Research shows many “handmade” products on Etsy found to be fake

Yes I think sometimes Hand-Made should read as Assembled-by-hand

Do you have to register for Etsy?

It's a real shame, because as I said, I've had a few really nice personalised handmade things from Etsy before. In particular, I've got a beautiful handmade glass rainbow bridge which has some of my dog's ashes fused into the glass. I've also had some lovely personalised photo frames made, which I've given as gifts when friends have had babies.

Same as craft fayres. I used to enjoy seeing what people had made by hand but seldom visit them now. A lot of stuff is just “assembled” rather than handmade. I am thinking about jewellery like earrings especially.

I remember, pre-Etsy, buying a "handmade" poppy brooch on eBay, "in aid of" the official poppy appeal. Around £9.99, maybe.
I later found them on sale in local markets for £2.99. Boo.

Etsy has been in the news for years for selling non-handmade, non-vintage stuff. BBC Watchdog did a piece on it over a year ago.

This link is to a discussion piece following the BBC Watchdog review
www.ecommercebytes.com/2022/02/16/bbc-watchdog-exposes-mass-produced-items-on-etsy/

I looked at the jewellery on Etsy and some of it looks machine made .

Etsy hasn't been totally handmade for years. I used to sell my handmade items there but I don't do it any longer.

I have found the same. I liked some cushion covers and they were priced at £45 each on Etsy as I needed 3 I thought no. I scrolled through Amazon and found the same covers for £5 each.
In a way, Etsy is doing a disservice to some sellers who are genuine. I know of one such their name was passed to me by a friend who knew the person. They no longer appear to sell on Etsy.
I have been bought a necklace from Etsy and found the same one on "Not on the High Street", for half the price.

True, but there are also some very lovely - and genuinely handmade products - on there too. You've just got to be careful (as you should when buying anything online). I've had some lovely personalised things made specially from Etsy sellers.

and on sale at B&M stores for quarter of the price as was shown on bbc rip off Britain