Handmade policy
Our marketplace is a community of manufacturers, designers and freelancers in Handmade.
If you sell handmade work through our shops, you are agreeing to abide by our Policy and Terms of Use. This policy is part of our Terms of Use. Please read it carefully to understand your obligations as a handmade seller.
- Selling Handmade Items
Handmade products are a diverse phenomenon. On the one hand, there are the so-called producers-sellers who make their goods themselves (with their own hands or with the help of tools). On the other hand, there are freelancers and designers – sellers who design their own goods and may be totally dependent on outside help or another business to help physically produce them. Many handmade sellers find themselves in the middle of this spectrum, as they both produce and design their goods.
Regarding who helps you and how your goods are made, it is important to be transparent. Anything that is listed as handmade must be made and/or designed by you as the seller. Resale of such goods is prohibited. You may also have people working in your shop to help you run your business while you, as the seller, make and/or design your goods.
Producers
A maker is a vendor who makes his own products which he then sells in his shop. He may also be a designer who designs his own products, or he may use some pattern or template which is not his own. In either case, manufacturers must create their own products with their own hands (or with tools).
Designers and Freelancers
Designers and freelancers are vendors who develop original ideas for goods that will be made by their own workshop or by the staff of a partner manufacturer. Routine creation of goods from already existing options, such as colour and shape choices, is not considered design. If you are a designer or freelancer and work with a manufacturing partner, you will also need to disclose that partner in your listings. A production partner is any person or company that helps you physically make your products but is not part of your shop.
Original design is your core value that helps you stand out from other sellers. If you decide to use a manufacturing partner to create your products, this should be stated in the listing description. A manufacturing partner is any person who helps you physically produce your goods.
Creating an original design is a complex process that requires time, talent and knowledge. Designers and freelancers can work in different areas such as jewellery, furniture, clothing, accessories, jewellery and more.
2 The use of production assistance
If you are working with a production partner, you must disclose certain information in the listing process, including:
The name of your manufacturing partner(s);
The location of your manufacturing partner(s);
Details of the nature of your partnership and the design process; and
A general description of the work that your manufacturing partner does for you.
Withholding information about your manufacturing partner and your relationship with them can be a problem, as it can cause consumers to question the credibility of your business. Honesty and transparency are important factors that can influence a buyer’s decision. Therefore, it is advisable to post information about your manufacturing partner in your shop to ensure full transparency of your business. You should also include information about the efforts your manufacturing partner is making to meet ethical requirements, to reassure consumers that you are working with trustworthy and honest partners.
It is important for us to make sure that you feel confident that the personal information you provide us with will remain confidential. However, to ensure compliance with our policies, we may use this information to verify your business. We also reserve the right to refuse to do business with companies that do not meet our ethical requirements or do not comply with the terms of this policy.
- Transparency of your business
We value transparency and believe it is an important factor in business success. As a handmade seller, you commit to:
– Share the names and roles of the people involved in creating your products or running your business in the ‘About Us’ section;
– Use unique text and your own photos (not stock images) to describe your products.
Respond to our requests as quickly as possible. We may ask you how your goods are made, what tools and equipment you use, and how you work with the people who help you run your shop. Remember: our platform is based on trust. False, incorrect or misleading information is prohibited by our Terms of Use. If we learn that you are not being honest with us, we may suspend or disable your account.
