Going Green – Sell More Handmade Products

Sharon Paradiso, from Etsy’s SeedlingsJewelry “Seedlings: Jewelry Because“, recently shared an insightful article about a under-used Etsy tool for sales – great customer service!  Sharon is back to share her thoughts on the benefits of being green for handmade shops.

“Fair trade, ethically sourced, recycled, green, eco-friendly…the list goes on!” Sharon told HandmadeMarketing.org.  Although Sharon recognizes “being green” it is a way of life, any savvy business owner would surely see the sudden boost of this trend in the online marketplace.

“With all the growing buzz surrounding being green, I thought when I started looking into how I could make my jewelry better from an environmental (and ethical) standpoint, I would instantly find tons of resources and people willing to share their information,” Sharon said.

Sharon said she started the process how she normally does – by asking questions.  “I sent e-mail to the company where I buy many of my jewelry making supplies, including metal wire.  I asked if any was recycled.  If not, where it was sourced from?“

Sharon also looked to Etsy as a source for information on green supplies for her handmade jewelry.  “When I would find sellers on Etsy and other shops stating that their metals were from ethical refiners or that it was 100% recycled, I would send them e-mail or a convo asking if they would share their source.”

Sharon said she started to feel like she had stumbled upon some sort of secret when no one responded.  “If I went this route, I would be doing it for marketing reasons,” she told us.

“I’ll be the first to admit I am not a 100% green person,” Sharon said, “but I try within my circle of influence in ways that I can.  How better than with what I create?”

Sharon said she started to find other handmade sellers through Etsy forums or through Twitter who were sharing information about to create green products.

“I now feel like having improved green goals for my jewelry is entirely possible.” Below are Sharon’s goals to creating environmentally friendly handmade jewelry:

1. What’s the Source? Sharon said she tries to use 100% recycled or ethically sourced metals.  “I discovered that the company I buy wire from (Rio Grande) is currently using 100% recycled sterling silver,” she said.  “That was a nice find! They also buy scrap, so don’t through your tiny bits away.”
2. Bead Work. Sharon’s next goal to going green with her Etsy show is to use fair trade or recycled beads when possible.  “When shopping online, if a company uses fair trade practices, they will have information on their site about their processes,” Sharon said.  “If your sources don’t have any information, I would ask them what their policies are. I’ve also found several companies that specialize in recycled beads (glass).“
3. Chemical Watch. Sharon wants to be mindful about toxic chemicals and replace them with less harmful ones where possible in order to help reach her “green goal”.   “I’m just starting to get into silversmithing and as I don’t want to expose myself to toxic chemicals, I don’t really want to pass that around either,” she says.

Going green may be good for both your handmade shop sales and your environmental footprint.  Sharon suggests that sellers and customers alike should “ask and tell” in order to spread the word about eco-friendly practices.

“While it may seem like folks are touting their jewelry as organic and eco-friendly, as a consumer you can ask them for their sources of materials.”  In Sharon’s opinion, if the vendor if they can tell you the information, then it is not just for marketing purposes.

“Just the same, it is good customer service to let your customers know what is special about your products,” Sharon suggests.  “Ask them to tell their friends that your jewelry uses fair trade materials or was created with 100% recycled materials.”

Sharon thinks if handmade sellers and their customers alike start asking, then the community will all start doing.

“We will have less to worry about in terms of whether our products will harm people or contribute to environmental concerns,” she says.

Sharon also shared with HandmadeMarketing.org some useful links and resources:

• Fair Jewelry
• Society of American Silversmiths Safer Alternatives
• Happy Mango Beads
• Soul of Somanya

Sharon said she will continue to post updated links as well as Twitter about what she finds.  Stay in touch with Sharon by following her on Twitter!  You can also see more of Sharon’s ideas on her blog.

What are your green goals?  Do you use green products to make your handmade goods?  What do you think of Sharon’s links for handmade jewelry sellers?

Tell us why you think going green helps sales and the environment at the same time!  Share you ideas about selling more on Etsy and other handmade selling platforms.  If our editors like your ideas, we will feature you on HandmadeMarketing.org – and link to you as the source!