Dear Sellers,
This past Spring, we brought you the Handmade Wedding series, so … bet you guessed what’s up next! Handmade Kids.* We here at Etsy have noticed through our research that this special project has the potential to reach a lot of new customers and generate growth for children’s sellers as well as Etsy in general.
Simply put, Etsy sellers have a ton to offer new families and we want to help spread the word! We’ll be reaching out to the media in order to bring in new folks and wanted to give you the heads up to make sure your shops are ready for business. This special project will launch on July 14 and continue through to August 4, 2008.
Here’s what we’ll be doing:
- Contest with prizes for sellers and buyers, open to US residents. **
- Outside ads on targeted blogs and websites.
- Original Storque content from Etsians as well as popular bloggers and websites with cross-pollinating posts.
- Themed frontpage Showcase, going on sale on Thursday July 10 at 3pm EDT (see details about this here).
- Periodic frontpages with kids themed content from the Storque and the Treasury.
- Links to corresponding Gift Guides and curated content.
- How-tos for the family (How-tos have proven to generate a lot of buzz and bring new visitors to Etsy).
- Special landing page where kids’ content is grouped. This will welcome first time visitors who click through from related outside ads and blog posts.
How can sellers get involved?
- We want you to list your finest items for children, babies, new moms and dads, and make sure those are tagged properly of course! Michelle has written up this informative tagging how-to for you.
- Many different types of items could fit in the Children’s Category (for example, furniture for kids may be categorized in the Children’s Category or in the Furniture Category). Now would be a good time to test out which category works better for your items and track your views and sales.
- Clearly indicate if your items (such as toys) are intended for adults or children.
- If you do custom work for new families, make sure your Alchemy announcement is set up.
- The Children’s Category Showcase will be getting increase traffic, so heads up on that.
- The more buzz we get going about this series, the more links we get into Etsy, the better our Google search results. This is great for the whole marketplace. So let’s all get together and blog (see these posts for help)!
- Give us suggestions for sub-categories of the Children’s Category.
Thanks so much and let me know if you have ideas or questions in the comments below!
*[No, the Etsy admin are not pregnant. But presumably a lot of our shoppers are! Etsy is 96% female and the average buyer's age is 32. Check out our survey results.]
**[This contest will only be open to US residents. Believe me, we are as frustrated by this as you are! As a US-based company, when offering prizes of any kind, we are bound by US contest law. We can't wait for the day when Etsy opens international sites and we can exclude US residents from contests. I joke... but seriously, we are looking into ways to legally include international Etsians in future contests. Please be patient with us, we love you!]
91 comments
Sign in to add your ownkunklebaby says:
Sounds wonderful-as a mother and a childrens shop owner!
3 years ago
Lizzypops says:
I'm excited! I'm all about babies and toddlers, as a mom to a growing family, and as a shop-owner :)
3 years ago
bubbletime says:
Awesome!
3 years ago
Marmalady says:
will the contest be open to international members or is it yet another USA only one?
3 years ago
NiftyKidstuff says:
I can't wait!
3 years ago
Laniec1 says:
This is great, Now I have even more motivation to list more, more, more.
3 years ago
sandcookies says:
This is soooo exciting:) I can't wait as a shop owner and *especially* as an addicted Etsy buyer:)!!! It sounds like you guys have really invested a lot of time and thought into this and it is going to be great!!!
3 years ago
LoveLeeSoaps says:
Sounds exciting!
3 years ago
vusova says:
sounds great! I'm in!
3 years ago
cloud9designstudio says:
This is wonderful news! I can't wait to see all the great articles and shops in this series! As a mommy of a toddler myself, I am looking forward to perusing all the kewl etsy finds!!! ;)
3 years ago
littleflowerchilde says:
Sounds fun- I love stuff for kids.
3 years ago
missbatch says:
Marmalady, unfortunately we are only able to offer this contest to US residents. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will add a clarification to the article.
3 years ago
yellowbusybeaver says:
I have SOOO many thoughts and ideas tucked away for the wee folks (children). I am happy there is a special place for them!!!!
3 years ago
addicted2cute says:
Woo hoo!
3 years ago
millalove says:
Nooooooo! You can't be serious! I try my best to avoid looking at the childrens listings because I cannot buy them all! So many things I want for my bigboi and little doll! This is going to be hard! ;)
3 years ago
MayaBella says:
Yay! My shop is all for kids. And of course kids at heart. And this whole thing launches on my birthday!
3 years ago
mamaziel says:
fun!
3 years ago
abitofthisnthatshop says:
This is the nicest Treasure I have seen in a while!! Love it all!!!!
3 years ago
SuperflyLullabies says:
Woot Woot.
3 years ago
shopgoodgrace says:
Wonderful!! I thoroughly enjoyed the little "suri" picks from about a week or two ago... :)
3 years ago
PrettyinPosies says:
How wonderful to see the children's categories being marketed like this. Sounds like a wonderful project!
3 years ago
cuddlebaby says:
This sounds great! Etsy is a wonderful place to shop for unique baby items. This should be a fun way to share them with the world!
3 years ago
hullabalooboutique says:
Yay! Us sellers of children's things need more views! THis is exciting!
3 years ago
4pippi says:
Yeah!! Great News!!
3 years ago
Junienone says:
Yeah, this is so exciting! Not only do I have a children's shop, I'm expecting and really looking forward to buying some cute baby stuff!!!
3 years ago
hugsandkisses says:
This sounds like so much fun:)
3 years ago
oritdotandolls says:
What about me? Israeli dools artist-can I be a part of this? It sounds wonderful!
3 years ago
oritdotandolls says:
sorry-dolls Ho-now I do not have a chance?
3 years ago
littleyou says:
I'm a new Owner and customer to Etsy and I must say it's very exciting to see such a family focused program come along.
3 years ago
TwinMommy says:
I'd like to blog about the start of this fabulous project! Am I allowed to pick up this article header to use on my blog? Has loopdiloops ok'd other people using the picture? Thanks for any help!
3 years ago
trendytot says:
Yay! Thanks for the attention to children's items! I hope it will bring more traffic to all of our shops!
3 years ago
Vanessa says:
loopdiloops said she'd be happy for you to repost on your blogs! I suggest giving her a photo credit and linking to her shop ;)
3 years ago
FaerieRebecca says:
Fantastic news! It's great to see Etsy focusing on the craft community that supports families and children. We're here, and we can be kitschy, funky, irreverent, and cool, too ;-)
3 years ago
loopdiloops says:
This is great news! Thanks so much for including us in the article, that was very unexpected but awesome! I am sad though that the contest is USA only, I'm in Canada but maybe one day we'll be included too. Great article! Cheers
3 years ago
NinisHandmades says:
This is great!
3 years ago
SnappyBibs says:
Thanks!!
3 years ago
auntboosbabies says:
sounds great:o)
3 years ago
bfbeads says:
I am THRILLED about this! So very exciting! Thanks for all the work that's going into bringing more attention to the *many* wonderful items here for kids, moms, dads, and families.
3 years ago
annemadeart says:
sounds great! My new shop is primarily artwork for kids - so this should be good :)
3 years ago
yayaMarsy says:
This is way too exciting!! My knitting needles are going a mile a minute. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
3 years ago
oursideofthemountain says:
Great! Motivation for me to fill my shop up!
3 years ago
TwinMommy says:
Thank you Vanessa and thank you very much loopdiloops for letting us use your picture! I can't wait to get my post together :)
3 years ago
littlebirdcreations says:
Can't wait! Definitely a motivator to get going faster on new items I will be adding to the shop. Yay!
3 years ago
simpledream2 says:
This sounds like a fun idea. Can't wait to be a part of this project.
3 years ago
AureliaandAnnalise says:
Oh my!!! I cant wait for this! Thanks for supporting family shopping on Etsy, this SAHM really appreciates it:)
3 years ago
circlesareforever says:
this sounds fun, i am going to definitely try entering :)
3 years ago
stjudescreations says:
sounds great, sure to put in a flowers for kids!
3 years ago
sweetestpea says:
Thanks! This should be great! (coming from a seller with a shop filled with items for kids) :)
3 years ago
bamdesigns says:
This is awesome and on the same day that i am launching some new children lines in my store.
3 years ago
tinycupcakes says:
Vanessa, Thanks for the tips on tagging our items. We're getting our shop ready with fun new product lines - All things CUPCAKES and Shop for Boys! Please count us in!
3 years ago
stitchgirl52 says:
I am really happy to see this. This is the first comment I have made on etsy and I can't say how excited I am to see this happening. I guess I better get busy!!!
3 years ago
HarmonyWear says:
Yay, I'm glad to see that handmade kids items are going to be in the spotlight!
3 years ago
audelaine says:
this is great. etsy sellers have so many wonderful things for kids, it's great to see them get some attention. :)
3 years ago
VintageMafia says:
this is great! I have a 7 mo. old and LOVE shopping for him here.
3 years ago
oneredpanda says:
just started on etsy as a with a kiddies clothing line so I am excited to see this showcase!
3 years ago
boygirlboygirldesign says:
Great news..we are so excited and can't wait.
3 years ago
MaddieEna says:
I'm totally excited about this!!!
3 years ago
tscrapper says:
As a Mom who creates baby shower invites, personalized stationary for kids, onesies, etc.--I can't wait!
3 years ago
oliverlane says:
Yay! I can't wait to be involved in this!
3 years ago
panyizsuzsi says:
I am so sorry that EU's can not take a part!
3 years ago
raggidyragdolls says:
Etsy is such a wonderful way to be apart of the world of hand made - viewed by those who love and appreciate all things beautiful.....
3 years ago
LittleAdorables says:
This sounds like such FUN! Is this only for handmade items, or can any of my current listings be included somehow? I love all things for babies, and children!!! I know I only have a few handmade items right now, guess I'd better get a move on - making more things for the little ones! :D
3 years ago
LittleAdorables says:
Huh? Double Post? How'd it do that? Sorry about that! :/
3 years ago
siiri says:
Wonderful news!
3 years ago
kinchi says:
Ooh, exciting!! I'll be checking in often from my vacation adress. Sad about the contest still being US only, but can't you guys make a renegade version again, like with the costumes? That was fun!
3 years ago
FRANCISBEL says:
This is great!!!!!
3 years ago
MyKangaroo says:
Fantastic! I am really looking forward to this week.
3 years ago
sticknymph says:
Yay! Can't wait.
3 years ago
PinkMarshmallow says:
How FUN!! Can't wait.
3 years ago
kayaskloset says:
I'm looking forward to seeing how this all goes, and seeing if I see an increase in sales for my soft soled baby shoes!
3 years ago
oliveandollie says:
Woohoo! This is great!
3 years ago
bambolettadolls says:
So great! I'm so excited, I'll make sure the shop is full of new dolls this week. Christmas stock shmistmas stock, I'm loading them up on the shop!
3 years ago
LeahSutton says:
Fantastic news...more baby & kids patterns & ready made goodies coming very soon!
3 years ago
cottontail says:
Hoorah for small humans!
3 years ago
SisterToSister says:
Love it! This is a great time for us to be starting out! So excited!
3 years ago
warmnfuzzies says:
What do you do for baby and childrens quilts? There are separate tags for those. I hope they will not be overlooked.
3 years ago
mclean2612 says:
Yay! This sounds just like my thing! Very exciting...
3 years ago
scarlettswardrobe says:
This is wonderful news! I'm just starting out on Etsy and I want to get the word out that I have organic cotton tshirts, onesies and tshirt/pant sets for infants and toddlers. I already love being a part of Etsy!
3 years ago
Mattson says:
Cool! And,um, Rad! Darn it, what are kids saying these days? Anyway, awesome!
3 years ago
SkyBox says:
Thank you, Etsy!!! I'll make some more stuffed animals.
3 years ago
GoldtoneDesigns says:
Lovin' this Series!
3 years ago
pishcota says:
bring it on!
3 years ago
pishcota says:
it is game time!...have a wonderful creative day!
3 years ago
sghulett says:
Oh I love this. I have kids items
3 years ago
DaisyChains says:
Whooo hoo for Handmade for Kids!! I'm a fan and a seller of so I can't wait to see all of the cool features and articles. ;O)
3 years ago
sweetbeets says:
I just stumbled upon this Handmade Kids series and I'm so happy to see it!
3 years ago
Timeless says:
"**[This contest will only be open to US residents. Believe me, we are as frustrated by this as you are! As a US-based company, when offering prizes of any kind, we are bound by US contest law. We can't wait for the day when Etsy opens international sites and we can exclude US residents from contests. I joke... but seriously, we are looking into ways to legally include international Etsians in future contests. Please be patient with us, we love you!]" If you are really that frustrated about it, why do you continue to have contests that alienate so many of your users? Why don't you just wait until you can include international Etsians?
3 years ago
Spiderbite says:
I have a whole shop full of kids items. hooray!
3 years ago
wowcanvas says:
What a great idea! After all, there are a lot of kids out there. I have 6, that's why I decided to do custom canvases, many with kids in mind.
3 years ago
mmmfiber says:
Just saw a nice big banner ad on dooce.com. Looked great!
3 years ago