Within a month of joining Etsy and spending a lot of time in the forums, it became evident that Etsy was not just an online selling venue: it is a wonderful community made up of people from all over the world sharing their lives as well as their products.
While using the forums, I soon began to connect with fellow Etsians through posts sharing our everyday lives. Many Etsy members were posting about babies they were expecting. Some were sad because they did not have family that could throw them a shower, and I thought it would be a great idea if we could throw a shower for these moms. Since everyone is from all over the globe it would be nearly impossible to get everyone together in person, so the “virtual shower” idea was born.
I started posting about the shower in December of 2006, asking if any shops would be interested in donating a gift to expectant mothers. I received a great response. For the first shower we had five moms and twenty-five shops donate gifts to the expectant mothers. We now hold a shower every three months for the newly arriving babies.
The baby shower concept works as such: sellers donate a free gift, including the shipping, of their choice from their shop. We do our best to help promote these wonderful, generous shops by posting information in the forums and linking everyone on Etsy to a huge flickr pool of the gifts that SoCaliGirl compiles as they are received.
The shower has now become so huge that we have started to include any mom who has had a baby, but was missed on the previous shower. We have also included babies that are being adopted by our Etsy members.
The shower we held for June had eighteen moms and over ninety gifts, and I am sure we missed a shop or two. As Etsy grows so will our baby shower!
- June from ficklefaerie.etsy.com
31 comments
Sign in to add your ownSimplySusan says:
That is such a sweet idea! I hadn't heard about it.
4 years ago
Bumblebeebaby says:
Thank you ficklefaeire for everything, and for writing this article! I have been on the giving AND receiving end of the Etsy baby showers, and it has been so wonderful sending out baby gifts to new mommies, and I have gotten so many great gifts as well! Etsy really is a community that cares about each other, I love it!
4 years ago
WarmandFuzzyBaby says:
Great to see such talent.
4 years ago
tracileann says:
I am a new Mom all alone in sunny southern Cali. I left behind my friends and family to follow husband and his career. I am not special you would do it too ;) I just read this and I totally understand not having people who are dear to you to help out... if there is any way I can join and pass on my talents to make others feel special and loved let me know! TraciLeann
4 years ago
mLee says:
Yay on your feature here, it looks great! The two of you are wonderful women and totally deserve the attention for coming up with such a wonderful and thoughtful idea! Expect plenty of pictures of little blee with her Etsy Shower gifts now that she is out and about. Thank you so much and keep up the great work.
4 years ago
aPassionForFashion says:
Makes me want to have another baby!
4 years ago
ficklefaerie says:
Yeah for blee!!!! Everyone feel free to send me a convo to be added to the next shower beginning the end of September! And special thank you to all the shops donating gifts!!
4 years ago
sewspun says:
This is awesome!
4 years ago
traceystreasures says:
Awwww, what a nice idea! And your baby is just too cute! Do grandbabies get to participate also? I'm 43 and just had my 3rd grandchild added to my family :) He's such a cutie! Cole is 17 days old today! He's my last entry in my blog: http://acraftersreality.blogspot.com He joins two beautiful granddaughters!
4 years ago
DaraArt says:
what a wonderful ritual you have instigated. such generousity and thought. made me a bit clucky again.
4 years ago
ficklefaerie says:
That's not my baby,lol. I am too old to have anymore....
4 years ago
nicolettababy says:
That's so neat! I'd love to donate at the next shower!
4 years ago
ocbaby says:
Wonderful idea! I was totally unaware of it until now but would ove to participate! Please convo me for the next shower. I would love to help welcome a baby to it's special family!!
4 years ago
thepurplewhale says:
What a wonderful idea for moms who do not have family close to them! I would love to be included for the next shower! Thank you!
4 years ago
misskitty1983 says:
That's such an awesome idea!! I would love to donate something for the next shower!!! Please let me know how to get involved!! :)
4 years ago
ficklefaerie says:
Thanks ladies! I have convo'd you all :)
4 years ago
julieann says:
What a great idea! Add me to those who donate goodies. I don't have much in my shop right now but I have a whole site of baby stuff! http://bittybraille.com. I could put some of those goodies in my etsy shop if necessary :)
4 years ago
LunasaDesigns says:
I was in the first baby shower (as an expectant mama) and was absolutely blown away by the generosity of the etsy community! It was my only shower for my little bambino and I will be forever touched and grateful for the beautiful gifts I received. Thank you to: http://heavenhelpus.etsy.com http://lollipopart.etsy.com http://slingsandsacks.etsy.com http://thedancingneedle.etsy.com And a BIG thank you to you, ficklefaerie!! ♥
4 years ago
TutuCuteandMoore says:
I'm a new team member and just read about the baby shower. I would love to send something I make to a new mommy and baby. Please let me know when and where and I'm ready to share!
4 years ago
fategoddess says:
I would love to be part of the Etsy Baby Shower! Please convo me and let me know the info! Thank you!!
4 years ago
MarchThirdDesigns says:
Yay!!!! I am so excited!
4 years ago
sneakapeek says:
I would love to be a part of the shower! Please let me know the details!
3 years ago
doohikeyBaby says:
I would love to be a part of the shower. I am a seller on Etsy specializing in baby and kid items. I'm also going to tell my niece since she is having her first baby and needs much needed baby items they can't afford! :) Hugs! doohikeyBaby
3 years ago
kittybblove says:
This is such a cute idea. I want an etsy baby shower too!
3 years ago
alexandriamom says:
That is an awesome idea! I am having a baby in Late July/early August so I may have missed my window, but if not, let me know about the next one as it sounds like so much fun!
2 years ago
JAfactory says:
hi... i have a new shop and would love to send something ! Can you send me info?
2 years ago
LondonParticulars says:
I think etsy is the best baby gift site!
2 years ago
ILoveYoYo says:
2009 Fall Baby Shower Informations: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6306773 http://buggalove.blogspot.com/ http://decorativelabels.blogspot.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/etsybabyshower
2 years ago
FrancescaBaby says:
I just signed up to donate to the baby shower. I love making things and giving them away. And what could be more exciting than a new baby!
2 years ago
sewsosweetboutique says:
I donated last baby shower to two great moms and would love to participate again!
2 years ago