How To Sell Jewelry Online on Etsy

Etsy offers sellers an online marketplace to sell handmade jewelry, crafts, clothing and other specialty items. Becoming an Etsy store owner is free; however, there are fees associated with listing and selling items. As a store owner, you create a storefront and control your pricing and inventory.

1. Create a user account by going to Etsy's website. Enter your name, email address and create a username and password. Enter a credit card number to pay for fees associated with listing and selling your jewelry items. Each item costs 20 cents to list for four months. Upon the sale of an item, you are charged 3.5 percent of the final sale price, this does not include shipping. Seller bills become payable each month.


2. Set up shop by picking a layout and customizing with a shop profile, banner and shop policies. Your shop has its own URL based on your username. Take the time to consider your store’s name. It should identify your business, be memorable and easy to spell.


3. Take pictures of the jewelry pieces you want to sell. Use a quality digital camera to take high-quality photographs. Choose a simple background with good lighting to showcase the jewelry piece. Zoom in for detailed pictures of beading and craftsmanship. Take pictures of the overall piece and close-ups of the clasp, any intricate details and color. Remember product pictures will either sell or deter buyers, so take good photographs.


4. List your item on your storefront through the “list an item” link. Compose a descriptive title for the piece of jewelry. Use good keywords to describe the item in the title such as Swarvoski crystals, vintage inspired or glass beads.


5. Enter a detailed description of the item. Include size, length, materials used, clasp type, color and other pertinent information. Stick to short, yet concise product description.


6. Indicate the price and shipping charge for your items. Do not overcharge for shipping, this turns most buyers off. Research pricing for similar items to get a feel for what similar items are selling for. Pricing too high deters buyers, under pricing hurts the market for you and other sellers.


7. Market your shop with the tools offered through Etsy such as the widget tools. Post links to your shop on your website, blog and as part of your message board email signature. Make business cards portraying your business name and Etsy shop URL. Use social networking sites to link your storefront to friends and followers.