Most of you who like to buy handcrafted things online are familiar with Etsy. While there are some really great things on Etsy, I must admit, I have stumbled upon some, how do I write this? – OK, I’ll come out and write it – really ugly and badly made items that leave me thinking, who the hell would buy THAT? Someone who is more gutsy and expressive than I am has started a blog called Regretsy which has the byline “Handmade? It looks like you made it with your feet”. And that, my friends, is just the beginning.
I have been laughing my pants off reading this blog all week and admittedly though things some people make are totally off the wall and make me wonder about the human race, Regretsy took it a step further and the best thing about this blog is the hysterically witty commentary, which encourages readers comments thereby multiplying the laughter and enjoyment factor.
Here are a few items that made me cry laughing and that are also reasonably safe to view with kids around. (I said reasonably)
I call this one Patriotic Rock: Maybe they could do one for Israel as well, though the political message may be a little controversial.
Safe sex pillows. The pillows have a pocket for condoms, quite creative I must say, though as Helen Killer writes, a little more daring than me, that these may give off the “wrong idea”.
Here’s another cushion with an interesting motif … I think most of you recognize it as a uterus, which indeed is what it is. (I wonder what will be next, perhaps a pancreas embroidery, or other internal or external organs)
Toys for the tortured….
For those who are into fantasy, you may be into spending $600 on a “real” taxidermy black unicorn.
Just add a candle to any kitchen item and Voila!
Yet another frightening toy for your tortured child. It seems there are a lot of MJ crafts. Possibly fans trying to keep the King of Pop alive, but as Helen Killer wrote about this piece: “It’s a good thing Michael Jackson is dead, because this would have killed him.”
Although the witty people at Regretsy may at times be really mean, slagging off crafts that some people invest hours in creating, it seems that this blog has been bringing traffic, as well as buyers, to those who feel the need to create weird, weirder and the weirdest Etsy stores. So, as well as being incredibly funny, Regretsy is increasing sales for these poor souls who create these “crafts” and may not have otherwise had a chance of selling their wares without the exposure they get on this hysterically funny blog.
Hats off to Regretsy!
Not only that – but have you see the PRICES that people have been charging for these things? And Regretsy actually HELPS them get sold. It seems anything with a va-jayjay sells well also. I’m praying they are all bought as gag gifts. One really has to wonder…
-s
Honestly?
I think as long as people don’t offend and hurt on purpose (I’ve seen nazi flags for sale on Etsy, tutorials for crochet Hitler teddybears on Craftster – the first thankfully set off a wave of disgust, the latter had a huge fan community among ‘crafters’!), one should let them go their creative ways. There are admirers for all manners of things out there, and everyone is allowed their niche.
What troubles me is that this is finger pointing in a very public way; it doesn’t stay among a few friends or kids in the school yard, but this goes all around the web. It is unfair, uncalled for, and generally, this is not the business of others. Yes, these pieces are weird, sometimes not the taste of everyone… but saying that ‘thanks’ to blogs like this (there’s a similar one out there), these products actually sell, seems but a lame excuse for doing something which otherwise our parents taught us is bad manners, you know.
Just let them craft in their special ways and move on… be a mensch.
On this one I would like to respectfully disagree. While I understand your point I think for a lot of these items (maybe not the USA painted rock – but the teddy bear with the va-jayjay, come on!) the creator is fully aware that it’s over the edge. Or the painting made from several mens… umm… while this isn’t a children’s blog I still can’t go there – if the painter (who also added gold Channel eye shadow no less to his art piece) didn’t realize he was welcoming commentary, I don’t know who is. Regretsy tends to go for the furthest out of the items on Etsy and I love the site.
Dear a.
IMO the great thing about the internet is the way we can share ideas without borders and comment on things we like or hate or in general share our thoughts on whatever it is we encounter.
It’s human, it’s funny and we like it.
My favourite part of the posts is what Helen Killer writes. I like it even more than the weird stuff.