The Wonderful World of Etsy

         In 2005, Etsy, an online community where crafters, artists and makers can sell their handmade and vintage goods and craft supplies, was founded in Brooklyn, New York.  With 40 million items for sale, 979 employees, and about $2.39 billion in annual gross merchandise sales in 2015, Etsy has definitely made a huge impact on the online retail world.

         Even though some may simply see this website as a cute online store to purchase quirky and unique products from, Etsy is actually a career and lifestyle for many.  There are currently 1.7 million active sellers providing products for 27.1 million active buyers.  

         Many sellers advertise their shop/products through various other sources of social media.  For instance, Instagram and Facebook make it easy to ad a link to your Etsy shop and also offer numerous ways to connect to potential clients.  By doing this, more consumers are directed to Etsy stores and thus generate more sales and profits for the seller.  Through these integrated platforms, millions of people are able to make a living off of their art that they wouldn't have been able to do without the implementation of social media. 

Yarn Bombing: Making the World Brighter

      Take a second and think about what you can make with a pair of knitting needles and a skein of yarn. A hat, a scarf, a pair of socks, and a sweater are a few medial items that come to mind. However, when you think outside of the box, there is a plethora of possibilities - including products that don't conform to the category of homemade garments. Outside of the clothing spectrum lies a whole new level of yarn creativity: yarn bombing.

       By definition, yarn bombing is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fiber rather than paint or chalk. From its humble beginnings as a creative way for knitters and crocheters to put their leftover yarn to good use, yarn bombing has transformed into a massive craze in urban areas around the world. Since this art form is neither permanent nor destructive, it has become a fun and creative way to beautify and brighten up otherwise unappealing and sterile public environments. 

       Many yarn bomb creations have taken the web by storm. There have been artists as old as 104 that have taken to the streets to spread their joy and passion of the craft.  Some companies, such as Target, have even hired yarn bombers to draw attention to their stores.  

    Conan O'Brien, a talk-show host/celebrity, has hired professional yarn bombers as well to create items to advertise for his show.

         Because of social media, the love of yarn bombing has spread across the world.  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and many more social sites have enabled crafty people everywhere to spread their art and inspire others.  There are numerous accounts dedicated to yarn bombing.  For many, this craft spreads happiness and joy in places that are lacking it.  Every part of the world can now be a brighter, more colorful, place. 

Stitched Together: Social Media & Knitting

Stitched Together: Social Media & Knitting

           What do you think of when you think of knitting? The 19th century? Your favorite sweater? Your grandma and her many cats?  Your mind automatically jumps to the old-fashioned stereotypes that knitting has held for decades.  However, knitting has begun to make a comeback among the younger Millennial and Generation X communities thanks to the Internet. 

           The World Wide Web has revolutionized the way the world thinks about and absorbs information - including knitting.  A knitter no longer has to haul themselves and their extensive amounts of projects to their local yarn store every Thursday night for "Knit Night" to connect with those like them.  By utilizing social media platforms like YouTube, Ravelry, Facebook, and Instagram, knitters have established a unique online community that allows them to learn, inspire, and mingle with those that share their same passion for yarn creativity. 

           In the past, knitting was viewed as part of the routine household drudgery.  This art was a necessity for clothing and warmth instead of the relaxing hobby it has evolved into today.  With inventions such as the knitting machine, knitters were able to focus on more whimsical and decorative projects - instead of just darning worn-out socks and mittens. Having been a subdued passion for many decades after the necessity it originated from, modern-day knitters have taken to the Internet because it provides a space to display the finished projects that one is proud of completing. 

            According to the most recent data as of February 2014, Ravelry (an online yarn-crafting website) has 4 million registered users.  One can only imagine how much this website has grown in the past 2 years.  Ravelry allows knitters from all around the world to collaborate on projects.  Here you can buy and sell patterns, download free patterns, connect with others who have similar knitting interests, or find ways to donate finished item to various different charities.  Many users have even made lasting friendships offline as knitters who met on Ravelry meet in person for swaps and knitting groups. 

           By using the Internet as a platform for connecting to others who share the same passions, knitting has grown into a big subculture and has attracted those who normally wouldn't have picked up the needles in the first place.  The web offers infinite ways for veteran knitters and beginners to learn, create, share, and connect in ways that were once not an option.  Do you still think knitting is just for your grandma?