Etsy Knows How to Party

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Story by Julie Schneider

Published on July 09, 2010 in Events

Last month we encouraged creative party animals all over the universe to hold an Etsy Craft Party in their community using the new (and exciting!) tool, Meetups Everywhere. Let us say, you guys sure know how to party: over 5,000 of you had over 500 Craft Parties all over the world, from Raleigh to Romania.

With the help of our awesome sponsors — Meetup, Kenmore, Plaid, Simplicity, Pebeo, Adagio Teas, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lomography, Spoonflower, Blick and ReadyMade — Etsy sent out packages of party supplies to the 50 locations with the most attendees. We also created downloadable party guides, complete with excellent coupons, to all the party organizers (feel free to download it for yourself here). We had a blast checking out what you all did with your party supplies and creative talents and want to share a few highlights with you!  

Note: Keep the crafty meet ups going! Feel free to start another event to keep the creative momentum going strong by using the Meetups Everywhere tool. When you create a new event, an alert will be sent to all the previous attendees in your area encouraging them to check it out. Also, we have three Craft-Night-in-a-Box kits that we can’t wait to give out to the groups who continue to use the Meetups Everywhere tool in interesting and exciting ways! On August 10, 2010, we’ll select the lucky groups and mail the boxes to arrive in time for meet ups happening on August 15 or afterwards.

Many, many of you shared photos, stories and blogged about your parties! Here are a few quotes and links to your recaps:

“Everyone had a great time and hopefully we encouraged those who were already creative to try new things and awakened the sleeping creativity in everyone else!” — Bosnia Herzegovina Etsy Craft Party

 

“I also thought I would tell you about my favorite guest from the Phoenix party. Her name is Idi and she is the craftiest fifth grader I know! She brought all kinds of amazing things to the Craft Party that she had made since we had seen her last. She had a bag decorated in appliqués, some fabric flowered hair pins, and the cutest necklace that looked like candies. She even gave me her necklace! Every time she comes in she inspires me. I am so happy that there is a community where her creativity and talent can flourish. Having even the smallest influence in that girl’s life is such an honor!” — Phoenix Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

“Some of the guests were busy playing around with glass paint markers on glass jars they brought to the party. Others were busy making little calendar list books. ” — Orlando, Florida Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

Maurille from Utrect organized an Etsy Craft Party for kids — too cute!

 

 

 

 

 

When people start printing “Etsy is Cool” on each other’s backsides, you know the party is officially epic. I can’t get over how colorful and awesome the San Antonio, TX Etsy Craft Party looked! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitsy (a.k.a. ArtMind) from Belgium had a Craft Party where everyone played with paper porcelain clay in her beautiful studio. “After explaining a bit about paper porcelain clay and the process, everyone got to work. Soon the tidy table became messy and lovely creations were in the making.” — Hasselt, Belgium Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It was really neat knowing at our little gathering that others all over the planet were doing the same.” — Santa Ana Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We first met, we talked, we laughed, we shared the experience of buying and selling on Etsy and it was fun! We are currently planning a new version of the meeting to deepen the friendship and disseminate Etsy in our country.” — Santiago de Chile Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

“On June 18, close to 100 crafters piled into The Make Lounge’s newest venue to paint martini glasses, jars, tumblers and other glass goodies, fashion festive bunting, make flowers and create hundreds of badges!” — The Make Lounge’s Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

“We had live bluegrass music, Etsy sellers in the shop selling their work, a greeting card station, a make-your-own vampire bite cupcake station (as seen on Etsy), snacks, and lots of happy faces!” — Bethlehem, PA Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sui and Jeannie from Zurich had a DIY Tee Etsy Craft Party! 

 

 

 

 

 

“The support and generosity of everyone involved was fantastic! People are still buzzing about it and I am seeing more pictures pop up on our East Coast Crafters Unite Night Facebook page!” 

 

 

 

 

“Earlier in the week, Etsy informed me that Kenmore was gifting me a free sewing machine for making it into the top five parties. That was a huge surprise and I knew instantly that I would use that as a fifth raffle prize!” — Seattle, WA Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

“We’re planning on making a monthly craft night because of it!” — Aurora, IL Etsy Craft Party 

 

 

 

 

 

“No kick-ass birthday party is complete without some drinks and takeaway treats. Each guest received a mini-cupcake with a candle on it to blow out and a loot bag/goodie bag filled with candies, crayons, temporary tattoos, and an official Etsy button.” — Spins & Needles Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We were fortunate to get to host our party at Tulsa’s amazing Philbrook Museum — such an awesome location! They were so kind and helpful with everything. They are having an Egyptian exhibit right now, so we had an Egyptian bracelet project made out of drinking straws, and a lot of our photos were in front of their exhibit prop.” — Tulsa Etsy Craft Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millie from Boise, Idaho set up multiple crafting stations at the Idaho Etsy Craft Party, including a screenprinting table, a Scrabble tile bookmark table, a paper craft area, a raffle for T-shirts, and a supply swap.

 

 

 

 

“Amy (a.k.a. Craft Chi) also stopped by to screen print the *famous* Etsy is Cool screen design that Etsy commissioned her to make for the birthday goodie boxes. So, you could say we had an Etsy celebrity on hand, which is pretty cool if you ask me.” — Austin, TX Etsy Craft Party! 

 

 

At our Craft Party at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn, we had 5 crafting stations set up for screenprinting, glass painting, button making, creating mini-bunting, and a party hat making contest, as well as photo-op areas and an impressive array of snacking options.

Author and artist Kate Bingaman-Burt of Obsessive Consumption was also in the house beautifying our office wall with a new mural illustrating favorite Etsy purchases, as suggested by Etsy members on Twitter. Etsy Admin helped paint this lovely mural during the Craft Party.

 

Do you have a tale from a Craft Party that you attended? Share with us in the comments below!

How to Throw Your Own Craft Night  | How-Tuesday Projects | DIY Party Ideas

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