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!