SFEtsy is now a proud Kiva Zip Trustee

We have some very, very exciting news to share with you today!

When Kiva Zip launched, they formed a partnership with Etsy that highlights the benefits of Kiva Zip for Etsy sellers and supporters of the handmade community. Read more about Etsy & Kiva on the Etsy Blog.

We are super proud and excited to announce that SFEtsy is now a Kiva Zip Trustee. Our first endorsement will be for Alana Rivera of Etta & Billie (Read Katy Atchinson's Studio Visit Post). Alana has slowly been building her bath & beauty business over the last several years and is now taking the big step of securing a micro-loan through Kiva Zip and the SFEtsy team is supporting her!

So what does being a Kiva Zip Trustee mean? It means that we have the opportunity to endorse our team members as they go through the Kiva Zip loan process. As a Trustee, we are providing our "stamp of approval" for team members on Kiva Zip and help through every step of the process. Read more about the SFEtsy Trusteeship here - https://zip.kiva.org/trustees/3876

Kiva Zip loans don't utilize a bank for underwriting. They are funded through what is called "Character Lending". During the loan application process, Alana was never asked about her credit score or other typical questions that banks ask, rather she was asked to tap into her social network to help fund the first portion of her loan. 

I'd like to invite you to support Alana. If you wish to contribute to her campaign, you can loan her as little as $5. Not only will you be helping Alana grow her business, but you will enter the world of Kiva Zip where you can learn the stories of many small businesses, just like you, that are growing through the program. 

Read more about how Alana plans to use the money here -  https://zip.kiva.org/loans/13757/i/jnr

If you've never lent money before in the Kiva Zip Program, here are a few simple steps to get you started:

(1) Click the following link:  https://zip.kiva.org/loans/13757/i/jnr
(2) Select the amount you would like to lend in the panel on the right-hand side
(3) Click the orange "Lend Now" button
(4) Click the white "Register" button
(5) Enter your full name, email and desired password in the appropriate boxes. Check that you have read the Kiva Terms of Use
(6) Click the orange "Register" button
(7) You should be redirected back to your checkout basket. Confirm the amount and click "Checkout"
(8) Choose to "Pay with your PayPal account" or "Pay with a debit or credit card"
(9) Fill out your payment information and click the orange "Pay" at the bottom of the page

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, visit Our Team Page about joining SFEtsy!

A little Last-Minute Handmade Love this Weekend!

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If your life is like mine, it's been all kinds of crazy busy, with little time to rest, let alone time to find a gift for a special someone!

Since we're both in a tight spot, I thought I'd let you in on a little secret: the Last-Minute Handmade Love Show at Big Umbrella Studios this weekend!

Get a little awesomeness for everybody on your Valentine's Day list this Saturday and Sunday from 12 til 5 PM.

On Saturday, shop for:

1) The GAMER GEEK - by nerd JERK

2) The ROCK STAR - by heathered

3) The FASHIONISTA - by Compass Rose Design

4) The ECO- FRIENDLY - by Etta + Billie

On Sunday, shop for:

1) The BFF- by Twinkie Chan

2) The SOPHISTICATE - by Mangosteen

3) The PEN PAL - by Crooked Sister

4) The RAD ARTIST - by Monkey + Seal

PLUS - super scrumptious homemade treats from rad local food artisans! Catch A Humble Plate and Saucy Dumplings on Saturday & Sweet As Pie and Raw Daddy on Sunday!

So come on down to the Last-Minute Handmade Love Show this weekend at 906.5 Divisadero from 12 to 5PM to do a little local shoppin' and check out the gallery at Big Umbrella Studios! RSVP here!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Renegade Craft Fair Preview - Etta + Billie Snapshot & More!

There are many reasons why people love craft fairs, but one of my personal favorites is supporting local artists! And SF Etsy has plenty of local artists to get behind!

That's why I've decided to put together a few photos from this past summer to showcase a few of the local artists that will be featured at this holiday 2nd annual Renegade Craft Fair!

There will be a comprehensive SF Etsy Member list of the artists at the end of the post to help you make your lists and check 'em twice. Let's get to know one of our SF Etsy Members, Alana Rivera from Etta + Billie to give you a little taste of what the story is behind handmade.

I first met Alana at this summers Renegade Craft Fair after taking on a position at the SF Etsy Blog to be a Roving Reporter. I met SO many amazing artists there that it was hard to keep track of everyone - but I knew they were all awesome. Alana and I really connected over a love for great body care products and a passion for handmade. I loved her story so much that I thought I'd share a little more about Etta + Billie.

Citrus Poppy Seed Soap
Etta + Billie - $9 USD

Who are you? And what drives to you create!?

I'm a small town girl who loves San Francisco, laughing until I cry, making up words that I incorporate as my own private slang, baking, cooking, bargain hunting, reading, and window shopping on the internet. The things that drive me to create are my passion for food (seriously, I am obsessed and have been since I was 2) and pushing the limits for creating beautiful useful 100% natural products.

When & why did you start your Etsy shop?

I started my Etsy shop in February of 2009.  After making soap for almost four years I realized that I wanted to share my passion with others and grow my hobby into a real business.  I had been enamored with Etsy for a while and knew that it was a great platform for my products.  Plus getting my own website together seemed ridiculously daunting.

Geranium Patchouli Whipped Body Butter
Etta + Billie - $20 USD

Describe your creative process

A lot of my inspiration comes from food.  I peruse Tastespotting and Bon Apetit regularly.  I tend to get some of my best ideas when I am just about to fall asleep or while I am on the bus (random I know).  I always keep a notebook with me so I can jot my ideas down.  I will go through my lists and figure out what I think will actually work with my product lines.  For most of my soaps I sketch out the design on paper first and figure out what ingredients will give me the colors I need.  Sometimes I do test batches and sometimes I just go for it and make a whole batch.  I love the anticipation of cracking open one of my soap molds after 48 hours and cutting into my latest creation to see how it turned out, its always a surprise.

Find out more about Alana by checking out Etta + Billie online:

ETSY // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // BLOG

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Handmade shopping at its finest - Renegade Craft Fair

Now here's a few of our local SF Etsy Etsy Members that will be selling at Renegade Craft Fair's Holiday Sale this Saturday and Sunday.

1byliz 

Bug Under Glass

byleedesign
Crooked Sister

drywell

Eristotle

Etta + Billie

finchdesignsf 

hopejohnson

LemonadeHandmade

skeletal dropkick

Sora Designs

Studio MME

Tangleweeds

the heated + This Humble Abode

The Local Branch

Vivi Kids

For more information about the free workshops, activities & hours for Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco this weekend, click here!

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Steph Cortés from nerd JERK is the Roving Reporter, one of the newest members of the SF Etsy Blog Team. She enjoys going out to new crafting events and supporting the handmade movement. Look forward to more reports on her artsy shenanigans in weeks to come.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!