I want to connect with buyers. That's why I'm here. Thanks Rob.

It truly is amazing that you have started this not only with just 4 people, and now its 125, but that you only started this 5 years ago! Thank you for making this site available to us all, and thank you for giving us all hope that is possible to earn doing something that you love!

Thanks a bunch.... so happy with all the changes!!

Useful to read. Thanks for sharing!

THANK YOU so much for starting Etsy and continuing to improve apps. providing wonderful articles and guidance and helping us connect the dots and LEARN! Etsy fills a very valuable gap for those of us who need to learn-as-we-grow. Congratulations on your vision and continued goals!

Thanks so much!!

Great news! Thanks for sharing :)

thank you for the update and it is truly inspiring how far Etsy has come! Thank you to all 125 of you and all you do for us!

Thanks so much for the update. I'm so grateful that you wanted to connect makers with buyers - this website has honestly changed my life! Good job translating an abstract idea into a real thing that benefits so many people.

Exciting news! Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you for putting everything into perspective! xo Vintage Bella

Thank you, Etsy!

Etsy is such an exciting venture! I'm so happy to see its growth.

Always interesting to hear about the innerworkings of Etsy.

Great job, Etsy! Amazing story of having a vision and seeing it to fruition.

It all sounds good! We look forward to changes changes changes in leaps and bounds!

amazing story ... gives me hope!! great job ... looking forward to the future!

Thanks for the update...you rock! I wanna see a picture of Adam's dog Hank.

Very interesting and informative! Looking forward to great things ahead!

Great inspiration to follow our dreams! I love your vision :)

that's amazing - I visited back in the day when it was only a few employees on Gold St. keep on keepin' on! x

You guys are amazing. Congratulations.

great - thanks for sharing!

Bravo! The changes are great and I love hearing this kind of stuff! There is a bright future ahead for etsy, and I am proud to be a part of all the exciting things happening here! Thank you for a fantastic vision of things past and things to come. I hope you find the time to return to creating, and am glad you still find ways to do so! Thank you for sharing this with us! ~Wren ZenAndCoffee.etsy.com Arm Warmers & Fingerless Gloves for all seasons & styles!

WE are ALL so lucky you came up with such a great idea. It is a brilliant and very positive idea that fits a huge need that most of us weren't even aware could be solved: a place to match the 'makers and finders of the world with the buyers'. I am amazed daily with the beauty of this website, and the fact that a few people sharing a great concept could turn into an international business opportunity. You are helping thousands of people realize their dreams of owning a business, and the ability to give of themselves. Thank you very very much!

I love this shop! I love shopping and selling - love my business - and making new friends! Thank you -

Hi Rob, It's always nice to hear updates from you. It's not everyday that corporate folks bother to share the details, but I appreciate you thinking of us! Just another reason to appreciate the community of Etsy.

Thanks for the update! What ever happened to your Parachutes.org project?

Thanks for the information, this is a GREAT place to be!!!

Rokali, Thanks for the update! You've done way MORE than what you set out to do (connect the makers and finders of the world with the buyers). Etsy has become an inspiration for crafters all over the world. I continue to be amazed and spurred on by what I see. We can only get better and make more beautiful, inspired things by what you've done. Personally, the connection between the crafter and the creative spirit in the crafter is even more profoundly important, and this you've done on a grand scale! AWESOME!

I want to be etsy customer service but work from home. You should seriously think about that. No overhead to think about. I love etsy and am so thrilled to see it be so successful and a definite pioneer of the handmade community online. Thank you for letting us know how things are going!

Thank you for the updates

Thank you for the updates and congratulations on your growth! I only wish Etsy was around when I was younger!!!!!!!

Thanks for the update! And a warm welcome to the new Etsy COO (and his dog too of course!).

Thanks for the post, it's has to be an enormous responsibility, I admire you, I would have quit a long time ago. Not because of the people, but because of the pressure of how to keep up with an ever changing world.

Great progress - I'm in the UK and heard about Etsy about 18 months ago, I remembered it a few months later and it was invaluable then to get my accessories for my short-notice wedding, now I am trying to be a seller myself, and Etsy is getting more and more well-known in England. So keep going! (And give Amity a pay rise!)

Wow! We are so impressed and thankful. The world is such a huge place and the internet has created a dynamic link of connection. We are excited to see what may follow here at Etsy and we are excited to be a small part of that : ) Blessings, LeafandInk.com

You have done a fabulous job! Thank you so much for Etsy!!

Thanks for everything! Etsy is already wonderful and only getting better :)

I've read this and watchrd the recently released video interview with you, and am deeply indebted to your vision. My income and freedom to make what I want to make have never been greater since finding Etsy. Thanks for the opportunity, all of you. And especially you, Mr Rob Kalin.

It's good to get a sense that you're still very humble after the years and success! So very thankful you shared something you made with all of us!

Thank you for making things better on here. I love going into my shop and adjusting it now and there is an ease and fluidity with my transactions and set-up. Thank you, you're doing a wonderful job. We're very fortunate.:)

Thank you for everything you have done for the DIY community Rokali!! Cheers! Carrie

What a great organization Etsy is. PLEASE don't lose the personal touch, the caring, the uniqueness that makes Etsy a "community" and not just a business. I hope as Etsy continues to grow that I can be a positive part of that growth. Thank you, sincerely!

Thanks for all your hardwork! Etsy is so amazing!

series E is a pretty big deal-good job! you guys have been an amazing way for us to connect, get support and spread the message- from the bottom of new orleans's heart, we love yall down here xxoxo

I'm glad you still remember the old days and your original mission statement Rob. Etsy's bound to change but hope I hope we'll always have what we used to call "the spirit of etsy".

Thank you Rob, for making Etsy so great and for putting so much effort into it. Etsy is awesome and I am so glad to be a teeny tiny little part of it.

WOW!! What growth in just 5 years!!!! You guys are obviously doing it right!! Just keep on doing it! Although I'm a newbie and still figuring things out, this site is simply AMAZING! Such foresight and dedication to making this work. And boy has it ever!!!! Great job!!!

I have loved reading this and want to thank you for starting Etsy and for the serious commitment you have made to this wonderful international community of artisans!! Before Etsy no one ever got to see and appreciate my work-I feel so very lucky to be a part of this! Best wishes for continued success-you deserve this success!

thanks for sharing that wonderful nugget of inspiration that is at the heart of all of your efforts for Etsy and for all of us. exciting times!

This article made me burst into tears with pure pride (and amazement) for being part of a site that has been built with blood, sweat and tears...not only the founders, but every Etsy seller as well. I cannot believe Etsy is just five years old. It's come so far, so fast. Thank you for sharing such intimate business details with all of us, as it inspires us to commit our own actions to furthering the goals of this site. I wish I could shake your hand, if not give you a hearty, most sincere hug to look you straight in the eye and tell you what an excellent job you've done and how much you have to be proud of--- not only yourself--- but all the Etsy sellers who align their principles with yours. This article touches base and strikes a chord deep in all of us sellers and lets us know we need to keep up our good fight and keep the faith. Our mantra for the remainder of this year and beyond should be, "We believe, we believe, we believe!" Thank you TEAM ETSY!

Rob, thanks so much for everything you have done to build Etsy up to what it is today. Etsy is truly one of the greatest handmade projects ever created. Glad to hear you are still interested in your own shop here, too. I look forward to seeing what else you create.

Etsy seems to be growing exponentially...every time I talk to people about it, more of them are already familiar with Etsy and are using the site to either buy or sell...how cool to know of its humble origins...reminds me of some of the Silicon Valley computer companies that started in someone's garage...congratulations on seeing a need and successfully making it happen!...

love to know - thanks for keeping us up to date wonderful to be part of this etsy community! thank you, rob, for the opportunity!!

Even though my Etsy bill is not even due at this time, I'm going right now to pay my Etsy fees EARLY. Sellers, let's all do what we can at this time to get behind this site and PUSH ever higher! If you can't afford to jumpstart your fees by paying current ---or even early (show the love!), then spread the love with other buyers and sellers. Answer your buyer emails with fierce devotion and keen attention; support other Etsy sellers and favorite them back when they favorite you...and so on. Encourage your fellow Etsy sellers and give a hand up learning the ropes whenever you're called upon to do so. Find a new seller and mentor them! Offer the most outstanding customer service to the customers who buy from you. Communicate fully and immediately upon notification of a sale, ship QUICKLY Keep current on Etsy seller tips and keep doing all you can to improve your site skills. Speak with affection to others when you talk about Etsy. Everyone can be a step toward's Etsy's ever-continuing growth. Etsy's core success feeds our own as individual sellers; it's reciprocal.

Thanks for the information and update. I enjoy being here even when there are hiccups.

I'm always amazed by how Etsy has grown. Thanks for the update Rob!

So ETSY! You rock - we rock :)

I love etsy!!!

Slow like growth!

Thank you for creating this wonderful site! It's because of Etsy that I have been able to jumpstart my dream of someday having my own business, and never realized how much there was to learn. But even so, I can always find answers to my questions via Blog, fellow members, and Community forums. Keep up the wonderful work! Cheers!

Thank you for all the hard work you do! You have created an amazing thing here, and it sounds like it is getting bigger and better!

Great! Thank you & thank you again for a great mission....

Thank you so much Rob for sharing with us behind-the-scenes goings-on at Etsy, as well as your own personal thoughts on its growth. This is all very exciting! Thrilled to hear we're all going onward and upward together!

I am happy etsy is here, so I don't have to cart all my heavy pottery to craft and art shows:>)

LOVE etsy! Looking forward to even more progress but also very thankful for the wonderful marketplace it is right now.

It's great to see such a successful creative venture also be a successful business venture. Creativity + business should be compatible and Etsy proves that to be true!

Thanks for checking in with us and letting us know what's goin on. :)

Tolle Nachrichten rundherum! Falls Ihr jemanden mit Deutschkentnissen braucht, ich würde gerne für Etsy arbeiten! Stamme ursprünglich aus Deutschland:-)Ich finde das so aufregend, dass Ihr jetzt auch in Berlin seit. Macht super so weiter! Rob, as a German national I'd be happy to offer my language skills to the Etsy team. So exciting that you guys are in Berlin now!

Thanks for starting Etsy.com. I have been able to quit my day job and creating a more fulfilling life. I am very happy to be part of this community.

Thank you for the update, Rob.

Wow, 5 years and all this. Amazing. I love Etsy. It has been a rebirth of my creative design side and I thank YOU. colleen thequiltedheart

Thanks for the update Rob! I'm still really happy I found Etsy. It's been a profound experience for me. :)

Amazing what you've accomplished in 5 years! Etsy is the greatest. What a fabulous way for people everywhere to sell their wares. Thank you!

I always wanted an e-business, but was never sure how to start it until I found Etsy. This website has been a blessing, and as a result I am proud to say I am a business owner/ jewelry designer. Many thanks and lots of love.

very inspirational...thank you for believing!

I always tried so hard to find alll the markets I could locally to sell my art work....never with much success. Finding etsy was so instrumental in me approaching the process of finding buyers and selling, especially since it is aon a global level...no need for me to have to make large amounts of everything to take to different places and leave there on consignment...etsy's costs are so minimal its unbelievable...my appreciation is there!!!

thank you so so much for etsy. it's a joy to be here and what a Big bunch of numbers in yr report....that's a lot of happy etsy sellers and etsy buyers. I typed this by hand too.

I am EXCITED to hear about all the new "growth". I look forward to great things ahead! I love ETSY! Thanks for sharing..........:)

What a great accomplishment! Congrats!

Three years ago this time I discovered Etsy via art blogs and in doing so, decided to go into business with what was just a minor hobby at the time. So many of us have benefited from your brilliant idea~thanks :)

Viva etsy! May your tribe increase. :)

you should be proud Rob! Etsy is a wonderful place to shop and sell!

Thank you for updates!

It is amazing how far ETSY has come in so little time!

Etsy has inspired me so much....I'm always making new discoveries!! Thank you so much!

Thank you for sharing this information with us :) I'm happy you got the investment!

Thank you for the update Rob. When I opened my shop 2 years ago I told my family, this is THE place to be. I could see big things in Etsy's future back then, and am still very excited about the future. Thank you's go out to you and your team for making this a vibrant venue to be a part of.

Congratulations and thank you! I am so very grateful for and inspired by Etsy on so many levels. Lets all continue to make Etsy thrive! emily tousleddolly.etsy.com

What a great story! Congrats and I hope you are still enjoying your little bird you bought back in my early days. Cheers!

Thanks Rob and all of the 125 employees for making Etsy what it is and what it will be. It's great be part of the fun.

Rokali Great story ! Thanks for your hard work and time , We are living with our dreams ! Cogito, ergo sum; je pense, donc je suis !

Etsy is a blessing for us all. I am so grateful.

"In the five years following my first sale, I’ve been putting almost all my time into Etsy itself. I still make furniture for friends and family, and hope to get my Etsy shop back in order next year." That's passion, all the way!

It's quite amazing to read these figures and have a better appreciation of the scale of what's happening. I'm also amazed that you still make the time to create furniture for your loved ones. Thank you for everything!

We need to say we can do it ! Until today I sew more then 2500 bags and alone , still i cant believe how, when :)) but yes ! Sometime I am feeling tired ,I am working 15 -17 hours in one day , but I am happy , still I am happy ! I am sleeping with my fabrics , dreaming with new designs ! Many thanks !

Thank you, Rob. Keep up the good work on your dream!

Hey sounds cool!!! Rokali I saw a Video interview of you Yesterday and I did not know you look so young :) i am very impressed of all your work you did up to now!!! Congrats :D

Etsy is amazing! Thank you for providing the opportunity to sell (and buy!!) lovely items in such a wonderful community!

Amazing. Thanks for the brief transparency breakdown. Big congrats on all the growth. We're certainly glad you built this ever expanding Etsyverse. Keep it coming, love the new improvements.

Thanks for the inside view on etsy! We love etsy!!!

That is great!

Exciting news! Thanks so much for sharing!

We are inspired by your 'can do' attitude at such a young age. You filled a need for yourself which turned into a godsend for many around the world. And it just keeps getting better. As former owners of B&M stores, Etsy gives us the avenue we needed to become successful in what we love to do. Any regrets? Yes...we did not join Etsy sooner! :)

Etsy is the greatest. Thanks for the vision, inspiration and perspiration that makes this a growing, living marketplace/community.

All I can say is that ETSY has been a God send and an inspiration..I cannot stop telling people about it, every where I go...funny Hawaii is part of the USA, but I would say that only 1 in 50 people that I have talked to have ever heard of ETSY...however I am doing my part, I promise!

Thank you Rob for having an idea and going with it. You made it happen and you have fulfilled many of our dreams of selling our crafts, wares, supplies and vintage goodies to the world! xoxo pam

I am so thankful God blessed you with the idea, of Etsy! May He continue to shower us all with, blessings, of much success.

It is nice to know you are always trying to improve Etsy! Thanks

Your story is truly AMAZING! Thank you Rob, for starting and continually improving Etsy!!!

It's been great seeing the company grow!!

It's great being here with Etsy, with you. And I see Google's employees (or ex) are all over the places these days. Welcome on board though, Adam.

Thank you Rob! ..Youv'e been such a help with getting my hammer tapping again ... and my saw buzzing ..and my drill singing. Etsy is such an exciting solution for me ! Thanks again for your compassion for those of us who just HAVE TO create things !

Rob...you truly have started something amazing here. But you are an artist at heart, and you can't ignore that forever. I'm so glad that you have the desire to keep making furniture! Now go do it!

...and the previous post says it all....please bring the etsy vision back in line with your original concept, for the sake of buyers like me...

Cool, that was interesting.

Thank you for sharing this with us Rob. Etsy is a force to be reckoned with in the craft industry and we really appreciate having one of the coolest places on earth to shop and sell.

Satisfying isn't it? Thanks for the info. But now the beads want to know why I can't go out and find 6 mil in resources for them. There will be no living with them.

Congrats Rob, & to Etsy's success! Here's to the future! :)

Thanks for the update Rob! They are ALWAYS appreciated! :)

Great! It is always getting better and better...I so appreciate it! So here is to you all!

This site is fantastic! I have always dreamed of opening a little shop to sell my vintage treasures, but work full-time as a physician. This lets me have my cake and eat it too! I have also found several unique handmade and vintage items for my house as we have been redecorating. Thanks so much! It is so much better to support someone's hobby rather than buy mass-produced junk from big box stores. I love Etsy!

Thank you Rob, I feel very fortunate to be a part of Etsy!!!!

Thanks for the update Rob. I enjoyed the video clip that someone posted in the forum yesterday.

It's great to hear of Etsy success! Thanks for the info and keep up the good work,Rob! Etsy is Number One!!

Thank you Etsy and congrats on the first profitable year! -lisa

I can't believe you started with only four people :) That is amazing.

Welcome Adam! I love Etsy and just can't wait to see what comes next!

Congrats on the success. Have you hired an official pooper-scooper yet?

holy cow! i started on etsy in july 2005 i think. it's amazing! my user number is 1145 and it just blows my mind how quickly and steadily etsy has grown. shazam!

Etsy is SO AMAZING! Starting a shop on Etsy has been such a wonderful experience and every day gets better and better. THANK YOU for making this possible for someone like me! Keep up the excellent work!

Thank you so much for sharing! I had idea about most of that info!

Thank you for sharing this and all your efforts to make Etsy better and better! It's so nice to know and we are so happy to be able to be part of it!

Great article:)

This is my favorite season coming up, right before my next favorite season--the Holidays. I find this time of year to really inspire me. Great finds by the way.

Thanks for sharing with us Rob. (about that rumored IPO, here's hoping etsians can get in on that too :D...)

Thanks so much for sharing this. Etsy has truly made a great difference in my life allowing me to really pursue my dream of creating and selling my creations :-) I'm so grateful that you got such a good idea!

WOW! What a huge investment. It's always amazing how quickly etsy grows.

thank you for dreaming up etsy and sharing it with all of us...!

Good to hear from you, Rob. I hope you get that shop up and running again. Nothing like perspective to see what we, the sellers, are going through. Here's hoping that will help you and co. to work on the issues that are truly important to help us crafters do a better job of selling :)

Awesome success! Thank you for sharing the information.

I love being a part of Etsy, it is something to be proud of and thankful for. I mean it.

i think it's great you're so transparent with where the company's going. etsy has shifted the paradigm with how craftspeople, artisans, and artists interact with buyers, basically cutting out a lot of the middle man "tastemakers" and "galleries"... not that it's all bad. i hope you guys maintain control over the direction of what the core dna of etsy is all about with the hyper-growth and additional venture capital rounds. vc isn't always bad, but sometimes they only care about the multiple of return for their initial investment in the fastest possible turnaround time and if they somehow get too big of a vote...

It must be so amazing, Rob, to see your baby grow like this - not just grow, but flourish into a beautiful creation. One of the best things that you've done, I suspect, is hire well. Everyone that we hear from at Etsy seems to get it. There's a kindness, a generosity, and a creative spirit that is like nowhere else. Not to mention fun, lots of fun. They manage to make us all feel connected to the team and enable us to connect to each other, no matter where we live. You have to be amazed. You've tapped into something wonderful. There's no way to know how many lives are blooming with excitement and creativity from your simple idea. My heartfelt thanks.

This was just so fabulous to read. From four people to 125 in just five years? WOW, HATS OFF TO YOU! Thank you for being here.

Thank-You for the up date..

fascinating. I also did not know you made stuff. Color me stupid, maybe, but I kinda though you were some nerd dude with a pocket protector who wanted to make a whole new way to shop so that you did not have to move away from the cheetos. my bad.

Wonderful news! Thank you so much for your insight, vision, and drive to keep things going. So happy to be part of all this! Keep up the incredible work ~ we are all counting on you!

Thanks Rob!

Very Impressive ! thank you for the update

Amazing evolutions and I am sure there are more to come!

So glad I found Etsy...you guys rock:)

You created a wonderful learning site. Artists can learn the nuts and bolts of moving their art without having to pay possibly HUGE penalties while they larn. I'm slow. And after 30 years in traditional retail, this has been an experience. Thank you for that!

I had no idea how ETSY was started. I'm blown away how it has grown so much in 5 years. I wish I'd had your insight when I was 25 years old. Thank you for all you've done to help me and everyone out there like me to sell my artwork. Billie

I am soooo in love with Etsy and everyone working to make it what it is. The recent improvements have been awesome, and I look forward to everything you have in store for us.

very impressive story! thanks for sharing this.　Etsy wil grow and grow!

Hi Rob, I really appreciate you taking time to let us in on the backbone of Etsy. This is a rare and refreshing forum. Etsy employees must love their job. Every one loves a work environment where they are free to express their abilities and feel a sense of ownership. Thanks for passing that on to us. ~Andie

...thanks for all your good work...

5 M Is a big number, hope that Adam will contributed from his knowledge to bring more buyers Thanks for keeping us updated , for many happy sales :-)

I love ETSY a lot. The recent improvements have been awesome and I wish you next year hire 125 more employee. Great job..The best wishes.

How amazing, I didn't even realise that Etsy was only 5 years old, that makes it even more wonderfull. Thanks so much :o)

It is good to hear from you Rob and I like it that I have the feeling to be part of a exiciting community.

Amazing job Etsy! You've come a long way, it just goes to show how hard work, dedication, an open mind, and a lot of patience can bring you so far! You deserve every ounce of success! <3 Andrea

Wow! What a long way! I am SO thrilled to be a part of Etsy. I realize that Etsy isn't publicly traded yet. Are there any thoughts on allowing Etsy members to own shares of Etsy? I personally would love to set aside some money to invest in Etsy. Thanks, Lisa

Keep up the good work Rob! It's good to see a small company take off and grow so big so fast, especially in this economy. It's great for all of us!

Etsy is growing because it is a wonderful marketplace, run by great people. Thanks for the update and keep up the great work!

Thanks for the update, and well done on building etsy- you must be over the moon to see the influence and dynamism it has today. Keep up the good work.

I am one of thousands who appreciate what ETSY does for us to help promote our art. Thanks for the update and the opportunity.

I just found out about Etsy this year and got started in June. I had my doubts with so many people showing their wares. But I am glad I did. I just started selling a few things and i am proud how far you have come from 4 employees to 125. Congrats. GOOD JOB

I've been here since the beginning...what an amazing journey Etsy has taken. Five years! Wow, time flies when you're having fun ;)

How about investing some serious money into advertising Etsy in media other than online. I'm here in Dallas where there are a gazillion Etsy sellers - I constantly ask people wherever I go if they know about Etsy and the only place I hear "yes" is the fabric store - and trust me - those people MAKE things, they don't BUY homemade things, at least not at the prices one has to charge (unless you like working for China wages). How about becoming a sponsor of public radio and get a quick mention CHEAP to an audience who'd eat Etys up. How about some print ads in neighborhood mags (here in Dallas go for the "Advocate" series which is a beautiful free mag delivered to all the chic neighborhoods). All this advice you give to sellers about how to sell on Etsy is fine (titles, photos, copy, prices, relisting, rearranging, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.), is fine, but we aren't going to sell anything if nobody looks, and why should 300,000+ people have to become high level experts on online merchandising and web optimization. If enough people were visiting Etsy each day we could spend a lot more time making beautiful things and a WHOLE LOT LESS tinkering with our shops in the hopes that 10 new people (other than other Etsy sellers checking out the competition) will stop by for a visit. Oh and hey, I just thought of a way you could do this at little or no cost to Etsy - buy a full page ad in one of the Advocates here in Dallas for a price only you could negotiate and sell 1/8th page space to Dallas area Etsy sellers at cost - Etsy could do the setup and deliver print ready copy to the mag. I think you get my point.

I had been selling on Ebay previously, but grew frustrated with the lack of seriousness many bidders had when it came to paying for merchandise. It seemed they didn't understand that Ebay sellers are shop owners/business people. I'm so happy I made the move to Etsy! I love the community vibe and all around respect I see for sellers working hard to make their business thrive. Thank you Etsy for giving us the opportunity to buy and sell as a community.

I had been selling on Ebay previously, but grew frustrated with the lack of seriousness many bidders had when it came to paying for merchandise. It seemed they didn't understand that Ebay sellers are shop owners/business people. I'm so happy I made the move to Etsy! I love the community vibe and all around respect I see for sellers working hard to make their business thrive. Thank you Etsy for giving us the opportunity to buy and sell as a community.

Thank you so much for this beautiful etsy. i found in my kansas city star. and i had been hooked on. i love all the shops. they have such a beautiful stuff that i keep buying buying and keep buying. i have learned so much from etsy. i just yet to learn how to use etsy for my hobby to sell my art. thank you again Rob, may lord gives you all the success you want and make all the dreams you wish to come true. Best wishes Farah

Thank you! You have made it possible for me to take my brick and mortar shop from selling manufactured items to handmade artisan merchandise and my customers love it! I currently have items from 42 artisans and my goal is now 1,000. I buy from etsy members through my etsy shop texaswholesalestore and buying through you keeps everyone honest and loyal to etsy. You also inspired me to start www.meetup.com/artisans so that I can stay connected with and meet new artists and send them to etsy if they are unaware. In our first week we have gotten the attention of the local press for a story! Annnnddd you made me remember I love to create and so now I have my own little etsy shop to share my what I create. What a role you are playing in my life! Such a win win! Thank you again and keep rockin and rollin! Ramona

Thanks for giving us Etsy!

This is a win-win situation! thanks for the news, I appreciate learning about what's going on at Etsy.

Go etsy!!!! :)

Great history of life and company!

Great progress in 5 years. Tell me when will etsy go public? I know this company has great potential. Thanks.

Welcome Home! Adam Freed:) It's great to be apart of a company/site that is doing some good for this country and globally as well!!

It's fun when I talk to other creatives and they know who etsy is. Thank you for such a wonderful site.

it's hard enough getting customers to find your shop now, I cannot imagine this site having 10 million. Yipes.

Thank you Etsy for giving me something to look forward too when I get home. I"m having a great time creating and selling.

I love tthat not only you keep making improvmants, you also update us. You have done so well with this site. Good luck with getting your shop back in order!

Thanks for the update!

Five years old, hundred of millions of dollars invested in your company, 125 employees (and still hiring!) and yet there is NO customer service to speak of, emails from frustrated sellers and buyers are left unanswered for days if not weeks, there are so many resellers people have given up on flagging because nothing gets done to solve the problem, you wanted to roll out your shiny and new check out system that did not take collecting sales tax too serious and did not come back on that decision until there was a massive outcry of your customers (sellers here on Etsy, you know, the ones that make you money!). You keep saying that Etsy is still young. At five years old, Etsy is not young anymore. With the amount of money you've had invested in you, you can't hide behind 'we're only young and we're only just starting out'. You make mistake after gigantic mistake, and seem to have lost interest in the well being of those people who made Etsy as big as it is today -- your sellers! This Storque update makes me sick. Clearly your investors have NO clue what goes on behind the cowls and owls and moustaches. NO clue. *shakes head* But hey, if for every frustrated seller who leaves you'll get 3 or 4 fresh newbies who think Etsy is the best thing since sliced bread, why bother change, right?

onward and upward only way to fly, thanks for the update. :)

I hope that you can get back to making furniture! Etsy is a lovely marketplace, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Glad to read the update. After selling here for all these years, my favorite tool is still the 'Etsy Mini' I use it on my web page and my blog. Etsy has helped my sell my items and has given me visibility too. Two recent articles regarding my work were published because someone saw my work on Etsy..thank you for Etsy.

Thanks so much for keeping us up to date. I love this big Etsy community that keeps growing. I think it's amazing to have a place where we can all connect and support one another. Thank you! (oh...and best of luck as you get back into your furniture making!~)

Fantastic, Thank You!

Its so wonderful to watch it thrive! The best things most of the time are hand made because they are original and unique and not made by a machine.

so when are you gonna tell the etsians you plan on going public? because you have announced that elsewhere, but not here. and there are lots of people here who want and deserve to know that, because that defines the decisions etsy will be making and the direction it will be going.

meh. There's still a lot to do that Etsy doesn't even seem to have on the radar screen - like restoring Etsy hacks, building tools sellers have been asking for for 5 years and implementing meaningful and POLITE Customer Service to the people who send you money every month - your sellers. My shop is on hold until those things happen.

Hello! I love the picture used on this post. Does that item really exist? Because I'm ready to purchase it if it is!!! Let me know. Thanks!

Nice update, but..... I keep wondering what your 125 employees do all day? With all those bodies around, it seems there should be 20 or 25 (at least) to take our phone calls, and another 15 or 20 (at least) to answer the loads of email that we send when we have problems or concerns. I can't believe that after all these years, and all your promises, there is still NO customer service on Etsy! It's crazy that there isn't a phone number we can call, and that it often takes over a week to get answers to emails, even when there is something critical happening in a shop, like a broken cart that is preventing buyers from making purchases (for almost a full week.) Maybe a couple of the Etsy employees could get together and come up with the seller tools we have been begging for. Just simple things, like sale mode, batch editing, coupon codes. These are tools that can be found on all of the other handmade venues, even though Etsy is the oldest (by far) of them all. As someone else said, it would be nice if you would buy advertising. Also, I've read that you are going public. This is something I would like to see you address here.

Thank you for helping me to make one of my dreams come true...a vintage shop of my own. Good luck to you and all of the wonderful people on Etsy!

So happy to part of this creative community!!

How wonderful! Etsy is such an incredible marketplace for buyers and sellers alike! I never imagined opening my own shop, and here I am with my own little shop. Each sale is exciting. Thank you so much for creating such a user-friendly and people friendly website and environment. Best of luck in the years to come and with getting your own shop back up and running!!! :)

It is amazing to hear firsthand what the creator of this site is doing now. You have brought so much more into my life than just a place to hawk my wares. I hope that the new employees will be able to take notice of requests for search categories that so many sellers have asked for. There are so many of us on teams like the paganteam and metaphysicalteam with items that just don't fit under everything else and we want to help make etsy successful as well as our own shops. Thanks for all of the work you are doing and for who you choose to be.

Great update... thanks ... any word on when URL's will stay the same on relisted items? Pretty please :)

Strange question I know but will you ever go public with stock and will Etsy users be informed when you plan to do so?

well you changed my life, and i will be forever grateful. god bless you, and good health.

Love Etsy!! I can now make sales and friends and connect with people I would have otherwise never met! Thank you for all you do!

Thank you for creating my newest addiction!!! Congratulations on your first profitable year :)

thanks much. I too, love etsy more than any other website out there! Sure, there's work to be done and there will always be work to do. I have spent many many years selling online and etsy will always be my favorite. There are quite a few sites that want to be etsy when they grow up, but I don't see that ever happening.

I remember getting started here in late 2005 at the suggestion of a friend. It was a different place for sure. But, we've both grown up a lot together. My business was in it's infancy when Etsy was a little baby too. Thanks for the news Rob, always love hearing what's new and upcoming. We can never get enough of that. cheers!

I am so grateful to have a forum like Etsy that allows me to chase my dreams while raising a family. Thank you!

♥ thank you Rob and to all who make it possible

I, for one, am very happy that you created and started Etsy! Thank you for sharing your dream with me and all of us! And thank you for the update!

Interesting and informative.. Thanks muchly. Rock On Etsy!

and what a great job you have done.

Thanks for following through on your vision!

thanks for the update, Rob

Thank you Rob for the communication. It's vital. I'm proud to be part of this community, and am hoping that your original vision will be key in moving forward.

Very impressivve growth. Congrats!!! Thanks for sharing the details and for doing your best to bolster your vision.

Wonderful growth and trying to keep up is daunting. Thanks for the update. One can see the future here and the possibilities still yet to come!

Hi Hank.

Great news. Thank you for keeping us informed about these things. I do have one request, though...Could things like this and, for instance, the tax collection change also be sent to us via email? Like many sellers, no doubt, I've been dealing with some familial health concerns of late and can't always check the forums or blog, but do check my email a few times a day and thus would at least be informed within 24 hours or so of new information. Many of us would appreciate this. Thank you!

Thank you so much for creating Etsy. I'm so excited to be a part of it!

YAAYAAAY!

Rob, thanks for the update!

nice to read this post :)

Thank you for helping me realize my dream of owning my own business. I am fairly new at Etsy, but call it my second home. Love it Love it Love it. Finally, someone, like yourself had the courage to realize your dream. In turn realizing many dreams. One person can really make a difference. I like to call this "The Etsy Movement". Like all of the other art movements before us, Etsy takes us all on together. Thanks Etsy.

What a great inspiration and story..thank you for sharing. YOu have now experienced both spectrums from being a one man show all the way to being a large corporation! I just want to thank you for all the tools you give us to run our business and every bit counts ..especially when your a one man show like myself. I hope that Etsy will always remember its roots and its foundation..what it is built on... as this is truly what brought you real success. Please don't forget the little guy like me..who so desperately would be so grateful for her open announcement as I need all the help I can get running my shop. Nevertheless...cheers and congratulations to you all at Etsy! Thank you ETsy..for all you do!

~~Congrats~~ on your first profitable year Etsy! Wishing you All the Best for future growth & success. Welcome Adam :)

You started the best thing ever, and am glad to see and hear that it will continue to grow... Etsy is the best thing that ever happened to me (except my daughter--oh and my dog).

Thank you!

I like the way Etsy management keeps us informed and seeks our feedback when making changes. Not many sites do that. Thjank you for that. Etsy is very unique and I like the improvements I have seen over the past year. As long as we have artists like yourself on board to keep the original intent of Etsy together, it should maintain its originality and still keep the 'bean counters' happy. :-)))

WTG Houston! it's been a long & winding road but a damn good ride! *keep aiming for the stars*

I love ETSY :)

Its been fun! Go Etsy!!!

Thanks for your hard work!

thanks for the update, great to hear about the future customer service upgrades. i love all the improvements that are happening lately, keep up the great work!

congratulations on your PROFITABLE year! etsy is a unique, interesting and truly amazing site that i am proud to be a part of. keep true to the mission because it is one that is so worth continuing. can't wait to see all the incredible things you have planned for us and here's wishing you ALL the absolutely best!

THANKS TO ETSY'S CONSTANT IMPROVEMENTS, ALL OF US SHOP-KEEPERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GROW AND FLOURISH ON THIS WONDERFUL SITE. A HUGE THANK YOU FROM THE CUPCAKE COUSINS !

all sounds good - I'm looking forward to getting more photos in my shop and getting more involved in general...

I understand the need to make things. Looks like Etsy is heading in the right direction. Thanks to all who put so much into this.

What a proud moment to actually have to write that story! It's so appropriate that the front page is featuring a photo in the treasury that says "Do what you LOVE what you do"!

Thanks for the update - I really appreciate being informed by the person who started etsy! It seems like etsy is in an exciting place - here is to the next 5 years!

Thanks so much Etsy!!! After 4 years, Etsy still remains the ONLY online venue where I can be found---that's probably never going to change!

Many Congrats on your success! and All the very best for future!

Thanks for keeping us updated!

Very exciting news. Etsy has grown to be a vibrant place for artists.

Thank you for existing!!!!

Great NEWS!! And thank you for creating Etsy! ☆•.*Thanks from Will & Kay.*•☆

A big thanks for creating Etsy!! ☆•.*Thanks from Will & Kay.*•☆ **¸.•*´(¸.•*´★´*•.¸)´*•.¸ **

While all sites go through a growing stage and of course you cannot please everyone all of the time... we have to say as new Etsians, we are highly pleased with the site and cannot wait to see the new things to come :) Thanks Etsy!!!

It's wonderful and inspiring to hear that you started out as 4 employees and have grown so much in the past 4 years. You're definitely doing a lot of things right. I'm so glad I discovered Etsy and the wonderful community here!

I want to see the day when your shop open again:)

I love the idea of Etsy and it's very unique from any other ecommerce site. Glad to see others do too and are willing to help us grow and expand!

Thank you so much for following your dreams:)

Etsy's growth and improvement are great news. Thanks for your hard work!!!

This article was super! Great too see who started Etsy,and how it started! Thanks!

Thank you for all the hard work!! Long live Etsy!!

I also wonder what those 125 employees do all day. Clearly they're not providing customer service or dealing with resellers (and their mass-produced, non-handmade goods). I imagine that many of those employees are working on the site itself. We've seen some technical changes recently, which is great in theory, but those changes are almost invariably incomplete and not thought through. So what are all of these people doing?

You must be very proud of all your creative accomplishments! Etsy is a wonderful marketplace, bringing talented people together in a great atmosphere. Thanks for all you hard work!

Thank you for the Amazing job everyone does on Etsy's staff~ You are creative, intelligent, giving people with a passion for success. I'm proud of my Etsy site (Seller) and when I introduce people to Etsy they get hooked like me. Thank you for all the wonderful work you have done... Hugs, Debby

Thank you! Etsy has given me the opportunity to bring our family back from the brink. It is great to hear a little of the 'big' picture.

Cheers to many more profitable years! I love me some Etsy :))

Lots of changes in not very many years - this is a great place to be!

When you live and breath Etsy, this is so great to read! Keep up the great work! :)

Thanks for the update.

I really appreciated this post Rob. It's nice to know that your still here for the same reasons...that is creating and connecting..Happy Creating and thank you so much for such a wonderful site such as etsy!! I am so very thankful to you..I can stay at home and create!!

Can I get "Whoa Etsy"? Whoooooooooooooooooooooa etsy!

This is good news, Rob! Thank you for sharing. Good luck getting back to making things yourself, but I agree with you and everyone else who said that this site is a major craft project. You folks are creating with bits and bytes, and we artists/vintagers/suppliers are following your lead. Best of luck to you and all of us. This is a rad concept. Yes, I said rad.

SouthernBelleOOAK said I like the way Etsy management keeps us informed and seeks our feedback when making changes. Not many sites do that. Thjank you for that. ********************* I sure do hope you're being sarcastic. If there is ONE complaint that keeps flooding the forums it's that Etsy lacks incredibly in the communication department. Emails do not get send in time or at all, changes keep happening without proper warning even though they effect so many. And asking for feedback? They only ask that when they want to be praised, if not you'll have to watch out that your shop will not get closed. When will you go public about going public, Etsy?

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE!

Where would the world be without Etsy?? Hard to believe it's only existed for 5 years....congrats on the growing success, and we look forward to all of the positive changes!

I'm very impressed. Chapeau to Etsy for all you've done for the handcraft market. Thank you all!

Thanks for the update, Rob.

Thanks Rob!

Thanks for the update!

Thanks for the update on what's going on inside Etsy. But from the outside, I certainly don't see a clear direction Etsy is going in.

thanks for the update, Rob. What an amazing growth and success story! I know Etsy has been a blessing to me.

I love Etsy! - Thank you!

I will have been here just a year on Oct. 30 - but I must say that I am grateful for what Etsy has become. Sure, there are slow times and better times for sales - but the crafting community is always present, and I have made some great friends. Thanks, Rob.

I love being part of something so cool! Thanks Rob and the whole Etsy team.

Thanks Rob and the whole Etsy team, I love being part of something so cool!

Just want to take a moment to thank you for starting this venture five years ago; it has certainly changed MY life for the better. For many years I floundered and bounced from one retail job to another. Then as a banker, I moved from one bank to the next. Call center to call center...I was never happy, nor satisfied calling a gray cubicle my home, (no matter how cool I decorated it)! Discovering Etsy a few years back, I immediately saw the potential in it. It has enabled me to show off things I designed and made with my own hands; show them to the entire planet! And some people have even sent me money in exchange for my little works! How else would I have accomplished this without the help of this wonderful company and the online venue you have provided? I may not make a living selling my work yet, but I am 100% a happier person than I was. And I value that above everything else. So, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you! Etsy has been good to me, and I so appreciate this wonderful platform to show my work!

Thank you Rob!

Etsy has changed my life, thank you. :)

Thank you for keeping us up to date. There have definitely been alot of updates lately and it's clear that you're all working hard on improving the site.

yes! Etsy has changed my life as a metalsmith- I'm able to have more connections with my clients and am independently creating my line- thank you!!!!

Thank you Etsy--you've given me an outlet for my need to create to live. Because of you I'm now able to support both myself and my husband full time. Not only to I sell on etsy but I buy everything on etsy expect for gas, wine and most groceries. Etsy has become my passion as well.

Thanks, Rob! Etsy has been wonderful, even though there have and will be bumps along the way. Thank you so much for creating a venue that allows us to do what we love and helps support our families while doing it! There's no place like ETSY!

We started in 2005 and have seen this place grow by leaps and bounds. It's an amazing place and we really appreciate it! Thanks for the updates and can't wait to see future changes and updates!

When can we buy stock??

Bravo Rob and your team, long life to Etsy and congratulations for all what you do to make members feel very confortable, your site is very friendly and convivial, its a pleasure to be with you. The best for the futur from Paris, France

"My personal mission for starting Etsy is always with me." Rob, stick with this, please.

I love my Etsy. Thank you Rob for coming up with the idea for this site.

you have a lot of work ahead of you. thanks for giving us updates so that we feel apart of this community. on your mission to promote handmade, please don't forget about us vintage sellers.

Keep on improving Etsy Rob and Team. Here is to success for us all! Thanks!

Way to go, commenters, for staying positive and constructive! And way to go Etsy too, I'm very pleased with improvements to the site and I've been here since 2005!

Etsy sure has grown since the very beginning, I have been here a few years and love the changes! So glad you have given us this place, Rob.

Thanks for all of your hard work Etsy team!

Opening my shops on Etsy has been my first attempt to enter the world of e-commerce for the purpose of donating net proceeds to animal rights and environmental organizations, and I've done well here these past six months. I thank you for coming up with a great concept that also brings crafters and "vintagers" together in a personal way, as well as for all your ongoing hard work. I wish you and everyone working at Etsy continued success and personal satisfaction in a job well done.

I am thrilled to be a part of this phenomenon called etsy! A big thank you from me too!

Thanks etsy staff! REally excited for all the new changes!! :)

It has been a great experience being on Etsy and watching it grow. Everything has changed so much but it's better than ever!

What a great update on Etsy! I am so happy to be a part of this growing community. Thank-you!

Very nice post, thanks for sharing yor personal story and experiences. Best of luck to all involved with Etsy for the future!

So like us you started in an apartment - something to live up to... Yeah I'm in.... I'm not the greatest crafter compared to others on here but I've been on lots of others sites to sell my items and nothing maybe a sale or 2 but here I am up to 9..... That's small potatoes I know but it's big step up for me!! There is still hope for me.... I start working full time crafting Sept 9th - looking forward to my passion!! Thanks for the article.

I love Etsy - Thanks for coming up with a great idea, and making it a reality!

welcome!!!

a rich etsy is a happy etsy :-)

"I want to connect the makers and finders of the world with the buyers..." but only if they celebrate Christmas or Hannukah. If they are Muslim and celebrate Eid, they'll need to go elsewhere to find their items. Despite being told that the Eid tag would get added at 300-400 items by an admin, the category is at 623 items and still the tag has not been added. Here we are, Eid coming up on Sept 9th and being celebrated by 1.57 BILLION people. Etsy sure has certainly proven that it still has "a lot of work to do."

Timeless said: And asking for feedback? They only ask that when they want to be praised, if not you'll have to watch out that your shop will not get closed. --------------------------- ahem. this is certainly true.

i want to know why resellers are being coached to change their descriptions in order to keep selling items that are clearly against the tous. but, etsy customer service is not responding to me. i didn't know flagging was for reseller items coaching, i thought it was for getting rid of items that are being resold.

Thank you for being so open and honest. It really helps to foster the sense of the Etsy 'community'. Please keep this up - you are doing an amazing job :-)

Thanks for the update!

Thanks for your update. Always nice to hear goods things about people and thier business. Just started selling on Etsy and I am looking forward to meeting people like you guys. feedback is always good to hear.

Thank you for all the good info!

Thank you for the transparency. I always enjoy reading the Behind-the-Scenes information.

There's "positive and constructive" and then there's "blind to all faults". There are so many issues, brought up so many times, in different forums, different places, by different people that it's become a joke. Before you praise all the great improvements that have been made and wonderfulness that is Etsy, go into the bugs or ideas forum. Go all the way to the end. And see how many issues from then are still issues now. It's scary.

I LOVE Etsy!!!

I've been noticing the improvements and I appreciate them so much. Thanks for the article and thanks for creating Etsy.

Thanks for the update! Very useful info. Keep up the good work :)

Seems like Etsy grew just like a Willow Tree, More shops Great sellers, Much more to ponder upon, more gorgeous gifts, friendly sellers, great customer service ~ Etsy crews working to provide enpowerment for us Etsians Good!

Thanks for the post Rob, it has been a fun ride watching etsy grow up:)It is starting to look like the site is past its knobby knees and pimples, I love the new look and all the effort in improvements, way to grow up good ets:)

That is awesome. I had no idea Etsy was so big behind the scenes. We sellers truly appreciate all the hard work that has been put into to the site! I look forward to more positive changes.

super excite for what lies ahead! Thanks...

Thanks for all your efforts! Any plans for a marketing campaign to promote the site in general? So many people I talk to have never heard of etsy at all! Since we're all here looking for buyers for our unique handmade and vintage items, I think a strategic and thought-out campaign to draw in new shoppers would be a great thing to do!

I love Etsy. I do. I know it isn't perfect, I know people complain and some people leave. But Etsy, You have only been good to me. Thank you Etsy Creator...I am glad you aren't letting Etsy suck the life out of you and still make some time to make furniture.

10 million! wow and Im trying to bring people in one person at a time. Seriously, Thanks for all the hard work you do. Everyone from you guys in the main office to all the admins, sellers and buyers this is what makes us community and what makes it such an awesome place to share our creativity.

Thanks for the update, glad to be a part of the seller community. Keep up the great work!

I ve been with Etsy long enough that I'm starting to feel part of the whole kit and kaboodle, not just a seller or buyer. I'm finding myself caring a lot about how Etsy does, the fact that it's growing but still staying personal. Thank you so much for the update. Chris

Thank You and here's to another 5 years!

The recent improvements are a step in the right direction.

that's good news! Congratulations on your success

Thank you ETSY!!!

I love you! And my husband doesn't mind! :)

*smiles*

Thank you so much for creating this site and allowing people to show their talents! But please please pleaseeee put the store back to the way they use to be!!

Thank you Etsy. You have given us such a wonderful place to sell! There is such a sense of community here. It is the best!

Thanks for all your hard work and great vision!

Etsy was such a great idea -- I love having a store here! Thanks for the update, Rob.

I love etsy, thank you so much for your hard work!

I've been here in Etsy for almost 2 years now and I LOVED it the minute I opened the shop. The PEOPLE is what make Etsy such a great place! Thanks!

Job well done, Rob! x

Thansk for the update, it is good to know I can count on Etsy for years to come.

Thanks for sharing this information Rob! I've been on Etsy nearly 4 years now and am so glad that you followed through with your original vision. The recent improvements are awesome! Keep up the good work :)

Thanks for the update and all the hard work. It is appreciated.

Didn't know most of this about you. Coming up on my 2nd etsy anniversary next week and hope to keep building for many more! Really love the willingness of other members to help each other out, I've learned so much. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have my DREAM! I have always wanted my own shop and you made it possible! If only I could have a bell at my door when people came in to visit my shop! That might be something you might consider -- creating the sound of a bell! That would complete my dream.....:)

On Etsy, you don't just build an online shop, you build friendships! Thanks, Rob, for building our community!

Thank you for keeping the community in the loop. It's amazing what paths a dream can take, and amazing how big Etsy has grown in 5 years. This is a wonderful community and a wonderful platform for small businesses to reside and launch from!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams... but dreams don't give you a road map usually. You have to work that out as a community. That's what you have here, and its fascinating to see all the dimensions of it. I'd like to find out more about the history. Thanks to all involved! There is a cooperative spirit here! Kathy

I've been on Etsy for over 3 years and I'm happy to say Etsy has changed the way that I spend my day. It's opened my eyes up to new creative ideas, connected me with people that I would have never otherwise been connected with and helped me to sell my creations to people all over the world. Etsy hands down is the best. I'm eternally grateful for your vision and continued support to make Etsy such a wonderful place to buy and sell.

Thanks for the update! Amber

A great, BIG Thank You!!! & congrats on an incredible expansion!

congratulations thus far. i'm pumped to be here. i feel a new found hope at making a living on my terms. which is huge. it's quality of life. it is exciting and contagious. thank you.

Thank you for the updates (:

Thank you !

WOW ... love the story. When two years ago someone told me I should be selling on Etsy , I looked ( panicked) and then set myself on the mission to be able to learn the skills, in order to have an Etsy store. Yeah ! I'm in. Love this venue ! thanks for following your intuition. We are all appreciative the whole SHEBANG!

Thanks for the update! I've been here since spring & I love every minute of it! I'm proud to be a part of Etsy. At 50 yrs old, it opened a whole new world to me! Onward and upward!

I am happy to be a new member of Etsy.com. Wish me luck and I think this is a wonderful site. I hope I do well with my jewelry as I would love to continue making it. I take such pride in my work. Thanks Joanie

Thank you...every day I learn a little more about Etsy...I am so grateful it is available to all of us and that you had the foresite to get it started...I work a full time job and work on my Etsy site as much as I can and hope to do it full time some day...for now, I am still learning and trying to figure out how to make it really work for me...hopefully soon I will get there, and so, again...thank you...you may very well be the answer to my prayers...

I tell every artist/artisan I meet to get on Etsy - it's such an amazing community and I love being able to connect with my customers.

I'm so glad that you started this wonderful company! Because of you, countless numbers of people have united, all over the world, in friendship, buyer/consumer relationships, and much more. I'm glad to be a part of this handmade revolution!

thanks so much for giving me the resources to quit my day job and go after my dream! :)

Very inspirational article. Best of luck always!

Well-done, etsy! I love that I can work in my HOME studio and create items for buyers around the WORLD. Cheers!

Love everything you all are doing to improve the site! Keep up the good work.

Great idea is what counts and etsy is exactly that. Thank you for sharing!

Rob - Thank you so much for making Etsy your brainchild! I can't tell you how much it's meant to me to have this site as an outlet for my knitting obsession lol. And thanks to all my wonderful customers who believe in handmade!

Wow! Amazing how much Etsy has grown and will continue to move forward.

LOve Handmade ! Just keep doing what you are doing it is brilliant! Thank you for the opportunities available because of Etsy the Great!

Thanks for your update! Etsy is amazing and how wonderful that as you have continued to grow, you have been able to maintain the feeling that your vendors are extremely important to you. I just joined in July and your site was easy to access and set up shop - I very much appreciate everything you have done for the handmade/vintage world!!!

Thanks for the update -- much appreciated.

That's amazing!! Congrats on the growth! I'm sure it's only gonna get better and better from here on out!! :) We LOVE etsy!! :)

Ever since I had discovered Etsy.com existed, I have loved the global reach ~ and community spirit! Thanks for creating her and offering to all us Artisans (& Suppliers & Vintage Vendors)! Cathy

I wish I had known about Etsy a couple of years ago. It is a great place to sell and to see the craftsmanship of others. Thanks for giving me a place to show and sell my handcrafts since I can no longer do craft shows as I have for years.

I'm so happy to hear that Etsy is 5 million strong...it makes for tough competition, but that makes me work even harder. I know I need to learn about and do more marketing...some of these shops, Jelveh designs for one, is what I strive for. Etsy is now providing so many tools to help us we have no excuses for not getting shoppers attentions. I've also been very happy in the past when as a neophyte shop owner, I was continually writing to tech support, and they always answered me in one day. Thank you Etsy for providing an outlet for us creative animals who would rather not me in the mainstream marketplace. I have made some of my best friends on Etsy, and hope to someday meet them in person

Watching Etsy grow since I first joined in 2006 has been a delight. So happy for Etsy's success!

Love the Idea of ETSY

I'm looking forward to seeing what's next! I think it may be good for ALL of us!! ^_^

Thank you! America is the land of opportunity!

I love everything about etsy! Etsy rocks!

Etsy is an awesome site. I love all the changes to the merchants store front pages..you all really thought it out..Thank you for making etsy what it is today! Fascinating, Fun and Just the Best.

What an amazing story.Thanks for al you've done.

I don't think I ever need to go to the mall again! This makes me happy. Happy to put my money directly in the hands of those who work for it. I'm brand new to Etsy and am so glad I found it, the learning curve is great but I'm glad to work on it and hope to sell something soon.

Great JOB ,WEBSITE. I am so HAPPY to be part of ETSY WORLD . Looking forward to all the exciting things happening .

Etsy ROCKS. I'd be lost without it! Congratulations on this wonderful site you've built for us all and for it's success so far.

Thanks for sharing the progess, this is such a fantastic deal at 20¢ a listing, it amazes me! Yes, I wish more people we aware of Etsy outside the crafts and arts community, but I find that to be the case with many artistic venues, not just etsy. None of my friends are crafty so not aware of any artsy online or B&M stores.....like I am not away of places like Gander Mountain until someone puts it in my face.

I think that you should all be very proud of yourselves. Etsy is, by far, the most accomplished buyer and seller site that I have seen and I think that day by day Etsy will get even better known until the name just rolls off everybody's tongue.

I'm really excited about where Etsy is going and I'm so glad to be a part of it. Ohh and did anyone else see the Doll-Limb rack?! Mmm interesting. And totally reminded me of Toy Story part 1!

Oh yeah, and when can we buy stock?!!

Thanks for sharing... it just makes me appreciate you guys even more. Great work!

I, like other artists, am so grateful for all your effort - thank you so much for getting Etsy off the ground and investing all your precious time! It is an amazing accomplishment! congratulations!

You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I really love Etsy, it has been a great addition to my own website. I am always so blown away by all the creativity here. There is nothing on the web that comes close to Etsy and it's professional quality in handmade! Rock on.

Etsy is beyond words...it's like walking into another world...fabulous, fun, and professional! I love it!

Etsy is a wonderful business opportunity! I am barely computer literate... (and too old to expect to become a whiz at it).... but I have been able to open a shop here on Etsy, and be successful! If not for Etsy, I could never, ever, have a shop on the internet, because it's such a large unknown entity to me, and I have no idea how to start a web site. I don't belong to facebook, or to twitter. I don't own a blackberry, (but I do have some growing in my back yard... and raspberries too, lol) I don't have a cordless phone, or a cell phone. But I do have a shop on Etsy! Yaaaaaa Etsy!! I love knowing how Etsy started, imagine that, with 4 people in a Brooklyn apartment! Wow! Only in America! And thank you Rob, for sharing that tiny vision into your life, and the birth of Etsy! Hugs to you!! Emi from Hectanooga

Absolutely delighted to be here with my Handmade and Vintage Shops. Excited about the future and energized by all that you have accomplished and your Vision for the future. Thank you.

I'm glad that Etsy is changing and growing but I ask one thing...Please stay true to the values of Etsy. When a company gets too big it loses the purpose of why it came to be. Don't become another ebay. I'm not saying not to grow but don't lose site of the shop owners that helped you do that.

I am a solid support of all things ETSY! I do farmers markets/events and push customers to the etsy site all the time...almost an addiction, it's been my front page browser on my two personal computers for three years now. I don't know what i'd do without it, it's such a daily thing... it's one of the greatest communities online and a resourceful roundtable for all creative minds! KUDOS, and long live.

I've been with Etsy for 2 years now, and are always encouraging other crafters to join...I'm amazed at the success of many of our members....however, I haven't put that much time into my shop up to now, and that's reflected in my low sales...but I've begun reading the blogs, and rereading the handbook, and relisting and I just bought my first showcase....so, I'm hoping to start seeing some more action in my shop....reading about everyone else is inspiring and motivating...thank you..and continued success!

Wonderful to read these accomplishments! Bravo!

everything sounds wonderful! i want to congratulate you ALL on getting to be 125 STRONG!!!!! i absolutely LOVE being a part of etsy and plan to stay here and continue to make my living on this FABULOUS SITE! you have NO idea what etsy has done for me! a HUGE THANK YOU to you ALL!!!!!

Wow! Congratulations on so much growth in such a short period of time! Thanks for keeping us updated.

I am so happy to be a part of Etsy's growth. I should have read this article way before, but I was busy packing orders. Thanks to Etsy. Business and Friendship on one site That's Etsy...

I am happy to be a part of Etsy's growth. I should have read this article way sooner, but I was busy packing orders thanks to Etsy. Business and Friendship on one site, That's Etsy...

I like Etsy...I tried other sites but settled here because Etsy is not intrusive on the seller ... I am a figure it out for yourself person ... when I have gone to support, I have gotten an answer fairly quickly. Checkout could be improved, which I am sure Etsy has heard. There is always plenty of people watching to criticize something ... I have mine. Changes take time and building something right and how you in-vision it, takes time. So, we will see how this goes. I hope that Etsy never goes public.

I Like Etsy

wow

Congrats on your tremendous growth!

Your hard work has paid off. The this handmade site!

Meant to say Love this handmade site!

Thanks Rob, It's great to hear that Etsy is in good hands with you (and the rest of the crew of course!). Etsy gave many of us here the chance to build out something great in a way that we never could have achieved on our own. I'm very grateful for that. Many thanks from Belgium! Marijke

marking

Thank you for continuing to make improvements! I love Etsy and I love my shop here! The first thing I think of as I'm making my listings and adding all my images is your servers and their backup because of the hours I've put in creating all my listing! We depend so much on their performance and security! That is SO important to me! Love to see what lies ahead! Thank you, Linda

Great article. Always good to know what is going on inside. Thanks, MaryAnn

Thanks for the transparency! So refreshing for a company to share details like this

Wow - 5 million members! Did you ever, in your wildest dreams, think that would be a number in your life! What an incredible achievement! Thank you for providing the forum, for all of us to see what we can do!

Thanks for sharing with us. This proves dreams can come true. Not only do I love the whole theme of Etsy, but the fact it's brought me closer to network w/other people like myself. I'm so happy to be a team leader and love seeing how Etsy brings people together. Etsy = Love.

It's amazing what you have done, in a short time really! I bet it's a trip looking back :) Keep up the awesome work.

Very informative. Thanks for sharing this info.

Thanks for making it so easy & inexpensive to sell our handmade crafts. It's encouraging to know we might actually be able to support ourselves doing the things that we love & get excited about.

WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT THE LITTLE GUY CAN STILL MAKE IT IN THIS COUNTRY! HOORAY FOR FREE ENTERPRISE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND BY THE WAY...GOOD WORK!! I LOVE ETSY, YOU'VE MADE IT SO EASY TO LIST, AND YOU MAKE YOURSELVES AVAILABLE IF I HAVE A QUESTION. I NEVER FEEL LIKE I'M TALKING TO A "MONEY MACHINE"...RATHER, I'M TALKING WITH REAL PEOPLE JUST LIKE MYSELF...AND NICE PEOPLE AT THAT. CONGRATULATIONS ETSY..I'M SOLD ON ETSY..THANKS FOR CARING ABOUT THE LITTLE GUY! SHARON

I wish I had joined Etsy years ago, just started selling here in February. I'd like to know how people get on the front page time and time again. It see the same sellers and products all the time on the front page. Then I think, man some of my creations would look fantastic here with the others. Any ideas? Thanks Sandra aka winterswickedgarden

For the love of Etsy creation...many mnay thanks for bringing it to the world!

I am new to Etsy and am excited to share my handmade products on this site. Thanks for making this possible and I look forward to many years of excitement and sales.

Thank you

I am new to Etsy and excited for the opportunity to share my handmade items with everyone. I look forward to being here for a long time and thank you for sharing.

From 4 employee's to 125 is amazing! I love Etsy, I've become a total addict!!!

Great success story....you had a vision and it worked!! I hope that everyone that sells on Etsy can be as successful.

What a great success story...I only wish that everyone that sells on Etsy can have a dream and be successful also.

thank you fr starting ETSY....someone had to make an alternative to ebay

Thank you for sharing this information with us, I've been very happy with my relationship with etsy so far and hope to continue on. LeAnne http://www.rhealeanne.etsy.com

I love the " makers and finders" reference! thank you for this wonderful place! It has become a lifeline to so many! I know it will continue to grow and blossom!

What a difference from where I used to list and sell. It's wonderful working around people who have the same mindset! Since joining 3 1/2 moths ago I finally feel my goals are moving in the right direction. Thanks for the 'inside' info!

You've done a great job with Etsy. It's a much welcomed way for disabled people, who can't get out much, to be able to sell their handiwork.

Etsy is such a great opportunity to get crafting and to get one's tiny shop started, thank you so much for your hard work! I look forward to the upcoming changes in store. <3

Thank you so much for starting Etsy, it is truly the best place for everyone to be creative and to share their love of crafts with the world. Great job, and keep up the splendid work! <3

Thank you for all you have done and all you're planning to do. When you are ready to go public, let us all know, we want a piece of Etsy's future.

Thank you for all you have done and all you are going to do for Etsy. Please let us know when you are planning to go public. We all want a share or two and to be able to ride with you into the future. Don't let the "nay-sayers" get you down - there are a few of them everywhere - but, just a few.

Very encouraging and inspiring! Thanks for the amazing job all of you are doing to help us succeed. I absolutely LOVE ETSY!!

connecting with buyers...that's what it's all about.

Awesome!

What a wonderful thing you've done for the handmade community! Thanks for taking that leap and helping the rest of us to connect with our buyers.

I'm one of the new kids on the block. A friend suggested I sell my designs in Etsy. I'm still feeling my way around, and how to make my shop successful. This would have been almost too overwhelming for me, if I didn't have a platform like Etsy to help me with my dreams and ideas. Thank you for embracing all of us, and my not feeling like a needle in a haystack. Your constant communication is very valuable to me. Thanks again.

A great etsy community. It can only get better.

onward

Thank You!! I started making photo frames as a hobby during my first preg. After giving a couple of them away for gifts, I was told you can totally sell these... long story short, I had no idea where I would do that?! So thanks to etsy I now sell my frames and lots of other cute baby items! I LOVE creating one of a kind baby and children items and have to say etsy has totally fueled my creativity even further! THANK YOU ETSY!! I TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS AWESOME SITE!!♥♥

真的很棒，加油!

Thank you !

"We’re hiring in product and engineering so we can improve the site itself. We’ve just begun to gain momentum here, and we’re looking forward to vast improvements currently in the works for Etsy." Please add a shipping calculator tool.It's a top priority for any e-store business.And long over due with Etsy.

When will you be going public as far as selling shares and such... or options to invest. I see that you have an section as to funding... I want to invest- I think a lot of people may due to the splendid concept behind the website. I would have already if it were an option.