Catawba Handmade

Since we are so new still, our total vision for Catawba Handmade is still being developed. As time goes on and we meet more, we will create our mission statement based on the needs and desires of our members.

The main goal right now is to spread the word about buying handmade and shopping local.  We are here to support local artists and crafters by sharing resources, offering critiques (if desired!), sharing advertising costs and having fun doing what we love!

 

"Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. We built it for those consumers conscious of the true value of handmade goods and their creators, as well as to give all independent artists the technology and information they need to make a living, making things. Our intention is to offer viable alternatives to mass-produced objects in the world marketplace, and to encourage consumers to be aware of the social and environmental implications of their purchases.

The connection between producer and consumer has been lost. We created Etsy to help them reconnect, and swing the pendulum back to a time when we bought our bread from the baker, food from the grocer, and shoes from the cobbler.

Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade."

While we do not require our members to have their products listed on Etsy, it makes sense to use the site to sell your handcrafted items. 

It costs .20 cents to list an item in your Etsy shop and then 3% of a sale goes back to Etsy. It is free to join the site and as a member of Catawba Handmade, you'll have the support of other crafters in setting up your virtual shop. Many of our members are gifted in graphics and photography and can give you tips to set up your shop. 

Absolutely not! In fact, we encourage anyone interested in the concept to come and join us, regardless of if they make anything or not. We are a community of both buyers and sellers.

While we do not have any joining fees at present, we may offer a Featured Member page for a fee to help cover monthly web hosting costs. Our members are encouraged to use their skills and time as they are able to spread the word. We may also offer co-op advertising in various forms.

We would love to have people of all skill levels and all mediums represented. From painting, pottery, metalsmithing to knitting, sewing or woodworking; we want to include everyone who makes and sells their art or craft. We believe that there's room for all.