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On March 15, 2013, Tara Powell and her fiancé, Serge Podrez, decided to quit their day jobs. Five days later they opened DendroCo, an Etsy shop for handmade reclaimed-wood furniture. After only three months, business is booming — but it’s not their established product line that is moving the needle. Instead, Tara and Serge are proud to say that custom requests make up a majority of their business.
Tara and Serge are not alone. Nearly one in five handmade shops on Etsy offer custom items. Etsy has been a key destination for shoppers looking for specially-made goods, from engraved wedding rings to custom couches, and we’re working on tools to make this process easier.
To help us improve the custom orders experience for all our members, more than 5,000 sellers on Etsy have been actively testing enhancements in our prototype team. Thanks to input from all of these sellers, today we are rolling out new and improved tools to request and process custom orders on Etsy.
What’s new?
Sellers can now opt in to prominently display that they accept custom orders on their shop and listing pages, and to receive helpful tools specific to managing custom buyer requests. A pronounced “Request custom order” link lets shoppers less familiar with Etsy know that the seller can make their one-of-a-kind dream items come true. And when shoppers click on that link, a special custom order conversation begins.
A custom order conversation.
What are the benefits?
If you are a seller who already produces custom items, we have a feeling this feature will make your workflow smoother, quicker, and even more engaging. We’ve added a host of helpful tools to move the custom order process along, such as:
- A timeline of events to help you keep track of how each custom order is progressing, with a separate conversation folder just for custom requests.
- The ability to create a private listing just for you and the buyer.
- The ability to create a private listing from an existing listing.
By offering better tools to produce custom items, we aim to foster more of the creative collaboration that makes Etsy a truly meaningful marketplace.
If you are a seller who has yet to offer custom goods, consider adding them to your line of work! Much like it did for these sellers, offering custom items is a great way to showcase your creative talent and create additional revenue. Shoppers on Etsy are eager for unique items, and custom orders allow you to tap into that demand.
If you’d like to join the hundreds of thousands of Etsy sellers offering custom made goods, make sure to enable the “Request custom order” feature in your Shop Settings.
And if you’re a buyer looking for that custom maker who can manifest your whims, check out our Pinterest Boards where we will be posting inspiration with the hashtag, #EtsyCustom.
For more information, be sure to read our FAQs and let us know your thoughts in this forum thread!
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Photo by karinelizabeth
These days, it’s easier than ever to connect with like-minded individuals around the world to bring ideas into reality. People can lend financial support to projects with the click of a button, and crowd-sourced funding sites aggregate individual contributions to achieve astronomical sums in record time. This movement is disrupting the status quo by decentralizing wealth and making opportunities accessible to entrepreneurs and creators around the world. Sounds pretty good to us.
We couldn’t be prouder when the Etsy Little Rock team recently made headlines, featured as a trustee for a program called Kiva City in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill Clinton attended the launch event and spoke to the enormity of the movement in a compelling speech about how the work of the local Little Rock community is making notable headway toward building a foundation for a new, more robust and versatile economy.
“We’ve got to figure out some way to get the money to people who… have the courage to start their own business, who are willing to risk failure because that’s what makes this economy go,” he explained.
There are many sites and organizations aimed at connecting people and projects with funding. One of the most well-known is the non-profit Kiva, whose mission is to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Kiva enables anyone to lend money to help create opportunity around the world through a global network of microfinance institutions, called field partners.
In the fall of 2011, Kiva launched a pilot program called Kiva Zip, enabling lenders to make zero-interest loans directly to entrepreneurs. To extend the microfinance model to small businesses across America, Kiva additionally developed a location-based program called Kiva City. With Kiva City, financial institutions partner at a local level to facilitate the loans, while community groups and civic leaders serve as “trustees” to build awareness among small business owners, refer them to the program, and vouch for them to receive loans.
Amber Estrada of LatressOntheMenjay, the captain of the Little Rock team, was first approached by Kiva this past winter. At that time, Kiva was laying the groundwork for the March 15 launch of Kiva City Little Rock and wanted the team to get involved so that local Etsians could take advantage of the community-sourced no-interest loans to build their businesses. Once the team became an official trustee, they contacted all their members about the news and put the call out on Facebook that they were looking for borrowers to endorse. So far, three Little Rock team members have been awarded loans through the program. Ximena Loya, of ximenaelle, one such member who was endorsed by the team actually reached her fundraising goal during the launch event! Both Brandi Marazitt (MyBlueMorpho) and Macy Madison (MyNextExHusband) have also received loans since the event, and Emily Young of Princess Puddle Duck is well on her way.
“It was so encouraging and uplifting to see Kiva and small business owners (including our Etsians) work towards taking their small businesses to the next level, one microloan at a time,” gushed Amber. Besides Little Rock, Kiva City has also launched in D.C., Los Angeles, Detroit, and New Orleans. Learn more and apply to bring the program to your hometown here. You can also network with other Etsy members interested in participating in the movement by applying to join the Kiva Team.
In addition to Kiva, there are many platforms that can be used to collect funding for creative, innovative projects. Instead of a zero-interest lending model, however, companies like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow contributors to donate in exchange for non-financial rewards. Just last month, the Milliners of Etsy successfully completed a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo for a fashion show that took place in Three Oaks, Michigan on June 9. And on Thursday, June 27, Indigogo is actually hosting a free workshop called “How to Crowdfund Your Etsy Business” at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, which you can read more about in this announcement on the Toronto Etsy Street Team’s blog.
We also have an Etsy-curated page of Kickstarter projects that you can browse for inspiration. If you or your Etsy team needs financial assistance to pull off a project, now is the time to reach out and ask your community for help! We’ve even got some tips on getting funding for a team event right here.
Whether it’s to finance an international trip to an innovative conference or take a handmade lamp-building business to the next level, these creative calls for support help fuel a trend in resource sharing — where the value of innovation is made tangible, and connections between individuals are paramount. Our community certainly understands this desire for meaningful exchange. By taking control of the means of production and challenging traditional financial systems, we are all doing our part to transform the world into a more lasting and fulfilling place.
What other crowd-sourced funding platforms have you used? Do you have a fundraising success story to share? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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Photo by Jonpaul Douglass
Count down to Craft Party begins, RSVP here! We’ve loved hearing plans for parties all over the world and can’t wait to share photos and stories. This year’s theme is Craft for Community and for the second year in a row we’ve teamed up with our neighbors at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. This year’s festivities will take place in the Tobacco Warehouse, just down the street from the Brooklyn Etsy Labs.
Love to embroider? We hope you can make it and use your skills to create embroidered and sewn hand puppets. Projects will be donated to a variety of organizations who work with children including: Baby Buggy, Children’s Aid Society, God’s Love We Deliver and Room to Grow. Etsy staff and members of the EtsyNY Team will be available to help sew puppets.
The Tobacco Warehouse is situated in the park between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges — perfect for photos in our DIY photo booth. We’ll have a raffle for new sellers and members, and you’ll have the chance to sample food truck treats from Brooklyn’s best, including Coolhaus and Kimchi Taco.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER . Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Entries must be received between 05:00 PM EST on 06/20/13 and 08:00:00 PM EST on 06/20/13. Four drawing from entries received. Go here for Official Rules. Sponsor: Etsy, Inc.
Special thank you to Spoonflower for their donation of badges and puppet materials. Ready to start sewing? Check out Spoonflower’s top ten cut and sew projects from last year’s Craft Party and supplies on Etsy.
Details
Event: Brooklyn Craft Party
What: Make hand puppets to donate to organizations that work with children.
Where: Tobacco Warehouse at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. 26 New Dock Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201.
Food: Food will be available to purchase from: Coolhaus, Kimchi Taco, and more!
Neighborhood: DUMBO, Brooklyn
When: Thursday, June 20
Time: 5 – 8 p.m. Are you an Etsy seller? The first 100 sellers in the door will receive a merit badge sewing project.
Cost: Free (bring cash for food!)
RSVP: Here!
Not in New York? Find a Craft Party near you and join the fun!
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Photo by PenFelt
We had a great time at last month’s Hands-On class and hope you can join us this month in the Brooklyn Etsy Labs for a night of heartfelt crafting. PenFelt will teach a wet felting technique and you’ll learn how to make a set of soft beads with roving from OpulentFibers. Be sure to RSVP to reserve a spot in this free in-person class.
LeBrie Rich, the artist behind PenFelt, lives in Portland, Oregon. Her current show, Masterworks, a series of fiber reproductions of iconic 20th century paintings is on view at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio through July 31.
Felting fanatic? LeBrie is also teaching a Needle Felted Sculpture class at the Textile Arts Center on June 1.
Details:
Event: Hands-On: Felted Beads
What: Learn wet felting technique from PenFelt and take photos in our photo booth.
Where: Etsy Labs, 55 Washington St. Suite 712, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: DUMBO; Cross streets: Front and Water
When: Thursday, June 6, 5 p.m. ET – 8 p.m. ET
Cost: Free
RSVP: Here!
Video by Etsy Admin Nicole Licht and Clare McGibbon.
Continue readingPhoto by PenFelt
We had a great time at last month’s Hands-On class and hope you can join us this month in the Brooklyn Etsy Labs for a night of heartfelt crafting. PenFelt will teach a wet felting technique and you’ll learn how to make a set of soft beads with roving from OpulentFibers. Be sure to RSVP to reserve a spot in this free in-person class.
LeBrie Rich, the artist behind PenFelt, lives in Portland, Oregon. Her current show, Masterworks, a series of fiber reproductions of iconic 20th century paintings is on view at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio through July 31.
Felting fanatic? LeBrie is also teaching a Needle Felted Sculpture class at the Textile Arts Center on June 1.
Details:
Event: Hands-On: Felted Beads
What: Learn wet felting technique from PenFelt and take photos in our photo booth.
Where: Etsy Labs, 55 Washington St. Suite 712, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: DUMBO; Cross streets: Front and Water
When: Thursday, June 6, 5 p.m. ET – 8 p.m. ET
Cost: Free
RSVP: Here!
Video by Etsy Admin Nicole Licht and Clare McGibbon.
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Photo by JonPaul Douglass
About 7,000 people live in the town of Hudson, right on the river and two hours north of New York City. At the top of town, the freight train often whistles as it slides right down the middle of the street. At the bottom of town, in the middle of the river, the lighthouse’s foghorn calls out as barges fight the current. In the middle of town, 25 Etsy Admin tap on their keyboards. It’s calm and peaceful, barring the occasional office dog eruption.
Etsy’s Hudson annex is in one of the town’s many 1800s brick warehouses left over from the industrial days. Like our building, many old structures in town have been reborn. But I often imagine the sweat and noise that happened here decades ago, when this was a factory churning out lumber, doors and windows for area houses.
Drawing of Traver & Sons from an article in the Hudson Gazette, November 26, 1885.
A dramatic 1871 newspaper article describes entering our office when it was Traver & Sons’ mill: “The ears are greeted by a noise of sawing, buzzing and snapping, as if pandemonium had sent her most infernal orchestra to welcome the visitor to her chosen abode.”
Connecting this past with the present, Etsy Admin Jake found Traver & Sons’ stamp on old wainscoting as he was renovating his house. Folks working here now are living in homes that were made, at least in part, by those buzzing saws.
JonPaul Douglass
Jake and I present Traver & Sons wainscoting from his home.
Even though our work is mostly on computers, we feel we’re carrying on the tradition. This is industry-hallowed ground, and we help thousands of Etsy sellers run their own industries. If you contact Etsy Support, it’s likely the satellites bounce your message to Hudson and back.
JonPaul Douglass
Of course, Etsy’s headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY, and one might think, “Why would a tech company open an office in a little town?” But if you know about the town, it’s an obvious fit.
Laid out by Nantucket whalers, this was a bustling seaport for many years. The town the whalers built for us is still very much here, in the architecture and in the air.
Artists have long found inspiration in the grandeur of the river valley and the neighboring Catskill Mountains. Several famed Hudson River School painters lived in and around town — Thomas Cole, Frederick Church and Sanford Gifford to name a few.
Like most American towns that were based around manufacturing, Hudson declined in the 20th century as industry dried up or went elsewhere. Nevertheless, the spirit has remained and brought about a steady rebirth, owing much to natural beauty and proximity to New York City, as well as the foresight and risks of a few who bought and restored buildings here in the past few decades.
The town is once again full of creative types. It seems like everyone you talk to makes something. The Albany Business Review says Hudson has the highest self-employment rate in New York state. The ingenuity, the artfulness, the respect for craft, and the quirkiness in Hudson are what drew Etsy here.
Also, having a space in a small town means that we can interact with the community in a different way than in a big city, and Hudson has many communities. In a year and a half, we’ve volunteered with the Hudson Black Arts & Cultural Festival, marched in the town’s Pride parade, hosted and attended local craft fairs, and opened our doors for craft nights in conjunction with the library. As in the Brooklyn headquarters, where the office compost goes to a Brooklyn farm, our compost goes to a community garden right down the block.
JonPaul Douglass
Plants adorn the kitchen island, and our compost bin with compostable bags is to the left.
Our desks are made in a woodshop a few doors down by Rob Williams, Jr., who runs GrainWoodwork on Etsy. We’ve bought most of our furniture from shops in Hudson or from local Etsy sellers, like Idaseyeantiques. An artist who lives across the street created a mural and sound installation for us.
JonPaul Douglass
Most Hudson Admin are from the area, or have at least lived here a long time, so we’re just continuing being part of our community. What a special place to call home.
JonPaul Douglass
Are you in our neck of the woods? Come say hi at the Hudson River Exchange, a local handmade and vintage market in town July 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.!
Continue readingPhoto by JonPaul Douglass
About 7,000 people live in the town of Hudson, right on the river and two hours north of New York City. At the top of town, the freight train often whistles as it slides right down the middle of the street. At the bottom of town, in the middle of the river, the lighthouse’s foghorn calls out as barges fight the current. In the middle of town, 25 Etsy Admin tap on their keyboards. It’s calm and peaceful, barring the occasional office dog eruption.
Etsy’s Hudson annex is in one of the town’s many 1800s brick warehouses left over from the industrial days. Like our building, many old structures in town have been reborn. But I often imagine the sweat and noise that happened here decades ago, when this was a factory churning out lumber, doors and windows for area houses.
Drawing of Traver & Sons from an article in the Hudson Gazette, November 26, 1885.
A dramatic 1871 newspaper article describes entering our office when it was Traver & Sons’ mill: “The ears are greeted by a noise of sawing, buzzing and snapping, as if pandemonium had sent her most infernal orchestra to welcome the visitor to her chosen abode.”
Connecting this past with the present, Etsy Admin Jake found Traver & Sons’ stamp on old wainscoting as he was renovating his house. Folks working here now are living in homes that were made, at least in part, by those buzzing saws.
JonPaul Douglass
Jake and I present Traver & Sons wainscoting from his home.
Even though our work is mostly on computers, we feel we’re carrying on the tradition. This is industry-hallowed ground, and we help thousands of Etsy sellers run their own industries. If you contact Etsy Support, it’s likely the satellites bounce your message to Hudson and back.
JonPaul Douglass
Of course, Etsy’s headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY, and one might think, “Why would a tech company open an office in a little town?” But if you know about the town, it’s an obvious fit.
Laid out by Nantucket whalers, this was a bustling seaport for many years. The town the whalers built for us is still very much here, in the architecture and in the air.
Artists have long found inspiration in the grandeur of the river valley and the neighboring Catskill Mountains. Several famed Hudson River School painters lived in and around town — Thomas Cole, Frederick Church and Sanford Gifford to name a few.
Like most American towns that were based around manufacturing, Hudson declined in the 20th century as industry dried up or went elsewhere. Nevertheless, the spirit has remained and brought about a steady rebirth, owing much to natural beauty and proximity to New York City, as well as the foresight and risks of a few who bought and restored buildings here in the past few decades.
The town is once again full of creative types. It seems like everyone you talk to makes something. The Albany Business Review says Hudson has the highest self-employment rate in New York state. The ingenuity, the artfulness, the respect for craft, and the quirkiness in Hudson are what drew Etsy here.
Also, having a space in a small town means that we can interact with the community in a different way than in a big city, and Hudson has many communities. In a year and a half, we’ve volunteered with the Hudson Black Arts & Cultural Festival, marched in the town’s Pride parade, hosted and attended local craft fairs, and opened our doors for craft nights in conjunction with the library. As in the Brooklyn headquarters, where the office compost goes to a Brooklyn farm, our compost goes to a community garden right down the block.
JonPaul Douglass
Plants adorn the kitchen island, and our compost bin with compostable bags is to the left.
Our desks are made in a woodshop a few doors down by Rob Williams, Jr., who runs GrainWoodwork on Etsy. We’ve bought most of our furniture from shops in Hudson or from local Etsy sellers, like Idaseyeantiques. An artist who lives across the street created a mural and sound installation for us.
JonPaul Douglass
Most Hudson Admin are from the area, or have at least lived here a long time, so we’re just continuing being part of our community. What a special place to call home.
JonPaul Douglass
Are you in our neck of the woods? Come say hi at the Hudson River Exchange, a local handmade and vintage market in town July 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.!
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Photo by lovintagefinds
With sunny thoughts of summer in the air and Etsy Craft Party around the corner, join us for a full slate of creative programming in San Francisco (June 6), Los Angeles (June 6), San Jose (June 7), and Chicago (June 20). This month’s DIY topics include screenprinting, memento box making, no-sew coasters, and making paracord dog collars for a good cause. All topics are taught by local Etsy sellers and friends of Etsy in each location.
The Etsy Meet & Make program is a series of creative community workshops held in partnership with organizations across the United States. Each month our partners cook up hands-on sessions designed to be fun, educational, and bring the local community together with a DIY spirit.
Craft Lab in San Francisco: Screenprinting
Rick Kitagawa
Join us this month for a quick and dirty introduction to screen printing from local artist Rick Kitagawa, by printing your very own poster! Rick Kitagawa is an SF-based artist and storyteller who creates creepy things and runs the screenprinting ships, The Lords of Print and Monkey and Seal. Whether you want to give your poster as a Father’s Day gift to an art-loving dad or keep it for yourself, you’ll leave with a sweet two-color poster.
Admission for this 21+ event is $10, or $5 if you’re a museum member, and includes supplies, instruction, and beer generously sponsored by Anchor Brewing Company! Please note that registration is highly recommended, and ticket sales end on June 6 at 4 p.m. PT.
With support from Etsy, every month the Museum of Craft and Design organizes Etsy Meet & Make: Craft Lab, where adults can make a project, socialize, and enjoy grown-up refreshments.
When: Thursday, June 6, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. PT (No walk-ins after 8 p.m., please)
Where: Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Fiber Salon in San Jose: No-Sew Coasters
Rebecca Saylor
Join the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles for our second Etsy Meet and Make: Fiber Salon! When many people get their first apartment, get married, or make a move, they look for some well designed, personal items that can make their new place feel cozy and warm. These little coasters are easy to make, yet pack a punch of personality. You can use virtually any fabric to personalize the design of these no-sew coasters that we’ll be making with Rebecca Saylor, from OodleBaDoodle. RSVP is required, and space is limited.
Fiber Salon is a hands-on community craft event hosted the first Friday of each month at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles with support from the Etsy Meet & Make program.
When: Friday, June 7, from 7 to 11 p.m. PT (Sessions start at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.)
Where: San Jose Museum of Quilt and Textiles, 520 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Craft Bar in Chicago: Pets for Life Craft Party
Heidi Gustad
For this month’s Etsy Meet & Make: Craft Bar Chicago, we’re switching things up a bit. Usually Craft Bar takes place on the first Friday of each month, but for June, we’re combining Craft Bar with Craft Party as an opportunity to use our collective creative powers to help the Chicago Community!
We’re teaming up with the Humane Society’s Pets for Life program to put on a fun community event that puts our craft skills to work for a great cause. The Pets for Life program works directly with underserved communities by providing free animal care and wellness to those who would not normally have access. Join craft blogger Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied and learn how to fashion handmade paracord collars to donate directly to dogs in need. A certified therapy dog will be available during the event for cuddling, while delicious vegan snacks and drinks will be waiting for you at the bar. And, enter our raffle for your chance to win a custom pet portrait from Green Grass Design.
Admission is $5 or a bag of dog or cat food. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of the United State’s Pets for Life program.
When: Thursday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. CT
Where: Mignonette, 1747 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657
Craft Night in Los Angeles: Memento Boxes
Holly Jerger
This month we’re making memento boxes in the courtyard of the Craft and Folk Art Museum. Bring in a small, personal item and make a special box or container to house and display it in. We’ll have various materials for you to construct and adorn your memento box and make it truly singular and functional. Admission is $7 or free for CAFAM members, and covers materials, snacks, drinks, and instruction. RSVP is required.
When: Thursday, June 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. PT (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California
More DIY Projects | Buy Craft Supplies on Etsy
Continue readingPhoto by lovintagefinds
With sunny thoughts of summer in the air and Etsy Craft Party around the corner, join us for a full slate of creative programming in San Francisco (June 6), Los Angeles (June 6), San Jose (June 7), and Chicago (June 20). This month’s DIY topics include screenprinting, memento box making, no-sew coasters, and making paracord dog collars for a good cause. All topics are taught by local Etsy sellers and friends of Etsy in each location.
The Etsy Meet & Make program is a series of creative community workshops held in partnership with organizations across the United States. Each month our partners cook up hands-on sessions designed to be fun, educational, and bring the local community together with a DIY spirit.
Craft Lab in San Francisco: Screenprinting
Rick Kitagawa
Join us this month for a quick and dirty introduction to screen printing from local artist Rick Kitagawa, by printing your very own poster! Rick Kitagawa is an SF-based artist and storyteller who creates creepy things and runs the screenprinting ships, The Lords of Print and Monkey and Seal. Whether you want to give your poster as a Father’s Day gift to an art-loving dad or keep it for yourself, you’ll leave with a sweet two-color poster.
Admission for this 21+ event is $10, or $5 if you’re a museum member, and includes supplies, instruction, and beer generously sponsored by Anchor Brewing Company! Please note that registration is highly recommended, and ticket sales end on June 6 at 4 p.m. PT.
With support from Etsy, every month the Museum of Craft and Design organizes Etsy Meet & Make: Craft Lab, where adults can make a project, socialize, and enjoy grown-up refreshments.
When: Thursday, June 6, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. PT (No walk-ins after 8 p.m., please)
Where: Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Fiber Salon in San Jose: No-Sew Coasters
Rebecca Saylor
Join the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles for our second Etsy Meet and Make: Fiber Salon! When many people get their first apartment, get married, or make a move, they look for some well designed, personal items that can make their new place feel cozy and warm. These little coasters are easy to make, yet pack a punch of personality. You can use virtually any fabric to personalize the design of these no-sew coasters that we’ll be making with Rebecca Saylor, from OodleBaDoodle. RSVP is required, and space is limited.
Fiber Salon is a hands-on community craft event hosted the first Friday of each month at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles with support from the Etsy Meet & Make program.
When: Friday, June 7, from 7 to 11 p.m. PT (Sessions start at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.)
Where: San Jose Museum of Quilt and Textiles, 520 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Craft Bar in Chicago: Pets for Life Craft Party
Heidi Gustad
For this month’s Etsy Meet & Make: Craft Bar Chicago, we’re switching things up a bit. Usually Craft Bar takes place on the first Friday of each month, but for June, we’re combining Craft Bar with Craft Party as an opportunity to use our collective creative powers to help the Chicago Community!
We’re teaming up with the Humane Society’s Pets for Life program to put on a fun community event that puts our craft skills to work for a great cause. The Pets for Life program works directly with underserved communities by providing free animal care and wellness to those who would not normally have access. Join craft blogger Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied and learn how to fashion handmade paracord collars to donate directly to dogs in need. A certified therapy dog will be available during the event for cuddling, while delicious vegan snacks and drinks will be waiting for you at the bar. And, enter our raffle for your chance to win a custom pet portrait from Green Grass Design.
Admission is $5 or a bag of dog or cat food. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of the United State’s Pets for Life program.
When: Thursday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. CT
Where: Mignonette, 1747 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657
Craft Night in Los Angeles: Memento Boxes
Holly Jerger
This month we’re making memento boxes in the courtyard of the Craft and Folk Art Museum. Bring in a small, personal item and make a special box or container to house and display it in. We’ll have various materials for you to construct and adorn your memento box and make it truly singular and functional. Admission is $7 or free for CAFAM members, and covers materials, snacks, drinks, and instruction. RSVP is required.
When: Thursday, June 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. PT (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Where: Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California
More DIY Projects | Buy Craft Supplies on Etsy
Julie Schneider is a Brooklyn-based artist, teacher, and punster. When she's not working on Etsy's community team, she's writing, drawing, and making cards and papercuts. Keep up with her latest creations on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Photo by MagMoment
While the soil continues to hold winter’s chill, those emerging vibrant buds are a reassuring sight indeed. Fresh growth is nothing new to the Etsy community, but a 60.1% increase in April 2013 from April 2012′s total of dollars of goods sold still feels just as delightful as late-afternoon sunshine. (At the same time, items sold were up 43.8% year over year.)
The stats:
- $101.8 million of goods (after refunds and cancellations) were sold by our community in April, 0.1% higher than March’s $101.7 million
- That represents 4,259,435 items sold for the month, 6.1% lower than March’s 4,534,479
- 2,830,804 items were listed in the month, 3.5% lower than March’s 2,932,874
- 972,224 new members joined the Etsy community in the month, down 64,128 or 6.2%, from March
- 1.49 billion page views were recorded on the site in April
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Etsy community in April 2013!
Curious about how other months compare? Check out our past Weather Reports for more statistics.
Continue readingPhoto by MagMoment
While the soil continues to hold winter’s chill, those emerging vibrant buds are a reassuring sight indeed. Fresh growth is nothing new to the Etsy community, but a 60.1% increase in April 2013 from April 2012′s total of dollars of goods sold still feels just as delightful as late-afternoon sunshine. (At the same time, items sold were up 43.8% year over year.)
The stats:
- $101.8 million of goods (after refunds and cancellations) were sold by our community in April, 0.1% higher than March’s $101.7 million
- That represents 4,259,435 items sold for the month, 6.1% lower than March’s 4,534,479
- 2,830,804 items were listed in the month, 3.5% lower than March’s 2,932,874
- 972,224 new members joined the Etsy community in the month, down 64,128 or 6.2%, from March
- 1.49 billion page views were recorded on the site in April
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Etsy community in April 2013!
Curious about how other months compare? Check out our past Weather Reports for more statistics.
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Photo by lindamonfort
Update: On May 6, the US Senate voted to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would require online sellers who earn over $1M in annual revenues to collect and remit sales tax for every state, not just the one where you live.
The good news is, the bill won’t become law unless it moves through the House of Representatives. We encourage you to call your legislator (find their number here) and let them know where you stand. You can also join the conversation with other sellers in this forum thread. Below is the original blog post that was published on April 22, 2013.
This week, the US Senate will vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act, a bill that requires online sellers to collect and remit sales tax for every state, regardless of where you live. Right now sellers are only required to collect sales tax in the states where they have a physical presence. (Online buyers are responsible for paying their home state’s sales taxes, but most don’t.)
We at Etsy support the intent of the legislation, to help states reap the tax they are owed, but feel it will unnecessarily burden small businesses. Most Etsy sellers work from home and don’t have the administrative resources to comply with the law. That’s why the “small seller exception” included in the bill is so important. We believe in pushing that exception as high as possible, not only to protect sellers now, but to give their businesses room to grow down the line.
Currently, the bill exempts businesses who earn under $1 million annually, though the level of exception is hotly debated, and some companies have even argued to eliminate it altogether. If you’re thinking, “$1 million, phew, that excludes me,” that’s understandable. $1 million in sales, however, is well below other federal definitions of small business. And the top 500 largest internet retailers make up 93% of lost state revenues. A lower exception hurts small businesses more than it helps states.
With the vote happening this week, we encourage you to call your Senators (you can find their numbers here) and tell them you support increasing the level of the small seller exception in the Marketplace Fairness Act. Hearing directly from constituents makes a lot more impact than just hearing from Etsy staff.
The Etsy community actually put this issue on our radar for the first time last year, when several sellers commented about it on a blog post about Chad’s trip to the US Senate. Since that time, we’ve been meeting with legislators and connecting Etsy sellers directly with D.C. officials to advocate.
This is part of our emerging focus on policy issues that affect our community. Since I arrived at Etsy, I’ve found that politicians often don’t understand the needs or challenges of our community. A seller making jewelry or decor from home is very different than a dentist, gas station owner or a tech start-up. Officials don’t realize how hard it will be for you to comply with a new regulation, or that many existing public programs to support small business don’t help you. We want to change that. So let me know in this forum thread what other governmental policy issues you’re worried about. I’d love to work with you to help solve them.
Althea Erickson is Etsy’s director of public policy, and the seller behind Brooklyn Assembly. Before she joined Etsy, she led the advocacy and policy work at Freelancers Union.
Continue readingPhoto by lindamonfort
Update: On May 6, the US Senate voted to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would require online sellers who earn over $1M in annual revenues to collect and remit sales tax for every state, not just the one where you live.
The good news is, the bill won’t become law unless it moves through the House of Representatives. We encourage you to call your legislator (find their number here) and let them know where you stand. You can also join the conversation with other sellers in this forum thread. Below is the original blog post that was published on April 22, 2013.
This week, the US Senate will vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act, a bill that requires online sellers to collect and remit sales tax for every state, regardless of where you live. Right now sellers are only required to collect sales tax in the states where they have a physical presence. (Online buyers are responsible for paying their home state’s sales taxes, but most don’t.)
We at Etsy support the intent of the legislation, to help states reap the tax they are owed, but feel it will unnecessarily burden small businesses. Most Etsy sellers work from home and don’t have the administrative resources to comply with the law. That’s why the “small seller exception” included in the bill is so important. We believe in pushing that exception as high as possible, not only to protect sellers now, but to give their businesses room to grow down the line.
Currently, the bill exempts businesses who earn under $1 million annually, though the level of exception is hotly debated, and some companies have even argued to eliminate it altogether. If you’re thinking, “$1 million, phew, that excludes me,” that’s understandable. $1 million in sales, however, is well below other federal definitions of small business. And the top 500 largest internet retailers make up 93% of lost state revenues. A lower exception hurts small businesses more than it helps states.
With the vote happening this week, we encourage you to call your Senators (you can find their numbers here) and tell them you support increasing the level of the small seller exception in the Marketplace Fairness Act. Hearing directly from constituents makes a lot more impact than just hearing from Etsy staff.
The Etsy community actually put this issue on our radar for the first time last year, when several sellers commented about it on a blog post about Chad’s trip to the US Senate. Since that time, we’ve been meeting with legislators and connecting Etsy sellers directly with D.C. officials to advocate.
This is part of our emerging focus on policy issues that affect our community. Since I arrived at Etsy, I’ve found that politicians often don’t understand the needs or challenges of our community. A seller making jewelry or decor from home is very different than a dentist, gas station owner or a tech start-up. Officials don’t realize how hard it will be for you to comply with a new regulation, or that many existing public programs to support small business don’t help you. We want to change that. So let me know in this forum thread what other governmental policy issues you’re worried about. I’d love to work with you to help solve them.
Althea Erickson is Etsy’s director of public policy, and the seller behind Brooklyn Assembly. Before she joined Etsy, she led the advocacy and policy work at Freelancers Union.
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Photo by Etsy Craft Party
Etsy Craft Party is a one-day celebration of meeting and making. Around the world, we come together to share creative skills with our neighbors. You can organize a Craft Party, or join one in your area. All you need are good friends, craft supplies, and fun!
This year’s theme is Craft for Community. How could you use your craft know-how to make your hometown even better? We encourage you to think about what you love most about your city, what creative skills you have to share, and how you could bring this all together in a fun party that supports your community. Your Craft Party could feature:
- Skill-share: Swapping your creative skills with another.
- Craftivism: Using crafts as a means for positive action, or activism.
- Collaboration: Making a difference by joining forces with a local organization (your town’s community garden, park, farm, hospital, school, arts center, bike shop, thrift store, day care center, senior center, soup kitchen, farmer’s market, or other nonprofit/community group).
How do I get started? First, pick your spirit animal. If you are the leader of the pack, you could be a great Craft Party organizer. More of a party animal? Sign up for a party in your area and show up ready to craft on June 20.
To join a Craft Party, all you have to do is find a party in your area and RSVP via the party’s Eventbrite page.
To organize a Craft Party:
1. Complete the organizer application form.
2. We’ll grant you access to your Craft Party Eventbrite page.
3. Plan your party and invite friends!
Take note! Craft Parties with 25 or more RSVPs on Eventbrite will receive a free box of craft supplies from Spoonflower and Etsy sellers (while supplies last). The deadline to RSVP is May 30, 2013. We set this RSVP deadline so we can get the box of supplies shipped to the party organizer(s) in time. However, we encourage you to continue promoting and garnering RSVPs right up to the day of your Craft Party.
We will also provide every Craft Party organizer with a free, downloadable Craft Party Kit. The Kit will contain: how-to project instructions and templates, party decor ideas, and other tips for hosting your own party – plus some extra delightful surprises.
We encourage you to make your party your own and have fun with it! Here are a few project ideas:
- Make Adopt Me vests for an animal shelter
- Host a creative workshop at the local library to share skills and knowledge with your community
- Get your hands dirty with a garden-related project to support a community garden
- Work with a local bike shop to make bike tube pouches, reduce waste, and promote biking
- Paint a mural to brighten a communal space
- Work with a thrift shop to source materials for an upcycled project (like these denim pillows)
- Make toys for a kids center (like these wooden blocks)
- Make birthday cards for the More Birthdays campaign
- Make pillowcases to donate to a local shelter, hospital, or home as part of the One Million Pillowcase Challenge
- Knit tiny hats for preemies at a children’s hospital
- Make scarves or mittens for a homeless shelter
- Make decorations for a senior center party
- Get together at a park or beach or hiking trail to help with a hands-on outdoors project
- Bring creativity to an unexpected spot, drawing inspiration from The Laundromat Project
- Work with a local non-profit to add value to your community
Let’s celebrate Craft Party together. Share photos of your Craft Party, from prep time to party time, on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #craftparty. We may even include them in a recap blog post or on Facebook!
Join the global celebration on June 20!
What are you planning for Etsy Craft Party 2013? Let us know in the comments below.
Julie Schneider is a Brooklyn-based artist, teacher, and punster. When she's not working on Etsy's community team, she's writing, drawing, and making cards and papercuts. Keep up with her latest creations on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Photo by PaperAltar
With Mother’s Day around the corner and spring in the air, join us for a full slate of creative community programming on May 2 and 3 in San Jose, San Francisco, LA, and Chicago.
This month we welcome Fiber Salon in San Jose as our newest addition to the Meet & Make roster. Following this launch, Craft Lab will continue to be hosted the first Friday of each month at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Come show them your support and help kick off their first ever Meet & Make event!
Fiber Salon in San Jose: Victorian Hair Jewelry
For the launch of Etsy Meet & Make: Fiber Salon at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, local Etsy seller Even Howard of Nadene and the SF Etsy Team will teach how to make a modern take on Victorian hair jewelry. While crafting, we’ll discuss the history of this craft that weaves together treasured memories into keepsake objects, as well as explore the techniques of table-woven hair work to create cards or small accessories using embroidery floss in place of hair. Supplies and instruction are provided with RSVP. Following this launch, these free events will continue to be held the first Friday of each month at the Museum.
When: Friday, May 3, from 7 – 11 p.m. PT
Where: San Jose Museum of Quilt and Textiles, 520 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Craft Bar in Chicago: Mother’s Day Projects
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so what better way to celebrate mom than with some beautiful and wearable May flowers? This month, join Craft Bar Chicago and Gina Morgan as we learn the art of bead stringing and make beaded floral creations. Beading not your style? Local artist Wizard at Work will be on-hand to share a simple embossing techniques for handmade cards.
As always, all supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own project to work on. The $5 admission covers all materials and instruction for the projects. Don’t forget to fuel your creativity with drinks and snacks from the bar, served by our resident handsome Craft Bartender crew!
When: Friday, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. CT
Where: Mignonette, 1747 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657
Craft Lab in San Francisco: Printmaking
Just in time for Mother’s Day, join us at the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco for an intro to printmaking! In this simple 20 minute activity, Niki Baker of foreignspell will teach how to make beautiful handmade stationery or art. All the supplies will be on hand for you to carve your own rubber stamp. Or, if sharp tools scare you, try some stamps pre-made by Niki to create fresh designs!
Admission is $10, or $5 if you’re a Museum member, and includes supplies, instruction, and adult beverages. While you’re at the museum, find inspiration in the current exhibition by Rebecca Hutchinson, featuring a porcelain paper-clay installation of leaf-like forms suggesting an unexpected forest.
When: Thursday, May 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. PT
Where: Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Craft Night in Los Angeles: Wire Projects
Bend, weave, tie, wrap: the possibilities for wire are endless. At this month’s Craft Night at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, you’ll learn several ways to manipulate wire and create small functional objects or imaginative sculptures. Project demonstrations will be held at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Admission is free for CAFAM members or $7 at the door for non-members, and covers materials, snacks, drinks, and instruction. RSVP is required.
When: Thursday, May 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. PT
Where: Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California
More Events | DIY Projects | Buy Craft Supplies on Etsy
Julie Schneider is a Brooklyn-based artist, teacher, and punster. When she's not working on Etsy's community team, she's writing, drawing, and making cards and papercuts. Keep up with her latest creations on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Photo by ruffeoheartslilsnoty
Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to shed your layers and show some leg — or at least some ankle. Etsy seller Maresa Ponitch of Dusty Rose Vintage has gathered a stash of colorful cotton and spandex vintage leggings and is bringing them to the Etsy Labs for an elastic-themed Hands-On. Select the size and color (or feel free to bring your own pair!) and customize your leggings with DIY printing techniques taught by Etsy’s Social Media Coordinator and talented crafter, David Morgan. Check out his blog for more DIY inspiration.
We’ll also have a variety of fabrics available for sewing-savvy folks who want to experiment with making patches. “One-of-a-kind pieces are the antidote in an era of fast fashion — an analog answer to copycat digital looks,” Maresa says. RSVP here to join us in the Etsy Labs on May 2 to get creative and make your own one-of-a-kind leggings.
Maresa has collected vintage since childhood and decided to build a business around her passion. She now sells on Etsy and sources vintage for a variety of stores and stylists. If you want to learn a bit more about the past life of your future favorite article of spandex, Maresa has this to say about her Brooklyn-based treasure trove: “Dusty Rose Vintage is 2,500 square feet of every vintage style and silhouette imaginable. The meticulously organized warehouse is home to 20,000 pounds of vintage gold, sorted in countless rows of garments, from denim cutoffs to festival bags and tees galore.”
David Morgan
Details:
Event: Hands-On: Painted Leggings
What: Print and paint on vintage leggings and take photos in our Magnolia photo booth.
Where: Etsy Labs, 55 Washington St. Suite 712, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: DUMBO; Cross streets: Front and Water
When: Thursday, May 2, 5 p.m. ET – 8 p.m. ET
Cost: Free (leggings are included; limited sizes and colors!)
RSVP: Here!
David Morgan
Photo by ruffeoheartslilsnoty
Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to shed your layers and show some leg — or at least some ankle. Etsy seller Maresa Ponitch of Dusty Rose Vintage has gathered a stash of colorful cotton and spandex vintage leggings and is bringing them to the Etsy Labs for an elastic-themed Hands-On. Select the size and color (or feel free to bring your own pair!) and customize your leggings with DIY printing techniques taught by Etsy’s Social Media Coordinator and talented crafter, David Morgan. Check out his blog for more DIY inspiration.
We’ll also have a variety of fabrics available for sewing-savvy folks who want to experiment with making patches. “One-of-a-kind pieces are the antidote in an era of fast fashion — an analog answer to copycat digital looks,” Maresa says. RSVP here to join us in the Etsy Labs on May 2 to get creative and make your own one-of-a-kind leggings.
Maresa has collected vintage since childhood and decided to build a business around her passion. She now sells on Etsy and sources vintage for a variety of stores and stylists. If you want to learn a bit more about the past life of your future favorite article of spandex, Maresa has this to say about her Brooklyn-based treasure trove: “Dusty Rose Vintage is 2,500 square feet of every vintage style and silhouette imaginable. The meticulously organized warehouse is home to 20,000 pounds of vintage gold, sorted in countless rows of garments, from denim cutoffs to festival bags and tees galore.”
David Morgan
Details:
Event: Hands-On: Painted Leggings
What: Print and paint on vintage leggings and take photos in our Magnolia photo booth.
Where: Etsy Labs, 55 Washington St. Suite 712, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: DUMBO; Cross streets: Front and Water
When: Thursday, May 2, 5 p.m. ET – 8 p.m. ET
Cost: Free (leggings are included; limited sizes and colors!)
RSVP: Here!
David Morgan
Photo by PulpArt
What happened to Earth Day? In the 43 years since its inception, the movement has deteriorated from one that drove some of the most significant environmental legislation in US history, to yet another platform for corporate marketing. It is hard not to be jaded in an era fraught with greenwashing where seemingly every company on earth touts their eco efforts, large and small, substantial and empty.
But let’s remember that the first Earth Day was not a ploy for publicity, or derived to sell faux “green” merchandise. It was a rallying cry felt across political parties, generations, and demographics, a cry to protect our natural environment with substantial action. The first Earth Day instigated the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s time to take it back!
It is in the original spirit of Earth Day that we want to celebrate by publicly sharing Etsy’s ecological impact reduction goals and our commitment to the planet. From our calculations, we have set aggressive reduction goals, but this is important. By publishing them we are putting ourselves on the hook to deliver.
Our commitment: Etsy is committed to proactively countering the planet’s gathering ecological crises. Etsy embraces our responsibility to minimize the ecological footprint of our operations and our duty to empower and incentivise the users of our platform to do the same.
With these imperatives in mind, we have started the long journey to analyze the complete impact of our business operations. We have largely captured the current impact of our office facilities and data centers. We recognize, however, that the impact of Etsy includes much more than our company operations. As we emphasize every day in the office — Etsy’s success is built on the businesses of our sellers, and that includes their ecological impact.
We are starting to assess the impact of our marketplace, starting with the shipping of goods purchased on Etsy. We are also measuring our operational supply chain, employee commuting, and business travel, because we need to be complete. We don’t want to cop-out with so much at stake. Etsy is a unique company and, we believe, proof that commerce can be lastingly fulfilling and sustainable.
We don’t want to be alone in this. Every business, and individual can contribute to driving the significant reform we need — as did the original Earth Day.
So what can you do?
- Transform your personal impact at Practically Green.
- Switch to using renewable energy at home in just 5 minutes.
- If your company isn’t earnestly measuring and lowering their impact, force the issue! Let management know that companies with strong sustainability programs have 43% more efficient business operations, 43% stronger public image, 55% better morale, and 38% higher employee loyalty than those who don’t. (Sources: Practically Green, Society for Human Resource Management, and “The 5 Traits of Firms that Create Sustainability ROI,” Harvard Business School, 2012)
We want to share all of our ecological work. If your business could benefit from our assessment methodology or improvement strategies, please get in touch.
Continue readingPhoto by PulpArt
What happened to Earth Day? In the 43 years since its inception, the movement has deteriorated from one that drove some of the most significant environmental legislation in US history, to yet another platform for corporate marketing. It is hard not to be jaded in an era fraught with greenwashing where seemingly every company on earth touts their eco efforts, large and small, substantial and empty.
But let’s remember that the first Earth Day was not a ploy for publicity, or derived to sell faux “green” merchandise. It was a rallying cry felt across political parties, generations, and demographics, a cry to protect our natural environment with substantial action. The first Earth Day instigated the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s time to take it back!
It is in the original spirit of Earth Day that we want to celebrate by publicly sharing Etsy’s ecological impact reduction goals and our commitment to the planet. From our calculations, we have set aggressive reduction goals, but this is important. By publishing them we are putting ourselves on the hook to deliver.
Our commitment: Etsy is committed to proactively countering the planet’s gathering ecological crises. Etsy embraces our responsibility to minimize the ecological footprint of our operations and our duty to empower and incentivise the users of our platform to do the same.
With these imperatives in mind, we have started the long journey to analyze the complete impact of our business operations. We have largely captured the current impact of our office facilities and data centers. We recognize, however, that the impact of Etsy includes much more than our company operations. As we emphasize every day in the office — Etsy’s success is built on the businesses of our sellers, and that includes their ecological impact.
We are starting to assess the impact of our marketplace, starting with the shipping of goods purchased on Etsy. We are also measuring our operational supply chain, employee commuting, and business travel, because we need to be complete. We don’t want to cop-out with so much at stake. Etsy is a unique company and, we believe, proof that commerce can be lastingly fulfilling and sustainable.
We don’t want to be alone in this. Every business, and individual can contribute to driving the significant reform we need — as did the original Earth Day.
So what can you do?
- Transform your personal impact at Practically Green.
- Switch to using renewable energy at home in just 5 minutes.
- If your company isn’t earnestly measuring and lowering their impact, force the issue! Let management know that companies with strong sustainability programs have 43% more efficient business operations, 43% stronger public image, 55% better morale, and 38% higher employee loyalty than those who don’t. (Sources: Practically Green, Society for Human Resource Management, and “The 5 Traits of Firms that Create Sustainability ROI,” Harvard Business School, 2012)
We want to share all of our ecological work. If your business could benefit from our assessment methodology or improvement strategies, please get in touch.
Continue reading
Photo by corelladesign
Update 4/29: The seller survey is now closed, thanks so much to everyone who participated!
Feedback, our review system for buyers and sellers, has been a part of Etsy from the beginning. Since then, we’ve grown as a marketplace, online shopping has evolved, and both sellers and shoppers have new needs and expectations around reviews. As one of the most highly-requested updates by sellers, Feedback is now on deck as a feature we’re ready and eager to improve.
Feedback touches everyone in Etsy’s community — it currently covers item and seller reviews, helping shoppers make buying decisions, and in turn allows sellers to rate buyers. It’s also the gateway into our dispute and resolution system, when disagreements arise. We know how important Feedback is, especially to shop owners, so we want to involve you in the process — from sharing our plans to collecting your ideas and opinions.
Before asking for your feedback, we’ll share the goals for the updated system:
- To develop a method that promotes honesty and discourages unfair use.
- To create a smarter system, that enables better communication and makes it easier to resolve buyer-seller issues.
- To improve the shopping experience with more helpful product and seller reviews.
We’ve already begun work internally, with the teams who work on Feedback-related questions and cases. We want to hear from you too — what do you like and dislike about the current system? Where would you like to see improvement?
We created this short survey for sellers to gather your feedback, and we encourage you to participate through Sunday, April 28:
Seller Survey: Etsy’s Feedback System (now closed)*
So, what next? We’ll review your responses and reach out to buyers to get their perspective, making sure the project’s direction meets the greater needs of the community. As you can imagine, updating Feedback is a large undertaking and will take some time to develop and carry out a new plan. We can say that we want to include existing feedback scores in the upgrade, so sellers’ hard-earned reputations won’t be lost.
Please take the time to contribute to this important community project by filling out the survey, which again will be open until the end of the day, 4/28. Thanks in advance for your participation, and we’ll continue to update you about Feedback as it progresses!
*You must be signed in as a seller to access this survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please fill out the survey in one session, as you won’t be able to save and continue later.
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Photo by corelladesign
Update 4/29: The seller survey is now closed, thanks so much to everyone who participated!
Feedback, our review system for buyers and sellers, has been a part of Etsy from the beginning. Since then, we’ve grown as a marketplace, online shopping has evolved, and both sellers and shoppers have new needs and expectations around reviews. As one of the most highly-requested updates by sellers, Feedback is now on deck as a feature we’re ready and eager to improve.
Feedback touches everyone in Etsy’s community — it currently covers item and seller reviews, helping shoppers make buying decisions, and in turn allows sellers to rate buyers. It’s also the gateway into our dispute and resolution system, when disagreements arise. We know how important Feedback is, especially to shop owners, so we want to involve you in the process — from sharing our plans to collecting your ideas and opinions.
Before asking for your feedback, we’ll share the goals for the updated system:
- To develop a method that promotes honesty and discourages unfair use.
- To create a smarter system, that enables better communication and makes it easier to resolve buyer-seller issues.
- To improve the shopping experience with more helpful product and seller reviews.
We’ve already begun work internally, with the teams who work on Feedback-related questions and cases. We want to hear from you too — what do you like and dislike about the current system? Where would you like to see improvement?
We created this short survey for sellers to gather your feedback, and we encourage you to participate through Sunday, April 28:
Seller Survey: Etsy’s Feedback System (now closed)*
So, what next? We’ll review your responses and reach out to buyers to get their perspective, making sure the project’s direction meets the greater needs of the community. As you can imagine, updating Feedback is a large undertaking and will take some time to develop and carry out a new plan. We can say that we want to include existing feedback scores in the upgrade, so sellers’ hard-earned reputations won’t be lost.
Please take the time to contribute to this important community project by filling out the survey, which again will be open until the end of the day, 4/28. Thanks in advance for your participation, and we’ll continue to update you about Feedback as it progresses!
*You must be signed in as a seller to access this survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please fill out the survey in one session, as you won’t be able to save and continue later.
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Photo by Yoola
Yael Falk opened her Etsy shop, Yoola, in 2008 and began selling intricate crocheted wire jewelry and sculptures. While these items were receiving attention, there was also a growing interest from shoppers to learn the unique technique she used to create the pieces on their own. After much strategizing, Yael began to offer digital tutorials, and it was then that she saw her small business really take off. “The idea that a design I developed on one side of the planet will later be made by someone on the other side profoundly enchanted me.” These tutorials quickly became some of Yael’s most successful items and she found herself sending many messages back and forth, eager to deliver the files as soon as the purchase was completed (which isn’t always possible given the time difference with many of her customers!).
For Yael and other Etsy sellers offering downloadable items, we have good news! Starting today, there’s a more efficient process for selling and buying digital items on Etsy. We’re making improvements to the way sellers can manage and deliver digital items to their buyers. Whether you’re looking for a felt food pattern, festive print-at-home party decorations, a stuffed bunny sewing pattern, or a cactus quilt project, there are over half a million digital items in the marketplace to discover!
What’s New
Previously, sellers emailed the attachment to the buyer after every sale. Now, sellers can upload the file to the listing just once, and that’s it! After the payment successfully processes, the buyer will receive an automatic email notification letting them know the file is ready on the Downloads page.
For sellers, this saves time and reduces confusion about whether your item is a finished good. As a shopper, you can download your purchase directly from your account without waiting for the seller to send it.
Yael, and other sellers, have been testing this new feature for some time, and found it allowed her to spend more time creating while providing swift customer service. “As a seller, my most valuable asset is time because I’m always multitasking. It doesn’t take a lot of time to send one file through email, but it accumulates. After using this new feature, I was able to save valuable time every day because once I uploaded everything, all I see is the completed transaction after the sale.”
Excited about all the time you’re going to save? Start editing your listings! Go to your listings page and select “Digital file” as the item type for each relevant item to start using this new feature. For more information, check out our frequently asked questions or join the discussion in this forum thread.
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Photo by Oliver & Lilly's, Grace Design, BROOKLYNrehab, and Skinny laMinx.
The wheels of progress are turning! Etsy Wholesale is now in beta, and our application is now live.
As I wrote about previously, our vision for Etsy Wholesale has been a private, juried marketplace where retailers can discover unique, hard-to-find products from artists, designers, and vintage purveyors — like a 24/7 trade show. For the past few months, we’ve been doing in-person usability tests, building the site features of what we hope will be the ultimate place for professional buyers and independent designers to connect online. And now we’re excited to embark on the next — and most crucial — step towards making this marketplace a reality: to populate the marketplace with retail-ready products from remarkable designers.
Etsy Wholesale will be free for buyers (though they’ll also need to apply to prove they’re members of the trade). This beta period, when we’re still refining the site features, will be free for vendors. When Etsy Wholesale is fully ready to launch out of beta, there will be fees for vendors. We are carefully doing more research here because Etsy Wholesale needs to make enough money to cover the costs of building and maintaining a professional marketplace, but we also want it to have a fair and straightforward pricing model, one that works for vendors across so many categories. Another note: the beta is open to applicants from around the world but will, at first, only be in English and only support US dollars. We plan to add many more languages and currencies very soon.
You can review the criteria for what can be sold on Etsy Wholesale right on the application page. If you feel like this is the right fit for your business (and wholesale is definitely not for everyone!), please submit your application. Thanks in advance for your patience; our approach is to roll out acceptances while in beta, so it may take some time to get to your application.
This week we’ll also be making a move towards a real milestone: inviting Trunkt lifetime members to apply to Etsy Wholesale. As you may remember, last year we acquired Trunkt and have used the technology and learnings as the basis for our new product. Trunkt will be closing for good April 30. If you’re a lifetime member of Trunkt, look for an email in your inbox with application instructions and details.
We’re looking forward to seeing your applications!
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Photo by malissasplace
The planet might be taking its sweet time to thaw for spring, but here on Etsy, everything was blooming.
The stats:
- $101.7 million of goods (after refunds and cancellations) were sold by our community in March, 9.7% higher than February’s $92.7 million
- That represents 4,534,479 items sold for the month, 7.6% higher than February’s 4,215,169
- 2,932,874 new items were listed in March, 9.8% higher than February’s 2,671,146
- 1,036,352 new members joined the Etsy community, 1.1% higher than February’s 1,025,124
- 1.57 billion page views were recorded on the site
The $101.7 million of goods sold (after refunds and cancellations) represents a 62% increase from March 2012′s total. At the same time, items sold were up 49.7%. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Etsy community in March 2013!
Curious about how other months compare? Check out our past Weather Reports for more statistics.
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Photo by ReuseFirst
Hello, party people! In a few short months, the best day of the year will be upon us: Etsy Craft Party 2013. Our fourth annual Etsy Craft Party presents the perfect opportunity to flex your creative muscles, meet up with like-minded people in your hometown, and celebrate two of the best things in our handmade lives: craft and community. This year we will be celebrating together in towns and cities across the globe on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
In a nutshell, Craft Party is a celebration of meeting and making, of creativity and community. It’s a time to meet your neighbors and share a creative skill. It’s a time to have fun and party down with your favorite craft supply in hand. Anyone can organize a Craft Party and anyone can participate — the power is literally in your hands.
This year’s theme is Craft for Community. How can you use your creative powers to make your hometown even better? With this as a guiding idea, we encourage you to think about what you love most about your city, what creative skills you have to share, and how you could bridge those elements in a fun party that builds and boosts your ‘hood. This could take the form of sharing creative skills with one another (skill-sharing), working together on a group project (collaboration), using craft as a means for positive action or activism (craftivism), or teaming up with a local organization to lend a hand — such as a community garden, park, farm, hospital, school, arts center, bike shop, thrift store, day care, senior center, soup kitchen, farmer’s market, or other nonprofit or community group – to make something happen together.
This is definitely open to interpretation, and it’s up to you to decide how you showcase the theme at your party. Consider this a fun and positive challenge! We’ll be planting more seeds of ideas and directions to take this theme in posts to come.
We will be announcing further details about Craft Party 2013 in the coming weeks, but we wanted to go ahead and give you the theme and the date to save, so you can start your scheming. Future posts will share tips for organizers, RSVP information, DIY party ideas, how-to projects incorporating the theme, and many more bits of inspiration and straight up logistical know-how.
In the meantime, here are a few links to help get your Craft Party pinwheels turning. Click the links to find out each answer:
- How did Craft Party work last year?
- What were some Craft Party stories and quotes from 2010, 2011, and 2012?
- Where can I see photos from past parties?
- Can you give me some ideas of projects to make at my Craft Party?
- Where can I connect with other Craft Party organizers?
- Do you have tips for hosting a creative gathering like this?
Let’s get ready for Craft Party together. Share your party prep photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #CraftParty. We may even include them in a recap blog post or on Facebook!
How would you like to celebrate Craft Party? Let us know in the comments below!
DIY Projects to Make | Craft Supplies on Etsy
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