Crafts are making a comeback, but this time around, local artisans are taking their handmade work to the virtual world.

The recent rise in the popularity of handmade goods is commonly called the “handmade revival.” Local artists cite renewed interest in knowing the origin of the products they purchase as well as a personal return to the arts as the reason for this trend.

Such is the case for Myra Callan, who sells handmade wedding accessories from her home in Salem.

“For me, [it] means a renewed sense of appreciation for the arts and all things handmade. I think that people are also turning toward the arts; they are revisiting their pastimes and hobbies,” Callan said.

Tassia Henderson, Bead Trunk employee and jewelry designer agreed.

"[It's about] being able to talk to the person that actually put all their time and effort into making something that is really cool and knowing where it came from and knowing the ingredients,” she said.

Many artists find that the sale of their craft has been facilitated by Etsy, an online bazaar for handmade and vintage items. Willamette Valley artisans are no exception.

“After exploring Etsy further, I realized the potential for getting my paintings seen and perhaps even sold,” noted Keizer painter and mom Elizabeth Bauman, who discovered the online store while researching an artist she met at the Salem Art Fair in 2007.

Conceived and launched in 2005, the Web site serves both buyers and sellers in exchanging goods.

“I had not previously used the Internet to sell or promote my paintings; this was a whole new world for me," Bauman said. "Within Etsy there are individual shops set up by people across the world selling anything from fine art to handmade crafts and clothes to vintage items."

From its Web site, Etsy states, "Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: buy, sell and live handmade."

Heather Bennerman, a local children’s clothing designer who sells under the username “babyfunk,” described the Internet as “too complicated,” yet added, “but I've been on Etsy for almost a year now. It's really simple, that's why I like it. I'm not a very computer-savvy person.”

The online format of Etsy and its affordability caters to a variety of artists. Open to anyone who desires to sell either handmade or vintage items, Etsy charges a mere twenty cents per listing, 3.5 percent of each sale, and PayPal fees.

“It can definitely be more profitable than selling at other venues,” Callan, who sells her wedding accessories as “myrakim,” said.

She also sells her paintings as “artbyelizabethbauman.”

“Online is easy because of the logistics,” Callan said. “I work with so many people overseas and around the nation that working in person wouldn’t be possible in most situations.”

Etsy offers a myriad of search methods, including a search for local artists, for undiscovered artists, or by categories.

“They have a pretty good community on there,” Henderson, who sells her jewelry as “tassiewashie,” said.

As Etsy has grown in popularity, its community has grown to encompass the entire globe, allowing artists otherwise limited to their immediate area to reach audiences near and far.

“Etsy was kind of a good starting point to have a gallery online. From there I had a gallery called the Wind Drift Gallery in Newport that contacted me on Etsy, so now I sell my stuff there,” Henderson said.

The online resource may also aid new artists in launching their beginner pieces.

“[Etsy] has been very helpful: I have sold my art! Even more, hundreds if not thousands of people have seen my paintings,” Bauman said, reflecting on the Web site’s role in her life. “As an artist new in the professional art world, this is extremely helpful and encouraging.”