Successful Etsy Sellers Finding Success on Tophatter – Distorted Earth
02. May, 2012 
4 Comments
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When I stumbled upon Tophatter about a few months ago I knew it had potential to really grow in to a powerful selling venue for artists. I am starting a new series here on Handmadeology called ” Successful Etsy Sellers Finding Success on Tophatter”. I have found some successful Etsy sellers that are successfully selling their handmade goods on Tophatter, and interviewed them! They will be sharing their insider secrets and tips on what they love about about Tophatter, and tips for new seller looking to start selling.
Successful Etsy Sellers Finding Success on Tophatter
Sign up for Tophatter HERE. No waiting for an invite! ( you get $5 to spend when you sign up!)
Today’s featured Etsy seller up in the series Brandy from Distorted Earth
Q. Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop and the items you make.
A. Distorted Earth is a husband and wife team. We make wire wrapped rings in custom sizes. I (Brandy) Started making jewelry at a young age and tried selling it off and on, but never really got that far. One day husband Chad and I found etsy and started a woodworking shop. He made the pieces from wood and we would both do the finish work. As I learned about selling online and selling on etsy in particular. It dawned on me that I could sell jewelry on etsy too. I gave jewelry another chance and Chad even got into it too. He designed our number one selling piece, the heart ring, and also contributes one of a kind pieces and design ideas in his spare time. He owns his own construction business called Taz’s Construction. It keeps him pretty busy, so I handle everything else when it comes to selling and making the jewelry.
Q. How long have you sold on Tophatter?
A. I have only been selling on Tophatter since mid March I believe.
Q. I notice that your rings sell for more on Tophatter then they do on Etsy. How exciting is to see the price go above the reserve you set and then pass the retail value?
A. While it does make me happy, it makes me feel guilty at the same time. I always try to make sure that each auction winner gets their monies worth. I will make them a freebie valued close to what they paid over retail value. It makes me feel better about it, and is a great surprise to the winner!
Q. What do you like best about selling on Tophatter?
A. I love that I can see what other people are actually willing to pay for our jewelry. It amazed me once when our heart ring that currently sells for $8 went for $28 on tophatter. It’s a big confidence booster.
Q. Do you have any tips for Etsy sellers just starting out on Tophatter?
A. If at all possible, try to be present during your auctions to promote your work. You can entice bidders with offers of different color choices or item swap outs from your shop. You want your auction to sell, so you can have a good ranking and list more items.
Thank you for the opportunity to let us share our experiences with you. It’s been fun!
To checkout my husbands website go to www.TazsConstruction.com It’s just getting started but will be improved very soon. Also, My mother in law has an etsy shop and also sells on Tophatter. To check out her crochet hats and other accessories, go towww.GnarlyNotions.etsy.com
Brandy’s Tophatter Profile (not signed up for Tophatter? Here is your NO wait invite)
Are you looking to start selling on Tophatter? Check out this list : 10 Reasons Etsy Sellers Should Sell On Tophatter
Just looking to get some amazing deals on unique handmade items? Check out this buyers guide: The Tophatter Buyers Guide
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Interesting and informative article. I tried to sign up for tophatter but it kept telling me that facebook could not be blank. Do I have to connect through facebook? I tried to do it through my email and it wouldn’t work.
This is a nice example of success at TH. but sellers need to be prepared that the opposite happens too. Some of my jewelry has sold well, others have been sold for just two dollars – when it is valued at a lot more. Plus TH is so popular now that about the only way to get something listed is on standby. It is a fun site… But don’t expect to make a lot of money there.
The opposite happened to me. A pair of earrings sold for the original bid price. There is so much jewelry on TopHatter now that it is a problem to get items listed.
And, my buying experiences have been less than desirable, I didn’t receive my orders in a reasonable amount of time, and there was substitution.
I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade, but for me it’s not worth the time invested.
I’m about to give up to, But I’m going to get my Presidential Dollar coin collection on May 25 at either 10 12 or 2; I can’t get the time zones I’m in central & the sale is pacific;;;;; can you help me on that? So I think you should keep trying, I haven’t been disappointed on any of my 5 buys. I got on the site to sell though.