This week's featured Etsy Team is the Baltimore Etsy Street Team (or BEST). Though founded only a few months ago, they are active in their community both on and offline. We think they shine as an example of how connected, supportive—and influential—a local team can be! Read on to see how they do it.

Can you tell us a bit about your Etsy Team (what's the glue that holds your team together — location, craft, etc.)?

Location brought us together; we're based in the Baltimore area. But we're held together by the fact that we really like each other! We have a great time! It helps, of course, that we have a bunch of hard workers who are dedicated to making a life making things by hand. I think we all see the value in promoting handmade craft as a whole.

What does your Team do to help each other?

Our members are all very giving of their expertise, so there's always "help" when someone needs it. We are great cheerleaders for one another. With the support of the team, many members have started actively promoting their work at local craft shows, where we organize group tables and help sell each other's work. At our team meetings, we often share business practices and marketing techniques, as well as technical how-to information—whatever is needed.
 
For many of us, the best part of being on a team is the moral support it offers to get through the hard parts of being self-employed. Whether it's the boredom of slow times or the stress of busy times, we know that we are not alone. We utilize one another for critiques and advice as well as simply cheering each other on. Working together as a group has really made us each stronger individuals.

How does your Team promote Etsy and each other's shops? 

We have had two rounds of team postcards printed, as well as a team business card that each of us adds to our Etsy orders that we ship. We have a great blog which all of the members promote within their shops. And, we really must sound like a cult when we talk about Etsy at a show.  

How does your team connect with each other?

We have a Google group, we get together for meetings once a month, and we have barbeques. We really like getting together for photo shoots in abandoned warehouse lots, too. 

Tell us a bit about a current or past Team event or promotion.

We do regular giveaways on our blog, and at the end of August we will be announcing a contest to design a new promotional sticker incorporating our tagline, "Baltimore Craft is the BEST." Stay tuned for details!

Do you have any suggestions for new teams or sellers who might be interested in creating their own team?

Passion, motivation and a lot of coffee! You really have to believe in the team you are a part of—or are about to create. There is a lot of work that goes into setting up and managing a successful team, but the rewards are endless. Having different levels of membership has also really helped our team grow. By keeping the active group of core members small, BEST is manageable and focused.

What's your favorite part of the Team program?

The best part is that it's fun! Who would want to add another meeting a month to their already busy schedule of kids, day jobs and crafting if it wasn't a blast? But the key is that while we're having fun we get tons of things accomplished. That's the power of a team. It's really great that Etsy recognizes what a group of creative people can do when they get together!

Wow, Baltimore! Thanks for sharing what makes your team work! You seem to really encapsulate what Etsy Teams are all about: support, community and craft. Want to show Baltimore some love? Check out all their sweet goods by searching "baltimoreetsyteam"!