Does Anyone Sell on Michael's MakerPlace?

WildDaisies

WildDaisies
Senior User
Their fees are alot more reasonable than Etsy but I'm trying to work my way through their 30 page legal agreement and just figured I'd ask if anyone else has sold on there, and if so is it worth setting up a store?
 

WildDaisies

WildDaisies
Senior User
Is that through Michael's craft stores?
Yes. I became aware of it late last year. They have opened their site up to include handmade sellers. When I looked into it then, it was 3% of sales and $110 subscription fee after 6 months which is way better than Etsy who takes about ~12% of sales.

Now it seems to have jumped up to 5% + the $120 subscription or 7% of sales if you don't pay the subscription.

I'm just curious if anyone else has tried it to see if it's worth the headache of signing up.
 

mquan01

Mike
Corporate Member
Has anyone tried this yet. My aunt wants me to open a storefront for her and her friends and this looks like a lower cost alternative
 

Berta

Berta
Corporate Member
What’s the worst that could happen? I would do Etsy first because people have heard of it.
 

tri4sale

Daniel
Corporate Member
Has anyone tried this yet. My aunt wants me to open a storefront for her and her friends and this looks like a lower cost alternative
they key for either is driving eyes to the storefront. If she's going to be the one driving traffic, go with lower cost option. Etsy is oversaturated with artists (I use that term loosely) and some things are a race to the bottom on price.
 

WildDaisies

WildDaisies
Senior User
Has anyone tried this yet. My aunt wants me to open a storefront for her and her friends and this looks like a lower cost alternative
If you don't mind sharing, what is she selling? I opted not to do Michael's mostly because I didn't like the terms of service.
 

WildDaisies

WildDaisies
Senior User
I would be the seller..
In general what are you selling? Feel free to send me a message if you have more detailed questions. Lots of experience on Etsy, and can share what I know about Michaels. There's also other sites if you're doing high volume you can wholesale on, as well as alot of tech out there to help with listing photos, mockups etc. I am constantly learning myself but happy to share what little I do know!
 

NCJim

Jim
User
Just a though:
Does anyone think that others crafters and/or artist look at Etsy, Michaels, and similar sites to get ideas to copy your items? Lets face it, if we can make it someone else can do it too. I have looked at Etsy many time over the years and the only thing I have ever purchased are plans that a person is may be selling (mostly toy plans) and most of these are of poor quality that I don't use.
I have been at craft shows that people took pictures of my items. Even had a person take measurements (I stopped that one).

 

tri4sale

Daniel
Corporate Member
Just a though:
Does anyone think that others crafters and/or artist look at Etsy, Michaels, and similar sites to get ideas to copy your items? Lets face it, if we can make it someone else can do it too. I have looked at Etsy many time over the years and the only thing I have ever purchased are plans that a person is may be selling (mostly toy plans) and most of these are of poor quality that I don't use.
I have been at craft shows that people took pictures of my items. Even had a person take measurements (I stopped that one).


I don't think it, I know it :) I've done it, looked for ideas and made them myself. There are very few original ideas out there at this point.
 

WildDaisies

WildDaisies
Senior User
Just a though:
Does anyone think that others crafters and/or artist look at Etsy, Michaels, and similar sites to get ideas to copy your items? Lets face it, if we can make it someone else can do it too. I have looked at Etsy many time over the years and the only thing I have ever purchased are plans that a person is may be selling (mostly toy plans) and most of these are of poor quality that I don't use.
I have been at craft shows that people took pictures of my items. Even had a person take measurements (I stopped that one).

I look at Etsy alot and get inspiration but have never copied a design. Most of my sales are front door wreaths. Anyone could copy them but I think for most of us "regulars" it's an unwritten rule we don't copy each other's designs.

But just like the wheel, we now have how many tires, how many cars, trucks, dog leashes, running shoes, etc? Humans seem to have evolved on doing things better, faster, nicer etc. Someone creates an original and others help evolve it to be better. I think it's human nature.

If any of your items are the first of any then file a patent. My friend's friend did craft shows and did just that, she owns the concept of what she sells and no one can copy it until her patent runs out.
 

NCJim

Jim
User
I look at Etsy alot and get inspiration but have never copied a design. Most of my sales are front door wreaths. Anyone could copy them but I think for most of us "regulars" it's an unwritten rule we don't copy each other's designs.

But just like the wheel, we now have how many tires, how many cars, trucks, dog leashes, running shoes, etc? Humans seem to have evolved on doing things better, faster, nicer etc. Someone creates an original and others help evolve it to be better. I think it's human nature.

If any of your items are the first of any then file a patent. My friend's friend did craft shows and did just that, she owns the concept of what she sells and no one can copy it until her patent runs out.
"File a patent" You are looking at several thousand dollars, and several years.
 

Echd

C
User
I look at Etsy alot and get inspiration but have never copied a design. Most of my sales are front door wreaths. Anyone could copy them but I think for most of us "regulars" it's an unwritten rule we don't copy each other's designs.

But just like the wheel, we now have how many tires, how many cars, trucks, dog leashes, running shoes, etc? Humans seem to have evolved on doing things better, faster, nicer etc. Someone creates an original and others help evolve it to be better. I think it's human nature.

If any of your items are the first of any then file a patent. My friend's friend did craft shows and did just that, she owns the concept of what she sells and no one can copy it until her patent runs out.

A patent is extremely expensive for the individual to file and only worth what you're willing to spend to defend it even after that. I suspect your friend would find that her patent was a tremendous waste of money if someone did decide to copy it. I would imagine a "craft" show type item would be even harder still to defend.
 

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