NY Times: "For Craft Sales, the Recession Is a Help"

Today's New York Times article on the surge of the handmade revolution got me thinking about a concern that's been lingering in the back of my mind for quite a while.

It's great that artists and small businesses are benefitting from the downturn in the economy and it's equally as great that shoppers have more reasonably-priced gifts to choose from...but what about the employees of the chains that are seeing their customers switch to handmade e-commerce portals like Etsy?

As a member of Etsy, should I feel guilty that employees are losing their jobs because shoppers are choosing handmade items instead of mass produced items? I guess you can't have it both ways since there always has to be a loser, but I can't help but wonder how much of an impact the crafting craze is going to have on traditional commerce.

The flip side is that chains like Michaels are doing booming business despite the downturn--hopefully this translates into jobs.

The Looking Glass Strikes Again

I was lucky enough to have my Looking Glass Necklace featured in a Treasury (West)! Thank you to http://littlepapoose.etsy.com

Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution

I was featured on Vadjutka's "Now and Then" blog today. I love the concept of this blog--highlighting how Etsy sellers have honed their craft over time.

Check out how much my work has changed from Feb '08 to today!

http://craftsthenandnow.blogspot.com/2008/12/mswedowsky-february-2008-december-2008.html

I was on the front page of Etsy yesterday!

I have to boast...I just found out that I was featured on the front page of Etsy yesterday, as part of a Treasury. It even led to a sale! I think it is Etsy karma because I also made my first Etsy purchase yesterday.

Timothy Adam Design's Top 10

I made #4 of Timothy Adam Design's top 10 list! Check it out: http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/11/top-10-monday-nov-24th.html

The post has apparently received over 800 hits. Very exciting!

Thank you Timothy.

Day-o, Day-ay-ay-o

Every morning I walk by the now defunct Day-O Restaurant on Greenwich Ave. Last February, Eater.com reported that Day-O had lost its lease; however, it seems like Day-O still isn't ready to call it quits. There has been a sign on the door claiming renovations for over a year and the space is still completely furnished, menus and all. The desolation makes me feel like Charlton Heston in The Omega Man.

The landlord must be regretting kicking out Day-O if he/she hasn't been able to collect rent in over a year. And it's not even like the landlord is trying to rent out the space--you would never know that Day-O isn't planning to make a triumpant return unless you frequented the neighborhood.

What is the deal?

Owliday Inn

As of today, I am officially owner of a sole proprietorship called Owliday Inn. For anyone who hasn't read James Howe's Bunnicula book series, the name of my business is a tribute to the second book in the series, Howliday Inn.

I am very excited and hope that I can follow in my dad's footsteps as an accomplished business owner. Wish me luck!