We understand why Etsy removes Electronics projects

I saw someone mentioned tindie.com in the other thread regarding this particular electronics project. Seems like someone over at tindie noticed, nicely done.

The "handmade enough" argument can be applied to Etsy's more typical products as well. How handmade is a T-Shirt? Does the seller buy pre-made fabric or weave it themselves? Do they spin their yarn and thread or buy in in rolls? Do they forge metal buttons themselves? All of Etsy's products are in some way or another just a combination of other mass produced goods.

I'm the guy who got removed from Etsy.

I want to start by saying I think Tindie is awesome and that I've known about it for quite some time. There's a reason that I don't sell my products there and it's because I literally do put them together by hand. I don't use a pick and place machine, reflow soldering techniques, or order in batches of 10,000. I build unique instruments for unique people.

I don't mean to draw a comparison between my skills and those of the Haute couture sewers and needlework types or even suggest that we should install some kind of massive institution for overseeing what is and what isn't "hand made," but only to say there is a line and for the most part it's pretty obvious who's on what side.

Bravo, Tindie! Self-promotion without making anyone out to be a bad guy in this issue (I mean that sincerely).

While I do agree with you - i think it's fair to say that Etsy have opted to focus more on the crafts side of goods (at least that's the impression their site gave me). While it is a great pity for the electronics goods that get rejected, it is still Etsy's business and their choice. Thankfully there is other options for the goods that Etsy choose not to adopt.