When I started planning this new business I had to find a suitable selling platform, which entailed a lot of detailed research, otherwise known as faffing around on the internet.
As this is not a full-time venture, it doesn't make financial sense to have an all-singing, all-dancing, dedicated, e-commerce enabled website. So I had to explore marketplace platforms, preferably with a handmade focus.
I immediately discounted Ebay.
Been there, done that, bought the knock-off T-shirt.
It's never been a good platform for selling one-off handmade items, even when I was first using it for selling my own artisan miniatures 15 years ago. Over the intervening years its once 'cheap and cheerful' listing fees have become ever more expensive and complicated. Also since the global rise of Amazon it's been knocked off it's top spot as the 'go to' marketplace.
Likewise Amazon, despite it's recent Amazon Handmade add-on platform. Lots of stuff is imported or bought in bulk and upcycled, plus it's far from cheap, with a monthly subscription to pay and the obligatory listing fees etc etc etc.
Hmmm..... Etsy.
Once the natural home of homemade, over recent years Etsy has grown exponentially and is now HUGE. As a result it's easy to get lost in the ocean of competition.
Ongoing revision to its policies and frequent hikes to listing fees etc have made it ever more expensive to sell. They even charge a levy on P&P... which is, quite frankly, outrageous!
I do still have a mothballed Etsy shop for my miniatures, but having had my own website I simply didn't use Etsy enough to warrant keeping it open.
Going more upmarket, there's NotOnTheHighStreet, which is my hitherto preferred destination if I'm looking for an unusual, quirky or customised gift. However, for sellers, they operate a selection process (although I'm not sure quite how rigourous it is) and charge a mahoosive upfront payment to join, AND charge a 25% commission fee on each sale.
I'll just let that sink in.......
TWENTY FIVE PER CENT!!!!!
*fit of the vapours*
So.
Folksy.
I'd been aware of it for a while.
It's UK based *tick* and run by a group of real people *tick* (as opposed to the nameless/faceless Etsy minions).
It's still small enough (at the moment) to feel like a friendly community *tick* as opposed to shark-infested waters.
It hosts only handmade items *tick* and craft suppliers
It's cheap to use *tick*
Yes it has its limitations, and yes the platform is still evolving, but I like the ethos so I decided to give it a go.
Never heard of it? You're not alone. Practically everyone knows about Etsy, but Folksy is the new kid on the block.
Anyway.... you've heard of it now. It's where I will be listing my wares and I'll be posting links to my Bunting & Bows shop everywhere I can think of.
If you take a leap of faith and decide to actually buy something from me (for which I will be eternally grateful!), please, please, please leave me a review on Folksy if you're happy with your purchase. Reviews are really important for newbies and will help raise my profile.
Similarly, please 'Like' and 'Follow' my Bunting & Bows Facebook page. I have a free bunting giveaway on FB so if you fancy a go at winning a one-off string, just follow the instructions on the post beginning PLEASE READ (8th Feb)
The odd comment wouldn't go amiss either. As the saying goes.... every little helps.
OK... enough self-promotion. Better get on and make some more bunting *doing my happy dance*
