Ellington

The Web site http://www.etsy.com is an online marketplace that buys and sells handmade and vintage items. The majority of the people who place their products on the site are not large business owners; rather they are local (often "hidden") artists who are making products and selling them on the Internet. One of the most interesting things about this site is that it is a gateway between shoppers and local artists.

Once you visit Etsy, you can click on the "Buy" tab on the home page, go to a drop- down list, click "Shop Local" and then find artists in your area who are selling their handmade products. The site has many other features that make it addictive. In the same drop-down list, there's the option of shopping by color, the personal preference of the people running the site, or choosing items from sellers in more than 150 countries (using the geolocator). Also, one can find vintage items that range from jewelry to home décor to basic collectibles.

The majority of the products on the site are handmade and carry a personal story or statement behind them. I recently purchased jewelry on the site and contacted the owner who shared with me not only about what she did as an artist, but what her artwork conveyed with the flower design she used on my jewelry. I not only had the satisfaction of helping a local artisan, but I felt a connection to the jewelry I was wearing. It wasn't something manufactured and mass-produced. Rather, it was one-of-a-kind. The best part is that I cut out the middle man, paying much less than I do regularly.

Also, here are some more holiday treats to check out:
Shaggy's
Love in a Bottle
Shake, Shake Shake
DIY: Holga Happiness
Tablescapes Made Easy
Reindeer Games
Hosts, Take Note
Party Fouls

Here are original gifts you can buy from Jackson-area artists online.

WHERE2SHOP
Bim Creations - http://www.bimcreations.etsy.com
The Born Again Boutique - http://www.thebornagainboutique.etsy.com
Hennahackles - http://www.hennahackles.etsy.com
Imperfectly Beautiful - http://www.imperfectlybeautiful.etsy.com
Jill's Treasure Chest - http://www.jillstreasurechest.etsy.com
Little Bits of Nothing - http://www.littlebitsofnothing.etsy.com
Proverbs 31 Creation - http://www.proverbs31creation.etsy.com
Robin Jayne Henderson - http://www.robinjaynehenderson.etsy.com
SewBizGirl's Originals - http://www.sewbizgirl.etsy.com
Sword Apparel - http://swordapparel.etsy.com
Tessa Cotton - http://tessacotton.etsy.com
Texstyle Textures - http://texstyletextures.etsy.com
The Wizard of Art - http://www.alimap.etsy.com