If you’ve ever visited the Etsy website, you know that it’s a wonderful world of handmade, creative goodness. From jewelry, to clothing, to tech cases and apartment art, the options are endless. The extensive inventory is a blessing and a curse. You have a lot of choices, but the sheer number of pretty things can be overwhelming. My most successful Etsy purchases were for my wedding. I found an absolutely gorgeous sparkly ribbon headband, and the perfect pair of earrings. I’ve also shopped Etsy for presents for my mom, and I’m currently on the hunt for prints for our new place. So, how do you navigate through the countless choices?
Start here:
1. Use search to narrow things down. If you have a keyword in mind, type it into the search bar at the top of the page. Once the results are displayed, you’ll have the opportunity to further specify by category, price, color and more.
2. Take advantage of the ability to save your favorites. If you sign up for an Etsy account, you can save your favorite shops and products in an easily accessible list. You’ll be able to go back and view them again without having to remember how you found them in the first place.
3. Follow your friends. Etsy can connect to several services and find out which of your friends have accounts. You’ll be able to view their favorites, and it’s a great way to learn about new shops.
Although it may require a little patience, shopping on Etsy is definitely worthwhile. Take the time to support small businesses, encourage creativity and find something really unique!
By Samantha Tananbaum
