Etsy: Building a Creative Community

Since it’s beginning in June of 2005, Etsy has become the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade and Vintage. Etsy allows anyone to search online, find and purchase handmade items, supplies, vintage items and art made and supplied by Etsy sellers.

Unlike other online marketplaces, Etsy clearly emphasizes the importance of being not just a company, but also an online community. This is what the starters of Etsy believed in. Etsy was founded by Rob, Chris, Haim and Jared in 2005 out of Brooklyn, New York. They largely give opportunities for networking between sellers to sellers. This connection inspires creativity through visual learning with how-to’s, tutorials, and conversations between established and potential sellers. According to Etsy.com, Etsy’s mission is to “enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.”

Communities are even built on a smaller level by the Street Team application. Sellers and creators can connect online to other sellers in their state or city and interact not just through forums, blogs and conversations, but in person with weekly or monthly creative meetings.
The online marketplace is no longer impersonal and cut in dry, when the only interaction made is leaving feedback or verifying an address. I believe that online shopping is headed in a way that creates a personal seller to customer relationship and with this trust is established. Social media is heavily used in Etsy's online community and its extensions. It has proved that it is working greatly as the word spreads and more and more decide to participate on Etsy.

Hi All

After a long avoidance of actually starting a blog. I find I have given in. I plan on learning much, pushing myself to express my ideas and thoughts more and expand my creativity.

Creating is my passion. Graphic Design, Stage Design, Jewelry making and designing are my current obsessions.