Exclusively from EWO! Lyla’s package was crafted with great care!
Etsy is an awesome platform to sell your artwork on, but did you know that you can trade your crafts on Etsy too? All of the items on your wishlist can be yours, if you’re willing to make awesome, enticing products to match! In no way am I trying to tell you to thrift your way through Etsy, each Etsy seller pours their heart into their crafts, and they should be compensated for it- enabling them to continue their crafts, and defy the starving artist paradigm.
In recent months I’ve made a fond friend with Lyla from The Extraordinary Workshop of Oddities, (you can check out their Artist Spotlight!). Initially Lyla sent me a message to compliment my shop, and to express her mutual interest in animal rights and vegetarianism. I thought that her simple gesture was genuinely sweet, and refreshingly sincere; organic and well intended.
Throughout subsequent weeks we stayed in touch, and Lyla asked me if I wanted to trade. It had never occurred to me that this was a possibility on Etsy- it’s so silly, because crafters create and share with each other in person, so why not extend that same gesture to the Etsy community? We each chose a piece that spoke to us, and we shipped them off! When I received my package I was ecstatic, partly because I know I’ve made a friend that I will keep in contact with, and because I was connecting with an artist I would never have met otherwise.
Lyla is an Etsy pro, and her branding made me rethink the way I present my line of products; our trade served as a valuable learning experience for me.
I made these especially with Lyla in mind!
I don’t recommend making it your mission to annoy Etsy sellers online with offers to trade out of the blue, but if you’re engaging with someone on a meaningful level, why not offer to trade? My experience was a simple “Let me know if you want to trade =) . ” And don’t be upset if you get turned down, or discouraged either! Different strokes for different folks.
My experience with Lyla made me want to share it with the Etsy community, I feel like I’ve struck gold! Thus, I decided to host an Etsy based Secret Santa event. (Don’t own an Etsy shop but love to craft? You’re welcome to join in too!)The premise is simple: craft great gifts for people, communicate, network, expose your artwork, and receive beautiful gifts in return.
Pretend that the shop owners of Etsy are your co-workers or friends, and spread the holiday cheer (whatever you celebrate, or maybe you don’t, and you just want to make friends, art, and spread the love!). You can read the Secret Santa FAQ by clicking the link above. To sign up for the Etsy Secret Santa Event use my Contact page, and please provide your (1) name, (2) link to your Etsy shop, (3) the country you live in, and (4) if you are willing to ship internationally.
When trading with your fellow Etsyian, make sure the item you’re trading is of a comparable price to what you are receiving- don’t be a jerk! If your buddy is pining for something below a price point that equalizes your trade, sweeten the deal and send her/him something extra!
To set up a trade on Etsy, you simply need to activate the “other” payment option in your shop settings. There, your buddy can checkout their listing in your shop with an “other” payment method; this voids the need for a credit card transaction (don’t worry, the checkout screen looks like it will charge you, but it won’t). When their order is placed you will simply check “paid in full,” then you are free to ship their “order.”
The best thing about this for your Etsy shop: your trade is recorded as a sale, and your buddy can write your shop an awesome review!
What do you think about trading on Etsy? Have you already traded with awesome Etsyians? Share your experiences by commenting below!
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You can also check out Fae Gems on Etsy!
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