Is it Really Handmade?
If you (like me) shop on Etsy, then sadly, that’s a question you need to ask yourself these days.
If you look at the images below, this is honestly a tiny snapshot of ready made jewellery you can buy wholesale from China, India and other countries that is being sold as handmade by U.K and U.S sellers on Etsy and other platforms as handmade in the country they are being sold from. Some of it looks lovely. But descriptions on the wholesaler sites list imitation gemstones, alloy metals and prices less than £1. On Etsy and other seller platforms, they are being sold as sterling silver, 18k gold, natural gemstones and for an inflated price that will ensure the reseller (who also claims to have made it) makes a profit, whilst you as a buyer think you’re getting a bargain. You can see from the prices on the images, that simply isn’t the case.
Jewellery makers also have to contend with an influx of 'designers', who have their creations made in Bali, India, Sri Lanka and a number of other places, whilst claiming they are handmade in the country the Etsy (or other) seller is based in. In these instances, although the gemstones and metals used are often of genuine quality, the prices are extremely low and you have to wonder - how much has the person who actually made this item been paid and what are their working conditions?
I know it isn’t just jewellery makers who are affected. The BBC did a feature recently on people buying ‘handmade’ homeware items, which upon arrival still had the B&M stickers on the back! I’m really proud to be able to say that my jewellery is handmade. I’m proud of my skill set, my knowledge about gems and relationships I’ve built with suppliers I trust. But in truth, it’s becoming harder and more demoralising to create, when there is so much that isn’t ~ being sold as if it is and by the person selling it. Without the costs, hours of designing, making, photography and all the other things that go into running a genuinely handmade business. It’s what leads to the ‘I could buy this thing you’re selling for £50, for £5’ emails that we all put up with. And it’s why it really isn’t the same thing you’re getting for a much smaller price.
I will always support handmade, makers and artists and a customers right to shop around. I’m also a big fan of fairness and think part of that is being provided with all of the information before spending my hard earned money on something.
If this is an issue affecting your small business, please head over to our Instagram feed and read through some of the comments on the post I did about this. If nothing else, I hope it helps reassure you, that you are not alone and as a community of handmade artists - we are all rooting for you!