Etsy is similar to eBay but it's geared more toward handmade items or vintage in some way.
For Heather Bellian, Etsy has become the place to launch her business. "I make custom children's clothing. I do a lot of tie sweatshirts, a lot of custom birthday presents."
Bellian's online store is called Pink Stripe. Through Etsy, this northwest Ohio crafter is connected to customers nationwide and stores are now calling to stock her unique items. "I was contacted by a boutique in upstate New York, in Saratoga Springs."
Etsy combines the online marketplace with social media to bring crafters and customers together. Local artist Holly Whitney's Etsy shop is called Bird Doodle.
She sells fine art photography, screenprinted items and paper goods. "Etsy really opens the market up for me. As an artist sometimes we live in a bubble and nobody sees our stuff."
They say the key to making sales on Etsy are good product photographs. Heather's set up a mini-studio in her garage. "If you don't have good photographs, people won't click to see."
Heather's shop is doing well enough that she's now expanding her Pink Stripe clothing line. "I'm actually coming out with a line of recycled clothing - -it's called upcycling."
Both Heather and Holly say they're not making enough to retire on with Etsy, but revenue from their online stores is coming in and they both see potential for more as their stores gain exposure in the Etsy community.
