Storque articles by matt

Buy Handmade Pledge

2008-11-28T18:25:00Z

Here we are. It's "Black Friday" again and we weren't waiting on line at the mall. There's something in the air and it's not muzak pumped throughout the florescent lit aisles of big box stores. It's been building across the world for some time now: a movement to bring together conscientious consumption and the joy of making things.

Since the Handmade Consortium launched the Buy Handmade Pledge (http://buyhandmade.org) last year, over 30,000 people have signed. Some say "hand-made is the new black" — but it's not a trend. This is about real people making changes in their everyday lives and figuring out how to make those changes lasting and sustainable. It's about being able to quit your day job and shop local. It about personal history and the inspiration behind making something of your own vision.

Etsy admin Tara aka weirdwolf recently met some of you at the Los Angeles Felt Club and filmed why handmade is important to you. This video with Stephanie Donon is just the first of many of your Handmade Confessionals. Click here to add your video response in Youtube.

Find out more about the Handmade Consortium | Sign the Handmade Pledge

Etsy Finds: Monthly Picks from the Editors of ReadyMade

2008-10-28T08:02:00Z

We are happy to announce a fun little collaboration with the fine people over at ReadyMade Magazine. Each month these delightful purveyors of all things DIY will cruise through Etsy and find their favorite products. We share them with you here, and they share them with the peeps over at ReadyMade.com. Now this is truly a match made in heaven.

Here are this month's ReadyMade Picks. Congratulations to all who were selected!

Mushroom - Natural

Whimsical, architectural, and organic at the same time, this side table is certainly a conversation piece. I'd love to see one sprouting next to my living room couch. -Derek Fagerstrom
By flatpatterns, $525.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

trio of silver-lined cross-stitch cloud pieces (black background)

Artful embroidery framed within the hoop itself — genius. -Jen Trolio
By ChezSucreChez, $106.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Horseshoe Gun rack or Coat rack, Oak, 3 horseshoe hooks

To make your apartment feel more like a sprawling ranch, here's a lucky place to hang your hat. -Shoshana Berger
By mollyannemake, $105.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

SALE - Favela stacking vase planter - perfect for cactus - ripple design

Simple ceramic vessels that are perfect for succulents. -Jen Trolio
By mudpuppy, $10.80.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Ornate Chandelier with Candles - Vinyl Wall Decal - Your Choice of Color

In a small apartment it's always a challenge to fit in all the decorative details you're dreaming of. This decal gives you the stylish impact without infringing on your space (or pocket book). -Derek Fagerstrom
By DaliDecals, $25.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

party animals party pack

Bears. High fives. What's not to like? -Jen Trolio
By aviarypress, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Protable Folding Grill Table

An ideal accessory for smallish backyards where fold-up furniture can be stowed away. -Shoshana Berger
By simplyrustic, $85.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Order Small Scrolls - Handmade Wilderness Project

A thoroughly modern, and animal-friendly trophy, this artful take on taxidermy comes in several gorgeous prints. We love the graphic look of the Order Small Scrolls model. -Shoshana Berger
By rubyslounge, $345.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Random Wine Rack - Anthony David Oliver

Sleek, modern, simple. Salut! -Jen Trolio
By anthonydavidoliver, $75.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

NEW CUSTOM CROCHET NAME DOILY up to 8 Letters -- Choice of NAME, COLOR and DIRECTION

Your name in lace. I want one in bright white. -Jen Trolio
By crochetingbyrose, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

LOC coffee table

This pretty little table is wonderfully simple and functional, but the kicker is its flat-pack design. It has very few parts, can be assembled and disassembled quickly with no tools, and comes shipped in a way that cuts down on materials and our carbon footprint. -Derek Fagerstrom
By adamkfreeman, $210.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Dinosaur Favorites Shadow Puppet Set (black)

Turn off the video games — these cheeky shadow puppets are much more fun. -Jen Trolio
By orangemoontoys, $30.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Thanks ReadyMade! If you liked these picks for home decor, you might like these posts too.

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Storque Featured Buyers | Trends | Gift Ideas

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

All About Etsy FAQ Series: Etsy 2008 Holiday Marketing

2008-10-27T18:10:00Z

Back in September, I shared some information about how we were working to promote Etsy this holiday season. Some people have been asking for a bit of follow up, so without further ado:

1. SEO and SEM

"Etsy’s most significant marketing investment this holiday season will be in search marketing. Search marketing comprises both Search Engine Optimization (“SEO”) and Search Engine Marketing (“SEM”)."

These ads are running now. Changes to optimize Etsy for search are also already underway.

2. ADVERTISING

"While the bulk of our advertising spending will be on search marketing, we think we can bolster brand awareness by advertising in a number of highly-targeted, socially-aware publications and their related websites."

You can see full-page Etsy print ads in Good Magazine, Mother Earth News, and Plenty Magazine. The ads feature Etsy artist fernanimals, and can be seen above. Beginning in November you will also see a banner advertising campaign running on many of your favorite websites.

3. MEDIA OUTREACH

"We spend a lot of time developing our messaging, pitching to the media and working with reporters and publishers on stories and product requests for the holiday season."

Press outreach has been going very well. We have had recent press in Inc Magazine (Etsy founder Rob Kalin is on the cover), Sydney Morning Herald, Business Week, The Chicago Tribune, The LA Times, The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Time Out NY to name a few. We have also recently been featured on ABC, FOX, and CBS affiliates across the country. Expect to see even more as we approach the holidays. To view some of the press we have already received, please visit http://press.etsy.com and our press report here.

4. IMPROVED SYNDICATION TOOLS

"Like its little sister, the EtsyMini (see how-to use the EtsyMini), the SuperEtsyMini allows you to embed Etsy products on external sites. Now, however, it is purely customizable."

The Super Etsy Mini is in the last phase of testing, and hopefully, will be ready to launch soon.

"Furthermore, we will be adding expanded resources, downloads, widgets, and important business and marketing information into the Promote section of Your Etsy, so we can help you better promote and improve your own shops and businesses."

This is still in progress, but not yet complete. The current resources can be found here. We also published the Etsy Seller Handbook on the blog here.

5. EMAIL MARKETING

"We are planning many changes, but they will not be in place before the holidays. That said, there are a number of smaller but still very important improvements slated to launch pre-holidays. "

This is still true. Recently, the emails were redesigned. The next steps will be focused on increasing the number of people that sign up for our emails. Speaking of, go sign up to our Etsy email lists here.

6. CONTESTS, PROMOTIONS, AND EVENTS

Contests/Promotions:

"NASA and Etsy SpaceCraft Contest: We are currently planning an exciting late Fall promotion with NASA. (Yes, the space agency.) I am not yet permitted to go into too many details, but I think this promotion will help generate a good deal of media attention and open Etsy to many new audiences. We will keep you updated."

This will now be happening in the spring.

"Holiday Sweepstakes: One buyer-focused sweepstakes is currently in the planning stages for November/December. The details are not yet confirmed. "

We will not be going forward with this sweepstakes at this time, as there are more pressing projects that will result in greater impact for Etsy.

Upcoming Events:

"We will be representing Etsy at various holiday events around the country. Details will be announced in the Storque as we get closer to the holidays."

Etsy is involved with over thirty events between now and the holidays. Updates will be given in the Storque and in Etsy Success emails.

7. Public Radio

"We are also considering experimenting with sponsoring public radio in selected American markets where Etsy has strong penetration. The goal of such spots would be to drive brand awareness of Etsy.com."

We considered it, and we did it. From October 31 through December 12th 2008, more than 500 total radio spots will be running on public radio stations in Austin, TX, Washington DC, Columbus, OH, Minneapolis/St Paul, MN, Seattle, Washington, Portland, OR, and Chicago. If you're a public radio listener in one of those areas, let us know in the comments!

I will continue to keep you abreast of any new developments. Have a wonderful day.

To further discuss this topic, please see the associated Forum thread.

The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum: Special Weekend Picks

2008-10-17T18:00:00Z

Each year Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum invites the public to express their views on what constitutes good design with the People's Design Award. Whether an everyday object, a design classic or an architectural landmark, design enthusiasts can submit nominations, participate in an active dialogue around the nominees, and select their favorite designs by visiting www.cooperhewitt.org (now through October 21, 2008).

The People's Design Award is part of Cooper-Hewitt's National Design Week, which will take place from October 19-25, 2008. To celebrate the important role that design plays in all aspects of daily life, the museum will offer FREE admission for all visitors and host a wide range of public programs, workshops and events, both at the museum and online.

To help kick off Design Week, Erin McCluskey, the museums Public Education Manager, picks some of her current favorites on Etsy, all good candidates for the People’s Design Award!

1. Ziptie Metal Ring by Metalnat

This is an awesome ring generating a lot of good comments on the People’s Design Award website. Wonderful to see an everyday object transformed into gorgeous wearable art! (Watch the video with Metalnat.)

2. Evil Twin Bracelet by Smashing

I love the idea of marking an evil twin with this clever bracelet. With the lettering sliding off the edge a bit it adds to the sense that perhaps the evil twin is just a bit demented as well.

3. Red Branches, letterpress notecards by 12fifteen

I love these note cards with the red ink branches and mustard yellow envelopes. There is really nothing better than letterpress.

4. Scene Stealers Jack and Diane by Sherrytruitt

My mom, always a wonderful gift giver, gave my dad a small frame with dry moss, a tiny house and figures to satisfy my dad’s lifetime goal of someday having a “piece of land.” There’s that great scene in Woody Allen’s Love and Death where a character carries around with him in his coat pocket a chunk of turf and says, “Someday I am going to build on it!” I love this little portable piece of scenery.

5. cashmere silk fingerless gloves by andAir

An ideal design for New York City – long enough to cover your fingers but open to allow you to pick up and run your Metrocard through the machine.

6. The market bag in Gunmetal Gray by moop

Great looking bag, ideal size for everything needed to get through the day (lunch, shoes, make-up, book, iPod, wallet, sunglasses, umbrella, phone, notebook, pens, tissue…)

7. Verona Wide Turtle Tunic Dress by ledthread

I like everything this Etsy seller has up, but I’m drawn to this tunic dress with its exaggerated collar, oversize seam details, and peach color.

If you liked this post, you might like our posts tagged with design and video. (hint, hint)

Go to People's Design Award and vote for and/or nominate your favorites. Let us know what you think is hot in the comments below!

Handmade Kids Challenge: Expert Panel Award Winners

2008-09-17T13:10:00Z

More congratulations are in order! Besides the Members Choice Award Winners, where the Etsy community got to vote for the best of the Handmade Kids Challenge, there's still the small matter of the EPAoEs— that would be The Expert Panel Awards of Excellence.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our guest judges, the Expert Panel.

Each judge is a knowledgeable participant in his or her field and has chosen one winner per category to receive a $200 Etsy shopping spree, based on the following criteria:

Quality of craftsmanship
Originality of design
Adherence to theme and entrance categories
Quality of photography for entered items

...Let's get down to it, shall we? ...and the EPAoE goes to:

ACCESSORIES

Girls Pink Mermaid Tail Towel by tinygreenapples

Category Judge: Amanda Kingloff of Parents magazine

“This had me at hello! I love it because it’s not only a dress-up item, but because it doubles as a towel. The colors are fun and vibrant and the top stitching just adds that little extra something to make it special. (And she makes a size to fit your child’s doll, too!)”

ART

Plant A Tree by kachingdesign

Category Judge: Jodi Levine of Martha Stewart Living
“I chose this sweet print because it makes me smile. I love it's simplicity and I think a child would have fun staring at it and making up stories about the little character watering the plants.”

CLOTHING

This is My House, My Car, My Tree Girls Dress by babypop

Category Judge: Kelly Alfieri of Cookiemag.com

“This dress looks like a vintage one from a time when people had more time. The appliqué work, with the white stitching on dark denim that looks like chalk on a chalkboard, is gorgeous. I think this would be any little girl's favorite dress.”

ECO-FRIENDLY

forest creature hat upcycled by mosey

Category Judge: Bonnie Alter, Contributor, Treehugger.com

“Maybe it is the Canadian in me, but I love cozy hats for children: the only thing my doctor told me when my son was born was: he had to wear a hat in winter and summer. This one is green and made of felted wool, another favorite thing of mine.”

FURNITURE

Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture

Category Judge: Carrie McBride of Ohdeedoh.com

“Why it gets my vote: A mom with power tools – what's not to love? The OwynToy Box stands out for its unique leaftop design and modern graphic quality. Its adult-friendly look ensures its place in the home for years to come, long after its use for toys.”

HOME DECOR

Butterfly Mobile by khamm75

Category Judge: Holly Becker of decor8.blog.com

“I love mobiles and always had one growing up, so I'm naturally attracted to them. I really like butterflies and appreciate that to baby, a mobile is more than home decor but can be a learning tool and source of comfort. This whimsical mobile can grow with the child, a little girl may want to keep this in her room for years.”

TOYS

Frank Porter the Hot Dog Eating Champion Plush Doll by PillowMonsters

Category Judge: Mark Frauenfelder of Boingboing.com

“This whimsical doll with a hot dog as an accessory is adorable and well-designed. My kids would love it, my mother would love it, and I love it.”

Congratulations to all! In some cases, the members' and judges' tastes were very much aligned: both the Butterfly Mobile by khamm75 and the Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture placed in the Members Choice Competition. So double congratulations to these winners are in order!

EPAoE winners will be contacted directly with instructions for redeeming their prizes.

Still to come: The Handmade Kids Sweepstakes winners will first be contacted directly, and then be announced on or before September 22, 2008.

As always, love goes out to Etsy's international artists and designers who, though ineligible for the contest, shine just as bright in our eyes. Search the tag "INTLKIDS" to see stellar examples of their wares for the young ones.

Handmade Kids Challenge: Members Choice Award Winners!

2008-09-16T14:40:00Z

It's that time! Thanks to all who entered the Handmade Kids Challenge and all who voted. The competition was steep and the entries all showed incredible diversity and talent. With close to two thousand entries and more than ten thousand votes, you cared, you really cared — and we love you for it. Join us as we congratulate the Members Choice Award winners.*

As a reminder, the Members Choice Awards are based entirely on your votes. Prizes will be awarded to the three artists who received the most votes in each category.

(7) First Place winners will each receive a $200 Etsy shopping spree.
(7) Second Place winners will each receive a $100 Etsy shopping spree.
(7) Third Place winners will each receive a $50 Etsy shopping spree.

* The Expert Panel Awards of Excellence (as determined by our expert panel of judges) will be awarded on Wednesday, September 17.

* The Handmade Kids Sweepstakes winners will first be contacted directly, and then be announced on or before September 22, 2008.

Without further adieu, by category, the Members Choice Awards go to (drum roll please!)...

ACCESSORIES

First place with 901 votes:

Little Bunny Shoe-Shoe Felted Merino Baby Booties by prettylittle

"I'm not sure who loves these bunnies more, the grown-ups or the babies! There's nothing like putting a pair of these on a little one and watching her face light up! Seeing those tiny fingers reach down and tug at these fuzzy ears... It's why I do what I do."

Second place with 858 votes:

Blustery Grey Petit Lamb Wool Felt Mary Janes by AureliaandAnnalise

"We, are VERY naughty little sheep! Depending on our mood, or how tired we are from a day out in the fields, sometimes we face each other, sometimes we both look the same way! Very, naughty!"

Third place with 720 votes:

Little Lion Costume Chunky Earflap Beanie by babaialainn

"This unique and chunky earflap beanie is made from gold and cafe brown acrylic yarn with accents of pumpkin orange yarn, with big loops forming the mane and finished with earflaps and ties. This is the perfect addition to a costume, or adorable by itself!"

ART

First place with 1230 votes:

Berry Street Village (9 x 11 shadow box) by PetiteHouse

"Once upon a time there lived a village of gnomes on Berry Street. The air was sweet with smells of the earth, and lovely quiet bird noises were pleasant in the woods."

Second Place with 626 votes:

Make a Wish (edition 2) by yumiyumi

"Giclee print of an original illustration done in combination with pencil, pen and ink, love and some digital tweaking. One of three different color combinations (I love color so much it's hard to decide on just one)."

Third place with 612 votes:

No Monsters Allowed Print by johnwgolden

"No Monsters Allowed is part of a series of 24 'signs' (By Order of the Management) that I created, after realizing that there are some things every parent says over and over again. Then I realized that many of these parental mandates are good rules for adults to live by too."

CLOTHING

First place with 926 votes:

Birdie Dress or Top by allthenumbers

"It's reversible, so if she spills, just flip it over for a clean look! One side features a little red bird appliqued on a grey chamberey background, and the other side is a red Moroccan woodblock print."

Second place with 900 votes:

Custom Fairy Princess Look Dress by HannahsTutus

"Our company started three years ago when my daughter Hannah had some fabulous pictures done in a tutu! From there I made tutus for friends... then a few other moms... then I finally made the plunge to have a website and this year came to Etsy."

Third place with 614 votes:

Marne 3 Tunic Dress, by breadandroses

"My Marne 3 Dress is inspired by smocks worn by children in rural towns along the Marne River of France generations ago. But with modern twists: exposed textured selvage/fringe on front & sleeves, this time without top stitching to create a flange with volume."

ECO-FRIENDLY

First place with 679 votes:

Sweater Ball, by handmadepretties

"This fun ball pillow was made from a rainbow of recycled sweaters. It is stuffed with fiberfill to a pleasant fluffiness. The ends are capped with wool and/or felt and hand stitched with yarn. These are super fun on a couch or for the little ones to toss about. They are huggably soft."

Second place with 631 votes:

Plum Creek Bags Snack Bags by Plumcreekmercantile

"Plum Creek Mercantile is a combination of my desire to bring creativity into my everyday life, make daily tasks more enjoyable and benefit the environment around me. My products are meant to be simple and functional while decreasing my environmental impact."

Third place with 517 votes:

Recycled Blue Jeans Cocoon by joliem6201

"I am a professional photographer and SAHM of 3 wonderful boys; 4 year old twins and an 8 month old. I love crafts and use it to make photography props for myself and others!"

FURNITURE

First place with 2622 votes:

Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture

"My father, a self-taught carpenter and woodworker, built most of our furniture when I was growing up in Ohio. I learned from the best tinkering around in his garage workshop. Thirty-some years later, I have my own garage workshop."

Second place with 1086 votes:

Spring Blossoms Hand Painted Armoire by madteapartyfurniture

"I am a mother of four who has a passion for painting. What started as a hobby, painting has now become a full time job. I love every aspect of painting, especially knowing that others enjoy my pieces in their homes."

Third place with 793 votes:

Mr. Turtle Step Stool by Animals

"He's lean, he's green, and he's ready to help your favorite child reach the cookie jar! This turtle stool is super detailed: he has 4 feet with individual toes, a realistic 3-D face with raised eyes, and a cute little tail."

HOME DECOR

First place with 2159 votes:

Tree Stump Floor Pillow by bebemoon

"I'm a graphic designer and most recently a mommy to our beautiful little girl. Sewing for me is a great escape... and now I have all the inspiration I could ever ask for."

Second place with 780 votes:

Wrapped Up in Words Blanket, whynottsewn

"I am someone who has quickly fallen in love with fabric and sewing. I have fully embraced the love of both, and I will admit...I am obsessed. Therefore, I decided to spread the love and put this newly found passion into creating functional pieces that put my obsession to good use."

Third place with 702 votes:

Butterfly Mobile by khamm75

"I made this for my daughter when I was unable to find a graphic mobile that really engaged her. She absolutely loves it and can interact with it through entire diaper changes and beyond! Plus, I loved having a use for all those beautiful scraps of paper I have been holding on to."

TOYS

First place with 1045 votes:

Card Table Playhouse, by missprettypretty

"The very first thing I ever sewed was a hideous tie for my dad when I was about 8 years old. Uneven stitches, fabric that never should have been used for a tie, and poor cutting skills. He wore it to work the next day! I think that was when I decided I loved to sew."

Second place with 906 votes:

Custom Pretend Tea Set by NiftyKidstuff

"Nifty Kidstuff began when I was just fifteen as a way to make some cash without working at a dreaded fast food restaurant. Now I'm a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. All along the way it has been an excellent way to use my creative abilities doing something I really love."

Third place with 809 votes:

Custom Little Girl Friend by dmollison

"What started out as a promotion thread on Etsy, has turned into one of the most wonderful collection of friends one could ever imagine. We laugh together, give advice, and support each other's shop. These dolls are dedicated to the wonderful women on this forum."

Congratulations to all! Winners will be contacted directly with instructions for redeeming prizes.

Etsy's 2008 Holiday Marketing Plans

2008-09-11T16:00:00Z

Friends, the holidays are upon us, and for the last several weeks we have been working hard to make sure that we are doing whatever it takes to make the season a success for us all. My role, specifically, is to bring more buyers here. What follows is a general look at the seven major areas of my holiday marketing plan.

1. SEO and SEM

Etsy’s most significant marketing investment this holiday season will be in search marketing. Search marketing comprises both Search Engine Optimization (“SEO”) and Search Engine Marketing (“SEM”).

SEO: Wikipedia describes SEO, or Search Engine Optimization as the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results for targeted keywords. With our new CTO, Chad Dickerson, and the help of a firm specialized in SEO techniques, we hope to increase the volume of organic traffic to Etsy from external search engines. There are best practices that Etsy needs to adopt — simple things like appropriate descriptive title tags for all relevant pages — to maximize this opportunity and ensure that search traffic is growing as fast as direct traffic and referral traffic. These changes will be implemented into the site on an ongoing basis.

SEM: Search Engine Marketing refers to buying paid search listings (e.g. “sponsored links”) on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other important search sites. We will be working with an outside firm specializing in search marketing to manage these buys and to measure their effectiveness. While it’s always difficult to predict user behavior on search sites, a well managed SEM effort could be a very important driver of traffic to Etsy. Click here to learn more about SEM.

2. PRINT ADVERTISING

While the bulk of our advertising spending will be on search marketing, we think we can bolster brand awareness by advertising in a number of highly-targeted, socially-aware publications and their related websites. We are still determining where all the ads will be placed, but we will be running full-page ads in several magazines that are positioned well to reach potential Etsy buyers this holiday season. These ads will not be part of the CO-OP advertising program.

3. MEDIA OUTREACH

We spend a lot of time developing our messaging, pitching to the media and working with reporters and publishers on stories and product requests for the holiday season. We also take great care planning and producing beautiful, handmade press kits. Our new press kit is a unique handmade book full of gorgeous images of Etsy products and sellers. We truly believe in taking a very personal and thoughtful approach to pitching the media, and continue to realize relatively good success as a result of these efforts. To view some of the press we have already received, please visit http://press.etsy.com and our monthly press report here.

4. IMPROVED SYNDICATION TOOLS

For the past few months, Jared has been developing something we have been calling the Super Etsy Mini. Like its little sister, the EtsyMini (see how-to use the EtsyMini), the SuperEtsyMini allows you to embed Etsy products on external sites. Now, however, it is purely customizable. It can pull from your listings, a specific section of your shop, a specific tag, the front page, your favorites, any showcase, gift guides, treasuries, or any custom collection of product you wish. Furthermore, it will now display these products in a variety of ways: floating through space like the Time Machine, as a slide show, or in a grid. The applications (team tags, affiliate programs etc) are really quite limitless, and we are excited to unveil it to you soon.

Furthermore, we will be adding expanded resources, downloads, widgets, and important business and marketing information into the Promote section of Your Etsy, so we can help you better promote and improve your own shops and businesses.

5. EMAIL MARKETING

We realize that we are not effectively using email to drive new and returning visitors to Etsy. We are planning many changes, but they will not be in place before the holidays. That said, there are a number of smaller but still very important improvements slated to launch pre-holidays.

6. CONTESTS, PROMOTIONS, AND EVENTS

Contests/Promotions:

Halloween: We're teaming up with Instructibles.com, Makezine.com and many others to bring you a fun challenge and spread the spooky spirit this Halloween. Whether you're a crafty costume maker, party decorating diva, or a casual trick-or-treater, there will be lots of ways to get involved and lots of ways to win. Details to follow soon.
NASA and Etsy SpaceCraft Contest: We are currently planning an exciting late Fall promotion with NASA. (Yes, the space agency.) I am not yet permitted to go into too many details, but I think this promotion will help generate a good deal of media attention and open Etsy to many new audiences. We will keep you updated.
Holiday Sweepstakes: One buyer-focused sweepstakes is currently in the planning stages for November/December. The details are not yet confirmed.

Upcoming Events:

We will be representing Etsy at various holiday events around the country. Details will be announced in the Storque as we get closer to the holidays. One of them, about which I am particularly excited, is New York Magazine's Best Bets shopping event in New York City.

7. LIMITED TEST WITH NPR

We are also considering experimenting with sponsoring public radio in selected American markets where Etsy has strong penetration. The goal of such spots would be to drive brand awareness of Etsy.com.

——————

Please understand, this post is really just an overview of the marketing side of things here at Etsy. We are undertaking a great deal of work in all other areas of the site as well: product design, development, merchandising, programming, etc. I also want you to please realize that not all the details are finalized at this point. Some aspects of this plan are subject to change, and may do so.

To further discuss this topic, please see the associated Forum thread.

Community Topics: Resellers on Etsy

2008-09-11T12:00:00Z

Dear Etsians,

With the exception of properly tagged commercial supplies and vintage, Etsy does not permit the reselling of items not made by the seller (see the DO's and DON'Ts on Selling). We take this rule very seriously, and we share your frustrations when we see resellers intent on listing here. We know that this has been a growing concern of late, and we are addressing it as such.

So, what are we doing?

Creating Measures at the Time of Shop Creation and Product Listing
To a large extent, we created this issue for ourselves by defining in great detail what is and is not permitted for sale on the site, but at the same time establishing few, if any, barriers to entry to setting up a shop on Etsy (simply put a credit card on file). There is no doubt that more emphasis needs to be placed at the first point of contact with new sellers. Our focus must be on keeping these products from ever reaching the site. To this end, we have created an internal team that is focusing on developing and building these safeguards, as well as clarifying and highlighting our policies to new sellers who very well may just be confused. We have been following the many good ideas that have been raised in the forums and sent to community@etsy.com, and we are including them in our planning. We appreciate your input, and ask that you continue to share with us.

This will take some time. So...

In The Meantime
We have also more than doubled the number of our employees who are trained to properly investigate and remove those in violation. The expanded team is already at work. Furthermore, we have taken steps to make sure that banned resellers are blocked from creating new accounts.

Flagging:
A far more robust flagging system is also already underway and will be implemented in the weeks to come. We are confident that it will allow us to handle flagged items and moderation more quickly and succinctly.

We do ask that you do not use the forums as a place to call out members as resellers (see the Community DO's and DON'Ts). Oftentimes, these individuals are simply confused. Etsy admin need to treat each and every case (which often involve both buyers and sellers) as a private matter. Furthermore, many cases are not nearly as cut and dry as they may seem at first glance. This sometimes means that shops will not always be removed as quickly as we all would like.

Please continue to flag items that you feel do not belong on Etsy. We do fully investigate every flag, and this takes some time. I know this can be frustrating when it seems that there is inaction on the part of our Content Team, but we assure you that flagging does work. Can it be improved? Yes. Are we improving? Yes.

All of these steps are just the beginning. We will continue to work tirelessly to maintain the integrity of our marketplace.

Tomorrow September 12, the Chatt with Matt will be on this subject. Please join us in the Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs at 1pm Eastern time. In anticipation of this discussion, we have closed commenting on this article so we can follow all your comments and suggestions in this forum thread.

Handmade Kids: Voting is Open!

2008-08-25T18:10:00Z

Thanks to all the entrants who shared their amazing wares in the Handmade Kids Challenge! We are constantly amazed by the creativity and talent of our community and this challenge was no exception. It was difficult going, but we've narrowed it down to roughly forty finalists for each Challenge category. Now we need your help to choose the Members' Choice Winners, and you might even win a prize yourself, just by voting! Here's how:

Vote now for your favorite items in the Handmade Kids Challenge for a chance to win one of 14 Etsy Shopping Sprees, valued at $350 each! Voting closes September 8, 2008 at 11:59pm EDT. Click here for details or just go VOTE NOW!

The Rules:

You may vote only once in each category*.
Once your vote is cast, it cannot be changed.
If you have multiple Etsy accounts, you may only vote with one. Violators will be disqualified from the competition and risk having all accounts banned from Etsy.
You must be a registered member of Etsy to vote. It's easy and free to join; sign up here.
All Etsy members are welcome to vote, but only US residents are eligible for the Sweepstakes.

*Be sure to vote in all seven categories. Each vote in each category is an individual entry in the Sweepstakes--and another chance for you to win! For complete Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations, please click here.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our guest judges from Boingboing, Cookie, decor8, Martha Stewart Living, Ohdeedoh, Parents and Treehugger. They will be choosing the Expert Panel Winners and with so many amazing finalists, we're happy to have their help! You can learn a bit more about each of the judges here.

Thanks and best of luck to all! Well, what are you waiting for? GO VOTE!

For our International friends, the Handmade Kids International Gift Guide is launching soon and will be announced shortly!

For more on Handmade Kids, check out the series!

Etsy Finds: School Daze

2008-08-21T10:04:00Z

Summer's winding down, and around the world the young folk are heading back to school. Thank goodness they have Etsy to keep them out of the big box stores as they stock up on school supplies, accessories, and everything else they need to be unique this fall. Here are some of the super-rad things I found on Etsy today. See you on the quad.

CHALKBOARD Mahogany Wooden Window with Natural Chalk Shelf

Whiteboards are so Web 1.0. These boss handcrafted chalkboards, repurposed from antique window frames, are where it's at. By weatheredpane, $59.

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1800s handbag with a Tiny Peephole to a Striped Plan journal - antique

This exquisite journal is made from the leather of a 19th century purse. A true work of art. A+. By TheBlackSpotBooks, $200.

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Turner Pens Grenadill Fountain Pen

The only pen worthy of writing in the aforementioned journal is this handmade beauty from aurrida in Germany. $199.

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Sir Franklin satchel - No. 4108

Don't be caught with a boring old backpack! Mandinka's amazing satchels are made from reused men's suits, and are definitely going to turn some heads on the quad. $280.

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Boobs - Fitted T-Shirt - XL

Math just got a whole lot classier! By jboston, $24.

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dunce hoodie

Only a dunce wouldn't buy this great sweatshirt from Aorta. $36.

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Vintage Altered Book Journal - Aiming High - Textbook Notebook - Choose Either Lined or Blank Paper

Where eagles dare to soar! By VintagePaperWorks, $8.

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Custom Pencil urchin

I have always loved Jen Maestre's gorgeous work. Available exclusively on Etsy, these collectible pieces are perfect for all serious academics out there. $125.

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you RULE necklace

You'll totally rule at school when you rock wunna of these little bad boys. By sparkleparlor, $48.

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Looking for more back to school Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Items tagged "Back to School" | Back to School Gift Guide

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