If you aren't one of the 10 million registered members shopping or selling on etsy.com, the e-commerce site for handmade and vintage goods, you now have the chance to see a sampling of the wares up close and in person at a new event headed to Atlanta.
"We Heart Handmade Art," hosted by Etsy, West Elm and local blogger Ginny Branch, is the first event of its kind in the city. A collection of 15 Atlanta artisans, each with shops on etsy.com, will assemble for one night only at West Elm in Atlantic Station to mingle with shoppers and each other while showing off their crafts.
"Considering West Elm is a home and lifestyle retailer, I tried to tailor the list to accurately reflect the spirit of the store," said Branch, curator for the event. "I inherently gravitate toward companies with a strong brand identity and great packaging, so that definitely played a part in my choices."
Some of the retailers in attendance will include Painted Lady Soap featuring soaps and body creams, Cotton Purr's printed clutches, Bella Bee Designs' kitchen textiles and aprons, and concreteLace letterpress stationery.
"We know our customers shop at Etsy," said Abigail Jacobs, spokeswoman for West Elm. "We wanted to bring that to life in the real world in our stores."
Etsy was founded in 2005 and currently hosts about 800,000 shops selling 10 million items. In 2010, the site reported $314 million in sales. This year, as of June, sales have reached almost $225 million.
Branch thinks part of the site's success is the result of a backlash against homogenized production overseas.
"There is something so undeniably special about knowing where your purchase came from, who made it, how it was made, et cetera," said Branch. "I personally love a mom-and-pop experience where I feel a connection to the seller and to their craft."
Event Preview
We Heart Handmade Art
6-9 p.m. Thursday. Free.
West Elm, 260 18th St NW (Atlantic Station).
RSVP at
(click on events)
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