Revealed: The Etsy Design Awards Finalists
Woven small banner, AU$38, by Fizzy Lime Creative on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Fizzy Lime Creative.
It’s official. Australia has talent. No, I’m not talking about that staid old show with Simon Cowell (is he still on it? was he ever on it?), I’m talking about the 58 stellar finalists for the inaugural Etsy Design Awards. And now it’s your turn to vote for your favourite Australian Etsy seller (and get the chance to win a $250 Etsy gift card).
Indigo blue mountain handpainted stoneware side plate, AU$20, by Mountain Clay on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Mountain Clay.
The finalists span five categories, including New Talent, Business As Usual, Art & Illustration, Home & Lifestyle and Fashion & Accessories, and you can see the entire line-up over on the Etsy Design Awards Finalists voting page.
Shoulder bag made from recycled leather and hemp/organic cotton fabric, AU$289, by Econic Currumbin. Photography courtesy of Econic Currumbin.
I’m delighted to see that the competition has succeeded in encouraging a whole new raft of Australian designers to sign up and join Team Australia on Etsy. There were actually a number of designers I’ve had my eye on who weren’t on Etsy before, but have since signed up for inclusion in the Awards. Nice work, Etsy Australia.
Custom portait paper doll, AU$42.50, by Little Paper Clouds on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Little Paper Clouds.
In the meantime, I’ve chosen one favourite piece from each of the 58 finalists, which you can view – and shop – over on my Etsy Tastemaker page. I’m also featuring some of my favourite pieces in this post.
I don’t envy the task ahead of the three judges, including Creative Business mentor Claire Bowditch, interior stylist and author Jason Grant, and Editor-in-Chief of Inside Out magazine Claire Bradley.
Hanging succulent planter, AU$42, by Susan Simonini on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Susan Simonini.
Air plant bubble planter in llama fibre, AU$54, by Fox Hill Llamas on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Fox Hill Llamas.
The prizes are seriously impressive, and help support the winners’ creative businesses, with the ultimate prize, the Community Choice Award, including a trip to Etsy Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York; inclusion in the December issue of Inside Out magazine and Etsy’s official blog; as well as a dedicated post on the Etsy Instagram page, which boasts over 202,000 design enthusiast followers.
Vintage cut-glass style resin bud vase in pale pink, AU$35 by Pirdy on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Pirdy.
Commenting on the breadth of talent in the Etsy Design Awards entries, Helen Souness, Managing Director of Etsy Australia says, “We’ve been blown away by the outstanding calibre of the entrants in the Etsy Design Awards. It’s a thrill to know that such a high quality range of creative businesses choose the Etsy marketplace for their online home.”
“From handmade designer furniture, beautiful abstract art through to skateboards made from reclaimed timber, the judges, along with the rest of Australia, have their work cut out for them in deciding the winner,” adds Souness.
Santa Monica screenprinted round cushion, AU$92, by Bubbles at the Head on Etsy. Photography courtesy of Bubbles at the Head.
To view the finalists and vote for the Community Choice Award (grand prize), head over to the Etsy Design Awards and vote before 5pm, 25 October, 2014.
