Etsy Manufacturing launches in beta mode

New York--Etsy officially has launched the beta version of its newest venture, Etsy Manufacturing, which brings manufacturers into its artisan world in an effort to connect them with Etsy sellers.

Etsy Manufacturing, which can be found online here, gives Etsy sellers the chance to seek out and pair up with manufacturers in four industries: jewelry and metalwork, apparel and textile, machining and fabrication, and printing.

For jewelry designers, Etsy Manufacturing takes them through the process of finding a match based on what it is exactly they need help with--such as benchwork, engraving or stone setting--what materials they’re using, and/or where the manufacturer needs to be based. It then gives them with a list of manufacturers that fit their needs.

On the new site, each manufacturer has a profile page to be able to tell their story and include photographs of their work  and their facility. Etsy also said that it’s running a photography pilot for manufacturers to have their spaces photographed, courtesy of the website. 

Since they made the announcement about the new marketplace last month and began accepting applications, Etsy said they’ve received interest from more than 500 manufacturers in the United States and Canada. 

They cover a wide range of businesses, from startups to older, family-run factories, and even other Etsy sellers themselves who’ve collaborated with other sellers in a production capacity in the past.

Etsy is using the beta (test) phase to continue to grow the community of manufacturing partners.

The launch of Etsy Manufacturing is just the latest development in the growing world of handmade goods.

E-commerce giant Amazon announced earlier this month that it has officially launched its answer to Etsy, Handmade at Amazon, which currently offers more than 80,000 items made from sellers in the United States as well as 60 countries around the globe. 

In addition to every artisan having their own profile describing how their products are made, each product page also features a location icon to allow buyers to purchase locally. The e-tailer also is adding Handmade items to its Amazon Prime program.