The Etsy, Etsy spider… Confessions of an Etsy addict.
By Kate Kotler
Hi, my name is Kate and I’m an Etsy addict…
(Hi, Kate!)
I came into the DIY/handcrafted movement late in the game. Mostly because I despise hipsters and everything they stand for. This is ironic considering I could be technically labeled a hipster. I did live in the Mission for a year, I have tattoos and like PBR… still.
Then my buddy Stu asked me to start writing a DIY craft column for his website and I was tasked with finding cool crafts that would appeal to a “hipster” crowd, (and be easy enough that a craft retard like me could do them)… Voila! I found Etsy.
In the subsequent months I have spent most of my non-existant expendible income on cool leather wristbands, headbands, Doctor Who trinkets, a Doctor Who totebag, more hair accessories, bath and body products (for my Mom), t-shirts (for my nephew)… patches, patches and more patches… Not to mention I’ve oggled handmade retro-rockabilly swing-dancing dresses, vintage corsets, purses that cost hundreds of dollars (made out of lux butter-soft leather), really expensive yarns and other high-end DIY craftacular stuffs…..
To be fair: a lot of what I’ve purchased have been as gifts. Or, in the case of the patches and yarn, items being used to make something for sale in my own Etsy store (yeah – my Mom taught me how to knit in 2009 -making me into a stitch n’ bitch card carrying hipster… so sue me).
Though it has gotten to the point that everytime the mail carrier rings our doorbell and my dog goes ape-shit barking that my housemates just roll their eyes, because they know it’s another something I’ve ordered from Etsy.
But you know what: I love giving handmade stuff. People always appreciate it much more, it’s always unique and if it’s been made (even partially) by me, then it’s something really meaningful to whomever receives it… I know I treasure the scarfs my Mom has made me and the blanket my Great Grandma made me and the clothing my Grandma has made me more than I treasure – say – the cd my brother bought me… long after I stop using or wearing it I put it away in my hope chest to hang onto to remember those people by.
And, I love buying handmade because I feel like I’m supporting small, indie artisans.
There’s my justification… so what if I’m an Etsy addict. I’m not hurting anyone other than corporate America….
And my bank account…
I think Etsy’s great. It takes some sorting through, but I’m happier to spend my money there when I can than elsewhere. I like knowing that my money’s going to a person.
Of course, I’m a big fan of the whole indie/small biz thing so I’m happy to turn there first for things. But I grew up in a DIY household — my mom was a dressmaker for a long time so being a little outside the mainstream has always been a part of my life.
I agree that Etsy has been nothing short of wonderful the few times I have shopped there for gifts.
Thank you Kate for being an addict.
You’re welcome… it’s also responsible for romance, if I’m thinking correctly…
Yeah Eden, I’m down with spending my $$ in the indie/handcrafted sphere before shopping corporate stores, too…
Ohhh, I want to be fabulous with all the things I can buy on Etsy…I think this is why we succumb.
Yup — it’s an addiction — like chocolate, only not as fattening…
I am an Etsy-holic! I write reviews about baby products and a large majority of what I choose to write about is from Etsy. Of course, I shop for myself there as well. My favourite dress, with a flowery skull printed on it, is an Etsy piece. My husband and I like to call it “The Dress That Can Do No Wrong.”
LOL — I feel you there… I just lost 7 lbs and rewarded myself by purchasing this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26704004
I’m an addict, I swear…
I am also an etsy addict I bought so much I started selling. I have decided now to only spend money I’ve made otherwise I will be homeless but with pretty things.