Just a thought about selling ...

[BarryM]

I am a newcomer to jewellery making, but one theme that occurs again and again is the inadequacy of "corporate" websites to offer a suitable market place for quality hand crafted jewellery.

ETSY and NotOnTheHighStreet seem to be the most commonly used but, according to several posts, it appears that they also sell mass produced and imported jewellery, which somewhat "dilutes" the craftsman side of jewellery making.

Has anyone considered setting up a group website for craft jewellers ONLY to market and sell their products and "bespoke" services. There would seem to be enough people on this forum alone, who together, could provide input to a web design and also control those who are allowed to sell on such a site.

Any thoughts? I would be quite willing to co-ordinate any of those who may be interested or think that this has "legs" - I was a project manager heavily involved in IT before I retired last year (albeit nothing to do with jewellery).

Shoot me down in flames if this has been suggested before, but it has been ticking over at the back of my mind for the last month or so.

The fundamental aim would be to provide an excellent market place for craft jewellers exclusively controlled and owned by its "members".

[Gemsetterchris]

There is a site by the name of jewelstreet that might be an answer for those doing one-off bits.

[Lucie]

It's a great idea, but there are a few others attempting it. Uk Handmade for one.
The problem with the big guys like Etsy & NOTHS is exactly that - They're huge & everyone knows them, so they have both the money & the big brand behind them.
Have you seen the sheer amount of advertising NOTHS is doing at the moment? It's on the TV every time you switch it on!

I don't know whether any of the others are "cooperatives" though?

[caroleallen]

Alan Hadley tried a few years ago but I don't think it really got off the ground. Jewelstreet might be a good option as it's established and there are some good jewellers on there. I've no idea how successful it is. They've asked me a couple of times but I can't be on NOTHS as well unfortunately. It might be a good place to sell your one-offs Carin.

[art925]

There is a site by the name of jewelstreet that might be an answer for those doing one-off bits.

Jewelstreet is also similar. I am on there but you will also find larger brands. Odissa was established for guild of jewellery designer members but I got the feeling it could not compete with the marketing budgets of those mentioned.

[medusa]

Jewelstreet passes my acme crap seller test!

Les, how does the accreditation process work? When they say they only take professional jewellers, do they check qualifications etc?

[Tabby66]

Jewelstreet is also similar. I am on there but you will also find larger brands. Odissa was established for guild of jewellery designer members but I got the feeling it could not compete with the marketing budgets of those mentioned.

There have been a few that have tried, "Made by Hands of Britain" was another, as Les says, there are some big guys out there that are established and well funded, ...I've recently set up my "Boutique" (yes...Boutique) on Jewelstreet, I was accepted some time ago (18 months+) and got round to doing something about it when they said that they were going to be charging (£200 I think) for set-up, made sure I got in before the deadline...

Do you mind me asking how long you have been on there Les?...and if it has produced any sales??

The quality of jewellers does seem to be pretty good at the moment, and it is purely jewellery focussed, there are some well known names on there, hopefully they will stick to their guns and not go for mass produced "stuff". That said I'm not sure how keen they are on 'one-offs'...waiting for an answer!!

I don't have any formal qualifications for them to assess either.....filled in the application,...etc

Tabby x

[art925]

There have been a few that have tried, "Made by Hands of Britain" was another, as Les says, there are some big guys out there that are established and well funded, ...I've recently set up my "Boutique" (yes...Boutique) on Jewelstreet, I was accepted some time ago (18 months+) and got round to doing something about it when they said that they were going to be charging (£200 I think) for set-up, made sure I got in before the deadline...

Do you mind me asking how long you have been on there Les?...and if it has produced any sales??

The quality of jewellers does seem to be pretty good at the moment, and it is purely jewellery focussed, there are some well known names on there, hopefully they will stick to their guns and not go for mass produced "stuff". That said I'm not sure how keen they are on 'one-offs'...waiting for an answer!!

I don't have any formal qualifications for them to assess either.....filled in the application,...etc

Tabby x

I have been with them quite some time. I am unable to register with other UK based online sites as I am no longer UK based. It was a business decision we took to provide a UK arm to our business; it would cost hundreds a month alone to SEO especially with an IP address outside of the UK, they have a huge marketing budget and although it is all jewellery, the competition is healthy with mostly normal expected pricing from professionals. I do well with my UK sales and the commission is taken at source when they transfer the sales. There are larger brands Buddha to Buddha and the like, but I don't worry about them, I just concentrate on my own business. It works for me, I wish you well with your experience with them, you say you have been accepted so all will be fine, my work is far from the norm, I think they like the mix.

[Tabby66]

Good to hear Les, thanks for the reply

[art925]

I can only tell you about the process how it was for me, I can assume it's the same for etsy and NOTHS or any other online marketplace; Complete questionaire and forward chamber of commerce and tax details, I have no qualifications for them to assess, but I do not consider this to distinguish professionalism