My Experience on Etsy

I closed my Etsy shop. I am very disappointed in the changes Etsy has made that make it no longer profitable for me. The necklaces that I created and sold on Etsy were not the same ones sold on this website. They were all one of a kind and often contained unusual gemstones.

Etsy was originally a site where a small business owner or hobbyist sold his/her handmade items. Now Etsy allows large businesses selling mass produced factory made products. Not only do they just allow, but encourage these shops. Often the same owner may have multiple shops with different names selling similar or identical items.

In search results Etsy posts only 1 item from a shop on each page of results. The owner of more than one shop may have an item from each shop on a page. Search places an item at the top of results based on the date and time it was posted, most recent first. A large business with multiple shops could rotate the posting times. An item can be renewed before its time expires. A fee is charged when an item is posted or renewed. An ad can be purchased with price determined by auction. Highest price is placed first in search results.

Etsy has changed search results priorities to favor the number of times the same item has sold, been clicked on in search, or received favorable reviews. How can a one of a kind item compete?

Search now includes attributes, lists of descriptive words that a shopper may click. The lists often do not include a choice that describes my necklaces.

Clicking on an item in search results no longer takes the customer to my shop, only to a description of the item. A tiny link must be clicked to reach the shop.

Etsy is offering new programs that can be purchased to help the success of a shop. Old free programs now have fees.

All of these changes favor big business. My position in search results is lower. The traffic to my shop is lower. As a result my sales are lower. Other small shops have suffered the same results.

Will Etsy lose the customers that liked buying unique items?

Pink Rhodochrosite Beaded Necklace Unique handmade gemstone necklace with genuine rhodochrosite beads. The pink banding contrasts with light gray and white banding in natural onyx beads. The metallic gray of hematite adds greater contrast. An unusual necklace that is pretty without being overpowering. Length: 17 1/2 inches. Consists of: 4 mm and 7 mm ( about 1/4 inch) genuine rhodochrosite round beads, 6 mm hematite beads, 8 m natural onyx beads Color: various shades of pink, white, light gray, dark metallic gray Clasp: silver plated toggle. #484 Rhodochrosite, Natural Onyx and Hematite Necklace $35

More pink jewelry Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Black Onyx Necklace With Glass Pendant

Colorful glass pendant hangs from a silver chain with black onyx beads. A touch of lime green in the pendant makes it perfect for olive or lime green clothes.Unique one of a kind. Length: 17 1/2 inches with 2 1/4 inch drop. Consists of: genuine black onyx 6 mm x 4 mm rice shape ovals and 12 mm x 12 mm flat diamond beads, 11 1/2 inches of silver plated chain with oval and round links, 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 inch lamp work glass pendant. Colors: black, lime green, dark rust red, aqua, silver. Clasp: sterling silver toggle. #520 Handmade Glass Pendant and Black Onyx Necklace $40

Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Handmade Mother of Pearl White Necklace

Unique necklace handcrafted using various shapes of flat mother of pearl beads. Wear it with any color for any occasion. Length: 16 3/4 inches. Consists of: 13mm x 15mm(about 5/8 inch) flat oval and 12 x 11mm flat lantern shape natural white mother of pearl. Color: white with natural shadings. Clasp: silver plated fish hook safety. #562 Natural White Mother Of Pearl Necklace SOLD

More white jewelry Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Amethyst and Fluorite Gemstone Necklace

Large dark amethyst nuggets and small rounds contrast with light multi color fluorite beads.A unique long necklace. Genuine semi precious gemstones. February birthstone jewelry. Length: 27 1/2 inches. Consists of: genuine amethyst 12 mm x 18 mm (almost 3/4 inch) nuggets and 4 mm round beads, multicolor fluorite 6 mm round beads. Color: dark purple, transparent light purple, aqua, light blue, white. Clasp: silver plated lobster hook and 5 mm sterling silver ring. #582 Handmade Fluorite and Amethyst Necklace $34

More fluorite gemstone jewelry More handcrafted jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Handmade Rhodonite Necklace

Dusky pink rhodonite beads with natural black veining. The black design makes each bead unique and the necklace one of a kind. Length: 17 1/4 inches. Consists of: 10 mm flat square and 11 mm x 14 mm(about 1/2 inch) puff oval rhodonite genuine gemstone beads and black glass seed beads. Color: dusty pink, charcoal gray, black Clasp: silver plated toggle. #230 Handmade Rhodonite Beaded Necklace $39

More pink jewelry Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

What is Handmade Jewelry?

The phrase handmade jewelry carries the connotation of an artisan creating high quality, unique design, with personal attention to technique and supplies. There are many sellers labeling their products as handmade. Beaded jewelry is a good example.You can find it on personal websites, Etsy, Amazon, Ebay, in stores, craft shows, etc.

Is all of this jewelry made by an artisan? Probably not. Since beading has become a popular pastime, many inexperienced crafters have started selling their products. Other sources, often in China, are factories where workers mass produce.

What is the quality of this jewelry? Amateurs may be talented, but experience is important. In addition to construction techniques, it affects choice of materials. I have found many items to avoid, such as: flexible wire that kinks when it bends, fake gemstones, mislabeled gemstones, magnetic clasps with magnets that are stronger than the glue that holds them, sterling silver findings that bend and don’t hold their shape, silk thread that stretches over time. It is also important to know which materials are worth a higher cost. Since mass produced jewelry is often sold at lower prices, cheap low quality materials may be used.
Personal attention is difficult in a factory situation. Repetition results in boredom and loss of attention to detail. The quality of the construction depends on quality control procedures of the company.

Are the designs unique? I recently found the same handmade necklace in a department store, a boutique, numerous Etsy shops, Amazon, and a Chinese wholesale website. Since the jewelry sold in chain stores or large discount websites is mass produced, it will not be one of a kind.
True creative talent in designing jewelry requires the ability to combine the artistic with the practical, designs for wearing with a variety of clothes, designs for people with different tastes from conservative to trendy.

Although jewelry may be made by hand, it is not always worthy of the connotation associated with the term handmade jewelry.

Three Strand Blue Goldstone Beaded Necklace

Handmade necklace of dark blue beads filled with sparkling metallic specks. A strand of flat ovals is sandwiched between 2 strands of little round beads. Unique handcrafted jewelry. Length: shortest strand 16 3/4, longest strand 18 1/4 inches. Consists of: 10 mm (about 3/8 inch) flat ovals, 4 mm round goldstone beads. Color: dark blue with silver dots Clasp: silver plated toggle #561 Handmade Blue Goldstone Necklace SOLD

More blue jewelry Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Inventory Reduction Sale

Prices have been reduced.

I want to down size my business. My husband has retired, and I want to spend more time with him.

In addition to the large selection of jewelry on this website, I have enough beading supplies to make many additional one of a kind items. I will not reduce the quality, just the price.

Prices listed do not show the previous price. The current prices on all gemstone necklaces, wood necklaces, glass necklaces and pearl necklaces are lower by approximately 30%. A real bargain for fine quality jewelry.

Ruby Crazy Lace Agate Necklace

Handmade necklace featuring shades of pink to rosy red in round agate beads. Bright eye catching colors. Contrast it with black, white or navy clothes. Length: 17 inches. Consists of: 10 mm (5/8 inch) ruby crazy lace agate round beads, 4 mm black onyx round beads. Color: various shades of bright pink and rose, touches of black veining, solid black Clasp: silver plated toggle. #539 Handmade Pink Crazy Lace Agate Beaded Necklace $39

More pink jewelry Find out more about our online jewelry store. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Handmade Amethyst Necklace

Beaded jewelry featuring a long necklace of dark purple genuine gemstones. Large chunky beads are the focal points. Length: 26 inches Consists of: amethyst 17-18 mm (about 3/4 inch) nuggets, 6mm round beads, chips, glass E beads Color: dark, medium and light purple, clear glass Clasp: silver plated toggle #614 Long Amethyst Beaded Necklace $40

More amethyst gemstone jewelry More handcrafted jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Turquoise and Black Onyx Bracelet

December birthstone. A beaded bracelet combining little black onyx beads with turquoise pebble shape beads. Matches turquoise necklace #528, and can be used to extend its length. Length: 7 3/4 inches. Consists of: turquoise pebble shape beads in sizes from 3/8 to 3/4 inch, 4 mm black onyx gemstone beads. Color: aqua blue, black. Clasp: silver plated lobster hook #2033 Handmade Turquoise Bracelet SOLD

More turquoise jewelry More beaded jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Turquoise Beaded Necklace

Aqua blue turquoise with black veining that is accented by black seed bead spacers. Chunky smooth chips give a casual look. Use matching bracelet #2033 to extend the necklace length. Length:17 1/2 inches. Consists of: turquoise pebble shape gemstone beads in sizes from 3/8 to 3/4 inch, black seed beads. Color: aqua blue, black. Clasp: silver plated lobster hook #528 Handmade Turquoise Necklace SOLD

More turquoise jewelry More beaded jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Handmade Turquoise and Wood Necklace

Bright blue chalk turquoise chips contrast with light and dark wood beads. A long handmade necklace that is perfect with casual clothes. Length:23 inches. Consists of: chalk turquoise chips in sizes from 1/8 to 3/8 inch, 7 mm black wood and 5 mm off white wood beads. Color: bright blue, black, off white Clasp: silver toggle #280 Wood and Turquoise Beaded Necklace SOLD

More beaded turquoise jewelry More handcrafted jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Long Blue Mountain Jade Necklace

Handmade jewelry designed with bright blue mountain jade (dolomite), betelnuts, dark brown wood, and white fossil beads. A unique beaded necklace that is long, yet light weight and easy to wear. Long Length: 26 3/4 inches. Consists of: blue mountain jade (dolomite) gemstone chips, 14 mm(a little over 1/2 inch) dark wood round beads, 14 mm oval and 6 mm bicone betelnut beads, 6 mm and 4 mm natural fossil beads. Color: bright blue, creamy white, tan, dark brown. Clasp: sterling silver fancy hook and eye. #327Handmade Mountain Jade and Wood Necklace $33

More handcrafted jewelry options. See the home page. handmade beaded jewelry .org