What it's like selling on Etsy today - thoughts from a 9 year seller

I have been selling on Etsy since 2012. Today I share my thoughts on the challenges of opening a new Etsy shop and how things have changed over the years.
Find my original art and prints on Etsy:
www.etsy.com/s...
Follow me on IG: @ellenbrennemanstudio
Facebook: / ellenbrennemanstudio
All of the opinions I share in this video are based from my personal experience which may not be the same as yours. Please contribute to the conversation but let's all be respectful of one another :)

[@wendyj_thecoddiwomplelady]

Thank you for this Ellen, there's a lot of interesting info there! I initially started an Etsy shop as a few people wanted to buy some cards from me and I thought this was a safe way of doing it. I have no issues with that, but I find the site far too big and busy now for a hobbyist creator/artist like me. I've been thinking of leaving for a while now and it does bug me a bit that people who sell goods not created by them can open a shop (I know someone who does this and I've also seen the products in other local gift shops so they're not even unique to her). We have a new site in the UK, that started up last year called The Countryside Store and I'm investigating that as an alternative. I hope your husband's new venture goes well!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for adding your thoughts about Etsy here. Here in the US there are other handmade sites that are trying to compete with Etsy as well. I think it would be great if one really started to take off, and I hope The Countryside Store is something that you can benefit from! 😊

[@toniswiffen5039]

Lovely to see you, Ellen. I'm 2 and a half years in with my Etsy shop (here in the UK) and it is growing slowly, and I do enjoy it. It's really good to hear from established sellers like yourself, and what you say rings true. I wish Craig and Patirck all the best with their shop. x

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your kind words, Toni. It makes me so happy to learn that you are seeing growth in your shop and that you are enjoying the process. :) xo

[@ladyliddie7721]

Thank you so much for posting this. It was very helpful! I'm trying to start a shop, but keep running into issues. Still haven't given up though! Also I find it interesting that people think starting an Etsy shop is easy. Like their mindset is that it's a cute little shop from your kitchen table. But they have no idea the amount of detail and work it is just to list one item. It's a full blown business, with a small business attitude

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on this topic. I'm sorry to learn you're having issues, though! :( If it's something you think there may be a quick answer to, feel free to post your question here - if I can answer I will, or perhaps someone else might come across it with an answer. You are SO right; it's definitely not easy and it's not a 'hobby' like some people think - it's a business, and running a business takes a lot of effort. BEST of luck to you!! xo

[@JayBenedictBrown]

Super useful info from someone both an artist and experienced Etsy seller. You may be the best resource for someone that is both of those things. I’ve found other YTers that are one or the other, but you’re the best that is both.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

very kind of you, thank you! I'm glad you're finding my channel useful!

[@sivadmg]

I like when I fully describe an item and people just ask the same questions I've already answered in the description- that's my favorite (lol)

[@YellowMelle]

Glad you are doing well. After so long, I don't concern myself too much with etsy changes, because if it's something truly bad, it will usually change again! Ha. Even the 15% offsite ad commission doesn't really sway an artist when the usual gallery commission is 20-50%! :D These days, it's hard to even find the forums, so the loss of "art community" feel must have been intentional.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

All really good points! Thank you for your comment!

[@MiKE-jz6jt]

Etsy is a joke and not worth it …Too complicated. Would rather drive a Cab.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Etsy is definitely time consuming. I have items backed up in my studio that I need to list but it takes sooo much effort these days 😕

[@susanavenir]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio The sellers of factory-made products aren't bothering. They're just using the arglebargle of search keywords with no correcting words now found all over Amazon, like "Amazing Colors Artwork Canvas Print Sky Blur Cloud Art Abstract Fantasy Artwork." That particular item is mass produced, sold on at least four other platforms, and "handmade" only in that slave-wage workers added some daubs of acrylic paint in spots on top of the printed canvas. Etsy therefore allows it to be categorized as "handmade" and sold in a shop that sells more than 1,000 other mass-produced pieces that are clearly derived from images made by dozens of unnamed "artists."

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

@@susanavenir and selling using sister-shops on Ebay. One of my customers found my work being sold both on Etsy and Ebay on a cheaply made paint-by-numbers set. Of course they were outside of the US which makes it impossible to track down. I cannot get over how quickly items can be created, and the inventory just keeps changing.....

[@beverlyaten1775]

Thank you Ellen for all your info. I really needed to hear this.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm glad you found it helpful, Beverly! 😊

[@sivadmg]

Do you know of sellers who sell other people's art on Etsy?

[@soniafinch7922]

Lovely to see you. I gave marmalead a go this year without the ads. It's not made much difference. ❤️

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I belonged to Marmalead a few years ago and it wasn't for me, either. I'm sorry to learn you're not having success with it. There are others out there but I don't know if they're any better or not. I recently hired someone off Fiverr to help me with Etsy. That might be an alternative to a subscription. btw, thank you for your kind words - lovely to see you too!

[@abbyvanantwerp2219]

Love your background shelves. Do you think Pattern, Etsys other sight would be worth looking at. Maybe less intrusive as far as competition actually showing at the bottom of my Etsy store. So annoying 😆

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

hi, Abby! :) I have never checked out Pattern, so I am not much help in that area, sorry! And I agree, it is annoying to be competing with other shops on your own home page 😒

[@doloreslott7135]

Hey Ellen got the name of photo app. Thanks for all you do to help others 😊

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm sorry I didn't get back with you in a timely manner, Dolores - but so happy you were able to find it! 😃

[@doloreslott7135]

Not a problem ever just revisited a past video and got the question answered again Thanks for your gracious sharing of your knowledge. Dolly

[@nicolekisch7363]

Thank you so much for this video. As always there is a lot of thoughtful and useful information. It’s very helpful to me as I am looking to open a shop soon. Wishing you much continued success.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are so welcome!

[@MollysFineArt]

Thank you for the info Ellen! I hope your husband does well with his new business!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you, Molly! ❤️ I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to reply! I thought I had but I'm having issues with KZbin loading comments lately :/ I hope you're doing well, my friend! ❤️🥰

[@attheranch873]

Thanks for the update