etsy, the site to buy and sell hand crafted or vintage items and supplies first went live to the internet in June 2005, some people have actual businesses on there, and their etsy shop frionts are either as well as or instead of a physical store. Others list on etsy as a hobby, or visit the site to locate some cool unique handmade items, vintage wares, or craft supplies to buy for themselves or as gifts for others.
Im on etsy for a bit of fun, i make stuff all the time , give stuff to friends and family, keep some stuff for myself, .. and as i make so many often quite diverse items, I thought i would try to sell my overflow of handmade things on etsy. I have had one sale in the month i have been on etsy, and as this is a hobby and not my source of income, that's fine.
For some people, etsy is where they hope to make a real go at a business, and if sales are slow to start can be put off by the lack of interest in their wares.
The etsy community, i think, is more than a group of people who buy or sell hanging out in a virtual place that sells things. It is a place where like minded people can interact and discuss their handicraft interests, and provide support and encouragement to each other, their fellow craftsmen and women.
In the month I have been on etsy, I have met (in a virtual sense) people from all over the world who have similar interests to me, or who have brilliant ideas and creativity that they are happy to share with others, or people who have had really bad times and are using etsy as an outlet to help them to relax and rejuvenate their minds.
I think that etsy has grown into something even more than first envisioned by the small company who dreamed it up, iospace. ever thought it would.
