Find me on Folksy
I’ve had my Folksy shop since July 2023 and thought it would be interesting to share a bit about why I use this platform for selling my range of eco-friendly art prints and gifts.
Understanding my values
I’ve written here before about the soul-searching I undertook before I decided to launch a product range, relating to whether creating more ‘stuff’ in the world was really in-line with my values.
Having decided that there were ways that I could sell art prints and gifts responsibly and with the environment and sustainability always in mind, I decided that - for me - this included:
thinking about the raw materials I used to create my artwork and illustrations to ensure that they have the smallest environmental impact possible (more on this here)
only working with UK-based suppliers, who use eco-friendly materials and processes, and distribute with minimal packaging (I wrote about some of my suppliers here)
to only sell my range through independent, brick-and-mortar stores, or via platforms that shared my values or a similar ethos.
That’s why when I was looking at platforms where I could sell, I almost immediately discounted Etsy as being too big, US-based, and with increasingly negative reviews about how they treat the small businesses that use their platform - and decided instead to set up a virtual shop with Folksy.
A bit more about Folksy
Folksy was established in 2008 as the first online marketplace for British craft and bills itself as 'a friendly place for artists and makers to sell their work.'
Folksy sells a huge range of original handmade pieces and art, which you can buy direct from the maker through one of the c.4k shops that operate through the platform. Payment comes to me directly, minus the payment provider fee from Stripe or Paypal (less than 2% of the transaction) and a 6% commission fee to Folksy.
I also like that whilst customers use Folksy because they want to support British/handmade, by choosing to have my shop on the Folksy platform, I'm also supporting the same community.
Introducing my Folksy shop
If you search ‘Coostie’ on Folksy, my shop comes up first (naturally!) and you can browse through all of the art prints and gifts I currently have for sale.
Making a purchase is as simple as selecting 'Add to basket' and selecting and personalisation or similar options, as appropriate (for example, at Christmas I offer gift wrapping as an extra). You can then pay using either your Debit/Credit card or paypal. I offer free P&P on all UK sales via Folksy and I prepare to ship your order on the same day as I receive it - everything is sent via Royal Mail 2nd Class, unless you choose a different option at checkout.
Folksy Craft Drop - 11-12 May
I’m really looking forward to the next Folksy shopping event happening over the weekend of 11-12th May 2024. The concept is that Folksy sellers come together to launch their products at the same time, in one spectacular online drop of new original art, craft and design.
I’ve got a lovely new collection to launch over the course of the weekend, using the artwork from my British Songbirds collection. Sneak peek below, alongside some other new artwork from my Northumberland Castles collection (also dropping on Folksy 11-12 May!)
