Top products from r/EtsySellers

On a budget, you might look into lighting options instead. My DSLR/Photoshop always give the best results but sometimes I’m just way too lazy for that lol. I can get pretty good results on my iPhone 6 with good lighting and the Afterlight app, and I’m sure a newer phone would be even better.

I have these soft boxes and have been happy with them (and they’re on sale for Black Friday currently) link

This little ring light is an inexpensive option. There’s probably better ones out there, but it’s like $10 and good for a quick pop of light or balancing out a shadow link

Your exposures are pretty good! The colors are quite warm, but that's the result of the light bulbs you're using. I would suggest getting a set of 5500k light bulbs and adjusting your camera's white balance to match. A multi bulb light stand with a soft box would really help too. Something like this kit: https://www.amazon.com/StudioFX-H9004S-Photography-Continuous-Lighting/dp/B00TOWZDE8/ref=pd_cp_421_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00TOWZDE8&pd_rd_r=KV29BE29EZ7DNYV7B9DB&pd_rd_w=brEsi&pd_rd_wg=W3tJ2&psc=1&refRID=KV29BE29EZ7DNYV7B9DB

I use the 5 bulb version, and I absolutely love it! It gives lovely, even light, and each light bulb is a individually controlled. It's really durable too! I also use them for an open air photo booth/station, so they have seen a lot of action. This kit includes 2 stands, light sockets, soft boxes, and 8 bulbs, and is a pretty good deal for studio lighting.

I bought these for use in our home and LOVE them and they're super reasonable, but I know nothing about vinyl (in fact, I have a Cameo that has been in a box for ...4 years?) so unsure if they're right for you. But based on the "frequently bought togethers," they might be.

https://www.amazon.com/TUMBLERS-Colored-Tumblers-Reusable-Multicolors/dp/B078SJ7Z7F/

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And it's 100% true that you're jumping into a very saturated market. You would have to be creating some very unique pieces to be successful. I'd say try it if you're willing to put in the time to figure it all out. Tune out negative voices -- there are many -- and give it a shot. You may not be successful, but you may learn something or find it to be a jumping-off point. And maybe you will be successful! Somebody has to be, haha!

Just a suggestion.. Consider pinterest you have a wide open market of people my age that absolutely love the and remember the Polaroid generation we grew up in it and for us... (cough to mention my age lol) it warms our heart

You might want to think about running like a chicken this time of year grabbing Polaroid pics of Christmas around different 'small' outskirt small towns with nostalgic feel

Maybe doing something simple like running out to the store (heck even family dollar) grab a wood shadow box that looks semi distressed with chicken wire or something their wicked cheap and clipping it up in it and man I bet you sell it like hotcakes

Or along the simple lines like this:

Pinnacle Frames and Accents Teal Farmhouse Pallet Wood Shiplap Clip Tabletop Picture Frame https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJ1V9XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_b7p3DbVWHNJET

Or

Under current US law to my understanding you are right to a degree. With Amazon and other PODs though they allow a constant rotating array of Chinese and Vietnamese scammers to get new accounts and upload infringing material. And as with truth in advertising laws, it is up to competitors to police that in civil court.

But that is very generous to Etsy and other marketplaces, which is my point. The current law can be changed. And put more of an onus on these marketplaces to police this better themselves. Because otherwise they externalize the responsibility onto each of us to police the entire internet just to save the individual platforms the bother of policing their own sites.

This law office site: DMCA Safe Harbor Explained: Why Your Website Needs a DMCA/Copyright Policy lists one of the requirements for Safe Harbor as:

• Don’t know about the infringement and are not aware of red flags making the infringement apparent
  
  Well I just provided Etsy with a red flag, i.e. the "mashup" keyword. And Amazon uses sales velocity as such a flag on its Seller Central (FBA/MF) platform. Plus some Etsy employees, at some time or another, have to see this. Yet they must own this nice little item:
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Ebros-Whimsical-Figurine-Rainforest-Sculptures/dp/B01C2DHSOS
  
  Also a HUGE flag is the keywords used in listing titles and descriptions. HUGE. They can bot that and proactively find much of this stuff. Yet they don't apparently.
  
  We should not IMO let these site externalize all the consequences of scammers and cheaters onto us. And demand effective legislation, including amendments to the DMCA, to make that a reality. Caveat being, that these platforms/marketplaces should be given a bit more protection from abusive TM claims.

hmm...I see where your coming from. What about something like this? I just did a quick Amazon search for ideas :)

Baby Flexible Mannequin (3 Months) - 24" with Head 18½" Without Head - with Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006C3PX92/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z.g-BbSYQHJYH

A good light ring is also beneficial
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SKKHB8N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Zlg4DbTQWDV07

• Promoting your items in social media could increase amount of visitors, interested in what you make.
  
  
• Adding shop location should help with being shown in Etsy search to buyers from nearby locations.
  
  
• Experiment with titles and tags: put yourself on buyers place and add words that different kinds of buyers would use in search. If I would search for similar item, I would use "needle faced pink frown face". If these words are not there, Etsy software shouldn't show your listing to me. More in Etsy Help Center, search for "How Etsy search works".
  
  
• Photographs:
  
  -- either outdoors, as in some listings, but item should take more space on the photo and add white paper as a light reflector if item's face is in the shade,
  
  -- or use lightbox with built-in light. I am using larger, more complex version of this, it helps a lot.

Not the Amazon basics. One made by Havox. The backdrops are made from thick laminated paper/cardboard. They bend and can be rolled up. It's matte and almost no reflections. But sometimes you can see the color of the item cast in the shadow. (Which is not really a reflection).
I chose this one because they include 4 light strips, have good CRI (for realistic colors), and it is pretty sturdy, yet very lightweight.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VW8BX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ajADCb22CQZ76

I know this is over the budget you’re looking for, but maybe there’s a sale somewhere that would bring the price down. I’ve been using this camera for several years and it does a good job for basic pics.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019UDHZ50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0ai4DbE53J6XH

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XH4WGIK/ may be a good filler, matched with the same color background.

I can't direct you to a forum, but photography is key. I bought a small lightbox that has a solid white and black foam insert (interchangeable).

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M9IPG53/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With a plain background, nothing distracts. For example on the photo above, the slight bit of green at the top of your photo distracts me.