The Netherlands is jam packed with talent, so we invited katrinakaye to share some insider tips. She's not originally from the Netherlands, but has grown into her local shoes. She brings you this Shop Local guide, Dutch edition. Meet some artists below and match them to their items at the bottom.

When we first arrived here and didn't understand the language, I kept hearing 'Amsterdam' over and over again when listening to people's conversations. It was the only word I could understand. I was wondering why they kept mentioning the city they lived in all the time...? I mean, it was really noticeable and weird! Now, six years later, I understand. Amsterdam isn't just a city you live in, it becomes part of you. Or you become part of it. Whichever way, Amsterdam has something about it that makes it feel like an old friend.

If you've ever been here you probably arrived at the Central Station. The moment you walk out and see the beautiful old buildings and the canals steeped in history, it just fills you with a good feeling. It's more than just its good looks that makes me love it so much, though. Among other things, it's the incredibly laid back and positive vibe, it’s the fact that people always seem happy and content, it's also the fact that it feels more like a village than a capitol. How many other capitols do people cycle everywhere and stop to chat with people on the streets constantly? I bump into people I know all the time and it makes it feel like home. Being from two different countries, Andy and I have found our common 'home town'. We talk about moving to the countryside occasionally but every time we end up agreeing that we'd miss Amsterdam too much.

Working on the fantastic Noordermarkt in the old Jewish working class area Jordaan (where Anne Frank lived) every Saturday makes us feel even more part of the city. People know us, we always meet lots of wonderful people there and some of them have ended up being our best friends! The Noordermarkt is also where it all started for Katrina Kaye. I got my market license in 2004 and started out very tentatively selling my recycled wool creations (in July no less... ). It's a place with a great atmosphere. One half of the market is an organic farmers market and the other half is mostly vintage and craft. Sienna and I always go to visit Daddy on the market and she loves all the people and the other sellers love her. There are always wonderful musicians playing there and it's got a little playground in the middle of it so people bring their kids and spend some time hanging out, doing their grocery shopping and browse all the great stalls. It's a perfect mix of chilled out locals and lost tourists looking for the Anne Frank House, really. It has got to be the most significant place in Amsterdam for us and a natural choice as a back drop for a photograph.

As for the rest of the Netherlands, I'll let these wonderfully talented Dutch sellers and their beautiful photos tell the story...

Morelle: "I live in one of the most amazing areas in Amsterdam. In the Pijp you can find everything; the rare, the beautiful, the quirky. If you ever visit Amsterdam, go to the Pijp. Have a coffee or cocktail at 'Chocolate', browse the Albert Cuyp market for all sorts of weird things, buy extremely-overpriced-but-worth-it vintage clothing and when you're done, head down to the Amstel river to take pictures like tourists."

Kinchi: "This is me in the narrow park between a small lake and the river Rotte, after which the city of Rotterdam is named. The windmill was built in 1648 to keep the land dry. They're currently reconstructing the road, so next spring we will be able to have our weekend picnics again, with the kids in the boxbike. I work at home and go running here twice a week. Living only 10 minutes by bicycle from the hectic city center, I'm extremely grateful to have this historic green area so close to our house!"

Stiksel: "This is me! (in green) with my sister at the Rotterdam Craft! market which I organized this summer. Rotterdam inhabits a few other 'Etsians' but I think craft markets are something that people still have to get used to. They are not familiar with this phenomenon yet. But, we are working on it.
What I love about Rotterdam? The most I love the open space near the river Maas. I work next to it and a nostalgic feeling catches every time I am there. For example the Cruise Terminal is here. This is the place where 50 years ago the emigrants left by boat to the US and Canada."

ReyaVeltman: "This photo was taken in Danikerbos, Geleen. It’s a lovely wooded walking and hiking trail close to my neighbourhood. I always come out of there with laden pockets (acorns, leaves and twigs,) and a head full of inspiring new ideas. It’s one of my favourite spots in my tiny town."

Hikje: "I live in Groningen, which is a city in the north of The Netherlands. I love living here, you can easily escape to the countryside, but also party and dance all night! I live at the edge of the city, near the building i'm standing in front of at the photo. It's called Wall House #2 by John Hejduk. Its a great building with crazy curves and colors!
If you're ever visiting Amsterdam, take the 2 hour train trip to Groningen and discover this charming little city!"

Dressme: "Hi, my name is Liesbeth Soeterbroek from Dressme. I have been designing and making children's clothes for the last 6 years. My son Luke, also 6,still appears in the Dressme banner on my Etsy site, and my daughter Kate (4) loves modeling the dresses.
We live in The Hague, Holland's third largest city, which lies on the coast just north of Rotterdam.
I work at home from our conservatory, its very bright and looks out onto our garden, so it's a nice inspiring place to work from. When not making clothes we all like to cycle down to the coast and take a refreshing walk through the dunes and along the beach."

Pipapiep: "Here you can see a weekly ritual, me and my dog feeding the seagulls near my house in Amsterdam."

Noseynest: "The Nosey Nest crew likes to be taken out to what they call 'the end of the world.' They are so curious about what could be beyond there and can't stop fantasizing about it. Here you can see me and some Nosey Nest members at a Dutch dike staring into the big unknown. You can read more about their adventures at www.noseynest.blogspot.com."

Thehouseofmouse: "I moved to Holland with my husband 5 years ago and we both love it here. There are many other expatriates like us in Amsterdam so diversity of culture here is rich, and there is always something new to discover.  Sometimes I miss the rolling hills of my home town in Devon, England, so I love that there is a big piece of nature just outside my village. Haalemmermeerse bos is a huge park around a lake, a lake that Shadow loves to swim in!" 

 
JKPhotography: "So this is me in action really, with my old smena camera. And we were caught by a snowstorm. My husband took the photo with his small digicam. This place is called “Buntven”, fenland close by on bicycle distance. What I love about the place where I live is that I can take my bike and only have to travel 10 minutes to find a wonderland such as in the photo. For a person as I am, who loves nature and the change in seasons, this is very important, since it is here where I find my inspiration."

LeiLiLaLoo: "For me one of Holland's most inspiring places is the ocean. It has the wide view that gives me the feeling anything is possible. I come here when I need to get my energy back after working hard. When I leave this place I am all charged up again."

SuusKeramiek: "I live and work a 5 minutes bicycle ride from the centre of Rotterdam and love it. It’s a city with lots of culture, color, art, a harbor, people, tulips and lots more...Getting inspired by this all I create, from subtle to colorful styles. The picture is taken outside of my live & work space balcony on a rainy day. Lots of buildings, parking lots and kind of a industrial view. I look forward to the summer, that brightens up everything so much with the lovely sunlight shining upon this creative place..."

Check out the European Street Team — a self-organized group of sellers. Make sure to update your geo info in your public profile so you can find folks in your area by using Etsy's Shop Local site feature. This is a great way for holiday shoppers to cut down on shipping time. Find out more about how Shop Local works.

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