GrottoMade

Community Guidelines

Last updated: July 4, 2026

GrottoMade exists so real makers can sell what they actually make, without fighting fees, fake listings, or mass-produced competition for attention. These guidelines explain what we expect from everyone here — sellers and buyers alike.

Our values

  • Sellers come first. No listing fees, no transaction fees, ever.
  • Handmade means handmade. We verify every shop before it can publish.
  • Real people, real conversations. Messaging connects buyers and sellers directly — no middleman.

What counts as "handmade"

Our rule of thumb: at least 80% of an item should be made by your own hands. In review, we look at the overall creative effort, production method, and originality behind a piece rather than any single strict measurement — the 80% is a guideline for that judgment call, not a formula.

Purchased materials and components — clasps, fabric, wax, hardware, and similar supplies — are completely fine. What matters is that the substantial creative and physical work is genuinely yours.

This is not allowed:

  • Reselling finished items you purchased elsewhere
  • Assembling pre-made kits with minimal modification
  • Drop-shipping
  • Adding minor customization to mass-produced items (like monogramming a bought mug)
  • Print-on-demand without significant artistic input

Curated packages and gift setsare allowed to include purchased items alongside your handmade work — a notepad and pen bundled with a handmade mug in a "Teacher Appreciation Gift Set," for example. The handmade item just has to be the reason someone is buying the package, not a small addition included to qualify it.

Every seller goes through a one-time Verified Handmade review before their first listing goes live, and we do periodic spot-checks afterward.

Listing standards

  • Photos and descriptions should show what a buyer will actually receive
  • Pricing should be accurate and current
  • Processing time (ready to ship vs. made to order) should be realistic
  • Shipping regions and costs should be clearly stated

Respectful communication

Messaging exists to help buyers and sellers connect — for questions, custom requests, and coordinating a sale. Treat the person on the other end the way you'd want to be treated: no harassment, threats, spam, or pressure tactics.

Prohibited items

  • Illegal items or items that violate someone else's intellectual property or trademark
  • Hazardous materials
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Anything that doesn't meet the handmade standard above

Reporting a concern

See a listing that doesn't look handmade, or a message that crosses a line? Email hello@grottomade.com with details — we review every report personally.

What happens when guidelines are broken

We handle violations proportionally:

  1. Warning — a specific explanation of the issue and a chance to fix it
  2. Soft suspension — shop hidden and listings paused, with an appeal window
  3. Permanent ban — for serious or repeated violations

We don't publicly shame suspended sellers — a suspended shop simply becomes unavailable. See our Terms of Service for the full policy.