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Cottage Creatives

Handicrafts as additional income for penny-pinched creatives

Implications - The recession has inspired many consumers to create their own handicrafts, be it for function or entertainment; some are even turning their art into profit. The advent of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities has allowed anyone to carve out their own creative niche and an additional source of income.
Trend Themes
1. Handcraft-focused E-commerce - The advent of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities has allowed anyone to carve out their own creative niche and an additional source of income.
2. Eco-friendly Products and DIY Projects - Many artists have taken it upon themselves to show the world how to be creative and eco-friendly in their home decor or fashion, such as recycling plastic bags for jewelry or creating a lamp out of old screws.
3. Unusual Materials for Fashion Design - Designers are exploring the use of unusual materials such as gloves or zippers to create unique and innovative pieces of wearable art.
Industry Implications
1. E-commerce - The popularity of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities offers new opportunities for small businesses or individuals to sell their creations online.
2. Sustainable Fashion - The trend of eco-friendly DIY projects and designers using recycled materials offers opportunities for businesses to market sustainable fashion products or services.
3. Fashion Design - Exploring the use of unusual materials for fashion design offers an opportunity for designers to create unique and innovative pieces that stand out in the market.
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
12 Featured, 86 Examples:
2,247,264 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Feb 09 — Oct 09
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Plastic Bag Jewelry
Plastic Bag Jewelry
Etsy Artisans Recycle To Make Eco Chic Yarn Accessories
Many people are rightly concerned about the excessive use of plastic bags. In an effort to reduce the number of bags going to landfills, several Etsy jewelry artisans now offer various creations made from… MORE
Zipped-Up Eco Accessories
Zipped-Up Eco Accessories
Toni and Tree Make One-Of-A-Kind Zipper Jewelry
We’ve seen some zipper jewelry before, and Etsy seller toniandtree does a great job bringing even more creativity to the idea. The brooches featured on the site are original pieces that incorporate the… MORE
Broken Heart Bling
Broken Heart Bling
Breakup Jewelry By Etsy Artists Symbolize Broken Romance
If the glamorization of relationships doesn’t end (Megan Fox broke up with her fiance this week, Rihanna and Chris Brown had their share of heartache earlier this month, and both stories were splashed… MORE
DIY Bracelet Painting
DIY Bracelet Painting
Raw Wood Bangles Make the Perfect Canvas for Creative Jewelry Lovers
At a Toronto art store the other day, I saw a wall of raw wood bangles ready to be decorated. I picked up a few and then, seeking inspiration, checked out what Etsy artists had created anything a similar… MORE
Lavish Lavalieres
Lavish Lavalieres
Etsy Seller Tijusai Creates Burgandy Aster from Flowers
Etsy seller Tijusai has made these delicate and beautiful necklaces by hand. The lavish lavalieres ("a pendant with one stone, suspended from a necklace," according to Wikipedia) can make any outfit look… MORE
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Etsy Accessories Fit for Your Next Springtime Adventure
Spring is the best season for an outdoor adventure, and these beautiful handmade and vintage Etsy finds are perfect for a day hiking trip. In this gallery, you'll find boots and binoculars, stick soap… MORE
Knit Nintendo Toys
Knit Nintendo Toys
Michelle Rheaume Sells Classic Toy Patterns for Geeky DIY Projects
Michelle Rheaume has created an Etsy site filled with knitted patterns that let you create your own Nintendo toys which, for the record, is something I’m definitely interested in. The Nintendo toys by… MORE
DIY Hardware Lamps
DIY Hardware Lamps
Georgiosi's Screw Lamp is a Retro Way to Reuse
Many artists have taken it upon themselves to to show the world how to be creative and eco-friendly in their home deco; this DIY project by Georgiosi is comprised of thousands of old brown screws to create… MORE
Gowns Made of Gloves
Gowns Made of Gloves
Toolgrrl Designs' Blood Countess Art Dress Has a Gory History
While this Toolgrrl Designs Blood Countess Art Dress is made of gloves--a seemingly innocuous albeit unusual material for a gown--it's the backstory behind this piece of wearable art that makes it macabre… MORE
Mustache Brooches
Mustache Brooches
Give a Purse or Scarf Some Flair With Pin-On Facial Hair
You won’t find these mustache brooches in your grandmother’s jewelry box (and if you do, your grandmother must be an interesting lady). Available from the Wifeofbrian shop on Etsy, these mustache brooches… MORE
Celebrity Etsy Stores
Celebrity Etsy Stores
Rosie O'Donnell's Charitable 'Munnys' Benefit 'Rosie's Broadway Kids'
Rosie O’Donnell’s charity, “Rosie’s Broadway Kids,” is the worthy beneficiary of her Etsy store’s “munnys” figures. While the website does not describe the art medium, the purchasers are… MORE
Planters With Character
Planters With Character
The Plane Jane Project Handcrafts Pots With Personality
The Plane Jane Project is a shop on Etsy for those looking for a unique place to put their flora. The creature pots all come with names like ‘Foxy Little Devil,’ ‘Little Swamp Creature’ and ‘Little… MORE

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