Some Etsy Sellers Go On Strike With Increase in Fees

Great Boontonware Bread Bowl in White : RetroChalet

What? An Etsy Strike?

Oh no!  Your favorite saved items on Etsy which may include vintage melmac, plastics fantastic and melamine dinnerware sets may have to wait to purchase!  This wait could last a day, a week, or more, as some Etsians are organizing the "Etsy Strike" and will be closing down their shops temporarily!  I had to find out a little more about this..

Here is what we do know. 

I first learned about the strike from on twitter, as they were using a hashtag #EtsyStrike.   They have taken it a step further to create a discord channel, and their own twitter @EtsyStrike account, Even one step more, they now have a website called EtsyStrike.org, and so it seems more than serious.   The slotted "shut down" of shops is scheduled to directly impact the date of April 11, with possible a one to two week shutdown, which has not been confirmed. 

Maybe don't put all your apples in one bowl, unless it's Boonton.  For Sale in My Etsy shop

I had to get hold of one of the shops who were participating, to find out just why the proposed strike.  I spoke in length on my podcast with Harry Burger, from Deer Park, New York (who ironically also ran for a green party congress in 2020.)

I connected with Harry to get his thoughts on the issues. Harry is an engineer by trade but also shop owner of Lightbringer Designs on Etsy, a shop that makes super cute wax seals. Being a small business owner, Harry explains how a 30 percent hike can hurt the small mom and pop. Harry also explains ultimately this increase will impact Etsy buyers are Etsy shops may have to raise prices to offset Etsy's fees. On initial inspection, I was thinking the 1.5 percent increase in sales fees wouldn't be so bad, until I really revisited all the fees that sellers pay on Etsy, which include listing fees, sales fees, offsite ad fees, etc.   

What will the scales of Justice do about the Etsy Strike?  This wax seal from LightbringerDesigns

Etsy's Fee Hike

So why did all this transpire?  Etsy recently announced they would be hiking fees from a 5 percent sales fee to a 6.5 percent fee, You can read the official announcement here, and Etsy sellers can take the survey at the bottom of the page to give feedback.  A Message from Etsy’s CEO Josh Silverman on our Co... - Welcome to the Etsy Community

It should be noted they have not raised these particular type fees since 2018, yet there are other fees involved with being an Etsy seller such as listing / relisting fees and offsite ads (which small shops have a way to opt out of) .  After a record 4th quarter in 2021 they wanted to keep on track, the forum post explains....how was this announced?  .  Sellers received an email from Etsy, as well as finding out about it on the website, and in forums.   Sources such as MSN NEWS quickly explained how people were upset.  Reference:  Sellers on This Site Are Livid After Another Rate Hike    Also appeared in The Street:  Etsy Sellers Are Livid After Another Rate Hike - TheStreet  and the Verge:  Etsy hits sellers with 30 percent transaction fee increase - The Verge

Listen to my podcast to hear the details on the price hikes and as for the strike, I guess we will see how that plays out., as it's developing now.  

Additional Reading Official Etsy Strike Site:  Why Discord? « Etsy Strike 

Forum Post Announcing the Etsy Strike: A Message from Etsy’s CEO Josh Silverman on our Co... - Welcome to the Etsy Community

EMSA Emsa German Plastic HomeStyleCollect

German Emsa Coaster set from Home Style Collect here.

EMSA Everywhere!

Just look at these fine gems I found at retro shop Home Style Collect on Etsy. This shop is run by Mark van der Werf from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In it you will find mid century modern items of all kinds and plastic just waiting to be had.  Today I found a stash of Emsa German products are hidden in this shop, and wanted to expose it and tell you more about this plastic ware!

Only $13.69 German Emsa Bowl for Candy @homestylecollect

Emsa German plastic has been quite hard for me to find, possibly because most of these wares were used overseas. The company was founded in 1949 by Franz Wulf. According to Wikipedia, the Company went by Franz Wulf & Company Plasticwarenfabrik and was located in Greven, Germany. They are still operational today!

These egg cups part of a set (below) at HomeStyleCollect note the adorable feet 

Egg cups were quite popular throughout Europe and vintage examples can still be found today.  Some of Emsa's egg cups were stout, adorable and footed making them more on the fancy side.  Due to their functionality and lightweight it is totally conceivable that that some of these ended up shipped to the States as holiday gifts as the cost was low for such light plastic items.  Perhaps this is why these, as well as spoon rests or drip catchers are easily found here (more so than other items).

Emsa Kitchen Set $35.59 at Home Style Collect

It is said that Plasticwarenfabrik's first item was a butterfly drip catcher. I am quite sure this can still be found but mistaken as a spoon rest.  If I happen across one, I'll be sure to post it.  In the 1970's patents were applied by Franz Breitenbach for a Cat, Great Horned Owl and Monkey Figurine.     Although not melmac or melamine, this was certainly a great plastic manufacturer that should be noted.

Emsa.com  "Landhaus" Flowerbox Picket Fence

Today Emsa makes everything from kitchenwares to flower boxes. My favorite is this called Landhaus, which is a picket fence style available in hot pink, blue or green. They also made bird feeders to match. The whole Landhaus line is for the home and is quite stunning and chic.

As for Home Style Collect, they have much vintage plastic in stock, not just Emsa. You'll find a big allotment from 1940s to 1970s here, and decorations for your entire home.  Here are a few of my favorite items!

1972 Vintage Braun hairdryer $29.02!

HomeStyleCollect tells us the hairdryer above was fashioned by Reinhold Weiss, for Braun. A similar style was made in the USA but I am not certain if it was the same designer or a copy, I actually use one!  Below, a date changer made in the UK fashioned of plastic for the Dutch is a registered design and in modern colors!

Only $12.59 this very mod looking Dutch Date Changer is a steal!

Melamine Attack!  Who did this great atomic design (below) in red? Surely some famous designer!  The peanut bowl is covered as so no dust or dirt goes in it, and the members of the card game or guests at your cookout function will each have their own individual bowl.  A stunning piece of history!

Mystery Atomic Bowl Melamine Melmac by Home Style Collect $25.74 here.

Vintage Plastic Thermos at Home Style Collect $19.17

The Safari 600 above thermos was made in Italy ! Simply stunning retro design and not to mention still fully functional!

HomeStyleCollect has a brick and mortar store in the Netherlands and ships worldwide.  Check them out at:

HomeStyleCollect.etsy.com