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Story by
Community,
Vanessa
Published on June 19, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by |
Camilla Stacey, a.k.a. MadebyMilla, is an Old School Etsian — one of the first shops on Etsy that is still active. She joined on June 18, 2005.
Please introduce yourself and talk a bit about what you make.
I'm Camilla Stacey, otherwise known as MadebyMilla. 
I am an artist and curator based by the seaside in the United Kingdom, making work with a strong basis in crafts. When I first came to Etsy I was making clothing, badges and my infamous "spooky doll face brooches." These days I am concentrating on making giant drawings, learning hand embroidery, and screenprinting rude pictures on vintage hankies.
Even though I've been on Etsy since the very beginning, I feel like I'm still not 100% sure of my identity here, which is why my shop is always a bit of a jumble of items ranging from $1 badges and zines to fine art pieces.
Hearken back to the old days of Etsy...Any fond memories?
When I first came to Etsy (via GetCrafty.com) I was one of the only international members, let alone sellers. I signed up within the first week, if I recall correctly, and registered as a seller (number 98) the minute it became possible for international members to do so.
I do really miss those early days when I made it onto the "Top 100 Sellers" page just by the fact I'd sold two things! [The Top Sellers site feature was removed in November 2006 with the release of V2.] I miss being able to see the entire contents of a category on one page. I miss knowing who everyone is and the personal communication between members and Admin. I think it's great that Etsy has grown as well as it has done, but I do miss the days when I could keep track of who sold what, and knew where to find whatever it was I felt I needed to spend money on at any given time. I also really miss how the Forums were in the old days — so s-l-o-w I could actually keep up with what was happening. 
"Awesome" Ribbon brooch by minorthread.
How has what you create changed over the past few years, if at all?
My work has retained a lot of the same themes (I'm obsessed with ideas to do with memory, collection and nostalgia), but thanks to the fact I decided to go back to art school two years ago and take a second degree, I've moved away from some of the accessory/toy/clothing type things I used to concentrate on and now am focusing more on creating art pieces.
I still want to make work that is accessible to all, so I make sure that I have badges and zines available when I have exhibitions and in my Etsy shop. It's important to me that people are able to afford what I make so I create a wide variety of pieces that come in at all kinds of prices. I'd like to move into selling more of my "fine art," but I haven't yet found a way that I'm comfortable with. At the moment I'm still testing the waters...Ok, so it's taken me four years to get this far; in another four years I might finally have a cohesive shop! (I've sold some of my art via my other shop: www.camillastacey.etsy.com.)
Do you see yourself on Etsy for the long haul?
I think breaking up with Etsy would be very hard to do. Having been here from practically day one, it would be hard to leave. At times I wonder why I still maintain a shop (when sales are slow or I lack any enthusiasm for making new work), but I appreciate the way I find it so easy to run my shop here. Maybe having lived through all the changes to Etsy, it all seems pretty simple to me. Recently as my work (art shows, etc) has really increased I've found I've had less and less time for Etsy. I've never been someone disciplined enough to keep listing new items each day. I think that shows in my sales (not brilliant for four years), but I'm happy to keep ticking over and see where that gets me.
What have you learned about selling?
I've learned that it's much easier to make it into the Top Sellers list when there's only 97 other people! I've learned that good photos do make a difference, but I haven't learned enough to make myself sit down and re-do all of mine, no matter how many times I think I should get around to it. Promotion works, but spamming is supremely irritating (which is why I haven't signed up for Twitter, I'm afraid).
I've learned that creating networks amongst your peers can be a good thing and doesn't always mean someone's going to steal your ideas. I've had a lot of support from people online, and I wouldn't be here without my "virtual" friends.
I am always impressed when something I buy comes to me well packaged, but no matter how many little extras might be included, if the product isn't well made I'm not going to come back. I've learned that all of the good advice in the world won't help you sell stuff if you don't actually act on it. I have to say my shop is still home to poor quality photos, terrible descriptions and my gift wrapping leaves a lot to be desired...I hope that doesn't put you off!
What do you want for the future of Etsy?
While I welcome the chance to buy Vintage items on Etsy, I would love to see them separated off into their own website — the same with Supplies. I find it so frustrating to look for ways to spend my money and come across pages of commercially produced supplies. I also HATE that vintage starts in the 80s — I was a teenager in the 80s, can you imagine how old that makes me feel!
As I've started to develop my practice as an artist I've come to see the need for a more clearly defined space for Art amongst all the other items on Etsy. There have been long battles fought over the terminology of print and printmaking, and I don't think they are all over yet. I know you can't please all the people all the time, but there is some fantastic work from leading contemporary artists that gets lost amongst mis-catagorised stuff. It would be a shame if Etsy lost out on this talent due to lack of control over what happens in its shops.
Read more Old School Etsians Posts | Shop Local United Kingdom
Are you an Old School Etsian? Leave your memories of the early days in the comments!
| Tags | community, interview, members, Old School Etsians, sellers, This Handmade Life, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, UK, United Kingdom |
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108 comments Login to add your own!
Mattamorphis
WOW how exciting. Those brooches are alot of fun.
Happy Friday!
-M
VintageEye
aBreathofFrenchair
westfoldpress
That's fun to have an ecclectic shop. I like how you are trying bits of everything, and have been doing it for so long!
steinschmuckdesign
beautifulbridget
Morado
Wonderful read! I can't imagine how small and close the ETsy community must hv been in 2005!! :)
SusanFaye
circlesareforever
fernfiddlehead
DesignsbyShellie
AwApplesauce
MissHildebrandt
You remind me of an old friend from Providence. I loved her mind and yours seems pretty neat, thanks for the glimpse!
beachhouseblues
I think you offer an interesting perspective about Etsy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
screaminglulu
Well done Camilla!
Ive got that very same Louise B stitched "Ive been to hell and back" on my wall too!
(And how nice to see that my 'old bag' is related to you too...!)
lulu x
pouch
so nice to read about Camilla's early experiences on etsy :)
Apart from being a supportive member of the UK art & craft scene, she lives in my hometown in the UK and I love to see her photos of the seafront over on Flickr!
thebestvintage
I agree that I cringe a bit to think vintage is from the 1980's but I also still find it hard to see fireman and policeman that look like babies (to me)!!
lilworkerb
BirdhouseBlessings
I agree that vintage and supplies ought to be seperate sites. I think there is a different feel when handmade items are all together, it makes it special to the customer.
RetroHouse
tldgrainwear
BabbidgePatch
MeadowbelleMarket
Thanks for sharing, Camilla! I love to read your story and imagine that you knew what potential there was for Etsy, even in the beginning. Thanks for being around and for broadening the international community :)
worksofwhimsy
younghairlove
tiinateaspoon
Lovely article Camilla, congrats!
I share many of the same points of view, especially the speed of the forums :D
Keep up the fab work!
4TheSparrowsNest
Honest interview, Camilla, I appreciated your take on Etsy and your own experience over the years. And of course, I'd love to kidnap the kitten. :o)
dogties
FancyPantsAndMore
While I applaud the longevity of this member, I would hate to see the split of vintage and supplies from handmade. After all, we have been here nearly as long as handmade(a few days apart I think) and are just as deserving to be a part of Etsy as anyone selling handmade.
MyJunkyTrunk
HomeStudio
lovelygifts
sianuska
dragonhouseofyuen
A wonderful, honest and insightful interview with Camilla - and the most beautiful tiny little kitten!! what's her name?
So good to read about someone who doesn't list every day. I don't list every day... (is it Really linked to sales??? I don't think so, not with me anyway)
and I like the ideas about vintage and supplies being separated, though there are some amazing pieces out there in both categories, due to both photographs and subject matter that look fantastic and I do think are appropriate to keep in with the art stuff because lots of art is made from these 'things'... can one be separated from the other?? a thoughtful idea!
thanks Vanessa for this superb interview with Camilla and that tiny kitten :)
OliveSomeday
DivineTimes
A great read,,and I can relate to many things you say Camilla,, I love the gatito, xx
EJPcreations
I love the hedgehog plush! I love the article! So interesting!
MarcellasExcess
SimpleTraditions
MissAvocado
Fun piece! I love hearing about what people start out with and how their shops evolve.
Back in July '05 I was selling crocheted accessories here on Etsy. Now I'm selling art. What a long strange trip...
jellibat
apart from what we make , and i joined a little later , I think I agree with everything you have said milla.
I have similar experience (though never made top sellers, there were a few hundred of us here by the time i joined :)
and I agree with all your ideas about etsy , and wish vintage and supplies were separate sites as it was first discussed when those categories started to grow. though im not sure the categories will ever get fully sorted and defined in a way to please everyone
clubviv
Thank you for sharing!!!
So lovely
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anda
tinahdee
This is fun. Thanks for sharing a piece of Etsy past and present. :)
baconsquarefarm
Awesome~ enjoy reading these stories and nice to meet ya camilla.
staceyrebecca
yay for you & yay for spelling Stacey with an E ;)
I feel a lot of the same way (& I joined some 20,700 etsians *after* you) and I really enjoyed reading your article!
DawnWillBreak
I wish Etsy still had a Top Sellers page, I think it would be really cool to see who the people are.
Great story!
twigsandheather
The awesome brooch is, well, awesome. Great article. Thoughtful and honest. I like you!
LillyQueen
I started here in August of 2005!! I can believe its almost been 4 years.
I still have a screenshot from the old Beta days with the top 100 sellers with me on it.
KAPARA
TipsyTimeMachine
We're handcrafters and and vintage sellers, and wouldn't like to see the two more seperated. What about crafters that work with vintage components? Sometimes we find great vintage handmade items - art, embroidery,pottery.
The simple option is when you're searching to choose to look at Vintage or Handmade categories instead of all items.
Some lovely picks, and it is always interesting to hear from a member who has developed their work and store over time.
thingsbuilt
CreaShines
odiliafu
intrinsicimagination
LivaRutmane
BirdAndMoonStudio
CutieDynamite
beckybrocato
that's pretty awesome to be one of the first international sellers on Etsy. amazing that you've seen so much change.
SweetwaterGifts
Really like the idea of supplies and vintage being separated. I think it would benefit everyone if what someone was looking for was in a particular area. Also - it would be great to be able to sort Favorite Seller/Items for easier searching later.
poppyswickedgarden
HOw Superfun and cool Haa Haa I was a top 100 seller too back then! I think you can look up the old archives somewhere!
I think I may have sold about 10-20 things before they removed it;)
Iammie
monstergallery
really nice to read about some of the Old School Etsians who were there from the very beginning!
i joined in feb 2006 and could still remember they used to put up a big collage made up of the avatars of all Etsians!
sandali
Love it -- I love to see that sign ' focus ' ... that's my favorite saying when I get sidetracked -- maintain & focus ... hehehehe ;)
littlepinkpebble
BlueTerracotta
Great interview! I loooove your doll face brooches. And I agree with you on the need for a clearly defined space for Art.
cynthiacallan
ShoreDebris
I love your story. Thank you for sharing... makes me feel not so alone since I don't retake photos I know I should and I like a little bit of everything!
madebymilla
Thanks guys! I'd like to meet you all in real life and talk more about taking bad photos and being lazy.
TheReFORMatory
Wonderful interview, I love your honest approach and ideas. I also like that you continue to branch out with new ideas and a create pieces with variety of prices. I'm with you all the way.
moonstr
cosmicsurflove
these are fantastic and very inspiring!
your items are delightful!
sleepypillow
uncorked
wonderful interview- thanks for sharing Camilla!! love those hankies!
HendersonArt
Wow, what a great introduction to a fantastic-sounding person. Straight-forward and with a pile of humour. I am now going to check out your shop... thanks!
contemporarystitches
great read Camilla. Thank sfor putting my swaddling band up here, you have supported me from day 1 and I am so grateful for that.
contemporarystitches
oh and I forget to say...I adore your basket of folded vintage cloth, very covetable!
madebymilla
Aww I wish I had a shop full of treats to give away to all you kind people...maybe in four years time I'll have got it together enough!
plumprettysugar
opendoorstudio
great perspective and I love knowing how Etsy "looked" back in the day...
TreeHuggerStudio
I love your honesty. Thank you for sharing.Keep on keepin on!!!
HouseHoldWords
sarahemilydesign
mossyrockpottery
Fascinating to hear 'bout the early days...
I suppose that was not very long ago.
thebeautifulproject
Hooray Camilla! I love your hankies and I love where you are taking your art. From one real friend to another, you are awesome! Congrats!!!
redyellowandblueink
Wow, excellent article. Thank you so much Camilla for your down home honesty. I am about a year and a half to Etsy, so I haven't seen all the changes I have been reading about in the last two "old School Etsian" articles. But I can clearly see where you are coming from. Your story is so honest and your comments on Vintage, art, supplies....and..um....the 80's, I hear you. Thanks again.
kitschandcurious
I've been following Camilla in the blogosphere & locally here in Bristol for a while (in a good way - not like stalker). I didn't realise she has been on Etsy for so long. I'm not surprised however, as she has been at the leading edge of so many art & craft happenings. She has modestly not mentioned that she founded the Here shop and gallery, which is one of the most inspiring places in Bristol.
Yay for Milla!
18ontheAlley
SundraSandrusi
Baggavond
Camilla...thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us - very insightful and inspiring! :-)
selflesh
Wow Camilla!
First I just want to say I really enjoyed the interview, and I especially appreciate your honesty! Second, thanks so much for including my Bird Map Collage Subscription.
You're the best,
:)
xo
>s
sugarcookie
Yay for Camilla. I love this interview, and your kitty.
I love your "focus" reminder on the wall - did you know I used to have that, too? I wrote one for myself last week at work, too. I do not know where they are! You can see, it did me lots of good! haha.
sugarcookie
Also - I noticed my Etsy shop opened June 20, 2005! My anniversary was yesterday. I think I was a Top Seller for a day back in 2005. I feel like Camilla - I could look at that page and know most of the sellers - from blogs, zines, etc. I don't even think I rank on the Top Sellers at all anymore!
Petables
LittleCritters00
misterrob
Hi, How lovely of you to include me in this interesting article, loved hearing about your history with etsy!
Best wishes
Rob
JewelsandGhouls
It's amazing that etsy has grown that much since then. I find it encouraging for people to speak of the online community, as that is something i still struggle to make myself a part of.
gretchenmist
very cool and refreshing article! i'm with you re vintage ~ i kind of get it but actually still don't really {was also a teenager in the 80s}!
joettamaue
love your kitten, love your article, and love the LB stitch drawing on your inspiration board.
thanks for including me.
dollyrockers
thanks for including me! i had no idea you were so OG etsy :D
BluCille
csgreenhill
Fabulous work. I hope to have success on etsy as you have. Any pointers?
minorthread
What a great article, and thanks for featuring one of my award ribbons!
I have one of Camilla's prints hanging in my house, and I love seeing it every day.
I, too, am an old-school kid, having joined only 6 days after Miss Camilla!
themefragrance
FlashyFashions
Wow, terrific article! Great to see people who stick! Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing!
heirloomsbylorraine
Hi Camilla,
Your story is inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I just had to comment because your face and smile is so friendly and trusting. You certainly have given me encouragement to keep "plugging" away.
Thanks again,
Lorraine
ustahli
Hi, I enjoyed reading about how you got started on etsy from the early days. I am very recent to etsy and hope to last as long as you have. I guess i am a bit the opposite of you . I live in the appalachian mountains far from the sea, but we are also alike in many ways. I have been a craftsman for 50 years. I am sure you are much younger and nicer looking than me.
Ustali,,,,,the name means "inchworm" in the Cherokee language
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