Shop Local this holiday season and support independent craftspeople. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint! We’re going around the world here on Etsy’s blog, so let us know where our next stop should be in the comments below. This post comes from Amanda Blake of thisisalliknow of Portland, Oregon. That’s her above, overlooking the city. Here’s Amanda.
“Here I am overlooking my hometown Portland — a beautiful and quirky city full of parks and gardens, more breweries per capita than anywhere else and the world’s largest bookstore. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
Katie Raetz of burdyflyaway: “Having lived up and down the west coast, my heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. Some people may think it rains a little much, but if it didn’t rain, we wouldn’t have the gorgeous green. This photo is taken in my driveway in Portland, Oregon, with my son Oliver. From every window of my little 1920′s house I see green, I love my kids and my garden, and most of my inspiration for designs come from them. I couldn’t pick a better place to create unique pieces of clothing, for the unique little bundles that will wear them.”
Nicki of foundbynicki: “Here are some photos I took at Mount Tabor Park today (a city park on an extinct volcano in Portland). I use Mount Tabor as a break from my sewing and take my dog there for runs and walks. My education background is in ecology, so much of my work takes on that theme in one way or another. The leaf on the big leaf maple wallet was actually traced from a leaf I picked up in the park.”
Jo of greensprings0: “Green Springs Body Works is committed to using organic eco-friendly local products whenever possible. We give back to the community and our customers by recycling their containers for a $1.00 refund or if they choose we will donate their refund money to charity. After every grower’s market, I go home with dozens of bottles and jars that our customers have returned to us. A portion of our proceeds also go to our favorite charity.”
Vivienne Strauss of vivstrauss: “Matte (matteart.etsy.com) and I just relocated to Portland this past spring, but we feel so at home here. I love having the city of Portland and nature so close together and find equal inspiration in the city and the woods. My Phoebe paintings were definitely inspired by all the beautiful trees I see in my everyday life.”
Thank you to thisisalliknow for collecting the stories of these Portland peeps!
Shoppers, get your holiday gifts this season with Shop Local and meet your talented neighbors (shrink that carbon footprint too)! Find sellers belonging to the local Oregon Etsy Teams.
Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area
Please let Etsy’s blog know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region.
73 comments
Sign in to add your ownLaveMeSoapCo says:
I looove Portand, and these sellers!
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
How about Los Angeles next??? no, I am not biased ;)
3 years ago
dennisanderson says:
Im 50% sure I will be moving to Portland, either there or the coast. I love it there!
3 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
Equal to the work itself, I LOVE these human photos. Just getting a tiny glimpse of peoples personalities and life around them is awesome.
3 years ago
yaelfran says:
Love nowvember and of course, thisisalliknow!!!!!!
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
cali will miss you dennis!
3 years ago
lizarietz says:
How great to see so many Portland designers on Etsy! I have been designing and selling woman's clothing in Portland for 7 years - and have been honored to be surrounded by such amazing designers! -liza rietz www.lizarietz.etsy.com
3 years ago
ArtbyElizabethBauman says:
Great article and fun to see the faces behind the names!
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
green springs has an awesome shop!
3 years ago
lizarietz says:
one more thing - if you live in Portland, be sure to go to the "Handmade Holiday Bazaar" at the Oregon Convention Center December 14th! There will be hundreds of vendors selling handmade designs (and surely lots of Etsian will be there!) Happy Holidays!!
3 years ago
dancingcircle says:
Please! Don't let everyone know about our Northwest paradise - they might want to move here too! I am blessed to live in this beautiful green city and feel priveleged to raise my family here:)
3 years ago
lizarietz says:
correction - the bazaar at the convention center is called "Crafty Wonderland" - "Handmade Holiday Bazaar" is a different event which is also wonderful (and i believe it is on the same day) if you can go to both!!!
3 years ago
autumncomfort says:
Yay Portland. I Luuuv Katie from Birdyflyaway. Not only are here cloths beautiful they are so incredibly well made and soft you LONG to put them on yourself or your kiddos. I heart her and every other crafter in this article. I'll be at Crafty Wonderland too!!! This place is a rain, crafty mecca!!
3 years ago
sfspagirl says:
Love Portland, it is a great city and there are so many wonderful independent artists and stores there! Thanks for the great profile. Next stop -- Santa Fe, NM?!?
3 years ago
giusypatch says:
Oh I love Portland in Oregon, a friend of mine spent 3 months and lived there with quilters! She was tought to quilt and when she came back in Italy has began to teach quilting here... we met thanks to quilts, which I was teach too, and of course thanks to Portland! :) Thank you for sharing this article and let me remember about my friend meeting. :)
3 years ago
mosey says:
great article! xo
3 years ago
lemondropstudio says:
So glad to see fellow Portlanders - it's wonderful here!! Great article!
3 years ago
JustFeltHungry says:
Love the red chicken print and the tangerine-avocado hat!
3 years ago
thisisalliknow says:
The featured sellers are actually from all over Oregon and there were just so many to choose from that I filled the first few pages of my favorites with Oregon sellers for anyone who wants to see more.
3 years ago
Lambert says:
Very nice to discover talented Etsy artists from Oregon, thanks for posting this article :)
3 years ago
michelemaule says:
Yay Oregon! I'll be rejoining all of you folks in May :) Can't wait to come home and be a part of such a wonderful artistic, crafty, community. I Heart Oregon.
3 years ago
JeweloftheI says:
BIG UP OREGON!!!! I am from Eugene OR which is filled with lovely talented artist! Nice to see~ Thanks!
3 years ago
lnijo says:
I love all 4 seasons of Oregon, I think we are very blessed. Great job crafters! Next stop... Myrtle Point,Or.
3 years ago
NewHueHandspuns says:
Just another happy Portlander happy to see felow Etsyians!
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Neat painting!
3 years ago
sucree says:
Portland has so many great shops and artists...Portland Etsians included!
3 years ago
edithandlulu says:
I'm in Portland too!
3 years ago
neosewmama says:
Me too! No matter how many times I move away, I always end up coming back home...falling more in love with City of Roses each time :) Thanks for shining a little light on Oregon!
3 years ago
betsyandiya says:
Yay Oregon! Yay PORTLAND! I've been here for 2.25 years and I am still in the honeymoon phase. I'm sooooo in love. My big tribute to Portland: http://betsyandiya.blogspot.com/2008/11/awareness.html Great article! Thanks for spreading the Oregon love. -betsy
3 years ago
betsyandiya says:
Also, re: Handmade Holiday Bazaar--it's on December 14th, at p:ear in Downtown Portland (338 NW 6th Ave). I will be selling there along with 75 other handmade vendors and would love to see you! Crafty Wonderland will also be amazing. This one will be slightly lower key. MY advice is to head to both! &heart; &heart; &heart; betsy
3 years ago
betsyandiya says:
funny (re: &heart; ...was trying to make the heart symbol...oops) you get the idea and the love
3 years ago
dublinroots says:
rain is a beautiful thing and so is oregon
3 years ago
robinrussellceramics says:
Thanks a million for including me!
3 years ago
CountingBunnies says:
Love seeing a glimpse of the faces behind the artisans.
3 years ago
fairchilddesigns says:
This is so awesome! I love living in Portland and it's great to read a quick tid-bit about sellers who love Etsy and this great city all at the same time. =)
3 years ago
intertwingle says:
Great idea. Rochester, NY is a great arts town with lots of Etsians.
3 years ago
infusion says:
Hello Oregonians :) Having grown up in Portland, I now live here in Yachats, on the spectacularly beautiful Oregon coast. Oregon is the best kept (and now, not so well kept) secret.
3 years ago
blaekwooddesigns says:
Hello, anyone have any ideas on promoting your Etsy, i've been on here a couple weeks and haven't sold one item. Thanks.
3 years ago
firedupceramics says:
Thanks so much for including my pottery! Very honored.
3 years ago
rubygirl says:
Hooray for all my fellow Portland Etsians! Thanks for featuring our fair city. If you're in Portland, you should join our Street Team. PDX Etsy has 350+ members and are always accepting more. Convo me for details (I am the membership coordinator).
3 years ago
discomedusa says:
i love living in portland and meeting so many fellow etsy sellers! such a vibrant community! xoxo
3 years ago
berkleyillustration says:
Haaaay Portland! It's true - good people and tons of inspiration are to be found in our fair city! And yes, Crafty Wonderland is going to RULE! Check out www.craftywonderland.com for the list of vendors -- including TONS of Etsy sellers.
3 years ago
GreenEdenVintage says:
Yay, Portland is great. How about the illustrious and ever sunny San Diego next? A spot of warmth in winter?
3 years ago
WingsDove says:
One thing I love about on-line shopping is being able to buy from anywhere in the world. I hope that my occasional across-the-nation shopping does not add too much to my carbon footprint. Love Portland, OR. Love it's mix of people and all the greenery.
3 years ago
StudioAMF says:
I love these shop local segments! What about Indianapolis?? We have some great artists and crafters here! I just bought something from Fosterweld (www.fosterweld.etsy.com) and found out he lives 7 blocks away!
3 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
Yay Oregon! I visited there once and absolutely LOVED it! I must go back one day.....
3 years ago
foundbynicki says:
thanks so much for including me! it's great to be in portland.
3 years ago
hoffeeandanuffin says:
I've lived up and down the West Coast and Oregon is my favorite... It's home for me!
3 years ago
InfiniteCosmosGirl says:
yay Oregon! Oregonians unite!!
3 years ago
vivstrauss says:
I'm at home frantically painting and collaging for Crafty Wonderland on the 14th! thank you again Amanda for including me!
3 years ago
DuBuhDuDesigns says:
Thanks for featuring Oregon Artists! There must be something in the water here :) ~Etsian from Bend,Oregon
3 years ago
Winklepots says:
Yay Oregon! <--- from Hillsboro. :o)
3 years ago
MelissaKLund says:
Thanks for featuring Portland! There is so much talent here!
3 years ago
TrilliumArtisans says:
Hooray for Portland! And thanks for including our pillow in the related items! Portland area shoppers, please come visit our store at SE 92nd and Foster for earth friendly gifts made from recycled and reclaimed materials by about 40 local artisans! We're open Tues-Fri, 10 - 6 and Saturdays 11 - 3 thru the holiday season. We're a nonprofit funded by the City of Portland to help local low-income artisans start and grow their small businesses. Thanks!
3 years ago
EyePopArt says:
Crafty Wonderland is awesome and may I also mention this weekend is the da Vinci Arts Fair with about 70 local artists and crafters. It's a benefit for the awesome arts-magnet da Vinci Arts Middle School (which my son attends) at 2508 NE Everett. Check it out Saturday Dec. 6, noon - 6 and Sun. Dec. 7, 10 - 4.
3 years ago
capturedimagination says:
Thanks for featuring Oregon! I've been here 5 yrs now and I love the rain and the green it brings. The long wet weeks give me an excuse to stay inside creating new things.
3 years ago
ponyboypress says:
Portland is great. Yay for us! I love the work of all these artists.
3 years ago
FrugalGranola says:
Thanks for this article! :) I love living in Portland, OR, and finding other Etsians!
3 years ago
Lunaverse says:
Being an born Oregonian is something I'm very proud of and I'm happy that etsy helps me support local artists that aren't so local to me! Living rurally used to keep me from getting Portland exposure, but not any more! Go Green, Buy Local, Go Ducks ;)
3 years ago
mizvintage says:
Yes dear Etsians, Portland rocks! So many talented people in one place, so inspiring! I live in NW PDX, I'll def. be checking out both big craft shows this weekend while taking quick breaks from getting my new Etsy shop up & running! I've been doing photo shoots with some fantastic local portland models for my vintage shop lately, can't wait to show everybody! Thanks Etsy for putting the spotlight on PDX!!
3 years ago
modenoir says:
yay portland! Im a member of the portland craft mafia and am offering some holiday specials on shipping if anyone is looking to shop local....i will also do local drop off....
3 years ago
allisajacobs says:
Yay to my fellow Portlanders & Oregonians! Thanks for this article & tribute to this wonderful place & the amazing artists who live here :)
3 years ago
Julzevi says:
LOVE thisisalliknow!! Thanks for this article.
3 years ago
gretchenmist says:
am so curious re portland, so many creative stylish etsy sellers come from portland :) thanks for the article.
3 years ago
papabearleather says:
I do leatherwork and leather with wood. check out my site glad to do business and discuss crafting in wood and or leather
3 years ago
pinkshowercurtain says:
Portland has so many talented & creative people! Hi to Vivienne- Love your dress!
3 years ago
Alpaca4US says:
Hello from Grants Pass, Southern Oregon! Love the article. Thanx!
3 years ago
greensprings0 says:
Thanks so much Amanda for including us!!
3 years ago
kierak says:
thank you!
3 years ago
jillmayberg says:
Just found this. Thank you so much Amanda for nudging me to get on Etsy. I love it! Yeah on your front page fame.
3 years ago
ARThiel says:
Fantastic!
3 years ago
MysticalRaindrops says:
How about the "other" Portland on the east coast in Maine!
2 years ago
MysticalRaindrops says:
How about the "Other" Portland, in Maine on the east coast (and surrounding areas)! Maine is such a beautiful state. You can see photos at my http://www.Squidoo.com/lensmaster/Tiddledeewinks
2 years ago