make it into my paper or cards will be printed with my gocco machine, but my handmade paper is always the focus.

2. How did you get started in your craft?
My journey with paper started a long time ago. I have always been a writer, journaling in my diary every day growing up. I loved not just the writing but the feel of pen to paper, turning the thick pages inside of a handmade journal, enjoying the sound of the sheet. I majored in English in college and became a newspaper editor in my 20s and merged my love of paper with a fascination with words - not just their meanings but how they look on the page. I love artwork that has words incorporated in it or jewelry that has one inspirational word stamped into metal. When I was engaged to be married, I took a class in paper-making and I was hooked. Words, paper, torn up and combined with water to make a new crisp sheet of paper ... it thrilled me. I made all of my own wedding invitations from my handmade paper and have been making paper by hand ever since.

3. What tool can you not live without?
I can’t live without my blender. I tear up pieces of paper to recycle them, then put them in my blender to mix them into a pulp. Usually I mix them at a very high speed so that the original piece of paper is pulverized. Sometimes I just grind them at a low speed so that there are still little pieces of works that appear in the new sheet of paper.

4. What inspires you?
My garden has always inspired me. I learn a lot about composing art from my garden - the colors, textures, compositions. This year, I started a new line of paper that has perennial seeds embedded into the paper. The idea is to keep recycling. Once one of my cards has been received, it can be planted to grow a wildflower garden and start the process of growing and recycling all over again.

http://etsygreetings.blogspot.com/2009/11/friday-feature-pulp-art.html

Oh yes!

Love the name of this treasury. Thanks to Kelly for including my plantable paper hearts in peach!

Etsy Alternatives

Etsy has been having problems with processing payments the past couple of days because of a third-party company's technical issues. As always, there are disgruntled sellers talking about leaving Etsy. I am quite loyal to Etsy and don't plan on leaving, especially since I actually can't handle more business. But for those who do want to consider other alternatives, if only just to diversify, here is a breakdown of some great online options, courtesy of https://blog.scottsmarketplace.com/etsy-alternatives/ (Handmade on Amazon has not been included in this list since it is a newer opportunity, but many Etsy sellers have had great success there, as well.)

The following Etsy alternatives have been broken down by how much they cost to join (if anything), listing fees, what you’re allowed to sell, and what you get for giving them your business.

Scott’s Marketplace, an online marketplace dedicated to local business owners in the United States, is number one in my book. And I’m not just biased, I swear. You get a professional online store for free – which means it’s a low-risk option for small business owners.
Monthly fee: None
Listing fees: None
Unlimited products: Yes
Transaction fees: 4.99%
Highlights: Free marketing support, including advertisement, retargeting, social media, email marketing, blogging, and site-wide promotions.
Allows chains/large retailers: No – only local business owners can sell their products
Products allowed: Handmade and vintage welcome, but not restricted
Features: Search engine optimized, Discount-code enabled, Inventory management, Ability to add multiple product images

Shopify allows you to choose from 100 different themes and gives you a professional-looking online store, but comes with a hefty monthly fee.
Monthly fee: $29-179
Listing fees: None
Unlimited products: Yes
Transaction fees: Starts at 2.9% + 30 cents and goes up from there
Products allowed: Handmade and vintage welcome, but not restricted
Highlights: Customization of your store
Features: Search engine optimized, Discount-code enabled, Inventory management, Ability to add multiple product images, Analytics dashboard

Bonanza allows chain stores and international sellers to sell their products, and provides a free trial. They take a commission based on the price of the item you sell.
Monthly fee: $12-250
Listing fee: None
Unlimited products: No, limit depending on membership type
Transaction fees: 3.5%
Products allowed: Handmade and vintage welcome, but not restricted
Highlights: Customization of your store
Features: Inventory management, Ability to add multiple product images

Cargoh
To sell on Cargoh, you must first submit an application and wait for approval. Their transaction fees are also higher than most, coming in at 8%, but their site is curated and attractive.
Monthly fee: None
Listing fees: None
Unlimited products: Yes
Transaction fees: 8% of sales.
Products allowed: Only handmade sellers, artists, and designers can sell their products, if chosen by the marketplace
Highlights: Curated marketplace
Features: Inventory management, Ability to add multiple product images, Analytics dashboard

Artfire allows international sellers and has a similar Etsy-esque feel. You can sell everything from art to art supplies here.
Monthly fee: $20 per month
Listing fees: None
Unlimited products: No, limit to 1,000 listings
Transaction fee: None
Commission fee: 3-9% of sales
Products allowed: Handmade, vintage, craft supplies, and design.
Highlights: Customization templates
Features: Inventory management, Ability to add multiple product images, Analytics dashboard

Keep in mind, no matter where you choose – or what features your online store comes with – you have to do your part when it comes to marketing or you won’t see the sales you desire.