Well, as Folksy have changed their guidelines for what they consider to be handmade I am forced to remove my natural soy candles and melts from my Folksy shop by the beginning of November.
Folksy's new guidelines would not consider my candles to be handmade.
If you are interested you can read more about the changes here
I have to say I’m quite sad about this, I would consider my melts and candles to be ‘handmade’; I make them from scratch using the raw ingredients, experimenting with scent blends, consistencies, colour and wick ratios to achieve the item I am after, often using re-purposed/re-cycled cups and containers/moulds.
Besides the above, I have invested a lot of my time and money in promoting Folksy and my little place in it. Many fellow Folksy sellers are also a little baffled, some of the new guidelines are not terribly straight forward as to what is and what is not deemed acceptable.
Don’t get me wrong, not all of my stock is going to be affected by the change but the candle/melt element will. This has made me think about whether I will continue to sell on Folksy and if not, what should I do instead? It’s not a case of ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater’ it’s just that I feel like it’s going to prove to be more trouble than it’s worth for my little ‘hobby’.
Many lovely people do often contact me for repeat orders for candles and melts and I will of course still oblige, I will continue to make these as I use them myself all the time it’s just a matter of where I will sell them.
I will keep you posted.
I will keep you posted.
In the meantime I have made a start and I have had a blitz on my Folksy shop. I have removed some items already and have reduced the price on each and every item in my shop.
Over 90% of my stock is now £5 or less, so if you want to grab a few bits for stocking fillers or swap candy then pop over and have a quick look, before the shutters possibly come down :0(
To all my lovely Folksy customers thanks for the support thus far, it's been brilliant!
32 comments:
Hmmm, its enough to drive you mad. I know some people had trouble with Etsy. I hope you can find a solution.
Oh that is such a shame - flippin' rules. I know you must be disappointed, but I reckon you should turn it into something positive and set up your own website for your gorgeous makes - you will do well, I'm sure - and I'd be a customer!! Off now to check out your sale goodies! Hugs xxx
I thought it was only items listed after November? so presumably you can carry on the same for now, and even carry on listing new candles?
Sue Xxx
Thats a real shame - your folksy sales seemed to be doing so well. I was looking at etsy last week and decided it looks too tricky for me to try and set something up there!
If you make all of the candle mix from scratch then my understanding of Folksy's new rules is that your products ARE handmade. I know they specifically mentioned candles in their recent email newsletter, but I think this refers to people using pre-made wax. You should really contact them for clarification before you have to remove your items.
You are using a craft and a skill in making the wax yourself and that's what Folksy is all about...
Hello! I got the email from Folksy, too. To be honest, Folksy didn't work for me at all. I chose it because it is a UK one and I thought Etsy is just too big and my things would get lost in all the thousands of listings. But actually Etsy is working great! And there is a lot of help in the forums and teams on how to make it work for you. So I'd say, don't shut shop permanently, just 'relocate' it! Good luck!
Kristina
Yes, I know. I've removed all of my items as none of them would be acceptable soon as I haven't designed them and they're not from an 'original' pattern. I would have to prove that I have the permission of the designer to sell them etc and that would be impossible. I haven't sold a bean on there anyway so I'm not really concerned. However, for you I would imagine it will be a pain.
Why don't you open a blog shop and sell through that. Other people seem to do well from it and it costs nothing.
I tested the water of selling my wares (twice!) and failed both times so I won't bother again but these Folksy changes are going to be really difficult for a lot of people. x
I thought about you when I read the email from Folksy. I think they're being far too harsh with the rules. I don't know where some of my items fit in - for examply my bag charms. Technically they are "assembled", of course they are as I can't make beads in my front room! But I still have to put the combinations together and do the wirework...
I still dont' want to move over the Etsy though as they really don't seem to have any ethics at all over there.
Thats a real shame! I cannot understand how your products are not deemed "handmade"? I should imagine they are going to lose a lot of people. Maybe open a blog shop? xxx
Those are some stringent guidelines! Certain things I understand - but would certainly consider your candles to be handmade!
I'm in the same boat too. Quite a few of my items will have to be removed. I'm not sure they have made the right decision, but time will tell.
That's such a shame,especially when your'e making them from scratch,I wish they would set up rules,and then just leave well alone..I don't know if youve heard about Wix.com,but you can set up a free website with them,anyway hope you get something sorted xx Manda xx
Such a shame, don't give up! Relocate somewhere else your makes are fab :D Ab x
I'm with Laa Laa on the opening a blog shop idea, that's probably your best option...Or, you could set up a free website with a company like weebly.com. There are a lot of free website hosts that let you list any item you want with a 'buy now' link straight to your Paypal account and no sellers fees to pay...you'd just have to make sure the world knows where your shop was - but then, you do that already with your blog and twitter so you're half way there. Just some thoughts anyway. Best wishes, A xx :-)
You must open some kind of new shop Lisa, you are one of the most talented crafters I have come across! Folksy, I think, are shooting themself in the foot with this one.
I havent read the bumf yet but will do in a minute I just think its so sad. I am guessing you wont be the only one to suffer :( have you thought about setting up a facebook page selling your goodies?
Seems such a pain just before the candle season.
dazie
x
That seems so unfair :( I would consider them to be handmade, they are going to loose a lot of sellers at this rate. Best of luck lovely xx
hi hun, you can add a second page to your blog and sell from this. If you need help I will talk you through it. It is easy to set up a paypal listing for this. If you go to my blog you will see I have extra pages for 'colour chart' 'tutes' etc x
I agree that the way Folksy have worded their new definitions of what is considered 'Handmade' is not very clear and feel that they should have put a bit more thought into implemening these changes. It seems like they have just jumped in without really thinking it through. I would absolutely consider your candles to be handmade and worthy of being sold on Folksy as such. I am sure you will be able to find another outlet for them in the mean time. Good luck, Hannah x
Jeez Ive just read their rules and they seem to be a bit ambiguous. I know you arent on facebook at the moment but I think you should perhaps start a page and sell from there. Im sure you would do well. xxx
What a shame. I sell at Etsy and I hear a lot of nasty stuff about Etsy. But I don't really care. The results are more important to me. Altho' I have very slow sales at Etsy, at least I still manage to sell despite the huge number of sellers. I tried Zibbet and some other forgettable sites and got ZERO views. Maybe you can sort things out with Folksy before you take the next step?
I know exactly how you feel! A lot more of my stock if affected by the new 'rules' meaning it's not really worth me continuing with folksy despite having only resently started!
My jewellery, art work, candles and more are all affected as the rules seem extremely strict but also unclear! The candles were a surprise one to me!
Let me know if you find a good alternative? x
As somebody who used to make and sell soy candles and melts too I can understand your frustration.
I don't know what it is but so many people think that when it comes to the art of chandling (candlemaking) it an easy process of just melting wax, adding colour, scent and sticking a wick.
Nobody sees the amount of time spent with test burning with different wicks in order to get a safe burning candle that wont't turn into a flame thrower. Experimenting with different FO ratios to get the best scent throw because soy is a right PITA to work with, ask me how I know!!!
All that involves skill and knowledge. Too many people don't see candle making or soap making as a craft becuase it's associated with mass production.
Don't let this put you off. You can quite easily set up your own online shop. I used to use Zen Cart which is an open sourced shopping cart and very easy to set up. All you need is a domain name and hosting and you're good to go.
Don't let some faceless commercial body stop you from deriving pleasure from selling your craft.
((Hugs))
When I read the email I struggled to understand how candles fitted into their new rules. Such a shame - I hope you find a new outlet for them asap.
how very strange, how can they not be classed as handmade? bonkers is the only word for that really. x
I know how you feel hun as i am in the same boat with my candles. I think i may e-mail them for clarification though because i agree with you hun. Why not look at www.weebly.com where you can set up a website for free easily and take paypal payments. I am in the process of doing that now
Ti x x
What a shame, you have such a lovely little shop :( Have you looked at MISI? They're not as well known but maybe a bit less ... stringent?
Thank you for the gorgeous pin cushion ring and needle case which arrived today - I love them both and my friend is going to love her ring, you're a star! :) x
Would you be able to sell the tea cup ones under 'vintage' rather than handmade? Just a thought :)
DARLING MY YUMMY ORDER CAME TODAY - YOU ARE SUCH A STAR _ THANK YOU!!!
YOU WON FELT IN MY GIVEAWAY TOO xx
Would you like to advertise on the #SHHIM website (Supporting Handmade - However it's Made)?
We are offering free advertising until 31st December for anyone who has been adversely affected by the changes at Folksy.
http://www.diddybears.com/handmade.html
(posted from my generic Google account)
ooh i'm so late! hope i still can be added?
susan (missr4in@gmail.com)
If you would like some free advertising until the end of the year, SHHIM (Supporting Handmade However it's Made) is happy to help.
http://www.diddybears.com/handmade.html
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