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.