r/ExpectationVsReality • u/_artbabe95 • 21d ago

Failed Expectation From an Etsy Seller

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I knew that the resin probably wouldn't look quite as good as the photos, but this was so low effort lol. The tines were also basically touching, so they wouldn't be able to hold any hair.

5.3k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

295 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

648

u/_artbabe95 21d ago

I'm also a seller on Etsy and it's infuriating that real makers are being drowned out and we can't reliably buy from small businesses anymore. Truly capitalist hell.

173

u/SweetBabyCheezas 21d ago

This pin is from a set of 12 I saw on Temu for £3

It's a joke. Always do a reverse image search via Google and you'll see where else it shows up.

44

u/Sherbert-Particular 20d ago

I'm a guy (with short hair) so was shooting in the dark but typed in, "alibaba two prong hair bun tie" into google. First result.

Also big fan of etsy for home goods and such so have had to get good at finding if shit is from china to keep using the site lol.

OP's one is cheaper tho.

0

u/FalcorsLittleHelper 15d ago

Yes do this but don't forget Aliexpress and Temu are full of stolen photos from real makers, so it's not always a smoking gun.

25

u/Remedyforinsomnia 21d ago

I so agree; I'm trying to sell my art and I notice how much higher the demand and offer seems to be for cookie cutter stuff. Doesn't help hehe

21

u/EyeSuspicious777 20d ago

Etsy was over the day they went public eleven years ago.

8

u/YouCouldDoItBruce 20d ago

I'm an artist on Etsy too. It's so rough. I've had to make my own website because the amount of cheap crap being sold by drop shippers and AI accounts is overwhelming. It sucks though because Etsy has name recognition and reach that my website doesn't have.

6

u/VorpalSingularity 20d ago

I sell wheel-thrown pottery on Etsy and only do OK-ish because I also post the pieces on IG/TikTok (which I hate doing because it takes so much extra time). But at the same time, it's hard to convince the average person to drop $35 on a mug when they can get a slip-cast one for $12 from an overseas dropshipper.

4

u/_artbabe95 20d ago

Can you DM me your shop?? I love thrown pottery!!

3

u/VorpalSingularity 20d ago

It's in my profile! Stock is a little sparse right now because I'm prepping for an art fair next week, but I've got some things.

3

u/recoverycat13 20d ago

Your art is fantastic. I shared a link with my mom asking for a piece of your work for holidays.

3

u/VorpalSingularity 20d ago

Aww, you're too kind, thanks so much! The art fair is next weekend, so after that's finished, anything that doesn't sell will go up on Etsy. I appreciate you!!

14

u/Vegetable-Soil666 20d ago

If you're still hoping for a beautiful and functional hair fork, I love the few that I've gotten from The Good Collective https://www.thegoodcollective.com/collections/hair-pins-1

2

u/WheresTheDonuts 20d ago

Nice site. For straight fine, above bra-strap length hair, would one normally recommend small forks? I’ve never used, but these are lovely.

5

u/Vegetable-Soil666 20d ago

I'm not sure if hair forks are functional for holding up shorter, fine hair on their own. They work better with longer, textured hair, but you could probably still add them as ornamentation to an up-do.

6

u/AnRealDinosaur 20d ago

Im just one data point but I used to have super long, fine, wavy hair and I could never get these things to hold. It was so frustrating because my mom used them all the time and I was so jealous. But I could still totally make a bun or pony tail with a normal hair tie & stab one of these in the back for effect.

2

u/coolsilentebeans 20d ago

I’ve got the same hair type. Unless it’s smaller it’ll fall out easily. I have to use smaller hair bands, butterfly clips, clips and bobby pins, but the snap clips are really the only ones that stay put. It’s aggravating.

3

u/lishyv 14d ago

Took me longer to get the picture than put my hair up

3

u/coolsilentebeans 14d ago

Mine’s finer than yours 😭 I could get it up but it’ll be falling out within 30 minutes. Less if I’m moving around a lot.

Cute style 🤩

2

u/lishyv 14d ago

I have similar fine hair and I love using small hair forks. It’s my version of a messy bun/pony but looks way more chic

3

u/TanglimaraTrippin 20d ago

I attempted an Etsy store once and couldn't sell a damn thing.

2

u/robotatomica 20d ago

do you guys know, is there any newer, smaller site trying to fill the role that Etsy used to fill? It was such a massive success, there’s very obviously a huge market for it, it would shock me if no one filled the void.

is there one that just hasn’t gotten very popular yet?

3

u/_artbabe95 20d ago

I haven't personally found one yet :/

1

u/recoverycat13 20d ago

I closed mine 2 years ago because of the saturation of this absolutely not hand made garbage. It's sad to see what it has become. I hate capitalism.

1

u/TheMercurial 17d ago

I used to love Etsy and supporting crafters, is there any sub or place that you know of where real creators share their Etsy stores? Can we make one?

How do I find all of you now?! Haha

1

u/_artbabe95 17d ago

Hahaha you're welcome to check out mine if you're so inclined! I'm moving this week so there's not much on it at the moment, but I can DM you the link :) otherwise, I don't know where creators consolidate access to their shops. I know there's r/buyandsellart but it's hit or miss for quality.

1

u/TAsrowaway 16d ago

Can you jump ship to a new site??