Website of the Week – Etsy.com
‘Etsy is the world’s handmade marketplace. Our mission is to empower people to change the way the global economy works. We see a world in which very-very small businesses have much-much more sway in shaping the economy, local living economies are thriving everywhere, and people value authorship and provenance as much as price and convenience. We are bringing heart to commerce and making the world more fair, more sustainable, and more fun.’
Etsy.com is a fun and quirky international site where individual sellers can market handmade and vintage goods and arts and crafts supplies, in an online community of ‘artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers’. There is an extremely diverse range of products available to purchase: from candles, to handbags, to unique furniture and even pet accessories.
To add to the experience of Etsy as a ‘community marketplace’, the site allows you to create a user account, add a profile and then select items for your ‘Favorites’ to create a catalogue of the products you love. You can also create ‘Circles’ of other users whose tastes you are interested in; if you aren’t sure who to add, you can take the ‘Taste Test’ and Etsy will recommend other users for you!
Each seller also has an individual profile, so in many cases you can see exactly who has made the products and where – users are also able to message sellers to ask any questions they may have about their products. Etsy is also available to download as an application for the iPhone or Android, so you can browse on the go!
So, for an online experience of exploring a craft fair or market without leaving the comfort your home, to find your loved ones that perfect one-of-a-kind gift, or simply to brighten up a rainy day – have a browse around Etsy.com!