Image via Complex Original
While Etsy is known for selling crafts and vintage items, it's also popular with younger artists, illustrators, and graphic designers, who use the platform to sell their work directly to buyers. The secret to discovering great art on Etsy is tapping into the site's social networks, including the activity feed, which allows you to see the items and shops your friends are exploring in real time. Among the tens of thousands of artists on Etsy, these 25 stand out as respected members of the Etsy community and as artists possessing a unique voice.
The 25 Coolest Artists On Etsy
Written by Kate Singleton
Valero Doval
Valero Doval
Location: Valencia, Spain
Valero Doval is an award-winning Spanish illustrator whose clients include The New York Times, Wallpaper* and Kenzo. On etsy Doval sells prints of his mixed media collages.
Treasure Frey
Treasure Frey
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Treasure Frey is a Los Angeles-based artist who has recently shown her artwork at Like The Spice Gallery in Brooklyn and Hijinks Gallery in San Francisco.
Rob Hodgson
Rob Hodgson
Location: Bristol, UK
Rob Hodgson is an award-winning illustrator based in Bristol who credits early 20thC European painters, Mid Century illustration, JD Salinger, trains, junk shops, and W. Blake as inspirations
Rhea Mack
Rhea Mack
Location: Beverly, MA
Originally from Iowa, Rhea Mack now calls Beverly, MA home. Mack doesn't have much of an online presence, but her etsy shop is filled with the kind of quirky affordable art that makes etsy worth perusing.
Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch
Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch
Location: New York, NY
The San Diego-born illustrator lived in both San Francisco before decamping to New York in 2010. His clients include The New York Times, The New Yorker and Virgin Records.
Marco Suarez
Marco Suarez
Location: Greenville, SC
Suarez is based in Charleston, South Carolina. His scenic photographs were taken on road trips through the Smoky Mountains and along California's Highway 1.
Kyoko Imazu
Kyoko Imazu
Location: Melbourne, AU
Imazu's work is nothing if not unique. The artist draws inspiration from Bugs Bunny, Alice In Wonderland and 10th century engravings in piecing together the features of each rabbit in this series.
Kai Samuels-Davis
Kai Samuels-Davis
Location: Jenner, California
It's uncommon to come across really solid painters on etsy, but Kai Samuels-Davis, who has an MFA from the renowned Art Center College of Design, is an exception.
Justin Richel
Justin Richel
Location: Rangeley, Maine
The ongoing theme in Richel's work is excess and imminent collapse. His recent work, which has become larger scale and more complex, was exhibited at Ross+Ross Galerie in Stuttgart, Germany.
Julia Pott
Julia Pott
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Pott is a well-known British illustrator living in Brooklyn. The artist's award winning animation "Belly" made its online debut this past week.
Jesus Perea
Jesus Perea
Location: Madrid, Spain
This Spanish artist considers himself primarily a painter but also works quite successfully in digital media. His collages on etsy, with their youthful exuberance, are particularly striking.
Jeremy Miranda
Jeremy Miranda
Location: Salem, MA
Jeremy Miranda's work has garnered attention in the online indie art world for its unique blend of romanticism and surrealism.
Hollie Chastain
Hollie Chastain
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Hollie Chastain is a self-described addict of vintage materials (specifically old books and paper) which she gives a second life in her mixed-media artwork.
Gabriella Barouch
Gabriella Barouch
Location: Paris, FR
This talented young illustrator with many awards to her name studied at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem and now lives in Paris.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GabriellaBarouch
Emily Winfield Martin
Emily Winfield Martin
Location: Portland, OR
To say that Emily Martin's work is girly or saccharin, which it may seem at first glance, would be to overlook the delightful weirdness that begs a second (and third...) look.
Edu Barba
Edu Barba
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Edu Barba is a loyal disciple of mid-century graphic design. The Spanish artist has a section in his shop called "XL and cheap" for those on a budget.
Debbie Carlos
Debbie Carlos
Location: Chicago, IL
This Chicago-based artist has some of the most stunning photography on etsy. From photographing flowers to landscapes to her moving-hands series, she has an amazing eye for the viseral.
Bryce Wymer
Bryce Wymer
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Bryce Wymer's bio says he is a creative director and artist but he's clearly also a talented illustrator. The artist's pendant for the color black gives the work a distinctly graphic feel.
Brandi Strickland
Brandi Strickland
Location: Floyd, Virginia
Brandi opened her etsy shop in 2007, but recently the artist has taken her vibrant collages to the next level.
Ben Kafton
Ben Kafton
Location: Utah
Ben Kafton creates 3D blueprint-like prints that are an ode to modernist architecture and design.
Becca Stadtlander
Becca Stadtlander
Location: Baltimore, MD
Becca is a recent MICA grad originally from Covington, KY. Her pitch-perfect folksy style has earned her clients like the New York Times and O - The Oprah Magazine.
Art and People
Art and People
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Art and People is Laura, a Brooklyn-based artist, who sells affordable prints of her screen printed and gouache artworks.
APAK
APAK
Location: Portland, OR
This husband and wife duo is well-known in the etsy art community for their signature brand of sci-fi twee.
Amanda Michael Harris
Amanda Michael Harris
Location: Troy, NY
Amanda Michael Harris hails from Memphis where she received her BFA in Printmaking and Papermaking.
Agogwe
Agogwe
Location: Sydney, AU
The artist known as Agogwe is a 19 year old from Maui living in Sydney. Pieces like "Conceited" feature blob-like alien creatures that are both cute and grotesque.