Membership
Join Artisans Cooperative
A Better Marketplace for the Handmade Community
We’re looking for artisans and supporters who prioritize cooperative values over corporate big tech. We welcome all authentic artisans and their supporters who want to see this marketplace happen, driven by cooperative work and decision-making.
Craft has always been the refuge of the disadvantaged: a way to earn income outside of a system that makes participation difficult for so many. It’s paramount that the space we create reduces barriers to entry and is democratically led by many voices, to benefit the full spectrum of artisans who are struggling to make a living in the digital platform economy. As we grow, we put more profits into the pockets of artisans and give autonomy back to the handmade community!
Member-Owned Cooperative
To join the co-op as a member, there is a brief application and a one-time investment in the co-op that purchases one share of ownership, and can be completed over time: a membership buy-in.
There are currently no paid employees of the cooperative: member contributions of every size sustain our operations and are counted in a simple profit sharing model & accessible participation requirements. Cash payments, and cash payment plans, are available to members who prefer to complete their buy-in monetarily:
Artisan Participation Buy In: 900 activity points (or an additional $900)
Supporter Participation Buy In: 90 activity points (or an additional $90)
Our cooperative model solves the problems of big tech marketplaces:
- Our unique Handmade Policy and engaged community will ensure only authentic and trustworthy handmade goods are sold on our marketplace
- Our democratic management will ensure fair treatment for artisans: no more surprise price hikes that only benefit shareholders or cruel policies that impact artisan lives and livelihoods. (Instead, we intend to lower our sales commissions once we’ve gotten off the ground.)
Our unique Ownership Model brings everyone to the table as stakeholders in balance.
- Our innovative Points & Tiers Policy ensures that both member buy-ins and financial rewards will be distributed equitably based on all kinds of co-op contributions (not just cash). This policy incentivizes member engagement, facilitates our Handmade Policy, and lowers the barriers to cooperative business ownership for all.
- The Points & Tiers Policy also ensures that even though a member can only select one member class (Artisan or Supporter, for example), all members will accrue benefits and financial dividends of all classes. For example Artisans will earn points on all purchases made on the site, just like consumer co-ops.
As outlined in our Ownership Model, members have the following regardless of whether they sell on the marketplace:
- Rights
- Governance rights (democratic control)
- Financial rights (profit-sharing)
- Benefits
- Password Manager
- Encrypted Zoom Alternative
- Google Drive Alternative
- Promotions for Verified:Handmade Shops & Products
- Publication Discounts - Handmade Seller Magazine
- Responsiblities
- Submit proposals for new products, features, or improvements to the co-op or marketplace for Board consideration
- Run for and elect representatives on the Board of Directors
- Vote on company-wide issues and planning. For example, members would have a vote on whether to increase any fees in the future, ensuring that there will be no surprise fee hikes and no fees without good reason.
- Vote on bylaw approval and changes, and major decisions like dissolution
- Attend annual meeting (virtual)
- Profit-sharing, as explained in our Points & Tiers Policy
Free & Fair
To keep agency over our data, technology and processes rather than distributing them to Big Tech, we've created our marketplace with simple tools and elbow grease. To support our creative livelihoods and the handmade industry, we offer a simple, transparent commission system and at-cost payment processing for orders: no listing fee, no subscriptions.
Artisan Sellers: 8% sales commission + 3.49% + $0.49 payment processing fee
Supporter Sellers: 9.5% sales commission + 3.49% + $0.49 payment processing fee
Sellers: 12% sales commission + 3.49% + $0.49 payment processing fee
Handmade Inclusion
Artisans Cooperative is the first “verified” handmade marketplace: welcoming and accessible for all mediums, disciplines, and niches. Our marketplace features authentic, original works produced with the care, dexterity, and judgment of an artisan who, at some point in the process, could ruin the work. For more information, including clarification on whether some types of products are allowed, a glossary of terms, and details about in-house, outsourced, and Print-on-Demand (POD) production, please read the Handmade Policy.