How the Etsy policy changes affect your shop.

Have other online sellers of handmade items noticed a sharp decline in online sales during the past year?

It's time to revisit this phenomenon.

I began selling on Etsy as a beta tester in 2006 and encouraged my my fellow indie designers to join me. Also disillusioned by the competition from mass produced goods on EBay, they followed me like rats from a sinking ship.

It was all rainbows and unicorns at first. Then it all came to a screeching halt.

On October 1, 2013, CEO Chad Dickerson held an online Town Hall Meeting to announce that Etsy would now permit factory-made goods and drop shipping. Stipulations included: proof that the seller either designed or hired designers of the items, disclosed to Etsy the use and location of their factory, and took "ownership" of the process. Henceforth, Etsy claimed the meaning of the word "handmade" should be redefined to encompass factory-made.

Yet numerous stores are shut down presumably for taking advantage of these "new opportunities." Lisa Jacob, owner of Energy Shop Jewelry, shares her story and offers tips for a solid back-up plan if your shop suddenly disappears from the site.

The sole reason buyers flocked to Etsy initially, to find unique and creative handmade items, has now been drastically altered. What was formerly a violation of Etsy's TOS is now encouraged. Whether the departure from its original mission statement is honestly for the "sake of greater transparency" or simply rationalization to increase the bottom line, they may have killed their Golden Goose. 

I haven't given up on this venue yet but when faced with the repercussions of such roadblocks, it's vital to find new ways to increase traffic in your Etsy shop as suggested in this excellent blog article.     

I wish you all luck!

Zombie decor for a bathroom?

Brainy themes are always in style. ;)

This undead decor is "to die for"!! ;) Appreciation goes out to Zombie Queen for sharing her creepy cool video which features one of Madsylvania's offerings: a zombie kitty hand towel. *need to go shopping for the walker themed items shown here*

Spring has sprung

Flowers are blooming everywhere and with spring, new listings are popping up in the shops. The newest offering in Madsylvania is a twisted Easter item. Damien, the Deviled Egg, is a sinister but adorable plushie who would love to menace your home for the season.

Also available are dark themed Embroidery Hoop Art Wall Hangings with crafters in mind. All are constructed from vintage hoops with a machine embroidered image.

Off to work on more new items for Magicwerks!! 

Let the Games begin......

"If we burn, you burn with us." - Katniss Everdeen, Girl on Fire

Just listed in the Magicwerks shop this week: several new items inspired by The Hunger Games trilogy. A killer shrug, a handy smart phone case and snuggly arm warmers. All with a large gold machine embroidered Mockingjay.

Currently in the process of re-organizing the studio. Don't go into shock but the craft table is nice and tidy so I have a clean surface to work on more goodies. :)

Don't be afraid of Maxwell the Angry Knife

Just finished up a "killer" project. Behold, my entry for the Urban Threads "Monster Bash Contest."

Maxwell the Angry Knife is one creepy cutlery dude. He may have anger issues but he has a soft side too.

Oh and he's now available at the Madsylvania Etsy Shop. On a roll, so be ready for some new sinister toys and other goodies. :)

Goodies for your dark Valentine

Loads of Anti-Valentine's goodies have been added to the Madsylvania shop. It's not to late to grab some dark heart related products. Everything from corsets to embroidered towels to jewelry. Shown below is a portion of what's available and more will be added this week.

Super Bowl Sunday new product sneak peek

A recent commissioned order was for a Green Bay Packers fleece shrug. Even though I'm the daughter of a college basketball coach, I'm just not into sports. Quidditch is as close as I'll get. ;) So soon (tentatively, this spring) I'll be making available shrugs for football, basketball and baseball teams. The logo will be machine embroidered and the hood lining/sleeve cuffs will be the team colors. And what better day for a sneak peek than the big game?