Handmade in the UK and Decent Site?

[Vic Horsham]

Sooo...

I took down my Etsy shop pretty quickly after starting up, when I discovered in the forums and elsewhere that they have serious issues with fake handmade and factory made sellers, making it difficulty for genuine hand-makers to compete.

I tried Misi but their website is so painfully slow that I doubt many shoppers can tolerate browsing it long enough to actually buy anything.

I've been turned down for NOTHS, which I don't mind especially as I've recently found out what their fees are!

I've got a shop on Folksy, and they seemed about the best of all worlds.  Handmade only with strict criteria (just look at the kerfuffle over pendant jewellery).  British-made focus.  Attractive website that loads quickly.  Nice, low fees.  Search and categories need work but give them time, eh?

Aaaand then I discover a forum thread where it turns out Folksy are ALSO allowing "designers" that have their items made outside the UK, just like Etsy, which opens the floodgates to the same problems Etsy has.  Folksy admin haven't responded to the thread yet, but there's been enough talk to concern me.

So, what else is there?  Are there ANY handmade marketplaces that are:

1. Genuinely committed to handmade
2. Focused on British handmade, not outsourced
3. Have functional websites
4. Don't charge more than a month's rent to join up

Or is my only option to set up my own, totally independent, online shop and just try my hardest to get sales there?  Or should I give up entirely and just list on Ebay?

[Maryann Morris]

How about trying the high street instead? Its working for us. www.handmadehighst.co.uk take a look on the about us page.

Other than that I think the best way to go is to make your own site, I have had much more sucess doing that than I have on the likes of etsy and folksy combined. Ebay I think is just a big no no! People just dont want to pay handmade prices over there 

[Vic Horsham]

The high street... you mean like having a brick and mortar shop?  Oh my goodness I certainly don't have the sort of lucre for setting up that!  I might look more into setting up my own website, though...

[Anna Weller of BBLB]

Have a look at The Craft Star - they are so new they were still sorting out site and server issues at the start of the week but I can see it doing well as they have been using Facebook to build a real community feel around the site . . . including a big debate about how to determine what is and isn't handmade off the back of the issues on Etsy! I have no real experience of the site itself but asI say I have been following them on Facebook for a while and they seem keen to do things right. Have a look and make your own judgement - http://thecraftstar.com

Anna

www.bigbeadlittlebead.com

[Caroline Nash]

I have my own website but also am on Wow Thank You, having researched and tried most of the others Tracey is very clued up and has just secured a 2 month free slot of the Press Loft, already been contacted by Tatler with my Jubilee collection. Tracey is very proactive with the site, she has not just set it up then sits back and takes the money from commissions but actively is promoting all the time, this is her job and that makes a difference a personal touch and in her own interests to make it work and for the makers/sellers to be happy. There is a joining fee but reasonable not like the exorbitant amount wanted by NOTHS 

[Vic Horsham]

Oooh thanks guys, I'll take a look at WTY and craftstar...

[Stephanie Pearce]

I've just been accepted on WowThankYou and uploaded my first items yesterday. I found it really simple to navigate and the joining fee and commission per sale looks OK to me.

I have also signed up with Craftfest who charge £5 per 'stall' in their online craft events.

I have also been accepted on craftstar but haven't got round to doing it yet.

I have just completed a website with create which can be integrated with a facebook page as, although I have resisted facebook for years on a personal level, I think facebook is worth trying on a business level.

I only sell my handmade stuff on eBay at christmas time as I think on there people won't/don't want to pay the prices I charge and the fees soon mount up on eBay.

[Claire Mantell]

I have to agree with you, I have been searching for months to find a good quality site to sell on. I have put a link up for you to consider. I have just started selling on there. It is a lovely site, ALL the products are handmade in the uk and are of a very high standard. Hope this helps and good luck. Let me know how you get on.                      The Handmade Gift Co

[Claire Mantell]

Claire Mantell said:

I have to agree with you, I have been searching for months to find a good quality site to sell on. I have put a link up for you to consider. I have just started selling on there. It is a lovely site, ALL the products are handmade in the uk and are of a very high standard. Hope this helps and good luck. Let me know how you get on.                      The Handmade Gift Co

[Claire Ong]

I know this is not a British site, maybe even just a pale imitation of Etsy, but I've just signed up for Luulla, I've made 25 sales on etsy, 1 to wales, 1 to barnsley, so i know I have been missing the UK market!

cheaper to list on Luulla, but very similar interface to Etsy, and glitches in uploading make it slow. Also no stats yet, I'm a stats junkie!

[Erika Davis]

http://www.storenvy.com/ http://www.swankymaison.com/#2 Her's another 2 to add to the mix.

I prefer to have my own website that I built through www.create.net It's really easy to build your own site even for a technophobe like me.

 

Erika x

[Julie Cartwright]

Hi, Just read your comment with interest I can relate allot to what you have said. I did have a shop on Etsy and just recently closed it, I got lost in the thousands of others selling on there. I did have sales but very slow, help was always at hand and encouraging on the forum I have to say. The main tips were tweaking my pictures going over my listings and keep adding to my shop, the last tip was what I could not carry through. Meaning continually adding items when you are not selling enough is not easy to do when costs are involved, I was left with allot of unsold stock, I came to a decision that maybe my items were not original enough or just not a market for them. Now I am working at changing and adding to my designs that I have as I do enjoy and believe in what I make. I agree with your thoughts on Folksy also the fees are high now. Misi I am not ruling out simply because the latest news is they are in the process of restructuring the layout and understand there are technical issues and are working on them.

I have a website which is new so I have all of this year before deciding to renew the subscription, its hard work promoting but then you are the boss, I have a blog which I believe is a good tool in promoting. But this is just my view I still have lots to learn, just don't give up I believe in British Handmade.

[Maryann Morris]

Vic, I want suggesting you jump in and rent a shop all by yourself!! That's madness - trust me I know! lol.

I rent out shelves to other crafters and we all live under the same roof on the high st. Have a look on the "about us" page www.handmadehighst.co.uk xx