Why I Closed My Etsy Shop and Started My Own Website

It wasn’t you, Etsy. It was… well, okay, maybe it was you.

After years of selling my woodturnings on Etsy, I decided to pack up my digital lathe tools and move to my own corner of the internet. Don’t get me wrong — Etsy was a great starting point. It helped me find my footing, connect with other makers, and learn the ropes of online selling. But after a while, the relationship got… complicated.

Reason #1: Too Many Fees, Not Enough Freedom

Remember when Etsy felt like a craft fair — cozy, handmade, and personal? These days it feels more like a shopping mall with fluorescent lights and background noise. And like any mall, the rent keeps going up. Listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees… “Oh, you blinked? That’ll be another 2.5%.”

When you’re selling handmade pieces — where every knot and curve takes time — those fees sting a little more. I realized I was paying more to the platform than I was investing in new wood blanks. That’s when I knew something had to change.

Reason #2: I Wanted Control of My Own Work

On Etsy, your shop looks like everyone else’s. Their layout, their rules, their algorithms deciding who gets seen and who gets buried under a pile of crocheted cat sweaters. (And let’s be honest — no matter how well you turn a bowl, you’re not beating a crocheted cat in the search rankings.)

I wanted a space that felt like me — where I could share my process, my stories, and my pieces without worrying if I’d accidentally broken a mysterious SEO law written by the Algorithm Overlords.

So, I built my own website: a place where I can post new pieces like my Walnut Candy Bowl, write about what I’ve learned in my Turning Lessons, and truly connect with people who appreciate handmade craft.

Reason #3: The Joy Was Getting Lost

When I started selling, it wasn’t about “maximizing reach” or “optimizing conversions.” It was about the simple satisfaction of someone holding a piece I made and saying, “Wow, this is beautiful.”

Over time, Etsy started to feel more like a numbers game. Listings, keywords, ads, repeat. I caught myself spending more time analyzing analytics than smelling sawdust. That’s when I knew — I wanted my craft back.

Finding Freedom in My Own Workshop (and Website)

Running my own site isn’t always easy. I had to learn about domains, hosting, SEO, and why my checkout button disappeared that one time (still a mystery). But it’s mine. Every photo, every description, every story is under my control — and that’s worth more than any algorithm boost.

Now, instead of chasing trends, I spend more time chasing the perfect curve on a new bowl. And if I want to post a long reflection on the patience of wood grain, or a behind-the-scenes shot of a project gone sideways, I can — no “engagement score” required.

Would I Recommend Leaving Etsy?

If you’re just starting out, Etsy can still be a great launchpad. But when you’re ready to grow, to brand yourself, and to keep more of your hard-earned proceeds, there’s nothing quite like building your own home on the web.

So here I am — fewer fees, more freedom, and a website that actually smells faintly of linseed oil and sawdust (okay, maybe that’s just my shop). Either way, it feels right.

And if you’ve ever thought about making the leap yourself — do it. You might just rediscover why you started creating in the first place.