Search results (title) for: "alchemy"

Tech Updates: Bringing Favorites to the Forefront

2008-11-04T17:04:00Z

You may have noticed some small changes to Etsy's header (also known as the global navigation) at the top of every page. As mentioned in CEO Maria Thomas's article yesterday, we've been making some adjustments:

The link for Alchemy, the space on Etsy where buyers can post requests for custom items, has been changed to 'Custom' to make it clearer to potential buyers that they can request custom items. The feature is still named Alchemy; we've just changed the word on the navigation link to more clearly describe the function of the feature.
Links for 'Login' and 'Logout' have been changed to 'Sign In' and 'Sign Out.'
The link for Invite a Friend, formerly on the upper right, has been removed. You can still get there through the Referrals page inside Your Etsy.
And most importantly, when you're signed in to Etsy, a link to your Favorites appears next to your Cart on the upper left.

The Favorites function on Etsy is an important one. It enables buyers and sellers to keep track of the stuff they like and discover what others like, too. By keeping track of your friends' Favorites or your favorite sellers' Favorites (look for the RSS feed on your friend's Favorite Sellers page), you can make some amazing discoveries. We're working on new ways to harness the power of members' Favorites and all the hearting and curating that takes place across the Etsy community every day. In the meantime, we wanted to make it easier for you to get to your Favorites.

Happy hunting!

-Sean, aka sean11, Etsy admin on the Product Team

Etsy Find that features Favorites of Favorites | TechUpdates

Commenting has been closed on this post because we'd like to follow your comments and feedback in this forum thread.

Customer Care Tip: Creating a Reserved Listing

2008-09-16T16:38:00Z

Dear Sellers,

Wondering how to reserve a listing in your shop for an inquiring buyer? It's easy as pie! Here's how:

1) Edit your item listing by going to Your Etsy>Currently For Sale>Edit

2) Click the edit icon (pencil) next to your item's title to change the title. Here you want to boldly state that this listing is reserved for your customer. For example, *Reserved for DANIELLEXO only - Diamond Necklace*. Making "reserved" the first word in your listing ensures that buyers can clearly see the item is reserved in the search results, both Gallery and List views.

3) Scroll down and enter this info in the item description as well. (Just in case the title was not sufficiently obvious!)

4) It is optional to use a special graphic or add text to your first photo stating this item is reserved. This is an effective way of visually communicating to buyers that the item is not intended for them!

[Custom order image by CozyMoments]

5) Make sure you complete editing your listing by continuing to Step 5 and clicking "Finish".

And you're done! Now the item is back in your shop and clearly reserved for your customer.

For more support Tips and Updates, check out our CustomerCare Featured Column on the Storque.

Tech Update: Alchemy Recent Custom Creations

2008-05-27T17:14:00Z

If you take a look at the Alchemy main page you'll notice something new: Recent Custom Creations.

Similar to the Time Machine, Recent Custom Creations shows off recently created Alchemy items, giving those items their moment in the sun.

Check it out to see some of the awesome things people are buying through Alchemy!

p.s.
Sellers, here's a how-to with suggestions for building a better Alchemy listing. The photos you upload will showcase your item and your process.

Find out the latest in Etsy News about site features in the TechUpdates featured column. See more Storque posts about Alchemy.

The Very First Alchemy Request

2008-05-02T14:45:00Z

While Etsy engineer Jorge Lopez coded Alchemy, he was daydreaming of the his ultimate Alchemy request. As soon as we released the new site feature on Etsy, he was the first one to post a request! He ended up choosing artist Emily Balivet's bid and getting the most amazing painting. Watch the video to learn more...

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | iTunes

If you want to get all the Etsy videos you can subscribe in iTunes or Youtube!

Etsy Pets: Personal Pet Portraits

2008-05-01T10:34:00Z

It's pet week here at the Storque! Keep tabs on the Etsy Pets featured column for all the cute pet stuff you can handle. Here's VerreEncore's take on the art of pet portraiture. Pets ahoy!

When you look to your digital archives and fumble through stacks of pictures, who do you most often see? Chances are that many of images are of your precious pet(s). While photographs are good, they're easy to get lost in the shuffle: nice, but nothing too special.

Maybe you're looking for something more special and memorable to commemorate your beloved furry (feathery or scaly) friend? The talented artists on Etsy offer a wide array of mediums to make the perfect custom pet portrait. Just pick your favorite photograph of "Fluffy," and your preferred artist will make a custom creation. Many artists use Etsy's Alchemy feature, either by browsing for your requests or directly through their shops.

As mentioned, there are many different options right here on Etsy. You can choose the classic rendition of pencil, paint, pastels, and ink, or branch out toward digital renditions, pillows, jewelry, and felt figurines.

A wonderful way to celebrate these important animals in our life is through artistic expression. Art is as timeless as the love for our best friends and roommates, our pets!

Artbywyanne can make the perfect portrait in graphite pencil: "a wonderful and lasting gift to cherish forever." Her renditions are spectacular! The attention to detailed characteristics and features is unbeatable.

An artist who really punches up the color in her paintings is Alison Zapata at Zapatastudios. Her style is refreshing, colorful, and full of life.

Looking for a different painting style? Try Mary at marysparrowsmith. Her paintings have a soft, genuine ambiance and a timeless look.

SavageArtworks offers wonderful custom drawings in pastels. The color, texture, and detail is just what you're looking for. Your pet will practically jump off the page, it's so lifelike.

A very affordable portrait can be created by susiesosad, illustrated in ink. A custom ACEO drawing goes for a mere $8.50.

AmeliaMakesArt and KaysK9s offer incredible felt figurine replicas of your pet. These are beyond unique!

Do you prefer an organic and earthy style? fireetcheddesigns offers gorgeous, rustic wood burning for custom portraits, turning your favorite picture into an original work of art!

Want to go a little more edgy and modern? unlesssomeonelikesyou makes wonderful modern pieces with simplistic line and color, the perfect contemporary commission.

Pets offer a sense of comfort, acceptance, and warmth, so maybe that is the inspiration behind mybonnie's personalized pet pillows? Adorn your sofa or duvet with soft, huggable pillows of your pets, and spare yourself the shedding.

As one can see, Etsy has a plethora of ways to find the perfect pet portraiture. Pets touch our lives in the most meaningful of ways, it's time to preserve the memories for yourself or for your loved ones. So pull out your favorite shot of Fido or Whiskers, and get yourself a custom piece of art!

Lynsey, 24, is currently living in the lovely Illinois countryside, and is about to become a full-time student in pursuit of a Master's in Art Therapy Counseling. She is the adventurous type, and loves the outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and cycling. When not in the studio creating, she's playing with her chocolate lab, Lucy (frisbee obsessed). VerreEncore is her current day job, and Lynsey hopes her handmade enamel jewelry will finance most expenses while at school. How perfect — an art therapist who supports herself with art? You can always read a bit more by visiting her blog: mypublicprivatediary.blogspot.com.

Customer Care Tip: Building a Better Alchemy Listing

2008-04-18T15:45:00Z

Dear Sellers:

Alchemy is a feature on Etsy where members can post requests for custom handmade items, and sellers then bid on the opportunity to make the goods. Alchemy is another way to buy and sell an item through Etsy and, like a regularly listed item, an Alchemy transaction eventually generates a sold item page — a non-editable, public record of that transaction. This post addresses which information from your Alchemy transaction goes "on the public record" so to speak.

Alchemy has four different phases: request, bid, transaction and finally, the public sold listing. We'll explain the differences here, because the parts you can edit change each step along the way.

The transaction starts as an Alchemy request, made by a buyer. The request is designed to attract sellers, and also communicate what, when, and how much the buyer desires to spend, so that sellers can make an informed bid.

However, this information does not become the item description that appears in the final listing — the accepted bid does. An Alchemy bid outlines a seller's offer, including the estimated price, shipping costs and terms, payment terms, and a detailed description of the item the seller would create.

Etsy sends a Conversation to both the buyer and seller when a bid is placed. A buyer and seller can communicate any changes or details by replying to the Convo that Etsy started. The seller can edit the bid with any changes or details discussed via Convo before the bid is accepted. Once a bid is accepted by the buyer, the text cannot be edited. This text will become the description for the public sold listing.

After a buyer accepts a bid, the seller needs to confirm they are still availble to make the item. When a seller confirms the accepted bid, it becomes a transaction. The transaction info will appear in Your Etsy > Purchases for the buyer and Your Etsy > Sold (orders) for the seller. At this point, the seller is charged a 3.5% transaction fee.

While the description text is no longer editable, the seller can upload photos (up to 5 images). These photos can show in-progress work and the final product. Be sure that the last photo added is of the finished item, since it will become the main image for the public sold listing page. A buyer should let the seller know if they don't want photos of their item shown, and it's not a bad idea for a seller to inquire.

When the seller is finished with the item and ready to ship, they should press the Complete button in the Alchemy ticket. This will finish the transaction. The sold listing will now appear in the public Sold Items and Request Custom Item sections of the seller's shop. Both buyer and seller can now leave feedback, by going to Your Etsy > Feedback > Items Awaiting Feedback.

Best of luck to you in all of your future Alchemy transactions!

Read more Storque posts about Alchemy.

Economics 101: Alchemy

2008-04-08T10:30:00Z

JJMFinance, a Certified Public Accountant, sees the world through green-tinted glasses and he's out to help Etsy sellers with their businesses. He looks at Etsy site features and sees economic case studies. And we love it! Below you'll find his useful interpretation of Alchemy.

Do you remember your economics teacher and the way he could put you to sleep after lunch showing your graphs and blabbing about supply and demand? Maybe he could have kept your attention if he was talking about Etsy’s new system for requesting custom-made items — Alchemy. Alchemy is a great example to see a simple economic principal observed — supply and demand. Keep reading to learn more! Not only will you get a quick refresher course in economics, but you will also learn a few ways you can apply these principals to the way you run your Etsy shop.

Supply
Supply is what everyone offers for sale. These are the thousands of items listed on Etsy. There are over 14,000 different red earrings currently listed on Etsy — different varieties for different people. This is the supply of red earrings.

Demand
Right now there are many buyers surfing the pages of Etsy looking to make purchases. A few of those are actually looking for red earrings right now. They are browsing through the currently listed supply seeing if their demands have a matching supply in both design and price. This is the demand for red earrings.

Where Supply Meets Demand
There are a couple of options that can happen at this point. First, the buyer could find a pair of red earrings that are currently listed that meet their stylistic and price demands and a complete transaction could occur. The second option is where Alchemy makes its appearance.

Alchemy is just another point in the marketplace where supply and demand can meet and fall in love getting married in something called a transaction. This is really a new way for crafters and customers to meet in harmony — creating a more efficient marketplace where more buyers and sellers are both happy.

Application For Your Shop
You can actually look at the current requests and bids in Alchemy to get a mini picture of how supply and demand are interacting on Etsy.

You can use this to:
1. See potential market niches that you could fill with your business. If you consistently see people requesting yellow sweaters with green pickles appliquéd on the back, you can probably assume that if you started making these, you would pick up some of these sales before they reached Alchemy.
2. If you see no one bidding on a really low priced request, you can probably assume that this price is way under the true market price. You can then compare this price to your similar items.
3. If you see people consistently requesting a product for a much higher price than you offer it for — you can probably assume that your prices might be too low.

So the next time you browse through Alchemy, don’t just see what items you could bid on, but look for opportunities to learn about the Etsy market. Use these observations to then help you decide on new products to expand in your own Etsy shop and your current pricing strategies.

Learn more about Alchemy here.

Tech Updates: New Features for Alchemy

2008-04-07T16:22:00Z

Alchemy is almost a month old now, and after gathering feedback from a variety of places we have released a round of updates that should make your Alchemy experience even better.

Changes include:

RSS feeds for Alchemy searches
A new "Batch Decline" option at the bottom of the bid list, allowing you to decline all undecided bids once you've selected your seller
A new text field to send an optional message when you accept or decline a bid
Updated text throughout Alchemy to make things easier to understand
Hotlinking of URLs in bids
The ability to email an Alchemy request to a friend
A flagging form to fill out if you come across Alchemy listings that break the DOs and DON'Ts
General bug fixes

We've also changed Alchemy a little so a buyer may back out up until the point where the seller confirms the bid. This change has been in response to many requests from buyers who accepted a bid and did not hear back from their seller, finding themselves stuck in a stalemate.

Etsy Finds: Home Sweet Home

2008-04-03T12:28:00Z

I've always had a strange fascination with houses. Whether it's an abandoned country house with possible ghosties inside, my childhood home of long ago or a dollhouse just asking to be furnished, houses are my thang.

When I saw JDavisStudio's beautiful house rings, I knew I'd have to start thinking about my eventual Alchemy project: a request for a replica of my house as a kid. It's such a great way to commemorate all my great memories from that house, and a pretty rad ring to boot.

You could also do some major damage with one of these babies. Watch out, muggers! I'm armed and fabulous.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

All about RSS

2008-03-31T12:42:00Z

Curious about the little orange RSS links you see all over the web? RSS feeds are a great way to keep tabs on websites that update frequently, like blogs and Etsy shops. Word on the street is that RSS stands for "real simple syndication."

Check out this video on how to use RSS with Alchemy:

[Music by Barry London]

To get started with RSS, you'll need an RSS reader and some feeds you want to follow. Some easy to use RSS readers include Google Reader and Bloglines. Firefox has a feature called "Live Bookmarks" which can be used to view RSS feeds. Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook (2003 or later) and Apple Mail all have RSS readers built into them, so you can get RSS updates alongside your e-mail. RSSFWD will actually email RSS updates to any email account you like.

One handy Etsy feed you'll want to subscribe to is the Storque's Etsy News feed. The Etsy News feed pulls directly from the Etsy News section of the Storque, bringing important news to you in a timely fashion. There are RSS feeds for all sections of the Storque; check out the list of the Storque feeds available. In addition to section-based feeds, you can also get a feed for any of our featured columns. Just want to see our Etsy Success Stories articles? Click the "RSS Feed for this search" at the bottom of the page. You may need to copy and paste the feed URL into your RSS reader.

So be on the lookout for the orange RSS icon! It means that a website's content can be packaged and delivered directly to you. How handy!

Etsy in the Press: Alchemy Lives & Other Headlines

2008-03-20T17:41:00Z

It's been about one week since the rebirth of Alchemy, and already the press is begining to take notice. New York Magazine's Best Bets section notes the resurgence of the feature, dubbing it "genius." The irreverent crowd over at Gawker took notice as well, noting requests for a vegan jackalope and ten felted eyeballs. Check out the comments section for other hilarious suggestions. Rounding out this trio is a posting on buzzfeed in the Tech Buzz section.

In other news, triplepundit has an interesting piece about the social values associated with Etsy, and The Daytona Beach News-Journal wrote a story as well, featuring quotes from three local sellers. The New York Daily News also mentioned Etsy in a lineup of great online shopping venues.

How to Make an Outstanding Alchemy Bid & Stand out from the Rest

2008-03-19T15:00:00Z

Sellers, here are some tips for making your Alchemy bids glitter like gold!

Tip #1 - Bid on your specialty.   If you bid only on the request you know you can rock, you can take the time to make that bid amazing. Buyers want to know you have the experience to make their requested piece exquisite.

Tip #2 - Acknowledge the main points of the Alchemy request.   If someone is requesting a not-so-sweet dark chocolate cookies, and you have an amazing recipe for them, make sure you acknowledge that your specific recipe is not very sweet and uses high quality dark chocolate. Show the buyer that you paid close attention — and that you are the perfect artist to work on their request.

Tip #3 - Add a creative details and don't forget relevant links! Okay, so maybe don't make it a short story, but make sure you do describe exactly what you would like to make — and get inventive!   It's tempting to say "I can make whatever you would like me to!", but most people are making Alchemy request because they want something unique — something they couldn't make or design themselves. Include links to items in your shop, sold items, or other photos you have online (perhaps in your Flickr account) that show the buyer your experience and creative point of view.

Tip #4 - Price accordingly. Once you've lured in the requester with your skills and past experience, price your bid based on the time and materials. After chatting with other Admin who have made requests, I realized all the bids we accepted were a bit higher than our ideal price. Most people won't mind paying more for something really special.

Want to see some great bids? I've collected a few for your perusal — have a peek!

Bid Accepted for Earl Grey Solid Perfume by DaisyCakesSoap

Garth Algar Portrait by TheMayofTeckClub

Chocolate Cookies by ChristinaWard

Come join us today (Wed. March 19) at 4pm in the Virtual Labs' Treehouse for a workshop about bidding on Alchemy! Learn more about Alchemy in the video in this post and Alchemy "best practices" in another.

Have any more Alchemy tips based on your experience? Lets us know in the comments below!

Etsy Video Podcast: What is Etsy Alchemy?

2008-03-14T20:00:00Z

Etsy Alchemy is going strong with over 600 active Alchemy requests after only a few days! Alchemy is a way to allow Etsy sellers to bid on making custom items for buyers. Watch this video to get learn how Alchemy works!

MOV | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

If you're looking for more in-depth detailed info, check out this Alchemy walkthrough. - Link

Ready to get started with the process? Go to Alchemy and make your dreams come true! - Link

Want to get Etsy videos automatically delivered by subscribing in iTunes for free? - Subscribe Link

Alchemy: Day One

2008-03-13T15:55:00Z

UPDATE: So far we've added:

a blurb at the top explaining a bit about Alchemy.
link to Your Alchemy shop settings so you can easily update your announcement.
ability to edit requests before they've been bid upon.
more awesomeness to Alchemy search so it's more effective.

Alchemy has been back up for just about 24 hours now (and there are almost 300 live requests already – wow!). We’re always seeking ways to make Etsy better, and this first day for Alchemy has generated a lot of great feedback for us to use to improve the feature. Thank you!

Here are a few things that we’re going to do, based on the community’s input:

1.   Add a flagging system for Alchemy requests. These flags will allow the community to notify Etsy when they think a request is in violation of Etsy’s rules. Etsy will investigate each case as we currently do with flagged items. (More about this below).
2.   Allow editing requests prior to the first bid being placed on the request. Once a bid has been made, the request is locked so that all bidders are bidding on the same request.
3.   Link directly to the bidder’s shop in the bid via a text link, so buyers can more easily check out that seller’s other items and overall style.
4.   Make searching for items within Alchemy more efficient.

One clear area of concern is requests that ask for a knock-off or copy of an item already available in an Etsy shop, particularly if that shop is mentioned in the request.

Flattering? Possibly yes. Cool? Definitely not. Intellectual property violation? Maybe. Why maybe? Well, the seller may have actually given permission to the requester, which would make it ok.

So what can you do if you see a “copycatting” request? One option is to Convo the seller of the item mentioned in the request to let them know about it. If they haven’t given permission, it is their responsibility to contact Etsy to have the Alchemy request removed. We will remove any request that violates a seller’s intellectual property (IP) rights IF we receive a request from that seller.

Why can’t Etsy just police these requests directly? Why can’t Etsy act on the good word of a concerned third-party? Well, monitoring IP violations is the responsibility of the IP owner — in this case, that’s the seller of the item. Only the person who owns the IP rights (or their representative) can determine if something is an infringing knock-off and do something about it. This is the same process we use for regular item listings, which you can read about in our Intellectual Property Policy.

Is there anything else you can do if you see a “copycatting” request in Alchemy? Yes — you can simply not bid on a request that seems fishy. If sellers don’t bid on these requests, they will naturally weed themselves out. Buyers can also submit a direct request to a specific seller, so ideally the buyer will go right to the source for a customized version of an item on Etsy.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about Alchemy! Please join us for an Online Workshop tomorrow at 11:00 AM (Eastern time) in the Virtual Labs’ Treehouse for an open discussion on Alchemy.

Customer Care Tip: Privacy and Custom Orders

2008-03-12T17:05:00Z

Dear Sellers:

We love all of the custom items available on Etsy, and we hope that the return of Alchemy will make it easier for buyers to request custom pieces and for sellers to list them. However, there are some things to keep in mind when making and listing custom and personalized items.

With such amazing artists and designers here, there's a great opportunity for buyers to request handmade creations like custom designed invitations and promotional materials. Typically, sellers post the images of the custom item for the buyer to see before they checkout.

This is where sellers need to take an extra step to ensure the privacy of their buyers. If you (the seller) have created an item for a buyer that includes sensitive information such as an address, phone number, or personal email address, please make sure the images do not show the buyer's information!

Sold listings cannot be edited, so the best thing to do is first send the images to the buyer for approval (through convo or email) instead of using them as one of the images in the listing. Then, when you're ready to post the listing, either upload a generic image, or take a photo that doesn't show the private details (take the photo at a further distance so you can't read the text or blur out the info in Photoshop).

Here's how you attach an image to a convo:

This will protect your buyers and prevent you from having to email support to remove the image. It's the whole "ounce of prevention vs. a pound of cure" theory.

Have fun making your custom items!

Tech Updates: Alchemy is Back!

2008-03-12T16:30:00Z

It's here, it's here! At long last, Alchemy's triumphant return!

In the historical sense, Alchemy is the pursuit of transforming common metals into valuable gold. In the Etsy sense, Alchemy is when a seller transforms a buyer’s creative ideas into tangible items. In short, it’s the magical process of custom orders!

Etsy’s founder, Robert Kalin, notes that "Alchemy lets people make something from nothing, seeing their ideas fabricated by artisans from all over the world." Sometime around 42BC, Horace, who coincidently was not a successful alchemist, said, “What we seek is either here or nowhere.” Surely, he had Etsy.com’s Alchemy in mind.

How it works:
Alchemy is a tool on Etsy where buyers can post requests for custom items. Sellers then bid on the opportunity to make the item and get the commission. This presents a unique opportunity for shoppers to work closely with a crafter or artisan to get the exact item they seek.

Here's what an open Alchemy Request looks like:

Buyers can even make private requests to a specific seller within a shop.
Pictured below is a private request:

However, in order to accept private requests through Alchemy, sellers must "opt in" by going to Your Etsy > Shop Appearance.

The main Alchemy page shows all the open requests from buyers that sellers can bid on. To get the ball rolling, Etsy admin have put in requests for items we've been craving. If you are interested in making one of the requested items, feel free to bid on a request and be one of the first participants in Alchemy. Buyers can use these Admin requests as examples of the information necessary for an Alchemy request.

Etsians can manage all the requests you've placed or accepted, along with private Alchemy requests in "Your Alchemy." See below:

We've added a new section for Alchemy to the Dos and Don'ts. Before participating in Alchemy, please read and familiarize yourself with these rules.

Do use Alchemy to request custom handmade goods.
Do communicate openly with the buyer/seller during all phases of the transaction via Conversations or email.
Do follow through on the terms you agree to in your Alchemy transactions. This is a legally-binding sales agreement.
Do refer to and abide by Etsy's Intellectual Property Policy regarding any intellectual property disputes.
Do get permission from Etsy prior to creating items that use Etsy's marks (name, logo, etc). Please refer to the Etsy Trademark Program for more information.
Don't use Alchemy to request Supply or Vintage items. At this time, Alchemy is for custom handmade items only.
Don't use Alchemy to request a copycat or knock-off of an item listed on Etsy. Instead, submit a private request directly to the seller of the original item to inquire about a custom order.
Don't infringe upon the intellectual property of others through Alchemy (some examples might include: using images in your request that don't belong to you, or creating works using trademarked or licensed characters). When in doubt, ask permission first. Check out the Copyright FAQ for more info.
Don't complete a transaction off-Etsy once it has been initiated through Alchemy. This is fee avoidance.
Don't use Alchemy as a classified ad space for things unrelated to Etsy (for example: employment opportunities, room rentals, free puppies, etc).
Don't use Alchemy to request pornography, illegal items or anything that would otherwise violate Etsy's policies as stated in the Terms of Use or DOs & DON'Ts.
Don't use Alchemy to trade items.
Don't solicit free items through Alchemy requests (such as charitable donations, promotional materials, etc).

So go out and have fun with Etsy's newest tool, Alchemy! If you need help at any point in the Alchemy process, peruse our Alchemy Help Guides. You should also check out our article on Alchemy's best practices to get the most out of your Alchemy experience and keep the lines of communication between buyer and seller open.

Sellers, post in the comments below when you've opted-in and you have your Alchemy announcement up!

Best Practices: Getting the Most out of Alchemy

2008-03-12T16:07:00Z

After a long hiatus, Alchemy is back! Alchemy is Etsy's system for requesting custom-made items. For a full rundown of how Alchemy works, check out the Tech Update. Whether you're totally new to Alchemy or a long-time Etsian reuniting with it, here are some things to think about before and during your Alchemy transactions:

Explore carefully!
We know how excited you are about the launch of Alchemy. It's tempting to want to dive right in and explore every single aspect of the new system. However, it's important to be careful when exploring and remember that this is a tool with contracts and obligations, so playing around to figure things out might enter you into a transaction with a member unintentionally. Soon, we will be posting a video which gives you a peak at the whole Alchemy process.

Communication is key!
Stay on top of communicating with your newest Alchemy friend; Etsy will automatically open a Conversation between both parties when a bid is placed.

Sellers: make sure your buyer knows what stage you're at with the project, any issues or questions you might have, and any changes that might have occured during the process. Buyers: communicate to the seller exactly what you want and what your expectations are. Photos and sketches are a great way to communicate ideas that might be hard to explain. You can attach a picture to your request. This way both buyer and seller will remain on the same page and create a smooth transaction.

Think before bidding and requesting!
Alchemy can be very exciting, and you may want to bid on every listing you see, or request every item you can imagine, but don't forget that accepting/confirming a bid is a binding contract — you're committing to purchase/make the item in the bid. Sellers, be carfeul not to overload on bids or you may find yourself too busy to fulfill all of your contacts in a timely and manageable fashion.

Be as clear and specific as you can in your requests and bids.
Buyers: you will want to provide enough details so the person you are working with can be on the same page as you are. Pictures are a wonderful way to show exactly what you are trying to convey; requesters can use pictures to show examples of what they are looking for, and bidders can use photos to show what they are capable of, as well as works in progress during the transaction.

Honesty is the best policy.
Sellers, be honest about your abilities and realistic in your time estimates. If it's something a little outside of what you normally do, leave time for mistakes and "do overs."

When to opt-in for private requests?
With Alchemy, a buyer can request a custom item from a seller via Private Request. Because not all sellers are available for custom work, we've made the ability for sellers to accept requests totally optional. It's off by default, and sellers can turn it on by going to Your Etsy > Shop Appearance. You can change your settings at any time.

When you opt in to recieve Alchemy requests through your store, shoppers can request items similar to your sold items, as well as ask for custom orders. If you are open to receiving such requests, the opt-in feature would be perfect for you! Keep in mind times when you know you will be busy, and consider opting-out of private requests during those periods. Holidays, vacations, and busy periods (based on your previous year's sales) are all times to think about. If you already have a good inventory built up going into November, you might not have any trouble keeping up with custom orders through the holidays. If you think you're going to be scrambling just to keep your store stocked, you might want to turn them off. Don't overwork yourself!

Write an informative Alchemy announcement.
Each shop has a special Alchemy page where buyers can go to request an item from a specific seller. This page also has a space for sellers to list any pertinent information about taking custom requests. This is a great place to list general Alchemy policies for your shop, as well as average turnaround times and upcoming periods where you won't be taking requests.

Presentation matters.
Take the time to photograph the final product well. When you complete an Alchemy transaction, it shows up as a sold item in your shop. The last picture uploaded becomes the first image in the listing. Other users can find you and request similar items if they like what they see! Here are some great tips for taking quality photos.

What are your payment and shipping terms?
Depending on the item, you may want the buyer to pay before you start work, or take 50% of the payment up front and 50% when it's complete. For example, if you're making a custom fit dress from fine fabrics, you might want to have the buyer pay for the materials before you start, and send the rest of the payment when it's done.

One handy way to request payment from the buyer is to send a Paypal invoice for the amount due. If you're not using Paypal, you can also write up an invoice and email it for them to print/mail with their check or other form of payment.

The best advice is to prepare ahead of time before diving into a request or bid, and think about what it is you need to do to cover all your bases! We'll see you out there amidst the Alchemy excitement!

Etsy Finds: Alchemy...!

2008-03-12T15:44:00Z

Guess what's just around the corner? Old-school Etsy users will fondly remember the feature known as Alchemy, where shoppers can write up a listing for a custom order they're hankering for, and Etsy artists can bid on the project. Got ideas in your head you just haven't found using our tag/title search? Soon you'll be able to request anything you can think of on Etsy, and chances are, someone out there can make it happen. In honor of Alchemy's impending return, I made this list of customizable items on Etsy. A few shops I've showcased before, but the work is so good it's worth a second look. Hope you like!

The House Next Door

Beautiful lino cut print of a house in Leannegraeff's neighborhood. She'll also make custom illustrations from photographs of your house. $18

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Custom Stamped Sterling Silver Ring

Classic. I like this particular ring because the message is hidden on the inside, but chrisparry has a huge variety of customizable jewelry in his shop. I bought my husband one of his pieces for Valentine's Day; highly recommended! $49.99.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Custom Save the Date Postcard

Hey betrothed! Need a unique "save the date" postcard? Custom illustration by unlesssomeonelikesyou, $150.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Be sure to check out the Storque's upcoming series on Etsy Handmade Weddings for more wedding ideas!

Sweet Coquette Maillot

Vintage reproduction handmade bathing suit, made to your exact measurements. By missbrache, $98.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Custom Greeting Card With Your Pet

10 greeting cards made from your favorite image of your pet. By ChubbyTrubby, $12.95.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Family Tree Wall Decal

This would be a sweet gift for a 50th wedding anniversary, or just because. By Elephannie, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Yes I Do Cats

Did you know you can get anything on Etsy? Like incredible customized pillows with your pet's portrait? I just actually worked this into my monthly budget. My new "pet portrait pillow" allowance. By mybonnie, $38

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Maim

There is nothing not to love about this whole shop. Vintage shoes, handpainted designs, completely one of a kind and cute. En français, aussi. By ndeurshoes, $225.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Alchemy Bangle

Now go get ready to customize everything you can thing of. You can use this bangle to remember. By alphabettispaghetti, $55

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Alchemy…It’s Coming Soon!

2008-03-11T13:14:00Z

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!