The Etsy Teams program has surpassed 15,000 members this summer, and we couldn’t be more pleased about the growth and activity the Etsy Teams are up to these days.  

• It’s been a busy summer for SFEtsy, the Street Team for Etsy sellers in the San Francisco Bay Area.  In addition to showcasing one another through team Treasuries, the SF Team has started holding regular meetings at the Craft Gym in San Francisco.  They shared Etsy’s table at the Renegade Craft Faire, and held their first Handcrafter’s Faire at the end of July. The Handcrafter’s Faire featured work from Etsy sellers AttainingCreativity, TreasuresByTina, BFBeads, EXDesigns, JeynReyn, TwoTurnips, panopoly, LindaDavisDesigns, HairPetals, faerierebecca, and ChristinaWilliams. They hope to hold another Faire in November to help spread the word about Etsy. 
• Local Massachusetts Etsy Team, Boston Handmade, has been gearing up for their fourth and final Boston Handmade Artisan Fair of the 2008 season on Thursday, August 7th, 5-8pm. Ten members of Boston Handmade showed their art and craft as part of the JP First Thursdays monthly art stroll sponsored by the Jamaica Plain Centre/South Main Streets. The event featured live music and handmade work by StonehouseStudio, NancyRosetta, ElizabethBrennick, Glamourpuss, JHillDesign, AmyOlsonJewelry, ReclaimedToYou, Knight27, and VintageByCrystal. Check out their Flickr photo set to see photos from past shows.
• To coincide with Grandparents’ Day on Sept. 7th, the Wild, Wise, Witty Grandmamas team has voted Meals on Wheels as their benefit organization for September. They all decided that Meals on Wheels helps the largest number of seniors all over America and the basic human need is friendship and a good meal.
• The Hampton Roads Artisans Street Team had its first face-to-face meeting at a Starbucks in Chesapeake, Virginia. Six Etsy sellers were present (pictured below).  They will be getting together a team show on December 13 and also plan to adopt a local charity.

[Photo from JKCreativeDesigns at the first Hampton Roads Street Team meeting]

• The Plush Team, comprised of over 50 plush designers from around the world, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming 6th annual Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Boasting over 200 vendors, the Renegade Craft Fair will highlight some of the most cutting edge crafters from the United States and all over the world.  The event will be held September 13 + 14 from 12pm – 10pm along Division St. between Damen & Hermitage in Wicker Park. Don’t miss it!
• To celebrate the Seattle Etsy Team, EtsyRAIN‘s, first birthday on August 1st, the team from the Emerald City has been busy promoting EtsyRAIN and Etsy at all of the shows around Seattle, finding new members and thinking up new ways to celebrate their success as a team. Upcoming events include a collaborative space that will feature 7 EtsyRAIN members at Showcase Tacoma — a fantastic art show held August 8 & 9th. Happy Birthday EtsyRAIN!
• EtsyPittsburgh has been all about motivation this summer!  Members have been super busy teaming up to vend at events like the city’s unique nomadic indie craft fair I Made It! Market, spearheaded by team member zippull.  By getting together at fairs and markets to root each other on and to share spaces, tents, supplies, advice, and laughs, Team Pittsburgh has established a supportive crafting community in the Steel City!  To find out more about the team, its recent goings on, and why you should join, visit their Team blog.  See some of their fabulous creations in the team’s Flickr pool.
• EEAT was formed just last month, and currently has about 20 members. The team is based on a love of FOOD! Any Etsy seller that sells edibles is welcome to join.  On August 11 at 6pm EST in the Virtual labs, Team EEAT is having a Bake Sale! This will coordinate with Craft Night, and is a great way to see what Etsy’s Edibles have to offer! Come and see great food, ask questions, and buy now for the Holidays! Most of the team stores will be having huge sales that night!  For more information, see the Team blog.

[Members of Etsy Dallas at their PhotoParty. Photo by Carrie Partch]

• Lampwork Etc. Street Team (LEST) is using their monthly team challenge to give back to the communities around them. Their Challenge Committee leader, NValentineStudio, wanted to do something more than the everyday challenge dealing with colors, or the seasons, or even glass-specific. She came up with the idea of "Just Give", which is their team challenge for the month of August. It’s a simple idea: certain members have elected to donate a portion of their Etsy sales to the charity of their choice. They’ve challenged each other to "Just Give" to an organization whose mission they believe in, and are using their Etsy shops to do just that.
• It is design time for the team members of CGGE as they hold their August Glass Challenge. CGGE members are submitting works in stained, fused, lamp worked and mosaic glass mediums using "summer" as their inspiration. The CGGE challenge ends at midnight on August 25th and all entries will be posted on Flickr.  They would like to know what you think and are asking all Etsy members to take a look and vote for your favorite. The winner will be featured on CGGE’s web site. CGGE is a global team and was formed in March 2007 to provide a creative and supportive environment for all glass artists. They continually support member shops and Etsy and are available to answer questions about glass on their daily message thread "Talking Techniques and Materials with the CGGE".
  Be sure to cast your vote!
• The Capitol Region Etsy Team (CREST) is having a trunk show at Polymer Clay Express at Artway in Damascus, MD (9890 Main Street, Damascus, MD  20872).  It will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 from 11 to 4PM, the same day as the Damascus Community Fair.  Participating shops include: Pamlita11, SapphireChild, ButtonDivas, GetWiredDesigns, BoodlersBeads, Aycee, BellaRoseCreations, melissamemandesigns, Shelbyb, and GenerationsTieDye. They’ve been divvying up tasks including getting the word out, making raffle baskets, and flier production to make the show happen!
• The Arizona Crafty Burrito Collective is not letting a sizzling hot summer slow them down.  Membership continues to grow.  Some veteran members hosted a recent "Very Etsy Sunday" event to give newbies one-on-one guidance to set up a successful Etsy store.  Their encouragement is just the jump start that some newbies need to get their stores up and running. Offering a helping hand is second nature to most Burritos. Just a few weeks ago, a Burrito was in a car accident and was in immediate jeopardy of not completing a previously scheduled move before the month’s end.  A call went out and other Burritos she’d never met before leapt into action to help her complete the move on time. Now that’s teamwork!
• While the Spanish-speaking community is located in over twenty countries over the five contients, here on Etsy artists can come together and show to the world the passion of their culture. The history, folklore, social and political situations combine to create a unique style in art, crafts, and any handmade activity. If you want to join this group of Spanish speaking artists, check out the Etsy in Spanish Team.

You can sign up to receive emailings about Etsy Teams. Be sure to look for Team Tips on Mondays and the Featured Etsy Team on Wednesdays in the Storque each week! You can find more information, like how to join, guides for your Team and more, at team.etsy.com.