Get your hot glue guns plugged in, monograms ready, and art supplies out, because crafting is back! Handmade items are the new sliced-bread, the Beez Neez. Do-It-Yourself projects used to bring up memories of elementary school projects or maybe even boy/girl scouts, but today it’s a booming business market. The $30 billion craft industry has enjoyed a resurgence over the past decade and has exploded online with the launch of Etsy in 2005 and now with the launch of Handmade at Amazon. With a high consumer demand for unique, customized handmade items, Amazon is looking to get in on the action. According to Handshake, “With the rise of online e-commerce sites, consumers have become very aware of the value of owning things that are not mass produced, and can now purchase handmade goods directly from the people who make them“.

There are currently 5,000 merchants registered and 80,000 products being sold 100% factory-free on the new marketplace. Peter Faricy, VP for Amazon Marketplace states, “We have designed a custom shopping experience for customers looking for handmade items by bringing together many of the best artisans in the world, and they’re adding thousands of items daily“.

Sellers can even tell the story behind their craft with their own Artisan Profile which makes this marketplace an even more attractive place for consumers besides getting great deals on one-of-a-kind gifts. Customers want to connect with the people they are purchasing from – they want to hear their story and be a part of their success by making a purchase.

In a world of mass produced products, Etsy and Handmade have found a way to stand out. In the world of advertising, we too are looking to break the mold.

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