Etsy Recyclers Guild Team : This Group Has Been Upcycled

Originally, the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team was started by a group of Artists (who double as recyclers, upcyclers, and repurposers) who care enough about the environment to do their part by implementing used, recycled, vintage, or discarded goods in their artwork.

I thought this was a great group to join, but quickly found the group was only a group by name. No real activity had taken place since 2008, if even then.

Quickly I rose to the challenge, and offered to take over the group. What is the ultimate group, I wondered?

Some groups are only groups by name and not by participation. Others, particpate, have meetings, blogs, flickr, forums, chats, you name it. I solicited some advice from the Etsy Team Superstars Google Group, where us Team Leaders chat about what to do and what works.

As an eco-artist and vintage seller, I originally decided first that the group rules should be expanded to include vintage sellers who believe that offering such products (antiques, vintage clothing, trinkets, and collectibles) is a way to repurpose, reuse, reinvent, and keep these wonderful items out of the landfill.

I figured our new motto would be to join together and bond as one, to form a friendly group of our own, to share our love for the environment, and to work together hand in hand to make this world a greener place.

I had to touch base with the one hundred plus members, some of which were inactive and had closed up shop. Cleaning out the dead wood, so to speak.

I wasn't a blogger, but I felt we should have one. I learned quickly. thanks to a very easy to use free blog by Word Press on Greechi, a great new greenie site. I made a team blog about our team, complete with up and coming member directory, mission statement, and support links Ie: how to grow your store, tips, tricks, artists, etc. A lot of my non-exclusive articles from AC and other sites will work out just great to help my team learn and grow. I plan to provide a lot of links to Associated Content, as this website is full of great art information!

I then found a forum, also free on Greechi, where we can chat if we want. Some teams require chatting, but I feel like, if we dont' want to chat we won't chat. It's that easy. I'd much rather my team members focus on running their stores than worrying about required participation, but knowing they have a place to belong if they want is just great.

Lastly I made a Flickr group where our team can post photos if they want. If they don't, they don't have to. If they want to, they can. That easy. Many groups report that the flickr groups flicker out so to speak. Again, I don't want my team to have to worry about uploading, reloading, and putting their pictures in a zillion places when they can be focused on store sales.

The web blog is coming along, but I have a long way to go. I admit, between the holidays and store sales being up, it's been hard to dedicate as much time as I like to. I have made a committment to my team to Upcycle, Recycle, and Revitalize the team and that is exactly what I'm going to do.

I think being a good Team Leader is all about support. Make information available to help each other, and make your team a positive experience.

Etsy's website is chock full of great and helpful information and success stories on how to grow your store, and now the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team members have a non-Etsy site to do so too.

If you or someone you know may be interested in The Etsy Recyclers Guild Team (commonly called Recyclers) please read the following requirements below:

ARTISTS: 75% or more of your Etsy shop must be comprised of handmade art, jewelry, or such artist style offerings that are made from components that are Recycled, Discarded, Upcycled, Repurposed, or Vintage .

VINTAGE SELLERS : 75% of your Etsy shop must be vintage offerings.

GOAL: To promote recycling, repurposing, and reusing in all fashions and forms via our artwork or vintage offerings. To create a happy environment where we can learn, grow, talk and discuss ways to promote our shops, live greener, and feel greener.

To Join: Please contact Team Leader Ira Mency at RetroChaletStudio on Etsy.