Nest x Etsy Uplift Makers
Through the Uplift Makers Program, Nest partners with Etsy to support economically disenfranchised heritage craft communities. The program opens doors to ecommerce for these makers by helping them set up Etsy shops where they can connect with millions of buyers on the platform. Coupled with support and training for photography and best practices on marketing, shipping logistics, and more, the program helps to give makers resources and skills to set up and grow their businesses online.
Meet the Gee’s Bend Quilters
Beginning in 2021, the program brought the Gee’s Bend quilters onto the Etsy platform, opening the door for interested buyers and collectors around the world to purchase the community’s renowned, handcrafted pieces online for the first time.
The Uplift Makers Program provides talented craftspeople with ecommerce access and digital support they need to thrive. To date, more than 100 artisans and makers have opened their own shops through this program and collectively earned more than $1 million dollars in online sales.
Since 2021, we’ve engaged with a range of communities, including Gee’s Bend quilters, Gullah basket weavers, resettled Afghan refugee crafters, Indigenous makers, and artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Meet the Gullah Weavers
The Gullah weavers of the South Carolina Lowcountry are known for their incredibly intricate basket weaving tradition, which they have preserved for more than eight generations. Recognizing the need to celebrate this important craft, the Uplift Makers Program provides the weavers with access to greater visibility for their craft and the opportunity to earn meaningful income through their own Etsy shops.
Meet the Afghan Refugee Collective
In coordination with local organizations that support refugee resettlement in Buffalo, NY; Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA; and Jersey City, New Jersey, the Afghan Refugee Collective includes shops by Afghan women refugees who have resettled in the US. Their products include a stunning collection of home goods developed utilizing Afghan craft and needlework techniques.
Meet the Indigenous Artisans Collective
Through the Indigenous Artisans Collective, the Uplift Makers Program features Indigenous and Native artisans who are bringing greater attention to their generational craft traditions. Collective members honor their culture through beautiful handcrafted jewelry, prints and designs, and home decor.
Meet the Oaxaca Artesanía Collective
Through the Oaxaca Artesanía Collective, the Uplift Makers Program is helping Oaxacan artisans who have historically relied solely on local tourism for sales access millions of global buyers, opening doors to ecommerce for these makers and creating opportunities to earn meaningful income. From intricately crafted candles to handwoven textiles, the Collective delights shoppers worldwide.