I Like to Buy from Independent Sellers Online

by Janice
(UK)

I have bought handcrafted jewellery mainly from stalls (local markets) and from online - both independent shops and Etsy.com. I love Etsy - it means that independent small sellers can set up online stores and sell their products worldwide.

I prefer handcrafted jewellery because I like items that are different, and I also like things that will last, rather than the cheap plastic stuff found in most stores.

Most of the time I buy for myself, but I have bought items off Etsy for gifts too.

The reasons I have gone back to the same artist is because of the quality of the item, and also sometimes when I receive lots of positive comments on a piece of jewellery - I may go back and buy some more stuff as gifts.

I prefer to shop online because I don't always like meeting different people, in the past (at markets etc) I have found people have been a bit pushy, especially if they need the money from sales.

I think the best thing, apart from making quality work, that jewellery artists can do is have a website or Etsy site, and to package their work well with relevant marketing collateral - brochures, business cards, nice packaging such as gift boxes and tissue paper. I think good and professional packaging can make a huge difference.