Website Wednesday: Etsy.com

This week, the spotlight is on one of my favorite places to shop: Etsy.com. I’m still surprised by the number of people who haven’t heard of Etsy, but people “in the know” speak it’s name with reverence and awe. That’s because some of the most talented artisans and crafters call Etsy home, and this site has allowed people all over the world to sell what they make with their own hands {and buy handmade as well}.

Once I found Etsy, it became hard to resist it’s lure. First of all, it’s easy to get things custom made. Want a bag in a certain shape made from a favorite fabric with a specified number of pockets? Post your request on Alchemy, and watch as people bid for the job {good luck choosing; there are so many talented shop owners!} Need an invitation tailored perfectly to your event? There are hundreds of graphic design shops on Etsy. My favorite one for baby announcements and invites is A Life Less Ordinary. When I was designing my daughter’s nursery I would search for “birds” and find amazing accessories and these adorable decals that now grace her room. Etsy also has a specific category of shops that sell vintage, and I love broswing the hand-picked vintage items.

I even have my own little corner of Etsy: I started selling vintage items from my shop, SweetPeaPaper. I haven’t added any items since June because of how busy we got this summer, but I hope once this blog is up and running smoothly to start adding items again. I was amazed by how many sales I had in such a short time frame! And I have SO much more to sell.

I could tell you about all the features Etsy offers, like gift guides by category and the ability to “heart” a favorite seller/item and using the “Connections” feature to find others who also heart your favorite items, but I think it’s best you explore the site yourself. And when you find yourself addicted, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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I’m VERY excited to be featuring one giveaway a week for the next EIGHT WEEKS of some fabulous Etsy items. The contests begin on Friday, so be sure to become a follower so you are ready when they go “live” each week! If you’d like to be on the giving end of a giveaway, email me at [email protected] to see if it’s a good fit. Hope to see you back here on Friday!

Do you have an Etsy shop? If so, leave a link in the comments below along with a quick description of what you sell. Or, if you are an Etsy addict like me shout out your favorite shop or current obsessions. And have a happy Website Wednesday!