Ladies - Do you Etsy?

[genuinegirly]

Do you relate to the hand-made craze?
Do you have a favorite site that you'd like to recommend?
Have you ever bought or sold a quality, hand-crafted item on Etsy, Folksy, DaWanda, icraft, or other similarly-themed sites?
Do you have any good stories to share?

It has become so easy to open your own storefront these days - many places seem to have done away with listing fees, so there's no risk involved with tossing your handy work out there for the public eye. Heck, I'm considering it myself... though more as a joint venture with my sister.

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When we were kids, our mom had a number of little business ideas that involved her sewing skills. She would rent out booths in antique, vintage, or craft shops to sell her creations. It was a blast for her, and she made some good money along the way.

Following in the footsteps of our mother, my sister is a super-duper creative person. She has been fiddling with hand-made crafty things for as long as I can remember. She often makes hair accessories, dolls, costumes, stationery - you name it, she has probably dabbled in it. She makes items mainly for her own kids and their friends, as gifts or just for fun. People frequently ask her if she sells them. Her answer is invariably "no." But it doesn't need to be. I keep encouraging her to open shop.

I'm kind-of handy with a sewing machine, I have been making quilts and bags for friends for a number of years. I also enjoy paper-crafts, including funky memory scrapbooks (not photos), cards, and artsy present wrapping. This year the craft seems to be picking up steam, though, with friends at school asking me to make them laptop bags and purses.

Perhaps my sister and I will hop into a joint storefront. I'm wondering, though, what I might be getting myself into. Do any of you have adventures/advice to share?

[Grasshopper Green]

I have bought numerous handmade soaps, perfumes, and other bath items through various sites over the years. I have made one etsy purchase, and while I wasn't keen on the product, it came quickly and the transaction went very smoothly.

If I can find handmade goods, I really like purchasing them. I frequent local street fairs where local merchants have booths. I like shopping and eating at local mom & pop stores/restaurants and spending my money locally on goods that aren't sold at mass retailers.

Right now I'm looking for a very specific type of pouch to store my lip balms in my purse. I have perused Etsy and when my budget allows, will probably make a purchase there.

I've always enjoyed making my own things, although I'm not particularly great at anything. I'm a newbie at crochet and am finishing up my first throw, I make bead necklaces (and wear them), I can use a sewing machine but I'm not gifted. I would like to give quilting a try.

Basically, I don't have advice, but should you decide to open an Etsy shop, I'd love to take a look!

[Mssmartypants]

i enjoy purchasing handmade jewelry and retro swimsuits from Etsy. I am a fan of vintage clothes from the 50s, 60s and especially the hippie 70s.
When I moved away from New York to Honolulu, I no longer had access to great vintage and thrift stores. Etsy is a great place to find unique pieces.

[slashaddicted]

Not really into the craze but i do plan on selling stuff on etsy

[ZombieSquirrel]

I am a big fan of etsy and have bought quite a few things on there. I like the Buy Local aspect of it. In my old town I've met the seller at the local coffee shop to pick up what I have bought online. It's always great to meet the artist.