Wichita’s local Etsy show to feature 50 vendors

Wichita is no stranger to handmade, local goods. With dozens of craft fairs and local shops throughout ICT, there is a fair share of local items.

One local shopping experience can be over-looked, though, as it usually remains online.

The Wichita Etsy Local brings 50 local Etsy-shop owners to one central location to sell their handmade, eclectic goods. This opportunity allows the shop owners to take their normally online-only business to the forefront of Wichitans.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Hotel at Old Town, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for everything from dog collars to copper jewelry.

For Helen Danler, of Flint Hills Events, Etsy was a way for her to do something to help support her family while being creative.

“I started an online Etsy store, and I knew I didn’t have enough stock to do local markets, but I thought ‘man, it would be great if I could do something geared towards Etsy businesses,” Danler said. “We’re all kind of in the same boat and we want to grow our business, but at the same time it’s hard to keep enough stock on hand so that’s how I got the idea to start something like this.”

Etsy hosts local “teams” for people in the same area to communicate, and as Danler became the team leader, her idea blossomed for the Etsy local. Since the beginning, the local has continuously grown and currently hosts about 50 vendors.

“We have bath bombs, tree ornaments, ceramics…there are so many unique things,” Danler said.

A few noteworthy booths include:

Legacy PotteryWorks

Legacy Pottery Works has been an Etsy member since 2015. The brand not only sells ceramics including mugs, dinnerware sets, and vases, but is a “social enterprise that funds youth development.” The business supports at-risk youth in Wichita by providing employment and allowing youth to create pottery pieces to sell.

Elegant Handwovens

Nancy Schneider of Elegant Handwovens not only creates her own hand-dyed scarves and shawls, but she also does a presentation at the Local showing on how she hand-dyes items and creates these wearables. Schneider has been part of the Etsy community since 2014.

PaHaRa Jewelry and Designs

These creations by Hatice Rahn are perfect for anyone who loves unique jewelry pieces. Rahn, an Etsy seller since 2011, creates bead woven jewelry, macramé, and pieces made of stones and wire.

Danlers

Perfect for all of the mothers out there, Danlers specializes in Mommy and Me outfits, including kimonos, t-shirts and dresses. Danlers was started by Helen Danler in 2015.

2019 Wichita Etsy Local market

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

Where: The Hotel at Old Town Conference Center, 830 E. 1st St.

Admission is free.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 5:00 AM.