Artfire has initiated a process that will include a review of seller accounts and the issuance of a logo representing them as “Certified Handmade” shops. This is really good news for potential buyers who would like to know for certainty that they are supporting true artisans and not resellers.
Artfire Studio owners who want to pursue this certification must meet several requirements as well as submit various types of documentation in order to support their status. You can view the full seller requirements at this link http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=forums&op=view_topic&tid=9608 on Artfire. After vetting, those Studio owners that meet the requirements are issued a special blue hand icon for their shops.
When a buyer clicks this new icon in a seller’s Studio, this message is posted to the screen
“This Certified Handmade Artifact recognizes this artisan’s commitment to exclusively offering Handmade and Fine Art work in their studio.
This artisan has been through a careful review to ensure they are the producers of the fine work you now see. When you see the Certified Handmade Artifact, you can shop with the confidence knowing that you are indeed supporting a handmade artisan.”
Having a vetting process that identifies artisan makers is nice differentiator between AF and other sites that sell handmade. Artfire’s press release about the program can be found at http://www.1888pressrelease.com/artfire-builds-artisan-recognition-program-with-the-certifie-pr-225763.html
Initiating this program is timely too. I was perusing some closed etsy threads this morning and came across this one from artist Sherry Truitt
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6574015
Read her comment on page 6 about what happened to her placement in a magazine article that had planned to showcase handcrafted etsy items
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6574015&page=6
Artfire has chosen to provide certification to artisan sellers by actively vetting shops and granting them true handmade artist status. This vetting and the subsequent icon that is granted will be a REALLY good way for buyers to know that the items they’ll be receiving are actually handmade by the artist that owns the Studio.
Kudos to you Artfire.
Don’t miss a single post.
Follow this blog: Click here
Follow via email: Click here
Want to be notified of subscriber only sales and other special events from ShinyAdornments? Sign up for my newsletter
[...] the impact this dilution has on the handmade marketplace identifier? (As mentioned in this post http://shinyadornments.com/simplyshiny/2010/07/new-certified-handmade-artisan-process-from-artfire/ ) Should the site’s tag line be replaced with something more along the lines of a global [...]