Looking at What Gets into a Collection or Treasury

Handmade market websites such as Etsy, Artfire, and Zibbet usually populate their front page with items that all seem to go together in a theme. For example, they might all relate to a visit to the beach or they might feature a particular color combination.

Now the editors of the site don't usually go around and select the items themselves. Often, they allow visitors and shop keepers to compile these collections, or "treasuries" as they are called on Etsy. The website administrators merely look through the collections for ones they'd like to feature on the front page or in selected emails. Creating and appearing in collections can be a great way to get noticed.

If you sell on a venue like Artfire or Etsy, here are some tips for appearing in collections:


1) Vendors at often return favors

I have created a number of collections before. Some of the shops that I have featured have turned around and featured me in a later collection. Sellers will use collections as a way to get noticed, to network, and as a way to thank somebody else for noticing them. 

What does this mean for you? 

Consider making collections or treasuries on a semi-regular basis. It can lead to more exposure as people sometimes share collections via social media. Artfire allows you to include one of your own items in a collection, whereas Etsy only allows you to feature other shops. Both buyers and sellers can create collections and treasuries.

An added bonus for searching through other shops to fill out a collection? It can give you new ideas, such as how to stage or photograph items.  

The watermark here is really visible,
and the lighting could be better too.

2) Images with watermarks are far less likely to be featured

This blanket isn't obscured
with an obvious watermark,
so it's more likely to get
featured in a collection.

Products with a visible watermark on the preview thumbnail are MUCH less likely to featured. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's less likely. Watermarks can potentially get your products excluded from Google Shopping and email campaigns. They're also a lot less likely to be picked up by bloggers. 

Watermarking images is most useful for photographers and graphic designers who are selling the image itself. If you're selling an item, a watermark can re-direct a customer back to you if the image gets disconnected from your shop (such as on Pinterest). A possible solution is to include a photo of the item next to branded packaging. 

3) Preview photos need to be impeccably photographed

Items that show up in collections, as an almost universal rule, have a really well photographed first photo.

Given a choice between these two bibs,
which one would you choose to feature?
What about to buy? The same images
that appeal to people for collections
often appeal to your customers.

One of the biggest reasons why people struggle with photography is lack of adequate light - particularly adequate natural light. If light is an issue for you, do yourself a favor and invest in some decent lights (daylight CFLs in large clamp light fixtures may do) or create a light box or tent. Not only will poor photography turn away people looking for items to feature, it'll probably turn away customers too.

Did you pick the fish?
This bib is brighter and more cheery.

Staging can be just as important as having adequate light. Remember to keep the item's use in mind. Many shops end up having a particular photography style, such as bright and clean, aged and weathered, or dark and gothic. Often treasuries pull together items that are all photographed in a compatible way. Items that are staged so that they look dirty, messy, or cluttered almost never make it into collections.

Close up photos with a bit of an angle can be good, but only if it is still clear what exactly the item is. People need to be able to read what the item is at a glance - especially if they are going to promote it by featuring it in a collection or treasury. 

4) People search by color 

Lots of collections are based around certain colors or color schemes. Though sometimes they are based around themes. Do be sure to describe the colors in your item so people have a chance of finding your stuff if someone searches for that particular color or color combination. 

5) Steampunk is hot, hot, hot at the moment 
(stay on top of new trends)

Steampunk has become rather popular among young people as an almost counter-culture fashion movement. As a general rule, it's still hard to find in the stores, so there are a lot of people looking for it online. This and other trends often show up in treasuries.

By the way, other trends that have been popular recently include owls, moustaches (especially the handle-bar style moustaches), and song birds if you haven't noticed.  Last year, mint, coral, and navy were particularly popular colors. I'm starting to see more tribal motifs appear in the stores at the moment, so it may be an emerging trend.

Want to see what a collection looks like?
I've been featured in 3 recently:
January Carnations by EntwinedVines
Bold. Intense. Red. by myMountainStudio
Red for Passion. Red for Love. by PebblesAtMyFeet

What tips do you have?