Love to Give Handmade? Go Local, Too!

With the recent push to "shop small," most recently evidenced by American Express’s "" campaign, did you know you can shop even smaller than a local store?

Etsy showcases handmade items from all over the world, giving handcrafters a market for their wares.

According to its website, "Etsy is the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace. Etsy celebrates individual creativity in design and craftsmanship by connecting unique people, stories and items in a playful and meaningful way. Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies.”

But did you know you can also find Etsy shop owners by location? There are several Etsy dealers with more than 250 items based out of East Haven alone, never mind that there are 71,049 items listed in Connecticut.

Here are East Haven's hometown Etsy shops:

• The Head Said

• Rob Ashton Designs

• Jewelry by Jess M

• Picture Perfect Couture

• Farod