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Story by
Vanessa
Published on March 11, 2008 in Etsy News |
Photo by CreativeSundries |
Old school Etsians remember that long-lost feature called Alchemy, but for anyone who is relatively new to the Etsy shopping experience, Alchemy only exists as an abstract and mysterious word you’ve heard pop up every once in a while in the forums. Well, not for long! We will be launching the feature soon and we’re really excited about it. So excited, in fact, that we wanted to spill the beans a little bit here. We want shoppers to start getting excited about the world of possibilities this opens up, and we want sellers to start thinking about how involved in this new feature they would like to be.
So, what is Alchemy? What will it do for our handmade marketplace?
Alchemy is a feature on Etsy that enables buyers and sellers to connect through custom orders. Let’s say you’re a buyer and you have an idea for something you want to buy, but after digging and digging on Etsy you still haven’t found it. You can go to the Alchemy section of the website and describe your idea; then sellers bid on the project and you can decide to strike a deal or not. Or say you’re a buyer and you admire a particular item in a seller’s shop, but you want the seller to customize it in some way. You’ll be able to initiate that custom order directly through an Alchemy link in the seller’s shop. That is, if the seller opts into this Alchemy feature.
Sellers will have to opt-in to the private, direct Alchemy requests. When Alchemy launches, a new section will appear under Shop Appearance in Your Etsy where you can set your Alchemy announcement and private request status. Only then will buyers be able to approach you directly through your shop through Alchemy. If you decide to opt in, you can later opt out. We built this so you would have control over this feature’s integration into your shop. If you don’t opt-in to the direct-request link in your shop, you can still voluntarily participate in the public Alchemy section of the site by browsing buyers’ requests and bidding on projects.
So, you’re hopefully bursting at the seams with questions right now (we’re so excited!). But…you have to wait! We will fill you in on all the details when we launch the feature. So instead of asking particulars about how Alchemy will work, do a little daydreaming in the comments. We want to hear what crazy requests you’re dying to make!
| Tags | Alchemy, custom orders, site features |
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120 comments Login to add your own!
Itybitybags
How great! I love it and can't wait for it to start! Thanks ♥
ashleydietrich
This is great! I will be adding a lot of mix media work as well as more canvas paintings. This is a great way for people to feel comfortable requesting custom items, which is great!
BeadsInTheBelfry
should be interesting to see this Alchemy thing in action!
tanisalexis
HOORAY!!! I was wondering if we'd ever see the alchemy again. this is great news. I want everything custom made!! LOL! :)
Spazspun
as an old timer, i say thank you, thank you, thank you.... Alchemy was one of my favorite features!
designedbyDiana
PreciousMeshes
Yippee, Hurrah and Woohoo!
Sounds even better than before!!!
Caprichos
phoebec
I wasn't around for the days of alchemy, so I am thrilled that this is happening. There is so much that I can do with custom print sizes in my shop , I can't wait! I also am helping my family shop for custom wedding invitations and I am sure we will find something on alchemy.
alisamiller
yay! i never used it when it was up before, but i'm excited to try now. i remember some great collaborations!
lpdesigns
aaah! seriously! (that was a scream of joy) *is an Etsy oldie* Yay!
JMNPOTTERY
sagittariusgallery
projectfelt
Oh I can't wait! I remember the days of Alchemy when I had my old shop. I love all things cusom made just for me :)
allthosethrees
Yaaaaay it's coming back!
(does that mean I'm officially an 'old school' etsian? lol)
MaterialPossessions
jamieribisi
Can't wait to have this feature!
And as a seller I'm psyched about it too-- I think it will be a great way for customers to feel comfortable asking for custom paintings. I completely welcome it but people usually feel funny asking-- I think this will settle that feeling.
Hyena
I died. So we are not veterans anymore, but old school?? mmmm
:)
Can't wait to see the new Alchemy.
divadea
yipestoo
jessprkle
OMG yay! the long awaited alchemy!!!!! i have missed it so much, but this one sounds even better than the last! woooot!
gypsycaster
I'm giddy!!!! I can't wait to use both sides of this! Sooo cool! Thank you!!!
*off to clean up the shop for guests*
elementsbyelaine
Alchemy sounds brilliant! I cant wait to use it to both buy and sell. SO many ideas, so little time (and money!)
TickledPinkKnits
I'm anxiously awaiting Alchemy's (re)appearance, and I definitely have a request in mind! I'd like my very own Gromit, preferably a knitting Gromit :) Perhaps an amigurumi version, or a little figurine, or some other incarnation :)
And, of course, it will be wonderful to have a more streamlined way of working out custom orders, which I receive quite frequently and absolutely adore.
SandFibers
This is fantastic news! I've been doing a lot of custom work without Alchemy, but it will be wonderful to actually have a framework for it on site now!
MagpieCollections
gemmafactrix
I love custom orders, and can't wait until alchemy returns!
esdesigns
FaffCreations
I miss alchemy soooooooo much I created some of my most interesting items through alchemy when it was here.... yay yay yay I'm so glad it will be back... :) :) I have been looking for some interesting jellies for my bedroom... so I can't wait to ask sellers... for help!
bcyrjewelry
oh i'm so excited!!! love the sound of the shop integration!
knotbygranma
Finally! Alchemy was the best. Good to hear it's coming back.
babastudioPrague
GREAT news! Well done to the team who must have put hard work into this.
enhabiten
Hmmm... I will keep my eye out for this. I have been here a month+ and have gotten several custom orders- I didn't anticipate this. Thanks, etsy.
XOHandworks
EarthBabyDesigns
Yay!!!! As a seller, I've done a few custom orders and it will be really nice to have a place to take these. And as a buyer, I have one thing in particular I want in part using something I already own. I've been patiently waiting for Alchemy so I can ask for a designer there.
archeress
Thank you thank you thank you....
This announcement and Etsy is just full of awesomesauce.
celticgoddessjewelry
cthings
This sounds interesting! I can wait to see this in action since I missed it the first time! Thanks for working on it administration! :)
thepairabirds
I joined after Alchemy was gone. So, I am excited to see how this works!
vol25
Wow! I cant believe it is finally coming back. :) It does sound so much better then I remember it being before!
*wouldnt it be neat to have a space somewhere on etsy where buyers could share/show off their custom requests? It would give the seller a little more reason to do an A+ job, (free publicity) and would be super fun to see what buyers are dreaming up! :)
so excited to see it back!
twolefthands
Can't wait to see this feature that I have heard so much about!
glassidentities
this is such exciting news.. since all of my stuff is custom and personalized and it is so much fun getting new orders and seeing what people want... I get to learn something almost every order :)
baconsquarefarm
Alchemy was gone when we arrived, happy it's returning with even more features than before~! yea etsy...
ElementsbyDawn
I'm liking the opt-in option! Sounds exciting!
On a side note...I don't think I've ever been called 'old school' before! LOL
TwistedThicket
Oh How Exciting! I can't wait to see the new and improved version! I've missed alchemy for a long, long time!
(happy member since Jan. 18, 2006) :D
FeltLikeStitchin
muffintopdesigns
i love doing custom work and would LOVE to have that shouted to the world!!! thanks for bringing this back!!!!
xoxo muffin
BassBaubles
bubbletime
lolos
EnglishVintageDreams
Very excited about Alchemy! Really shows buyers that we are into commissions and creating exactly what they want. I'm in!
nicoleleeartistry
First off...This is such a beautiful treasury!!! Second - the Alchemy option has me all excited!!! I think that buyers are often not so inclined to ask about custom orders, but if they see a link to do so, I believe they will find it less intimidating. I think it's a wonderful addition to Etsy and just adds to the powerful nature of the site as a whole!!! Super cool... I'm sure I'll be dreaming sweetness of it tonight. Call me crazy, but when I get excited about something in Etsy, I can't sleep! HAHAH. :O)
alexandrasjewelry
I so missed Alchemy! I'm thrilled you're bringing it back. It was a wonderful feature and I'm sure it will be even better now.
rodgeranddelilaplace
abitabite
I am concerned about the return of alchemy. I posted a thread about this previously but never got an admin responce.
My concern is with people infringing on others interlectual rights at the request of a buyer.
For example, someone requesting a journal, covered in faux fur, with a monster face as a place to writge about dreams. We all kow that is spiderbite, but there is nothing stopping a buyer from requesting it, and another seller imulating spiderbites idea.
I asked etsians who were on the site pre V2 who had had experience with Alchemy, and they confirmed that this did indeed happen.
What will be done to prevent this and protect etsians with original products?
FrucciDesign
IzabelDesigns
avenuehandmade
Yippee! Can't wait to try out the opt-in feature!
Abitabite, I think you bring up an interesting point. I hope this is something that can be addressed....
SarahSays
abitabite- Intellectual property matters are very important to us at Etsy. I have been involved with the policies behind Alchemy (the policies will become public once the feature is up and running). This issue is not just Alchemy related, it can unfortunately happen in other parts of Etsy and even off of Etsy. Etsy’s Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy (which complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is found here: http://www.etsy.com/copyright_policy.php .
lizplummer
Great stuff! Haven't been round long enough to remember the old Alchemy but I've heard about it on the forums...
peelapom
heronkate
Sounds like a super feature! I make floorcloths and almost all the ones I've done are custom, and every one is different. So buyers could specify size, colors, design, etc. I can't wait!
awdesignsuk
I joined after the last Alchemy disappeared so it will be interesting to see what the fuss is all about when it is re-introduced.
JustAnotherDay
fabulous! I love doing custom orders and get lots of inquiries for them, hopefully this will help manage it all!
katrinakaye
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the news!! Yesterday I broke my favourite ceramic mug and I thought how great it would be to be able to list a photo of the remains on Alchemy and have someone make me a copy of it... Can't wait for the launch! Oh the possibilities!!! Custom stuff galore! YAY!
Can you tell I'm excited?
XtremeDream
Can't wait for Alchemy to return. I was here during that time and miss it! Sounds like the changes are going to be awesome! Thank you.
JennMaruskaDesign
(I haven't read through all these comments) What if there was some type of wording about the buyer making a deposit when they look into our individual shop alchemy policies? It might be beneficial to have buyers be aware of that set deposit amount right from the beginning of an alchemy transaction. (For those sellers who would like a deposit, of course.)
Thank you Etsy, for working on this feature!
: )
binkiebaskets
Sounds like fun! Can't wait to see how it works! It's great to do custom orders for people!
juicychristians
anamano
This is a great idea.
I also was wondering about the deposit "thing".
Would it be possible to have it so that the person could deposit, say 50% before and the rest(plus shipping) once its completed?
Can't wait for the full details!
Midnightcreations
I too do quite a few custom orders, looking forward to the change.
CricketsCreations
WaHOOO!!! I love the challenge and fun of custom orders and I'm really lookin' forward to more (I've got my yarn shelves fully stocked and ready for special orders).
Thanks once again, Etsy!
Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves)
chichiboulie
ihana
Urbanstax
Kayraffla
OH MY GOODNESS! I have missed alchemy SO much! I am extrememly excited, this has made my week!
Kayraffla
Rainsend
This is so exciting! I've been doing a lot of custom orders and I think this will be a great help for me. I can't wait to see it and use it!
SilverDragon
The Dream - someone asks me to create a beaded wall mural with sculptural elements. I love what I do, beading, paining, drawing, digital art. Almost any request that lets me create is more than welcome - it's eagerly desired!
:)
Girlontherocks
I am so happy about this! I was just wishing it would return so I can have a way to keep track of my custom and special orders,
caroleaxium
soap
CarolinaCottage
I do a fair amount of custom orders. Looking forward to the Return Of Alchemy.
p.s. I need a house. Can somebody build me one?
qwynwyn
Cool. I'm interested in seeing how Alchemy works. I'm not old school. :o)
TheTinyFig
im looking forward to seeing all the crazy requests people will make hehe
SewCrewel
ClaudiasCreations
dennisanderson
OneHappyTree
RaeGun
Ekioart
GrayArt
I am new here so it is kinda hard for me to wrap my head around what it really is. Sounds awesome though!
karenkrafts
I have to second everyone's WOOHOOs! I wasn't here for alchemy the first time around, but it has always seemed like an awesome concept to me. I'm excited!
I like JennMaruskaDesign's idea about a deposit for any custom requests. Not sure if that was part of the original alchemy, but it would be very nice to have something along those lines this time.
zparkleys
i'm definitley excited for this to come back! i didn't get to use it for very long, as it left us shortly after i came on board. but, it will definitley add the "yes! i take custom orders!" to my shop in a big-bad way.
i love commissions. they inspire me and push me in new directions.
zparkleys
oh, and definitley want to be able to take deposits. please. i take them now for customs, and that's not something i plan to change.
UglyKitty
no2alike
I love the sound of this adventure. I didn't get in on the first Alchemy either. It sounds like this time is going to be super-duper and looking forward to it!
cherylavenue
Well, thank you VERYYYYYY much admin!!!!! I loved alchemy and missed it so incredibly much. Thanks for bring it back to us. You guys rock:)
PortButtonsViNtAgE
sodapoprocks
dragonladydesigns
Considering how much Etsy has grown since Alchemy was last working, I am hoping to see that there will be categories to put our requests in. As a seller and a buyer, I think it would help a lot, and would help new alchemy users not be overwhelmed by the amount of postings there are sure to be. Please make it possible to navigate ;D
PollyPainting
This is great. It will help me out with the paintings I've been doing by request.
MountainEagleCrafter
I had many custom orders done under the old Alchemy. Have missed it greatly.
I'm hoping we'll get back our double-weight feedback for those items that disappeared when Alchemy did! Something like 28 FB points is a lot to've lost :)
Would be cool if those counted under our Sold Items, too, even though they did not then.
morpheus0013
*squee!* I spent ages at Christmastime looking for someone to design the rings I wanted. It's actually turned me off of digging around for sellers to do other custom projects I have in mind, so Alchemy will be dead handy for me. *did I mention squee!*
bstudio
Can't wait! I've had a couple of custom requests that I was more than happy to accommodate so I will definitely be on board for this.
slavko
it is great. i already have some customizable listings. will add for weds:
pendant and bow tie with portraits, sinks for her and him and portrait together in oil on canvas.
for start.
love
slavko
miraartz
I am happy happy.
Any chance there will be room for color swatches in the alchemy? So people can see color choices for custom orders?
ThePeachTree
Art2ArtColorado
*it'll be like welcoming an old friend back home!
*great news!!
PetereneDesign
magpieskinnies
pandys
I have done custom orders in both this shop and pandys...I LOVE custom things...I had a request for a pouch. So, I had to learn zippers. I've done some other custom things that really aren't my taste or style at first, but then when I'm done, I love it. I've done totes, pouches, quilts, beer quilts, coasters, I have a specific custom only item in my shop. GriffinGear is for little boys, but I have done pants and hats for girls, men, women....I'm so excited. I would love doing something I don't have yet..if you can dream it, I'll try and make it!
sunfleur1
syko
I do a lot of custom orders already, but I am very curious to see what this alchemy that I've heard so much about has to offer!
norakaren
That comment was about the treasury.. hahah Put me there for the alchemy...probably my whole shop is custom made so I'm game!
BCharmer
I'm so proud of Etsy! I feel so valued as an artist and as a member of this community. I think people here are really listened to.
I've heard a lot about alchemy, and I'm excited to see how it will work. Custom is FUN!
Previous Page
Very cool! I can't wait for Alchemy to start up! Oh and I just have to say that whoever picked out the items for the homepage has an awesome eye for it...