#made some roman fold chain earrings yesterday and it was so satisfying

[eanholt]

Silversmiths talking about the business that I've heard have said that Etsy is basically impossible to sell on, because they want your money to get featured placement, and will put other shops up as comparisons when people are in your shop looking at your things. You're placed in direct competition at your first world handmade prices vs more mass-manufactured third world stuff that's labeled as handmade. Also the search is hot garbage. So, for online it sounds like the current best practice is running a Shopify shop and using IG to advertise for your shop (with a focus on storytelling and building a personal / parasocial connection to your work there. I think you'll do fine on that part!)

But also I've heard from far more smiths who produce their own stuff on the side for the love of it, and mostly teach because there's better money there. 🤷‍♀️

So I've been doing beadwork/jewelry to keep the remaining shreds of my sanity/stay in the easy-to-heat room with the animals while I wait for the furnace to be installed (starting Tuesday THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE) and it occurred to me that as much as I like making jewelry, I don't really wear it, nor does my family so I need to find something to do with the finished products.

1. Where do you sell handmade stuff online these days? I hear etsy is kind of crap but IDK what the alternatives are.

2. What do people like in terms of jewelry/wearables? Necklaces, Eyeglass chains, Earrings, what?