The Etsy Holiday Cavalcade

A Saturday in Soho. A holiday bazaar on Mulberry. A group of indy designers cramped in a kind of warehouse space. What are they selling? I find out.

"What do you do?," I ask looking at the merch before me. "I`m a lawyer (for Etsy)," replies Sarah Feingold. I was expecting something like i design jewelry but curious i continue... "What type of lawyer?" "I do contract, copyrights, trademarks."

Several items lay in front such as a sticker with the now infamous use of the i heart... `I Etsy (etsy inside of a heart shape) handmade` sticker; some notecards, bookmarks..

I wasn`t expecting a lawyer to be the first person i talked to but i continued with a slight look of dismay on my face...

Then she looked over to the person to her right.

"He`s a designer."

"I`m a graphic designer.. i do interface and work with 3 others on the website," said KC Oh.

"Like the actress (the last name), i say.

"As far as i know we`re not related; i haven`t seen her at any family functions," he says.

I laugh.

"There are 195 000 active stores (on Etsy) and 350 000 signed up to sell on Etsy (globally), he says.

The next table: Nine cakes.com: Tiny cupcakes. French mousseline buttercream created by Betsy Thorleifson. Not heavy on sugar. Women owned says James. Taste spicy chocolate. On Today, Martha Stewart, In Style, Yelp. Strong focus on customer service. Emphasis on combining flavors. Fair trade and organic where possible. Based in Brooklyn.

Next: Raw and Fine chocolate: Truffle. Dairy free, sugar free, no additives. Wrappers designed by friends. Cowgirl my fave. Daniel tells me he`s got good stories about friends who created art work for his wrappers. Cowgirl could have been a model but now a construction worker. Funny. Certified fair trade and organic. He tells me he works with a cooperative in Ecuador. Use coconut oil. Brooklyn based. Talks about a Peruvian fruit. Tells me he is "Possessed by chocolate."

Next: little Bunny.etsy.com: Greeting cards and notebooks with bunnies and other animals and marine life. Christmas themed ones. Favorite creatures. Loppy eared.

Next: Roller derby gal with roller derby themed t-shirts, bags and art. Kelly. Don`t have exact site address. Lost business card. Kelly tells me she is a retired roller derby chick. `I will help you friend`. Derby expression.

Next: Saru Star by Sayo Granich-Lee: Jeweller. Rings made with dirt and resin and sterling silver. Coudn`t find diamonds. Jewelry made with vynil flooring, computer parts. Takes concept of recycled accessories to new level. ...

Next: Nordea`s Soaperie: 20 different scents. Made with beer instead of water. Cerveza con Lima very popular. Cucumber; pumpkin; felted soap wash cloth; fragrance oils; essential oil soaps;

Next: Beadscarf necklaces by Lorina. Made with vintage scarves. Debate over color of her necklace: chartreuse or mint?

And many more...

Look on Etsy.