Why Handmade Column Debut

For those interested in the handmade movement, I'll be writing a new column at tryhandmade.com devoted to helping buyers navigate the online world of handmade goods. The column archive can be found at http://tryhandmade.com/author/beverly/

The bi-weekly column, Why Handmade, will explore the major handmade venues from a buyer's perspective, how to connect with artists and artists' groups, the great possibilities of custom work and how to order it, meeting up with other buyers who have a particular interest in a particular type of work, how to deal with any problems that arise with an order, navigating the feedback systems of the various venues, how to introduce others to handmade and more.

The debut installment is an introduction to handmade, titled "How You Spend Matters: The Case for Buying Handmade" and discusses the impact you can have as a patron of handmade artisans. It can be found here: http://tryhandmade.com/how-you-spend-matters-the-case-for-buying-handmade/#more-2555

EtsyPatrons Sponsoring Today's Sneak Attack!

EtsyPatrons is the sponsor of today's Sneak Attack, a fun event designed to surprise a new etsy artists with a flurry of sales!

The object of the Sneak Attack is kept a secret until the very last minute, when the shop is announced and there's a mad rush to find the perfect item in there shop and purchase it before someone else beats you to it! In the meantime, a discussion thread here http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6026209 , is where everyone hangs out, having fun and answering questions about the event.

Today’s attack is at 7:00pm EST,. At that time, or any time after that (the shop remains posted until midnight EST), go to http://www.handmademovement.com/ , click on the shop, or shops, that are the victims of today’s attack find something you want to purchase and go from there. When you check out please add “Sneak Attack” to the notes to seller so the shop(s) know that your purchase is being made as part of the attack. A convo is sent to the shop(s) just prior to the attack so they are aware of what is happening and are not alarmed by the sudden number of sales.

Please come join us and give a new etsy artist the surprise of their life!