Search results (tags) for: "economics"

New Rules: Support Your Local Economy

2009-11-20T15:00:00-05:00

Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project at the Institute for Local Self Reliance (ISLR), an organization started in 1974 to work with citizens, activists, policy makers and entrepreneurs to help communities improve their economies, reduce waste, manage local infrastructure and provide better overall living environments.

The New Rules Project “challenges the wisdom and inevitability of economic consolidation and works to advance policies that support strong local economies and vibrant communities.” In a nutshell, she works to advance many of the same things that Etsy stands for — handmade, local, independent production, and a connection to communities and producers.

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Stacy about the growth of local and independent businesses over the past several years, which many people attribute to both a backlash against “big box” retail and an appreciation for knowing one’s maker. Stacy took some time to talk to us about these issues, and her latest book, Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses, goes into much more detail.

Tell us a bit about the New Rules Project.
The New Rules Project is a national initiative started by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The project's mission is to make the case that bigger isn't necessarily better — that small-scale production and independent businesses nurture community and create a more sustainable and democratic economy.

Our focus is on changing public policy. If you look at the laws and regulations in place today, many of them actively favor big corporations. Federal farm policies subsidize big agribusiness; local zoning rules favor Wal-Mart; banking regulations aid big banks; and the list goes on.

We're calling for New Rules: public policies that support local economies and build strong, self-governing communities.

How did you get involved in the organization and what do you do?
I started working for the New Rules Project when it was founded in 1997. Much of my focus has been looking at the consequences of the rise of big retail chains, like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Barnes & Noble. These companies have taken over much of our economy with the promise of delivering good deals, but it turns out that the big-box model has been incredibly expensive. In my recent book, Big-Box Swindle, I document how these companies are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising greenhouse gas emissions.

The good news is that there's now a widespread backlash. The New Rules Project has helped hundreds of grassroots groups stop big-box development projects and enact new policies that keep the chains at bay and support local businesses instead.

Even more encouraging, our research is finding growing public support for locally produced goods and independent businesses. Local food is soaring in popularity. Over the last four years, we've seen increasing numbers of new independent businesses, from bookstores to food markets, opening across the country.

Local business alliances — like Stay Local New Orleans, Local First in Salt Lake City, and Portland Buy Local in Portland, Maine — have now formed in over 130 cities and collectively count some 30,000 businesses as members. These alliances are running very creative "buy local" campaigns that are not only changing people's shopping habits, but engaging them in a conversation about community and how to transition to a more sustainable future.

Why should people shop local this holiday season?
One reason is that shopping at an independent business, instead of a chain, generates far more benefit for your local economy. Several recent studies have found that a dollar spent at a locally owned business generates 2-3 times as much local economic activity as a dollar spent at a chain and supports many more local jobs.

Another compelling reason to go local this year is to make the holidays fun again. Who wants to sit in traffic at the mall? It's so much more rewarding to stroll through the small stores in your neighborhood or downtown. You'll not only find unusual gifts that don't come from a sweatshop, but you're bound to run into friends, get into an interesting conversation, enjoy the beauty of historic buildings decked out in lights, take time to savor a hot chocolate at the local café — in short, you'll have a chance to really experience and celebrate the place in which you live.

Of course, you can't always find everything you're looking for in your own backyard, and that's why sites like Etsy and Indiebound are a great way to take advantage of the convenience and diversity of the web while still supporting independent artists and small businesses.

What kind of impact does supporting the local arts have on a community at large?
Buying anything produced locally — food, art, music, fashion — has a sizeable economic benefit for your community. The money you spend stays in the local area and helps to keep your neighbors employed.

These creative professions also contribute to the welfare of the community in so many other ways. They make the places we live interesting. They create focal points for reflection and community.

Artists and craftspeople are great problem-solvers too. As we grapple with big challenges, like climate change, we need their special abilities to help us envision a different way of living.

Do you have any specific examples of cities or towns that are experiencing a positive change?
Thanks largely to the work of Sustainable Connections, a coalition of about 500 local businesses in and around Bellingham, Washington, that community has made huge strides in incubating new businesses, expanding regional food production, and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.

Local First Utah has changed how residents and elected officials in Salt Lake City think about economic development. A recent survey found that three-quarters of residents want fewer chains in their neighborhoods and more local businesses.

Arizona Local First was instrumental in convincing the state legislature to outlaw the kinds of subsidies that are commonly provided to big-box development projects.

Here in my hometown of Portland, Maine, many local business owners say that Portland Buy Local has made a big difference in terms of galvanizing public support and helping them survive the recession.

What are you doing to support your local community in Portland, ME?
I'm one of many volunteers with Portland Buy Local, which has about 280 members, including local businesses, artists, and nonprofits. We create new poster and advertising campaigns every couple of months that highlight the value of independent businesses and encourage people to support them.

Our posters, which are displayed on hundreds of storefronts all over the city and reproduced as ads in local newspapers, are all designed by local artists, so they are very eye-catching as well as incredibly varied in their style.

Steve Darnley and Arielle Walrath, for example, designed this gorgeous poster (pictured below) for our holiday campaign last year. Sean Wilkinson produced a very powerful graphic for one of our economic messages (shown above).

Poster by Steve Darnley and Arielle Walrath

Etsy seller pineconeandchickadee created this amazing Valentine's Day poster, which was so popular that we turned it into T-shirts that have been selling like hotcakes.

Poster by pineconechickadee

Our latest poster series, by photographer Nathan Eldridge, emphasizes the wide range of products — from the unusual to the everyday — that are available from independent businesses.

How should people get involved with New Rules?
The best way to keep up with what we're doing and learn how you can start some of these initiatives in your own community is to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, The Hometown Advantage.

We publish lots of useful research and information on our website. Take a look and, if you find an idea or an article you like, please forward it to your friends, your neighbors, your elected officials, your local newspaper. We're a small organization, so we need all the help we can get to make our research and ideas part of the public discussion.

Lastly, like any nonprofit, we are dependent almost entirely on donations to keep the lights on and our staff fed. Contributions of any size are gratefully appreciated.

Any Etsy sellers you're particularly fond of?
I adore ferdinandhome — terrific T-shirts, my favorite greeting cards, and fabulous potholders made from vintage fabric.

Another favorite is pineconeandchickadee. I'm smitten with Amy Teh's designs.

I hope my husband is reading this, because one thing I'd be super happy to find under my tree this year is a messenger bag from bobbinstudio.

And, lastly, there's a real gem of a little business in my neighborhood that just became an Etsy seller a few weeks ago: HomegrownHerbandTea. Sarah Richards is a skilled herbalist who has been blending teas for both health and pleasure at her tea shop here on Munjoy Hill for several years. She just made the leap online and her teas are definitely worth checking out.

Further Resources:
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) proposes a set of new rules that builds community by supporting humanly scaled politics and economics. The rules call for:

Decisions made by those impacted
Communities accepting responsibility for the welfare of their members and the next generation
Households and communities possessing or owning sufficient productive capacity to generate real wealth

NewRules.org discusses the importance of rules and catalogs the best. We make the rules and the rules make us.

The Related Items below are all from Stacy's native Maine!

Find Etsy Sellers in Your Town | Read Our Shop Local Series | Check Out the Etsy Maine Team

Gingeroni1 Works for Caregivers' Rights

2009-08-17T15:13:00-05:00

UPDATE: We just heard from Kathi, "Just a quick update to let you know the spousal caregiver bill HB39 has been signed by the Governor and should go into effect immediately. Thank you so very much for writing the original article in the Storque and the exposure that it gave to the bill." Congratulations, Kathi!

[The original post below is from November 2007, so you can see democracy works, even if it takes a couple years!]

As admins, we often get emails from people who work from home and how they use Etsy to reach out to the world wide web for income and community. For us, Kathi aka Gingeroni1's voice spoke out from the home in another way. As a fulltime caregiver for her husband, Dennis, who has Lou Gehrig's Disease, Gingeroni1 uses Etsy as one of her main sources of income.

I am a full time caregiver for my husband who was diagnosed in 1999 with A.L.S., better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. My husband is totally dependent on me.   He survives only by the use of a ventilator, and has done so for 4½ years.

I stumbled upon Etsy in September of '06 as just a buyer and was hooked right away. Since I am not able to go outside my home without arranging for someone to come sit with my husband, I had to do all of my Christmas shopping online.   The site was amazing — so much talent in one space. There were so many choices at fair prices, which is important when you have so very little disposable income. I was already selling some of my jewelry pieces here locally and contemplating using the Internet but, by no means, was I computer savvy. When opportunity knocks, kick that door wide open. I listed my first item in March of this year and said, "Hey, this is easy.   I can do this." Well my pictures of my jewelry were another story. Dennis has always been the photographer. I have been practicing, though, and have become acceptable at it.   Now that I have my own shop on Etsy, it gives me a sense of pride. It has been an amazing journey for me and I have met so many wonderful people on Etsy.   Even my good friend of eighteen years has opened up a shop. It is called Ooh La Lah.

I have done so many wonderful things since my husband's diagnoses. Don't get me wrong, of course, I wish this disease had never entered our lives. However, I believe it not only has made me a stronger person, but also a better person. When you have such a horrific event in your life such as this, you really stop and think about what is truly important.   My husband, Dennis, is my life, my inspiration, and my hero. He has such an amazing attitude and that allows me to do what I do.

Presently, as a spousal caregiver, I get absolutely no help from the government. It is as if I am invisible, yet I save them hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by caring for my husband in our home.   I was informed that if I divorced my husband, the government would pay me to care for him in HIS home. What is wrong with that picture?! That is something that I cannot and will not do!   I am also currently promoting the congressional bill H.R.175 that, if passed, would provide payment for spousal caregivers. I have a meeting this month in our home with Illinois Senator David Koehler to discuss these issues. He has been quoted in a newspaper article as saying there is no program to date, but that he was willing to investigate to see if one could be implemented.   When opportunity knocks, open that door wide. This issue is huge for so many spousal caregivers who feel the same way as I; that the only option is to divorce their spouses to survive.   Well, I do not think that this is an option.

My husband and I, along with a committee of fifteen, have started and chaired our local Walk To Defeat A.L.S. for the last three years. We have raised-to-date a total of $250, 000.00 in that three short years. I also am a mentor to other caregivers. I have done television interviews and newspaper interviews.   Dennis and I have been the profile family for the local MDA telethon. I have initiated the ALS Association Water Bottle Project that sells and distributes drinking water with an A.L.S. label on it. It's currently being distributed In Illinois and Missouri to hundreds of retailers. For every case of water that is sold, fifty cents is donated to the A.L.S. Association for research and patient services.

I have many challenges in my life, but the rewards are much greater. I truly, truly am blessed.

Your Friend,

Kathi

Further Resources:

To learn more about ALS commonly known as Lou Gerhig's Disease go to alsa-stl.org

Kathi's Caretobead blog

The Art of Slow: A Celebration of the Handmade

2009-04-07T14:18:00-05:00

Today Lou Sagar, Etsy's resident merchandising consultant and Slow Movement devotee, will tell us a bit of the history behind this growing shift. Slow Food creates a thoughtful intersection between planting, harvesting and preparing an artisanal meal and the craftsmanship behind a thrown ceramic bowl, a roughly hewn oak table and the woven tablecloth that covers it. The end result is a mindful meal that is eco-friendly, sustainable, delicious and distinctly memorable. Here's Lou.

The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity was initially formed in partnership with the Italian region of Tuscany to recognize that the appreciation of cooking and fine foods must include the safeguarding of local farms and the preservation of cultural traditions. What began as a movement focused upon a concern for “terra-verde” (Mother Earth) is now emerging as a global mindset promoting a healthier approach to contemporary living and sustainable values. At its core there is deep admiration for the handmade. In fact, it’s notable that the birthing of this movement took place in Italy, a country which, during the Renaissance, made the artisan noble. The crafting of handmade objects was celebrated. Ceramicists, glassblowers, metalworkers, woodworkers, and goldsmiths were honored, just like we do here at Etsy.

As opposed to the culture of fast food, the sub-movement known as Slow Food celebrates the process of growing and making things as much as it does the end product. This process is an essential part of the story, which enhances the experience. There is respect for materials, techniques, and presentation. Often misunderstood, the first impression of “Slow” is the idea that we one should “slow down,” which is certainly not the intent at all. It’s the added pleasure and wisdom we enjoy when we practice the “art of slow,” which is how I have come to appreciate and share it.

As we all know, the responsibilities associated with our busy lives and work are often hectic and overwhelming. As we move towards spring (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least!), keep “the art of slow” in mind as you celebrate the Easter and Passover holidays later this month. Think global but shop local. Ask local growers to tell you their stories. Use small dishes for tastings. Get the kids out into the garden to feel the soil. Spend a night outside looking at the stars. Most of all, encourage handmade gifts for friends, family, and associates.

Happy spring.

Further Resources:
Green By Design
SlowPlanet
Slow Retail

Slow Food Gifts | Gardening and Horticulture Gifts | Plants and Edibles Category

More Food Posts | More Cooking Posts | More Gardening Posts

Meet some eco-minded Italian artists in our Shop Local Italy post!

Tax Time for Artists: Give Good Deeds Their Due

2009-04-03T16:00:00-05:00

Chuck from DownToTheWireDesigns checked in with us after his New Year's Resolution to donate a piece of his jewelry every week for the entire year. Committing to a project like that is quite an undertaking for any artist, and Chuck wants to share an important message about a new piece of legislation that would improve the way artists are compensated for their charitable donations. 'Tis tax season after all...

There is currently a proposed change to the tax code pending in the U.S. House of Representatives that could have a profound effect on all U.S. artists if passed. The proposal, H.R. 1126, also known as the Artist-Museum Partnership Act of 2009, seeks to address the issue of artists donating their work to charitable groups and institutions. As the law currently stands, any person in the arts donating their art work is only allowed to deduct the cost of the materials involved in producing the art work. This resolution seeks to change that situation and would allow for a fair market value deduction.

You can follow the progress of the resolution at this site, and you can locate and email your representative through this site.

I would encourage everyone to contact their elected representatives in support of this resolution so that it does not languish without getting a floor vote. Getting this passed is a basic issue of fairness. The tax code as it is now written discourages charitable giving in these hard times and it undervalues the work of artists.

To illustrate the absurdity of the current law, consider the following: If I donate a piece that I could normally sell for $100 but that only costs me $10 in materials, I can only deduct that $10 on my tax return. My time, design abilities, and technical skills are not valued at all in the tax code as it now exists. However, if someone else buys that same piece of work for the $100 that I normally charge, they could then donate it to charity and deduct the full $100 market value irrespective of the cost of the materials used in its creation. This is simply not fair, and it hurts both the artists and the groups which rely on those artists in their fundraising efforts.

Again, if you feel that the current law is unfair, please take a moment to send a quick email to your elected representatives encouraging them to support the resolution. All you need to do is write them a single line saying, “I am writing to encourage you to support H.R. 1126, the Artist-Museum Partnership Act of 2009.” If you feel inspired you can elaborate by telling your elected official how the current law affects you, and how the change would be an improvement. Try to keep it short and be respectful.

Seller Handbook | Tax Season-related Posts

Artistic Endeavors: IndieFixx Feeds Your Soul with Free Art

2009-03-19T14:32:00-05:00

News flash: the economy sucks. The stock market is up and down, people are losing their jobs and homes, all sorts of businesses are closing down and nobody seems to have any idea what's going on. That’s the bad news…

Now for the good news: even though the economy is tanking, it’s more important than ever to stay positive. We shouldn’t dwell on the negative news; it’s just not doing our souls any good. To that end, I have got something that will hopefully bring a smile to your face and brighten your day, and it’s called Feed Your Soul: The Free Art Project.

“What is this Feed Your Soul: the free art project?”
Well, every month I will share FREE ART with you from artists that I have invited to participate in the project. Each invited artist will contribute one print that you can print out on some cardstock and frame or even just thumbtack to the wall.

“Why are you doing this?”
Well, I love art and I know you do, too. I also know that when people start to tighten up the purse strings they tend not spend money on things that aren’t necessary for survival, like books, magazines and art. But, art is important for your soul. It helps rejuvenate, it’s thought provoking, it offers inspiration and can generally brighten an otherwise dreary day among other things. In addition to helping brighten your day and put a little spring in your step, I want to help promote some of my favorite artists.

“Which artists are going to be participating?”
I’m still working on the schedule, but lots and lots of Etsy artists are participating (I'm booked through June with at least 6 artists per month) and I will be debuting a new FYS pages with more batches of artists. Here's a list of some of the contributing artists.

vol. 25
Berkley Illustration
Browington Forest
Michele Maule
Tricia Mckellar
Things are Better with a Parrott
Stephanie Fizer
Unconventional Ida
Daily Mammal

Belle and Boo
Elsita
My Zoetrope
Gemma Correll
Shawna Handke
Valentina Ramos
Abigail Halpin
Yasmin Surovec
Flossy-p

If you have any questions about sharing your artwork and becoming a part of this project, feel free to email me. If you're looking to get some free art right here and now, check out the original blog post and get printing!

Artistic Endeavors series | Art Category | Digital Print Subcategory

CPSIA: Blog-in, Updates & Clarifications

2009-01-29T14:17:00-05:00

UPDATE: MomsRising.org shared this letter with us. Click here to sign their petition.

"Ask the Consumer Products Safety Commission to Clarify New Child Products Rules to Protect Safe Handmade Toys and Clothes."

[The following was originally posted on January 28, 2009.]

Today, bloggers are converging with a blog-in on the CPSIA issue — which has become such a huge topic of discussion for artisans and vintage sellers who sell children's items. We encourage all of you to blog about the CPSIA today! See the Common room for more info.

Here are some of the latest headlines from the BuyHandmade blog:

Matt spoke with the CPSC and the exemptions are not yet a done deal, and they won't be by February 10th. Congress gave the CPSC this new law, and it's their job to figure out how to enforce it. The CPSC needs to decide which exemptions they can have within the framework of the current law. In other words, they are trying to clarify and interpret the law — and Congress wrote this law very broadly, albeit with good intentions.

This is why it's so important for concerned crafters and vintage sellers contact their elected representatives in government. The CPSC told us that Rush & Waxman are the Congressmen who could deal directly with this issue. Please see the Etsy Action Kit for sample letters!

On the topic of exemptions, the CPSC can't exempt groups of people (say, artisans or crafters). But they are looking at the issues of:

One of a kind items (OOAK)
Levels of production or scale of manufacturing
Proposed exemptions include untreated cotton, wool, leather and wood, gems, steel.

After January 30th deadline, there will be another February 17th deadline for commenting on exemptions.

See our other posts on the CPSIA issue!

Shop Makeover Series: Craft-onomics 101

2009-01-06T14:34:00-05:00

After wrapping up a very busy and sometimes lackluster holiday craft show season, I have come to a few grand conclusions about the economy at the moment, and – no surprise – it sucks! Though the jury is still out on how the craft community will be impacted by our nation’s (and world's!) crashing markets, it's always good to prepare for tough times when in the midst of uncertain ones. As independent artists and crafters with scarcely a safety net in sight, we are vulnerable in many ways, and I sometimes worry that we may be hit the hardest. Sadly, many customers are now opting for the lower quality, cheaper priced, large chain store gifts over our handmade masterpieces. While sitting there for hours at my booth at various craft shows contemplating this fact, I dwelt on what I could do better next time in order to combat the holiday season of lookie-loos...

Be flexible: It might be time to think outside the box with special promotions, painstakingly hunt for a cheaper supplier, or work on a fresh new idea that you may have been stewing over. The more items you carry and the more price points you have, the wider audience you can appeal to and the more sales you will make.
Learn to tighten your own belt: Do not under estimate the smaller, more local craft shows, such as the ones run by craft mafias or Etsy Teams. Since many of these shows are well-run and attract a specific audience, they are some of the best and cheapest ways for you to get your items out there. The simple fact is that the more money you spend traveling and paying for tabling, the more money you need to make in order to break even.
Network, network, network: Get to know other crafters, and listen to the wisdom they have to share about specific craft shows, cities, and markets. Why waste your time sewing purses for craft show in a city that is really into housewares and already flooded with handbags? You are just wasting your time and supplies. I know it takes time and can be tedious, but check out the Etsy forums, Craftster.org forums and the switchboards for some real talk about the business end of things. It does not cost anything to be friendly!
Promote intelligently: I think I find this the hardest part of this business, because I tend to just sit around and think the customers are going to come to me. However, in these tough times, we all know that is not the case. Stop just giving everyone a plain boring business card or an elaborate promotional item that costs way more to make than you have to comfortably spend. This year I started giving people buttons, magnets, and pencils with cute images of items in my shop. Not only do the customers love to get free gifts, but when I got home, I had tons of new hearts and orders from people who got my promo items at a show. These promo items were cheap and easy to get and got me a much better response than a plan business card. Also, get creative and friendly with your local print shop – you will save money doing the printing yourself.
Be realistic: Although some of us (like myself) really depend on the money made from crafting to live, it's time to get realistic about potential changes that you may need to undertake in order to stay afloat during these lean times. If buyers are thinking twice about their purchases, then you need to think twice about the best, most cost effective way to run your business. Be smart and in the true spirit of D.I.Y., do it your damn self…it is cheaper anyway ; )
Don’t underestimate the quality of your own work: Many people might not understand the time-consuming process or expensive materials that go into producing your items. However, once made aware of the time, effort, and love you put in, buyers will be more apt to fork out the cash. I noticed this a lot at craft shows. A person would pick up a yarn from me and admire it, but when I told them about the almost 6 hour process that goes into making every one, I think they felt more comfortable paying almost triple what they would for it at a large chain store. Don’t be afraid to market your process. Describe it in your Etsy listing and profile; include it on the back of your price tag, or chronicle it on your blog.

Further Resources:

Etsy Teams

I Shop Indie

The Economist

Seller Handbook | Shop Makeover Series

Etsy Finds: Last Minute Gifts Under $20

2008-12-08T08:49:00-05:00

If you've spent a little too much on the big gifts this year and are looking for great deals at the last minute, you're in luck! Today's Etsy Finds are great gifts (at economical prices!) that will make it in time for the big day. Time's running out for the online shopping season, so get your gifts now!

Need some more gift ideas? Be sure to check out today's featured Shop Live segment with Garth Johnson of Extreme Craft and have a look at our Under $20 Gift Guide.

Pomegranate Notes - Set of 8

Stationery note cards make a great gift! By papermenagerie, $10.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Grandmas Kitchen Soap Collection

Try a practical gift with some handmade flair. By karenssoaps, $17.50

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

SALE - Red and Black Bottle

What a great deal! This bottle would make a great gift for Mom. By alinahayes, $18.75

View Item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Black Sheep

Get a collection of these scene rings and split them up all of your friends. When together, they're the perfect match! By soop, $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Lady Violet Jupiter - earrings

Dress up any outfit with these stunning holiday hoops. By AmandaYuDesign, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Pink Blush Porcelain Tea Cup

Give the gift of tea, stuffed inside this cozy mug. By HeartofIreland, $15.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Heart Bowl - Rich Brown Glaze

Put a romantic spin on gift giving with this heart bowl. By TwistedRiverClay, $12.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

TWEED MOUSE PINCUSHION NO 1

Give the crafter in your life one of these cute little pin cushions. By strawberriesandcream, $14.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Wool Felt Circle Coaster Set in 200 Natur - Natural Grey

Bring the perfect hostess gift to any party. By FilzFelt, $14.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Storque Featured Buyers | Trends | Gift Ideas

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Etsy & the World Economic Forum

2008-12-04T15:37:00-05:00

The World Economic Forum nominated Etsy as one of their 2009 Technology Pioneers. Etsy's founder Rob Kalin will be traveling to Davos, Switzerland to represent our community and to voice Etsy's mission at the January meeting.

About the World Economic Forum:

"The World Economic Forum is an independent, international organization incorporated as a Swiss not-for-profit foundation. We are striving towards a world-class corporate governance system where values are as important a basis as rules. Our motto is ‘entrepreneurship in the global public interest’. We believe that economic progress without social development is not sustainable, while social development without economic progress is not feasible.

Our vision for the World Economic Forum is threefold. It aims to be: the foremost organization which builds and energizes leading global communities; the creative force shaping global, regional and industry strategies; the catalyst of choice for its communities when undertaking global initiatives to improve the state the world."

We are very excited to have the chance to talk to world leaders about independent entrepreneurship and how the internet can have a supporting role. In the run-up to the meeting, the WEF invited each nominee to answer the same questions about their businesses and the roles they play in socially conscious economic development. We wanted to share Rob's video message with the community here, as we feel strongly that Etsy's vision remain true to the handmade movement during these economic times, and especially during the holiday shopping season. You can see more 2009 Technology Pioneers' videos here.

Thank you to our community for making this all happen!

Recessionistas: Trends on a Budget

2008-10-31T12:10:00-05:00

Times are tough these days. The recession is approaching full swing, and those of us that enjoy looking fashionable are left to look at the moths drifting out of our pocketbooks while contemplating the implications of each potential purchase. There's a name for us fashion lovers in a pinch: the recessionista.

When the money's short, but you still gotta look fly, look no further than Etsy for all the on-trend items you'll need to put your look together. Below you'll see a selection of this season's top trends, all at great values. Where else could you find a custom piece of clothing or a one-of-a-kind accessory at such an affordable price?! Leave the boutiques behind, ladies! Get creative with your fashion!

Seasonal Fashion Gift Guide | Trends | Woodland and Feathers Gift Guide | Fashion Posts from our Blog

$700 Billion Bail Out Cramping Your Style?

2008-10-04T20:04:00-05:00

Many folks are shuddering at the thought of gifting in the upcoming holidays and wondering how to manage. And while some families and friends are deciding to go without exchanging gifts, we here at Etsy want to urge those who will be shopping to consider supporting independent artists and crafters this holiday season. Then you can be sure that your shopping money will go to real people and rather than through the mass-production retail system, which (not to be too preachy) often involves sweatshop labor.

Everyone likes a good bargain, and buying handmade has the added value of really making a difference for a seller. Etsy admin Mary has just posted a Weekend Deals selection. You can find affordable options in our "Everyday" Gift Guide, get a custom item made to your specifications through Alchemy, or hey, learn how to make something yourself! In which case, you should join in to our Virtual Labs Monday Crafts Nights or see the How-to section of the Storque!

American Consumerism

2008-07-04T12:31:00-05:00

Consumerism: A passion for acquisition of personal property; the concept that a healthy economy requires a strong consumer market; advocacy to protect consumers from false advertising, shoddy merchandise.

Have you noticed how the definition of consumerism is being interpreted by those of us in America who consider ourselves part of the so-called Indie Movement? This movement has been initiated, motivated, propagated by us – and folks like us from all over the world. Us, being the people who care more about the personal part of the property. Us, being worldwide consumers, AND artists, crafts people, activists, punk rockers, back woods weavers, dirty potters, knitting divas, computer nerds, and so much more. We, being one weird bunch coming together to create something and succeeding. Succeeding because we are working together across our opposite occupations, mismatched philosophies. We are the buyers and the sellers who are bringing the world back to basics.

Think about baby America for a minute. Baby America was full of rebels and idealists. Full of people who wanted to find a different way, a better way, a more fulfilling way; people like us. Those oddball revolutionaries built this new world with hand forged tools as they pushed across the land. And the lands were settled and each settlement was full of folks with the necessary skills for survival: they could make soap, knit socks, shoe a horse. Each settlement had some sort of crafts people - basket weavers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. The people created what they needed on their own, and they went to the local Indie folks for the works that fell out side of their own skill set. And the nation flourished and grew and prospered. Then, folks spread out even further a field and it became hard for them to get all the things they needed. During this time, the blight of slavery began to spread across our nation as many of our forefathers looked for ways to more easily obtain what they needed and wanted.

The nation grew more, and more, full of all manner of great minds, melding skills from all over the vast, earthen world. There were times people traveled many miles by horse and buggy, or waited months and months for their goods to be delivered, but the Indie Artist Craftsperson was still able to make at least some sort of living.

But our new country continued to grown even bigger. And smarter. And faster. The machine age of industry grew, and the plastic world began. General stores became Five and Dimes, and then Sears and Roebucks, and then Targets and Wal-Marts. The American people could easily find very inexpensive items to meet their every need. They no longer had to MAKE life's little necessities. They no longer needed to visit their local craftsman or wait for a handcrafted dining table from the carpenter three towns away. They could buy particle board and polyester! They never had to sit up at night to knit mittens or slippers because they could run down to the Super Center at any hour of the day or night to buy such things for pennies of the cost of knitting them!

The craftastic connections that had made communities strong in spirit and economy began to unravel and the people in Adolescent America seemed to have forgotten how positively lovely it was to sleep beneath a hand pieced quilt, made by a grandma lady, and filled with natural fibers. They forgot that buying hand thrown pottery dishes to eat off of, not only keeps an age old art alive, it fulfills someone’s creative drive; it helps SOMEONE ELSE to support their family.

Thank goodness we, not just us Americans, but all the people of the Indie Craft Movement, have come along to connect the dots. We have begun to recant some of the mistakes our parents and grandparents made. We have started to realize once again how delicious it feels to wash up with natural goat's milk soap and to dress our babies in handcrafted clothes emblazoned with pirates and sushi. And we have started to realize what this awakening means to consumerism, to craft, to the economy, to people, to the country, to the WORLD!

How odd that this eye-opening fusion of consumption and craftivism, connecting us and helping us create a more personal level of consumerism has been birthed from the all amassing global sphere of technology and information known as the internet. If only those original renegades could see where their steps have led us; right back to a new frontier. It is still a new frontier. And just like the original American frontier folk, we are relying on each other for support and encouragement. We are turning to each other to buy the things we cannot make ourselves. We are teaching each other and ourselves new skill sets. It seems that after several generations of near oblivion, we are beginning to be much more responsible in Adolescent America. We are more concerned about our Earth and the land; much more concerned about the foods we eat and the waste we create; once again interested in helping and supporting each other in a crafty sense.

The naysayers who call our movement a trend — they just don't get it. They must not be hearing us when we say that this sense of community, albeit mostly virtual, is changing a lot of lives, this country, and the world for the good. But they will see, because we are all standing together on this front, sewing machines and scissors at the ready — and we ARE making a difference.

If you're interested, I recommend these for further reading:

http://www.artjewelryforum.org/speakers-presentations/diy-websites-and-energy-the-new-alternative-crafts/

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/etsy_ebay_distributed_mass_customization.php

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/dspace/bitstream/1794/5194/1/Rachel_Johnson_07.pdf

Big thanks to twiststyle for sharing her reflections. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below! You can also read, Crafting, Consumerism & Cooptation: Materializing a Utopian Idea, MicroRevolt: Changing the Way We Think About Protest, or stringtheory's Make like a Tree posts.

Handmade in the U.S.A.

2008-07-03T13:00:00-05:00

Tomorrow, July 4th, the United States celebrates its 232nd birthday.

For me, patriotism has always been about pride in one's contribution to the community. We are a nation founded, developed, and changed, by individuals. From independence to civil rights, America depends not on conformity or mob mentality, but instead on the hard work of innovation and uniqueness. I desire to be challenged by something new and different in politics, art, relationships, and commerce.

Looking at the work of independent artists and designers is heartening for me. There thrives our history in the forged steel cloak pins, and there inspires our future in the solar powered light seeking robots. Mainstream media tells us that all is hopeless, that our voices go unheard, that we are lazy, apathetic, and shallow. Independent artists and crafters defy this wave of cynicism, choosing to reconnect with the individuality, the hard work, and the creativity that is America at its best — or rather one of the best things you'll find in America that also transcends national borders. International creativity can unite us all in change for the better.

— mtraub

Economics 101: Alchemy

2008-04-08T10:30:00-05:00

JJMFinance, a Certified Public Accountant, sees the world through green-tinted glasses and he's out to help Etsy sellers with their businesses. He looks at Etsy site features and sees economic case studies. And we love it! Below you'll find his useful interpretation of Alchemy.

Do you remember your economics teacher and the way he could put you to sleep after lunch showing your graphs and blabbing about supply and demand? Maybe he could have kept your attention if he was talking about Etsy’s new system for requesting custom-made items — Alchemy. Alchemy is a great example to see a simple economic principal observed — supply and demand. Keep reading to learn more! Not only will you get a quick refresher course in economics, but you will also learn a few ways you can apply these principals to the way you run your Etsy shop.

Supply
Supply is what everyone offers for sale. These are the thousands of items listed on Etsy. There are over 14,000 different red earrings currently listed on Etsy — different varieties for different people. This is the supply of red earrings.

Demand
Right now there are many buyers surfing the pages of Etsy looking to make purchases. A few of those are actually looking for red earrings right now. They are browsing through the currently listed supply seeing if their demands have a matching supply in both design and price. This is the demand for red earrings.

Where Supply Meets Demand
There are a couple of options that can happen at this point. First, the buyer could find a pair of red earrings that are currently listed that meet their stylistic and price demands and a complete transaction could occur. The second option is where Alchemy makes its appearance.

Alchemy is just another point in the marketplace where supply and demand can meet and fall in love getting married in something called a transaction. This is really a new way for crafters and customers to meet in harmony — creating a more efficient marketplace where more buyers and sellers are both happy.

Application For Your Shop
You can actually look at the current requests and bids in Alchemy to get a mini picture of how supply and demand are interacting on Etsy.

You can use this to:
1. See potential market niches that you could fill with your business. If you consistently see people requesting yellow sweaters with green pickles appliquéd on the back, you can probably assume that if you started making these, you would pick up some of these sales before they reached Alchemy.
2. If you see no one bidding on a really low priced request, you can probably assume that this price is way under the true market price. You can then compare this price to your similar items.
3. If you see people consistently requesting a product for a much higher price than you offer it for — you can probably assume that your prices might be too low.

So the next time you browse through Alchemy, don’t just see what items you could bid on, but look for opportunities to learn about the Etsy market. Use these observations to then help you decide on new products to expand in your own Etsy shop and your current pricing strategies.

Learn more about Alchemy here.

Crafting, Consumerism & Cooptation: Materializing a Utopian Idea

2008-02-09T21:00:00-05:00

If you don't make it yourself, are you just a consumer — consumer in the dirty sense of the word?

I recently read Jean Railla's guest post “What Would Jesus Sell?” about Rev. Billy's Church of Stop Shopping, Morgan Spurlock, the Handmade Pledge and Etsy. Rob Walker — the author of a New York Times Magazine piece Handmade 2.0 about the crafting movement and Etsy — posted Jean's article on his blog Murketing:

"What Would Jesus Buy is the suitably ironic title of the documentary produced by Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me fame), which follows the antics of 'Reverend Billy.' As the head of the Church of Stop Shopping Reverend Billy, a character developed by the New York City actor Bill Talen, preaches an anti-corporate theology with an authenticity of feeling and full gospel choir. In the film, Reverend Billy is up to his old antics–exorcising demons at Walmart Headquarters, taking over the Mall of America, and finally crashing Disney Land. His objective? 'To save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!'
I wonder what Reverend Billy would have thought about the handmade pledge sponsored by Etsy, Craftster, Craft Magazine and others this past holiday season: 'I pledge to buy handmade…and request that others do the same for me'...

...But I can’t help thinking: Isn’t shopping, no matter how wonderfully crafty and politically correct still, well, shopping? Can you escape the so-called sin of consumerism by buying handmade?'” [Read the whole post]

Jean then goes on to pose important questions about the crafting movement and its relationship to the act of buying. This topic fascinates me and makes me uneasy too. It's something I often think about. If you're just a buyer on Etsy and not a seller, are you somehow less empowered? Are you less talented? Are you not *really* part of the community? And Jean pushes this a bit further by begging the question: If you're selling things at all, are you selling out and therefore opting in to a consumerist society, albeit one a shade better than simply shopping at the massive chain stores crowding out small businesses all over the globe?

Can the act of shopping have meaning?

I think it does. I speak for myself here, both as a buyer and a seller, and as someone who has had the chance to really observe what happens on Etsy on a day-to-day basis (because I'm an admin at Etsy, yeah, so I guess I'm pretty biased!). What follows here are some of the questions I often ask myself when reflecting on Etsy's role in the larger capitalist society.

I, for instance, make movies (or rather I used to before I decided to take a job at Etsy); my filmmaking collaborator and I sell our doc Secondhand (Pepe) in my Etsy shop. I'm personally sending it out to the few that buy it, asking for their feedback after they watch it. Why am I selling it? In part because I went into debt making the thing and I'd like to make back at least a token amount of the money I spent! But I also listed it because it's an amazing experience to get those comments and criticisms from people I've never met face-to-face. My listing fees buy me access to a larger audience. The sale price of my movie covers the cost of making the DVDs, if not the time and money spent on the production of the film.

The world needs people to make things. Yes, I suppose Etsy could have been started as a website where makers give away their handmade things or do barters and swaps. But what about people who really want to make a living from what they make and do it part-time or full-time? In order for that to happen, creative people need buyers. Otherwise, they'll have to make do with some sort of day-job, probably something that is not their passion.

To play devil's advocate with myself: why taint people's DIY impulse with money? Why not shoot for a higher goal? Why not aim towards a folk culture where art and craft function not as commodities to be bought and sold, but rather as objects that have deeper meaning and are passed freely from person to person according to usefulness or significance? Then there wouldn't be any arts "professionals." Anyone could make something that benefited society, as long as they practiced the craft to the point where it was beneficial and accepted by the community. In order to have the time to practice that craft, the community would support the person and guide them by passing down ways of doing things from those masters that had come before...Actually at this point, what I'm describing starts to sound similar to what I see happening on Etsy a lot of the time: in a way, the Etsy community is a platform for people to support learning — and the line here between professional and amateur maker is often blurred. There are fulltime Etsy sellers who have experience and have dedicated their lives to making and selling what they make. But the amount of informal learning and eye-opening that goes on with newbie sellers on this site is remarkable. That's a vast resource that is supported by the fees and other revenue streams on Etsy.

Another devil's advocate question that I sometimes ask myself: I feel great when I need something and I buy it from Etsy. For example, I need a notebook for work, so why would I ever go to Stapes and not buy a recycled one from an independent seller? The consumer's choice is obvious in this case. But what about those cute earrings I saw on Etsy? Or that little crocheted octopus? I don't need these. Right now, a little red octopus is staring blankly at me from where she sits on my desk. I don't think she knows the answer. But then I think of the seller RubySubmarine from whom I bought it. I like to think that by buying from her, I was doing my part to enable her to be creative, to support her as she tested her knowledge of crocheting, to talk with her about why marine life is so crazy interesting. Or when people compliment me on my angry octopus skirt by aorta, I tell them to go to her shop (yeah, there's a special place in my heart for the octopus). I feel like in a tiny way, I've become a patron of the arts or a supportive member of a folk community. Or maybe this is something new and different and complex.

[tote by weatherandnoise]

There's meaningful expression in the objects that I wear and that I have around me: I'm showing people that I support independent artists and I value things that aren't produced in a sweatshop or in a polluting factory, etc. I'm also proud to be a seller. This meaningful expression translates a utopian idea into something material. That's the power of art and culture: it's a physical expression of an idea. I seriously think about these things, and I think most Etsy buyers do too. And if some of them don't, then part of Etsy's mission is to spread the word (now I sound like the Reverend)! Etsy is not just a black and white site where people coldly pass money and goods back and forth. Etsy is also a place where this discussion can take place. Etsy brings us together to talk about consumerism and craftivism. Only if we don't talk about it will the handmade movement be co-opted by consumerism. What we stand to gain by talking about it, alternatively, is enormous: we can spread the word about the values underpinning the handmade movement to many, many people. (Now, that's evangelical!)

Seriously, there are other shades of grey. In real life, making a utopian idea a reality is sometimes messy. "Buy something because you love it, need it, it will haunt you if you don’t. Buy art because it makes you think every time you look at it. Buy things that are beautifully crafted because you appreciate the design, the workmanship and using something that is so well made will enrich your life. There is a lot of handmade crap out there… along with all the manufactured crap," says seller Mimi Kirchner aka mck254 on her blog post about the Handmade Pledge. Mimi pointed me to the comments on her post. kristin "feel[s] there are great reasons to buy handmade when and only when the crafter or artist truly loves what they are creating and it shows in their work. if the handmade item was made to just make a buck…i think that will show in the work as well and i would not care to buy that." Karen B. feels that buying handmade "is a way to slow down the consumerism/design for disposal mentality so ingrained in today’s world. I would apply your thoughts about buying handmade to anything one buys: do you need it, is it good design, does it speak to you, will it enrich/enhance your life….?" And "do you need it" begs these questions, "Does art matter? Does craftsmanship matter? Does the personal connection between buyer and seller matter?" These things do matter and that act of buying something handmade from the maker has symbolic value. But it also has a direct impact on our lives. It gives us compensation for our labor and also a sense of participating in a movement.

When I boil down all my questions, I realize that DIY and the handmade movement — and what I see going on in the Etsy community — is conscientious participation. And if you're a buyer of handmade things, you are participating by supporting independent artists, crafters and makers. It doesn't feel like rampant consumerism. It feels like you're making a difference. Making things and using those things — if it's going to be a sustainable movement — can't completely exist outside the marketplace.

Please let me know what you think in the comments below.

Jenny Hart Says: Dare to Enter Your Local Needlework Shop

2007-10-18T15:02:00-05:00

Jenny Hart (aka sublimestitcher) is an embroidery artist and founder of the amazingly innovative Sublime Stitching, a pioneering design company launched in 2001 to revitalize the craft of hand embroidery. She is the author of two titles for Chronicle Books, Stitch-It Kit and Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To. Jenny's work has appeared in publications such as Nylon, Venus, Bust and Juxtapoz. She has collaborated with The Flaming Lips and The Decemberists, and her work is in the collections of Carrie Fisher, Tracey Ullman and Elizabeth Taylor. Jenny is a founding member of the Austin Craft Mafia.

You know that local needlework shop you never go in? (I mean, hooray if you do, but a lot of us just plain don’t.) I’m not talking about that recently opened, hip craft boutique offering great new stuff we all like making, I’m talking about the needleworkers who run independent stores for goin’ on 20 years or longer.

Been in one of these shops lately? There are a lot of reasons we don’t go in these seemingly lost-in-time local stores: the aesthetic is too country-cutesy, we don’t know anything about needleworking anyway, and hey - aren’t they kind of a clique-ish girls’ club who don’t like newcomers? And where did we get this idea anyhow?

I recently sat down with my good friend and local needlework shop owner, Ginger of Ginger’s Needlearts and Framing in Austin, Texas to ask her.

JENNY: What is the hardest part for you in getting younger customers into your shop?
GINGER: You know, there’s that whole idea of ‘middle-aged women who are fuddy duddys’ notion. I’m aware people think that and I want them to look past it and learn what we have to offer!

Well, it can be pretty intimidating to step into one of these shops…
I know that some needlework shops tend to suffer from a chilly, girls-club atmosphere. If a man wanders in they assume he’s looking for his wife (and not interested in needlework), or if they have tattoos and pink hair, they might not approach them. I learned long ago to stop making assumptions like that.

And clearly not all shops are like that. But when a shop is unwelcoming or ignores new customers that wander in, it doesn’t just hurt their business, it hurts yours. I mean, I was hesitant to come into your shop the first time because of experiences I’d had elsewhere. I’ve gone into several small needlework shops where I wasn’t spoken to, or offered helped, and this was often while there was a group of ladies present. I felt like I was interrupting something!
That’s right. I have been appalled to hear customers say with great hesitation..."I'm sorry to bother you, but could I ask a question?" Somewhere someone has been dismissive or thoughtless or even rude about being ‘interrupted’ by a customer, who’s needs are our business!

What changes in interest and attitudes about needleworking have you perceived over the years?
In the 70's there was definitely the "hippie, Earth Mother, back to nature" movement that fueled the drive toward old fashioned home making activities. The Bicentennial inspired quilters…

And now it’s all tattoos and subverting the methods and materials.
Which I think is great! We have to have new things to keep younger generations interested in needleworking. But what’s important to me is that people are aware of the traditions and appreciate fine craftsmanship. I want them to know how far they can advance with needleworking and understand the difference between a beginner’s work and the truly difficult, fine work that take a lot of skill to achieve.

I think it’s that idea of striving for perfection in needleworking, and the expectation of perfection from the get-go that turns many people off to trying it. So many people have written me over the years to say they gave up after their first attempts at embroidery when they were younger because grandma nit-n-pick told them their stitches were too sloppy. So they gave up. How do you feel about that?
I would never, ever want to discourage someone from starting! That’s just not how you get anyone interested in learning more. I make no distinction between stitchers who follow directions in a kit or design completely out of their head....I just want everyone to be stitching. World peace through needlework!

Your shop feels very community-oriented. I find that interesting because our community is very tied in and mutually supportive…but we connect primarily via the internet, while your community is based around your shop. But our communities, mine and yours, don’t really connect in an obvious way.
That’s right. We reach out with fliers, newsletters and emails. Understanding how to communicate to a younger generation via the internet, on blogs and with a website is my biggest challenge.

Do you offer classes at your shop?
Definitely...Both structured/scheduled and constantly answering questions and demonstrating "over the counter."

I know I’ve asked you many questions over the years and have learned a lot from you, both about needleworking and the market. One thing I’ve learned is the importance of independent designers for your store.
Most of the cross stitch designers I stock are independents. Many of the quilting books are from large printing companies as opposed to "self-published" designers so I carry both. It's so important to support the independent designers. And it ensures that our shops offer something unique. When a designer "goes big" and is carried by the large chains, that’s great for them, but I can’t compete with that.

What do you most want new needleworkers to know about your shop?
That I’m here! And that’s most important to me, that they think of me as accessible and here to help them.

Ginger’s Needlearts and Framing is located at 5322 Cameron Road in Austin, Texas. Check it out!

Find out where there’s a local needlework shop near you!