The Internet has served as a source of income for many over the years, with such well-established commercial hubs as Amazon.com and eBay. Now, a relative newcomer to the scene is reaching out to communities with the intent to establish partnerships and teach would-be online entrepreneurs.
Etsy.com, established in 2005, has carved out a niche market by providing an outlet for artists and crafters to sell unique, handmade pieces to global consumers. This year, the virtual marketplace created the Craft Entrepreneurship Program, collaborating with community leaders in 10 cities throughout the United States and England.
Albany is one of the 10 cities represented in the program, with the Albany Public Library serving as the training ground.
“Craft Entrepreneurship is a unique program where Etsy partners with a public entity or non-profit organization to teach entrepreneurial skills to people with existing craft skills who want to earn a supplemental income,” said Etsy spokeswoman Nikki Summer.
Etsy provides the curriculum and its website as a real-life learning lab, and the partner runs the program.
“Albany is a ‘do-it-yourself’ city, full of talented craftspeople and artists,” said Albany Public Library Executive Director Scott Jarzombek. “The library hopes that this new partnership with Etsy will expand the market nationally and internationally for hand-designed and hand-crafted products from Albany.”
The library launched the first program session with 16 students on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Students attend a series of five workshops at the Main Library taught by successful online craft sellers, who coach and support them along the way. The free program provides micro-business training to underemployed, low-income adults with existing artistic skills to help supplement their income and sell their products to new markets.
Basic online business strategies — including pricing, elementary accounting, product photography and marketing will be covered through the session. The ultimate goal is for participants to create their own online stores through Etsy and sell their handcrafted items.
“We are very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our community,” said Amy McLaughlin, program manager at Albany Public Library. “It was a bit of perfect timing for us since we have been developing space at our Washington Avenue branch to be a creative lab space for the public to use and discover a new passion and creative outlet. The space is called Albany Made, and will provide our community a space to play, and create, and discover something new or deepen a current creative passion.”
Some of the requirements to participate include an establish residency within the city of Albany, commitment to attend all five workshops, and at least one handmade craft item ready to sell.
Library officials expect to add future sessions as demand increases.
For more information about the Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Program, call 427-4334, or email [email protected]
