SNEAK ATTACK!

I've just learned of this wonderful thing happening on Etsy - if you don't know about Etsy already... well where have you been? :) Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy handmade items as well as craft/art supplies and vintage items. Check it out! http://www.etsy.com/

Anyway, I've just read about this thing called the SNEAK ATTACK. Put on by The Handmade Movement and "hosted" by a volunteer shopkeeper, they stage an attack on a new Etsy shop and swarm them with surprise business! Check out the website at http://www.thehandmademovement.com/

The truly amazing thing about this is the sense of community it creates. If you're an artist, you know how difficult it is to put your stuff out there, to either watch people walk by at shows or check your online store every day hoping..... I especially remember my first shows, those first months on Etsy. You start to question your art, yourself, you get discouraged. I know a few times I thought I should just quit altogether. Then things start picking up and you dust yourself off... Imagine the boost in confidence to a just-starting artist to get a bunch of sales and positive feedback!

I think it's so important, especially in this economy, to encourage artists to continue doing what they do. So, participate by either buying from the SNEAK ATTACK "victim" (if you can't buy, go to the shop and leave positive feedback) or if you're an Etsy seller, volunteer to host an attack! The website will give you details on how to do this. I'm going to volunteer right now...

Spread the word! The SNEAK ATTACK is on!