The online marketplace Etsy returns for the third year running with its nationwide event to promote local Welsh art and craft businesses
A busy crowd at the 2016 Cardiff Etsy Made Local event (photo credit: Cardiff and Valleys Etsy Sellers)
The only Etsy Made Local event to be held in Wales is set to be the largest ever to take place in the capital so far.
The annual nationwide event returns to Cardiff Bierkeller on 3 December for its third year running to promote the very best craftsmanship that Wales has to offer.
Chloe Jenkins, one of the six organisers of the event, said: “At our first event we had 31 sellers, last year we had 45 sellers, so this year’s Etsy Made Local event is our biggest ever.”
“There are 41 Etsy Made Local events running across the country this year,” Chloe added, “and ours is the only one in Wales.”
The Cardiff and Valleys Etsy Team (Cavetsy) formed in 2015 under the captaincy of Sarah-Jane Egan who was keen to take part in the first ever Etsy Made Local event.
Chloe went onto say that Etsy is still not well-known as a shopping website for unique gifts, so these events are great for publicity, and their selection committee meets to decide the sellers that they think have products that represent the best craftsmanship available in South Wales.
“We are planning to build on the success of this year’s Etsy Made Local to make our event an annual must do in Cardiff at Christmas,” Chloe concluded.
Amy Yau, an Etsy seller who will be at the event, said: “Etsy is huge, and I wanted to take part in the event to promote the craft, skill and talent of the local Etsy team, and to be amongst other talented makers is great.”
“The event enables shoppers to support local businesses,” Amy continued, “whilst knowing that the maker has put their creativity, skill and hard work into making that piece which is unique, handmade, and a one-off, which is something really special.”