Make-it Mondays: 2011 Trend Forecasting

THIS time, the time after the holidays, is the most wonderful time of the year. The dust settles and we take stock of what we want to keep or trash for a fresh new year. The same goes for your Etsy shop. Here are some trends the trendfinders are buzzing about.

Quality Handmade Items: It's been on the news and people are posting about it in the forums on Etsy. Good news for us, huh? Make your work well, photograph it well, and promote it with a story. People are tired of cold corporate crap.

Color: Hugely important each year. On Etsy's Facebook page fans were invited to tell the world which colors they would choose through Etsy Colors this year. They had A LOT of opinions. Each year Pantone, the official color kings of well...everything, choose the it color of the year. Last year was PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise. In 2011 it's all about PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle . That's right men, pink is taking over! More specific colors were handpicked in this great color trend treasury as well.


Big, Big Jewelry: Handmade News is talking about jewelry trends for 2011, including large jewels, wide cuff bracelets and arm bands and chokers (yah, don't know how I feel about that one).

Hello Craft is talking about a couple fashion trends that affect your 2011 sales:

The 1970's: It feels like this millenium can't get it's head together, and keeps stealing from the final three decades of last century. For vintage sellers that's all good though. Get that 70's fabric, dishware, clothing and accessories out.

Geometry and Intricate Patterns: Whether you make items to wear, use or just appreciate as art, consider adding geometric shapes and pattern to your designs. There is a nice contract of minimal and complex happening if you can harness it.

Bottom line though...YOU make the trends. Go with what you love and incorporate a couple trends for fun. What will you add to your work this year?