Free to List Online Marketplaces

We need to face it--there is nothing free anymore, except maybe smiles! When selling your handmade goods online, it's sometimes hard to pay the money upfront to list your items, without having that guarantee that they will sell.

Some of the newer online marketplaces are addressing this issue. Instead of the industry standard set by ebay and Etsy, which was to charge listing fees and commission, or selling, fees, these new venues are making it free to list your products. This is done to help alleviate some of the concern that you will be shelling out your hard-earned money just to have your item sit on a website somewhere. If your item does sell, then these venues take a small commission, usually 3-3.5% of the selling price. In this respect, it behooves the venue to make sure that their website is adequately publiciczed and is easy to use for buyers. It can be a win-win for artisan and webmaster alike.

Below are some of these new venues. I only have personal experience with one of them, but would love to hear from you if you sell on any of these sites!

Silkfair: US based site that sells handmade, as well as vintage and antique items. Their commission is 3% of the final selling price.

Made it Myself: US Based site that sells only handmade items. They claim they are waiving the listing fees right now, so at any point they could institute them. Currently, they also charge a 3% commission fee.

Lov.li: Another site for only handmade goods, but I find it a little difficult to navigate. They charge a 3.5% commission

1000 Markets: Only sells handmade goods by the artists themselves. This website is a little more expensive, 5.5% + .50, but the quality of the goods is very high. This is not grandma;s church bazaar craft table!

Featured Artist: KZM Facial Care Boutique

This week's featured artist creates all-natural, cruelty free indulgences for your skin. Karley, the owner of KZM Facial Care Boutique has a well-respected line of skin care products and make-up. Her products allow you guilt-free pleasure in treating yourself and your skin.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

Buying handmade, to me, means that I am choosing to purchase an item which has been handcrafted with someone's talent and passion. You can almost sense the passion one has for his or her art in each product, whether it be a photograph, a bar of soap or a handbag. Buying handmade means that I am not supporting a major giant who squashes the little guy; the mom and pop stores. It means I am supporting someone like me.

How long have you been active in your craft? What inspires your work?

I made my first lotion in 1999. I had a teeny tiny business selling to friends and family and life got in the way of the hobby. I have been actively involved in creating skin care since my son was born and suffered from severe eczema in 2003. I am inspired in so many ways by the different women I meet who see results in my products. That motivates me to keep plugging away. I started working in the cosmetics and skin care industry while I was a sophomore in college. I sold Mary Kay out of my dorm and did well at it. I then started freelancing for Lancome. I never looked back and continued in the field.

Where do you sell your creations?

I sell my creations online in my 1000 Markets shop, http://kzmface.1000markets.com.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?

I am very proud of my achievements. My Goat's Milk Facial Cream was featured as a recommended product in the October 2008 issue of Martha Stewart's Body + Soul magazine. Before I just decided to offer facial products, I used to make a baby skin cream which was featured in Canvas Long Island magazine. My products are listed in The Good Guide, and my cleansers are ranked in the top 10% of all brands sold. I've been a signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics for quite some time, and my products can be found on the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database. Most recently, May 28 in fact, I was approved by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics' Leaping Bunny program, making KZM Facial Care Boutique one of the few 100% truly cruelty free lines on the market. I am very proud of these accomplishments and I continue to strive to do the best I can for my customers.

Introducing Furever Friends Pet Market!

My pets have always filled my heart with joy and love. That's one of the reasons I decided to propose a specialized pet market on 1000 Markets. If you haven't heard of 1000 Markets yet, it is a website for quality handmade goods that is a step above the rest. I am happy to say that the Furever Friends pet market is a reality, offering treats for your pet, and pet-themed gifts and art for you!

At Furever Friends, you can buy adorable artwork and photography like the exhausted kitty seen above. You can also buy handmade food and treats. Clothing for your pet is also available, including collars, coats and more.

Finally, we haven't forgotten the humans! Our For Humans Only collection features jewelry and collectibles that reflect your love for your pet. If you love animals, and you love buying handmade goods, Furever Friends will be a heaven on the Internet for you & your furbaby!

Friday Fun Finds 3.27.09

One of my the things I am most excited to do with this blog is to feature cool handmade items by other artists. I love to choose a theme and then search some of the online venues to see what cooolness reveals itself!

This weeks theme is "dragonflies". Why? Simply because I love them!

First is this incredibly cool, yet functional, dragonfly metal earring holder by Moxie Metal. You can find this gem in their 1000 Markets shop.

Next, this original handpainted "Luck Dragonfly" silk scarf from Meyer Lemon Designs is a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe. More beautiful silk scarves such as this are featured in their 1000 Markets shop, too.

Fans of steampunk will love this incredibly clever interpretation of a dragonfly using a vintage watch face, called "Moment in Time". Designed by Vintage Filigree, you can find this piece of art in their etsy shop.

And finally, I beautiful item in which to keep your treasures! This Barn Wood Keepsake box features a woodburned and hand-painted dragonfly design, and is made from reclaimed pine boards. Created by Paradise Hill Designs, you can find this and other upcycled wood items in their etsy shop as well.

Want to suggest a theme for a future Friday Fun Finds? Email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com !

Online Venues; Which Do You Prefer?

There are so many online venues for independent artisans to sell their creations today. Each venue has their positives and negatives, but all of them have allowed us to reach customers we never would have met otherwise!

In upcoming posts, I will be discussing the major online venues, looking at how they help, and sometimes hurt, the independent artist. For now, I want to know which of the online venues you currently use to sell your goods. The poll will be up for a week, so you can always come back later if you don't have time right now!