Lisa Pottle, the owner of Spirit Sisters By Lisa on Etsy, expressed disappointment upon learning about Etsy’s new policy banning the sale of fur starting in August. Pottle, who creates jewelry with beads and fur, recently purchased rabbit and foxtail fur for earrings and was disheartened by the news. The email sent to sellers on April 2 outlined the upcoming ban on fur products, citing it as part of Etsy’s biodiversity efforts.
The expanded policy now prohibits the sale of items containing fur from animals primarily killed for their pelts. However, taxidermy and byproduct materials like leather are exempt from the ban. Pottle, who relies on her Etsy shop as her sole source of income, sells around 15 items a month, with fur earrings being a popular choice among customers.
For Pottle, making fur earrings is not just a business but a way to stay connected to her Inuit heritage, where using fur was a cultural tradition for clothing. She expressed concern that the ban would impact her business and cultural expression. Indigenous artisans, like Pottle, are expected to be significantly affected by the new policy.
Doug Chiasson, from the Fur Institute of Canada, criticized Etsy’s decision, highlighting the potential negative impact on remote Indigenous communities that rely on fur products. He emphasized the importance of sustainable and ethical use of wildlife resources, including fur, for biodiversity conservation. Despite his efforts to engage with Etsy, the company has not responded to his concerns.
Pottle is contemplating moving her business to Shopify but plans to continue selling fur earrings on Etsy until the ban takes effect in August. She lamented the timing of the ban, as she was about to introduce a new earring design that she anticipated would be a bestseller. Despite the setback, she remains determined to navigate the changes ahead.