Etsy. If you haven’t heard of it by now, I can’t begin to imagine where you have been for the last few years. Etsy is the go-to place for all things handmade and vintage. It’s a crafter’s dream, or for those of us who can be craft-challenged, it’s a great place to find those things you dream of making, but just…can’t. Maybe I’m the one that’s been living under a rock for the last few months, because I just discovered one of the best things that have ever happened. Ok, maybe that’s overhyping it a little.
This last holiday season, Etsy opened a pop-up retail shop in SoHo. Now, my first thought was, wha?? So, how does that work? They had artists creating work right there in the shop. They ran crafting workshops. And had guest curators, like the Queen (Martha Stewart), selecting a wide variety of Etsy items to showcase.
I love this idea for a couple of reasons. As a business owner myself, I can attest to the greatness of the internet. You can get your products to a seemingly infinite number of customers, who can purchase at any time. But you miss the interaction. My favorite part of owning a business is interacting with my customers, learning about their lives, and sharing wonderful items with them. You just don’t get that over the internet. I also love instant gratification. Sure, I order stuff online, but only because I have to. If I can go pick up an item I want, when I want it, then I’m always more likely to buy. The Etsy Holiday Shop marries these two ideas perfectly. It gives the opportunity for customers to have face-time with the shop owners/artists, and creates an impetus for future online shopping! So genius. I hope they continue to create pop-up shops, maybe all over the US. Watch the second video to see a few of the showcased artists.
