She hates the mall, shopping in general and the unoriginality of factory made goods, but she does appreciate the personal touch. What place can fulfill Enviro-Girl’s fantasy of the perfect shopping experience?
The ultimate online handmade store. Thousands of creative people peddling their goods in one spot. Etsy’s site is easy to navigate–allowing a user to shop by category or by item tag or by artist. if you want to only buy from people in your state, you can. Etsy offers paintings, jewelry, clothes, toys, stationery, furniture, vases, purses, clocks, dishes, lotions, candles, music, bedding and glassware. Everything Enviro-Girl has looked at has been priced reasonably and everything she’s bought is well made. The craftsmanship and care is evident even in the packaging. Items are shipped fast and efficiently–Enviro-Girl has bought several gifts and the sellers have enclosed notes and shipped said gifts directly to Enviro-Girl’s friends. Every thing she’s ever ordered off of Etsy has arrived at her door within 3 business days–very satisfactory service. Whether you want to spend $10 or $100, Enviro-Girl guarantees you’ll find something suitable.
The shopping experience on Etsy is personal (unlike that on Amazon.com or Oldnavy.com or anywhereelse.com). Many sellers include a lagniappe–a something extra in the package, an added gift in the tradition of shopkeepers of old. And every seller includes a handwritten note of thanks, their appreciation that you, good shopper, have chosen their handiwork to use or to give to a loved one. That touch makes Enviro-Girl smile every time she opens an Etsy purchase.
Enviro-Girl loves keeping her money local and Etsy is a grand way to do this as an online shopper. She loves the idea of paying the producer directly and she loves buying handmade because again, it’s unique and it’s better. She’s been telling everyone she knows about Etsy and why she loves it so. Check it out if you haven’t yet, and here are a couple of Enviro-Girl’s favorite “stores” to get you warmed up:
Rhymes with Magic (funky jewelry with a message!)
Keys and Memories (recycled jewelry with your initials)
While they Play (divine gloves, earrings, she’s a gifted knitter)
Comfy Creations (aromatherapeutic heating pads for every body part you’d want to pamper)
Pink Lemonade Bags (very cool totes & purses)
Now go! Click on the links!
I cannot tell you how much I *heart* Etsy. Truly one of my favorite places to browse and buy.
Etsy has almost anything you can imagine! They should have a frequent flyers club~
and many of those artisans might be out of work and unable to sell their products, at least to the under 12 group, if the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act comes into effect Feb. 10th. They are requiring much more stringent testing, intended to get those big companies putting lead into toys in line, but the bill is so broad and poorly written that anyone making a product for those under 12, including many etsians and made in America businesses, will have to test each individual product they make, making it nearly impossible for these artisans to afford to stay in business. All those hand made goods you’ve bought in the past will more than likely be considered illegal and you will no longer be able to buy these goods unless these artisans com under compliance; the bill is retroactive. It really needs to be readdressed and rewritten so that it won’t hurt small businesses.
Etsy, could in effect, be none-existent come next holiday season. Please, if this concerns you, go to http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
to vote for President-elect Obama to address this issue first thing in office. Yes, I know there are major things he has to deal with, but this will hit our economy hard.