One of the greenest moves a modern shopper can make these days is to take the Handmade Pledge. Heard of it? Thousands of people have signed the pledge to buy and give handmade gifts. It’s important to note here that we didn’t say make handmade gifts. Enviro-Girl loves arty-crafty things, but she cannot cut a straight line or bead a necklace to save herself from a pack of howling, ravenous wolves. She totally respects the need to buy a gift, but thanks to ETSY, she can buy unique, creative and handmade gifts and direct her greenbacks directly to the producers.
ETSY is the internet’s flea market/craft fair–an easily navigated online bazaar of anything and everything made by hand. Enviro-Girl can shop by location (only want to buy from Wisconsin artists? they’re listed that way) or by product (jewelry? clothing? toys? stationery?). Guaranteed by Pay-Pal (the same folks who secure Ebay transactions), ETSY is safe, efficient and (here’s the part Enviro-Girl likes best) cuts out the middle man. The artists selling set their prices and collect full payment for their work. Enviro-Girl’s money stays local, invested in keeping a thriving, dynamic artisan community alive.
The absolute best part of ETSY is the uniqueness of what Enviro-Girl buys. Practically everything sold on ETSY is one-of-a-kind, so no chance that Aunt Gert will get two identical sets of hand-crafted soap for Christmas. Enviro-Girl gave her nephew a superhero cape and mask for Christmas and her girlfriend soap in a hand-made paper box for a birthday. She also likes these necklaces and skirts (!) Enviro-Girl likes finding rare and beautiful gifts for people and ETSY helps her stay away from the mall and feel pretty virtuous about consumerism.
Bottom line: if you can’t give a consumable gift for whatever reason, head to ETSY and Buy Handmade!
What are your favorite ETSY shops? Send us your links!
