Etsy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Crafty Ecommerce Site

Sure, Etsy‘s been around since 2005, but not everyone is hip to the ecommerce site. No worries, we’ve provided an overview of all the great features Etsy has to offer. Just don’t blame us when you’ve logged your fifth straight hour browsing refab couch cushions. It’s been known to happen.

Etsy is an ecommerce site comprised of individual user shops, similar to eBay or Amazon. However, Etsy has the reputation for hosting a very specific genre of products: handmade items, vintage clothing and jewelry, refurbished and upcycled housewares, craft supplies, etc. Basically, Etsy encourages you to launch your small business venture on the site, and the more DIY the better.

Even if you’re not an Etsy shop owner, the site is just as fun. In addition to browsing items from individual sellers all over the world, Etsy users can access an engaging social layer on the site, whether by “circling” friends like Google+ or adding “favorites” like you would pins on Pinterest.

SEE ALSO: 20 Unique ‘The Hunger Games’ Items on Etsy

It’s true, Etsy has changed a lot since 2005. Whether you’re a veteran user or a newbie, take a look at our guide below. You’ll discover how to search, favorite and purchase some incredibly creative products. And be sure and let us know what you think of Etsy in the comments below.

1. Handpicked Items

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Etsy homepage is the collage of handpicked items. Often, these items belong to themes distinguished by color, occasion, material or type.

Etsy updates the homepage’s handpicked items regularly, so you could check back 20 minutes later for an entirely different set.

Click here to view this gallery.

More About: ecommerce, Etsy, fashion, Gifts, shopping, web

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