On the path to Etsy Wholesale, we’re collaborating with West Elm as they open their new locations throughout the rest of 2012. Each new West Elm store displays a grouping of items from local Etsy sellers, called out as “Etsy for West Elm” collections. West Elm curated the items with a helping hand from Etsy; West Elm and the individual sellers — or as they say in wholesale industry parlance, “vendors” — sealed their own wholesale deals.
Shane Brogan, West Elm’s VP of Merchandising, brought together the groupings. He underscores the natural evolution of the partnership, saying: “We’ve been highlighting Etsy sellers in our catalog and through special events for a few years. Adding wholesale collections in our new stores is an amazing way to connect our customers with artists in their own backyard, and make each of our stores a true reflection of their local community.”
We wanted to share some of the photos from the collections and encourage you to visit in person. Check out Vancouver, Salt Lake City, Costa Mesa, Palo Alto, and Indianapolis.
Moving into 2013, we’ll be working with them on their store in Sydney, Australia. Also, keep an eye out for the West Elm catalog, which goes out to millions of households.
At the end of the day, West Elm is the perfect retail partner for Etsy — they appreciate handmade and share the stories behind the objects. Each item from Etsy includes a co-branded hangtag with the name of the Etsy shop. It’s an elegant way for West Elm to bring in a unique mix to their shoppers and to support handmade — and we like to think it’s a smart way for us to reach shoppers who may not (yet) be online.
86 comments
Nicole from nicolehill said 8 years ago
I think this is a brilliant idea! Well done to everyone who's worked on it! Can I ask how you chose the Etsy sellers to feature? I imagine it's a combination of style and ability to scale production, but I'd be really interested in a follow-up post - perhaps including a guest blog post from some of the sellers involved about their experience both with the initial stages of the project and how it's worked out for them?
Jolynn from lifemeetsart said 8 years ago
I would love to hang out in someone's backyard with West Elm.
Emilia Pachomow from tatoke said 8 years ago
Great initiative, would love to have it in Europe too!
Cat from VintageBeach said 8 years ago
Beautiful Etsy items :)
Artsy from Artsy said 8 years ago
Lovely.
Doreen from decembermoondesign said 8 years ago
Congratulations to the Etsy shops involved!
Jema Watts from BadgeShack said 8 years ago
This is great. I love West Elm and Etsy!
SwirlingOrange11 from SwirlingOrange11 said 8 years ago
FABULOUS, what great items to feature too, I had each one in my favorites long before WE LOL
Jennifer from livjewellery said 8 years ago
Congrats to those talented etsians! This is very exciting.
Mel from WeddingAmbience said 8 years ago
Wow! Best wishes and continued success to these amazing Etsy vendors :)
BeachHouseLiving from BeachHouseLiving said 8 years ago
Wonderful! I like how West Elm is working with artists in the same states as their stores. I think a shopping trip is in order! I would be interested to learn of the selected shops experiences so far.
sherry truitt from sherrytruitt said 8 years ago
This is wonderful! I was invited to participate in a West Elm/ Etsy holiday pop up shop last holiday season. My work is not trendy nor really seasonal, but I was glad to be there with some other diverse artists. It was great to meet the other artists and etsy staff too. And, I was lucky to get a wholesale order from them as well.
Angela Cotton from CottonBirdDesigns said 8 years ago
Great picks!
Blenda Tyvoll from blendastudio said 8 years ago
Love the whole concept! Can't wait to see where it leads
modflo from modflo said 8 years ago
lovely idea, and best wishes to all the talented artists featured!
Cat Hutchings from SpotLightJewelry said 8 years ago
Very very cool extra get-the-word-out-about-Etsy exposure for all of us! Cheers!
crochetgal from crochetgal said 8 years ago
Wonderful! In 2012 I was invited to participate in an Etsy West Elm evening here in Scottsdale. The staff was fabulous to work with and the other Etsians I met were truly wonderful.
SimaG from SimaG said 8 years ago
Congrats everyone!
Linda Richards from LRichardsDesign said 8 years ago
Love this! What a fabulous opportunity for the artisans, Etsy and West Elm! Hoping West Elm heads this way soon!
Carole Fox from foxpots said 8 years ago
Nice displays. Kudos to those who are participating. Wholesale is not for me, but this is a good opportunity for Etsy members who are inclined in that direction!
Elle from ChaseAndScoutDesign said 8 years ago
How do we as Etsy seller's contact West Elm curators? My altered vintage plates are in galleries all over the US but a shop like West Elm would be a neat step for me to take. Especially since we have one right here in Austin! So Etsy, how do we as artist's promote ourselves to West Elm? As we all know, searching through Etsy can be daunting even for the pros, it would be great if those of us who are ready for larger orders could flag ourselves as such.
DecadesOfVintage from DecadesOfVintage said 8 years ago
This is a thrilling opportunity for many talented etsy sellers.
Julie Esquer said 8 years ago
this the worst online order I have ever done, I don't think I will ever go this way again. it's taken 3months and still not rec'ved my order. thanks but no thanks
Tracey Capone from TraceyCapone said 8 years ago
This is awesome! I was so happy to be able to participate in the west elm pop up event here in Chicago last year and that was such an awesome experience. SO very happy for these talented Etsy sellers who are part of this latest and greatest collaboration between west elm and Etsy!
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 8 years ago
How exciting for these artists! It is great to see some of my favorites receiving this opportunity!
Ludmilla from buffalogirls said 8 years ago
Very exited for all the Etsy artists! I live in a very small community, so I doubt West Elm will ever open here. But perhaps Seattle? Close enough.
Lori from riskybeads said 8 years ago
gorgeous! love the displays and the opportunities.
Claudia Lord from ClaudiaLord said 8 years ago
How do we get considered by West Elm? The Indy store just opened and I'd love to be included!!!
Donna Walker from DonnaWalker said 8 years ago
An exciting collaboration! Handmade vendors can really benefit from a wide audience and a marketing boost. Are there any plans in regards to West Elm Dallas?
VintageRescueSquad from VintageRescueSquad said 8 years ago
Does the one in Georgetown (Washington DC) have etsy items yet? I'd love to swing by and check it out!
Pat Parker from PatsPottery said 8 years ago
This is very exciting and I see some lovely pottery items:>)
Victoria Webb from Furiousdreams said 8 years ago
How about Atlanta? I participated in a show at the West Elm store here in 2011 that was great. Bring it back!
jamiespinello from JamieSpinello said 8 years ago
Interesting. Looking forward to seeing this facet of etsy unfold.
Scott from vinylclockwork said 8 years ago
Awesome stuff looking forward to more exciting things to come from Etsy
Lindsay May from TwistedDesigns said 8 years ago
Wow, what a great opportunity for etsy and West Elm. I am so excited about this!
Lana Manis from SimpleJoysPaperie said 8 years ago
Fantastic! It's great to see Etsy work with major companies to spread the word. I still run into folks who have never heard of Etsy. I just use that as an opportunity to enlighten them! :-)
Rhonda from opticdesign said 8 years ago
Wow what an awesome opportunity for Etsy Sellers. Thanks for sharing this fab article.
Erin O'Rourke from Aruguletta said 8 years ago
Wow, way to go, Etsy! What a great idea to do a collaboration.
Terri Edema from ChristmasVintage said 8 years ago
Love this, perfect combo!
Ankita Kejariwal from TexturedINK said 8 years ago
Love West Elm...how do the Sellers get picked? Pure luck? (along with amazing products of course) or is there some application process?
Stacie from FleaMarketGal said 8 years ago
this is wonderful. love seeing small business owners getting this great exposure
Emily from Kuberstore said 8 years ago
Oooh, I'm delighted that there's going to be a store in Sydney next year! I'd love to know how West Elm choose their suppliers... can you enlighten us?
Barbara Moore from CapitalCityCrafts said 8 years ago
Wonderful! It's so exciting to see artists being launched to success!
Jennifer from WearableByDesign said 8 years ago
What a terrific collaboration!
VaLon Frandsen from thevicagirl said 8 years ago
What? There is one in Salt Lake? I have to go check this out...
Nadin Sandler from NadinArtGlass said 8 years ago
amazing!!! love it!! Nadin
roaritsally from Caviesincozies said 8 years ago
Love it!! Good job!
Bizzie from BizzieLizzieHandmade said 8 years ago
Fantastic collaboration, indeed! What an honor to be chosen to participate! Congrats to all!
georgina from PerpetualOne said 8 years ago
wow this is really exciting - congrats to the sellers selected to take up wholesale opportunities... and looking forward to hearing more about the SYDNEY one!
Julie from HuntandFound said 8 years ago
How FANTASTIC!! My love for Etsy and my love for West Elm united! Congrats to the Estians that were chosen ! Any chance for a vintage shop sometime : )
Helen from hjmArtGallery said 8 years ago
How wonderful! Any chance for a an art shop? Would love this opportunity :-)
Suseela from AliceinHolland said 8 years ago
Wonderful concept! Would be a good idea to launch this in Europe (The Netherlands!) as well... Congratulations!
Bill Sema said 8 years ago
very nice, follow out from http:www.viewvs.com. thanks & congratulations
Osnat Avni from Avnis said 8 years ago
WOW!!!
Sarah Ives from UpscaleDownhome said 8 years ago
Amazing marketing idea. Love it West Elm!
Allison Mooney from allisonmooney said 8 years ago
That is awesome! I was excited to participate in the West Elm/Etsy Pop Up here in Chicago last February - my daughter had other plans when she arrived 3 weeks early - at 10 pm the night before the show!! I have to thank my mom and husband for taking my spot and representing my jewelry - also the wonderful staff at West Elm that guided them!! Looking forward to hearing a lot more about the collaboration!! Best of luck and congratulations to the sellers! Ally
Menucha C from MenuchaJewelry said 8 years ago
when are you coming to jerusalem? :)
Perla Segovia from PerlaSegovia said 8 years ago
I want to be a part of that! As Donkey from Shrek says: "pick me, pick me, pick me!" hahaha
Stephanie Maslow Blackman from metalicious said 8 years ago
Wonderful! Congrats to all the artists!
Emiko Franzen from f2images said 8 years ago
That is way cool!!!
Kathryn Cole from kathryncole said 8 years ago
WOnderful!
HerArt SheLoves from RobotsAreAwesome said 8 years ago
It would be awesome to chosen for an West Elm store, do you think they need any robots?
Leslie Banta from lesliebanta said 8 years ago
Big Box meets handmade? There might be hope for the future :)
Kerry from WanderingJeweler said 8 years ago
Wow, such a great opportunity!
Kirsten Gilmore from PaintingsByKEGilmore said 8 years ago
This is an excellent idea! Handmade art meshes perfectly with the West Elm aesthetic. I wish we had a local store in Champaign, Illinois.
Kara from 33PaperLane said 8 years ago
How exciting and innovative. Brilliant idea. Congratulations to all featured artists.
Sew Gracious from SewGracious said 8 years ago
Congratulations to those featured! I love West Elm too! Wish there was one near me. :)
Jim McLean from BackyardBrand said 8 years ago
nice opportunity
Jessica Khan from iPhone5CasesGalore said 8 years ago
west elm :)
Nancy from anotherghostquilts said 8 years ago
Nice!
Valerie from valeriestitchery said 8 years ago
I think this is what Pier 1 was (at least supposed to be) many many years ago when I was in high school, but for international (i.e., not American) crafters. In any case, it's a great idea.
Tana Taylor from PrairiePrimitives said 8 years ago
I'd love to talk with the West Elm curators/buyers too! I've been wholesaling this year and have a couple dozen accounts across the country. I have also worked with sales reps, including one with a permanent showroom in the Los Angeles Gift Mart, and also by participating in some wholesale trade shows.
JoyFrameworks from JoyFrameworks said 8 years ago
What a great concept! Love west elm!
Alethia from FortnersFinds said 8 years ago
This is wonderful!
Martha M from LadyGatsbyLuxuryBath said 8 years ago
This is wonderful! Congratulations to all the selected etsy shops.
lisa lehmann from thebeadgirl said 8 years ago
such a great idea. can't wait to visit the Indy store! i'd love to be a part of it :)
Walter Silva from WalterSilva said 8 years ago
Interesting!
Sara Woo from BarkarooBakery said 8 years ago
LOVE WEST ELM! HOPE THEY ADD SOME PET PRODUCTS!! =) - Sara
Janet Brown from janetbrownstudios said 8 years ago
Very cool Makes me like West Elm even more! Good job!
everydaysaholiday from everydaysaholiday said 8 years ago
WOW! What an opportunity for Etsy and Etsy sellers! I am a big fan of West Elm...would love to see my product in their stores (who wouldn't). I will be sure to share this exciting news with others...It's a brilliant concept that will gain a good amount of interest from those unfamiliar with Etsy! Congrats! And congrats to those shops that were selected!
theloveshop from theloveshop said 7 years ago
love west elm <3 <3 <3
MarleneJJ from lostsockshome said 7 years ago
Looks like a forward move.
Akiko Chii from catbun said 7 years ago
Yay! One in Sydney !
Dale Frances from HarryandHarriet said 7 years ago
Fantastic! And now it's in Australia (wish is was in Perth or Fremantle - the west seems like a perfect match for West Elm). We will be watching with great interest...
KYLIE FOGARTY from KylieFogartyFineArt said 7 years ago
This sounds brilliant! Canberra isn't too far from Sydney - would love to hear more about the process and how it all works...Kylie (Canetsy Team Captain)
Ching-Fen Li from CFinDesign said 7 years ago
Great! Hope there will be one in Brisbane soon ^^