Etsy’s been getting quite a bit of flack since they announced their plan to go public earlier this month. Critics are saying that the online marketplace is losing its arts and craftsy feel; that Etsy itself is becoming a brand name and taking focus away from the individual artisans who are hawking their wares. And one of the most common critiques is that there is just too much low quality stuff to sort through. While there are many incredible artists selling their work, there are also people selling knock-offs, faux vintage goods, and to put it bluntly, crap. Instead of a curated crafts fair, Etsy has become an overrun flea market or one giant, worldwide garage sale.
Luckily, Etsy isn’t the only online marketplace for artists to sell their work. There are a number of sites that are juried and curated, ensuring that they don’t become overcrowded and that everything available is of the highest quality. All six of these sites are open for submissions, so throw your work into the mix and see if you can make it big!
6. 1 ofa 100
In order to keep things fresh, this Switzerland-based site allows artists to sell only 100 of their goods. All products are featured on the site’s front page for up to 3 months (or less if they sell out before then). Most products do ship to the United States, but because some of the site’s content is in German, look for “Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika” when choosing your location at checkout.
5. DENY Designs
Specializing in home decor, DENY Designs uses prints and photographs submitted by artists to manufacture things like clocks, rugs, bedspreads, pillows, mirrors, mugs and more. The site has a roster of more than 170 artists and 9,000+ available designs.