Etsy was co-founded by Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik as an online marketplace for handmade goods and craft supplies.
The site launched in 2005 after the founders built its initial version in roughly two and a half months. Etsy gave individual makers their own online storefronts, offering an alternative to large retail platforms for people selling jewelry, clothing, art, furniture, toys, and other distinctive items. Jared Tarbell later joined the founding team and is also commonly listed among Etsy’s founders.
The name “Etsy” was chosen as a deliberately flexible brand rather than a descriptive retail term. Etsy grew during a period when independent creators were seeking ways to reach customers directly, and its tagging and category systems helped shoppers find niche products.
A common mix-up is treating Etsy as a general online department store. Its identity is more specifically tied to handmade, vintage, and craft-related goods, although its marketplace has evolved over time. Etsy defines vintage items as being at least 20 years old, and sellers pay listing and transaction-related fees.