CraftSanity Podcasts with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

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It started with this guy, Rob Kalin (left), and his big idea to create an online marketplace where handmade goods could be bought and sold. Some thought it couldn't be done. But Rob assembled a crack team of dedicated programmers, coders and designers and made Etsy happen.


The site launched on June 18, 2005 and has been growing rapidly ever since, boasting roughly 90,000 registered users and more than 160,000 items sold to date.


On this episode of CraftSanity, Etsy's PR and marketing guru Matt Stinchcomb, former guitarist for the French Kicks, takes us behind the scenes of this rapidly growing, online craftopia.

Tune in to find out how Rob teamed up with Chris Maguire, Haim Schoppik and Jared Tarbell (pictured left to right below) and built Etsy from scratch and hear how a seven-person staff now keeps it running 24-7.

Etsy artists and crafters can reach a global market without leaving their homes, meanwhile those in the buying spirit can sort through the shop's roughly 200,000 items by color, date and category. Customers can also request custom goods.

If you make stuff, or like to purchase handmade goods from people who do - tune in for the inspiring story of how the creative minds at Etsy are using technology to empower DIYers around the globe.

PROGRAM NOTE: This week's podcast begins with the voice of Gus Reyes, an Etsy seller and one of Rob Kalin's biggest fans. I met Gus at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair in August. The wood rings he makes are beautiful, but don't take my word for it. Stop by his Etsy shop and see for yourself.


WIN A COPY OF MELINDA BARTA'S "HIP TO STITCH" BOOK!!! Two lucky stitchers will win an autographed copy of Melinda's "Hip to Stitch" book courtesy of Interweave Press. E-mail me a photo of your favorite embroidery project and get in the random drawing. The deadline for submissions is Monday Oct. 2. Please include your name and address with your entry. Project photos will be posted on CraftSanity.

Support the show! Vote for CraftSanity at Podcast Alley. Or, buy a CraftSanity T-shirt or button.

Taking Names: Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com.