Etsy, This is just stupid

Boneheaded, too

 [Please note: I am not saying "Etsy is stupid." I am saying that this decision is stupid. Big difference.]

For those of you not spending your Friday night prowling the Etsy forums (and why weren't you - something better to do...?), Etsy PTB (Powers that Be) have just decided that undrilled rocks, minerals, crystals, shells, driftwood, etc (with the exception of flat-backed cabochons) are NOT supplies. Period.

And therefore, cannot be sold on Etsy.

You jewelry designers that are using these items in your designs? You must be doing it wrong, because, according to Etsy, these items are intended for tabletop display.

Think I'm kidding?

Here is the thread where Etsy Admin Sarah A. clarified their decision (scroll down a bit):

Etsy Senior VP Marc Hedlund doesn't want to weigh in - he refers all users back to Sarah A, who doesn't seem to want a public discussion amongst sellers and Admin; she requests private e-mails be sent to her.

One of the original forum posts, discussing the contacting of individual Etsy sellers by Admin, demanding the removal of these items from their shops

Here is another thread about the topic: This thread starts off with a lot of misinformation, but ultimately gets to the point.

And another thread has just started up. I'm sure there will be scores more. I wish Admin would really monitor the forums (not just for this) - and close duplicate threads, no matter what the topic, and in their closure, direct users to the "consolidated" thread. But that will never happen, because:
a) Etsy doesn't monitor the forums
b) I believe (Etsy Admin) Sarah A. made it pretty clear that she doesn't want this topic discussed openly - she wants all queries directed to Etsy, privately.

Which is, jewelry designers AND other artists use these items all the time.

Look at this ring, for instance:

Undrilled stones like this are not supplies, according to Etsy. You'll have to buy 'em somewhere else.

Ever wire-wrapped a crystal point, like this gorgeous one from Etsy seller mandalarain?

Well, that crystal point is not a supply, according to Etsy. Can't be bought on Etsy. Sorry.

How about wire-wrapping fossils, like this ammonite?

That's my own piece, sold back in 2008. Good thing I own a B&M Bead Shop, because I can no longer buy pieces like this on Etsy. Because they are for display purposes - not for making into jewelry. (What was I thinking?)

And it isn't just wire work - I have seen thousands of pieces of jewelry with beadwoven rocks, crystals, and fossils. And metalsmiths use them all the time...

And it isn't just jewelry - Many artists in a large variety of media buy unpolished, uncut rough specifically because they want to cut it themselves to achieve a particular look for their designs.

And there are many, many more examples of ways artists use these items. More than I could ever enumerate here. I could go on, and on. But I won't.

Check out the threads on Etsy. Participate! This is absolutely ridiculous!

Share this post on Facebook, or Tweet! Get the word out! These items are definitely supplies, and this decision is just wrong-headed. And crippling to many sellers who have been providing these valuable supplies to the Etsy community.

You know, rocks, minerals, crystals - these are all millions of years old, right? Are they Etsy-legal if listed as vintage?

Just a thought.

{Edited to add: at approximately 5 PM EDT today, Etsy Admin Sarah A returned to Marc's thread to thanks users for their respectful commentary, and to advise that the matter will be re-examined and discussed internally at Etsy in the near future. No promises, but this is certainly a step in the right direction. I encourage all of you to visit this particular thread and leave more respectful opinions on your use of these materials in your artistic endeavors. Thanks!}