Many artists are hopping aboard the sustainability trend with a new website called “etsy.com <http://etsy.com> ”. This site features artists of varying talents, backgrounds, and specialties. Artists can post examples of everything from paintings to furniture to photographs. The site is frequented by not only individuals all over the United States, but in other countries as well.
For artists, the site is beneficial because they can reach a wide range of clientele without actually producing thousands of samples. Because the art is shown in electronic form until someone buys it, only the minimum amount of art is produced, creating limited amounts of waste. Limiting waste output is a concern for many artists. There are artist who produce beautiful art from recycled products that many other people consider trash. For instance, jewelry makers create original pieces from old buttons, previously broken necklaces, and interesting seashells or stones. Resourceful techniques are widely used by the artists who post on the site.
Consumers enjoy the site because they can purchase handmade, original products from local artists. A frequent browser, Ellen Rotter, says the site just sucks her in. She likes “the wide range of vendors and that (Etsy) is limited to handmade vintage items, so (the site) is not over populated with stuff like ebay.” Buyers can search vendors who live close to them allowing them to support local economic growth. Additionally, each artist sets up a profile so a buyer “can know about the person who made the crafts and what inspires them” (Rotter).
Sustainability is reaching beyond just an architectural and automobile fad. Sustainable design is leaving imprints on art, food consumption, and basic lifestyle choices. Etsy.com showcases varieties of talents that demonstrate the depth of green living.
