Back in 2003, Janie Young started selling her handmade diaper bags and purses on eBay. It was a successful business for her, but she always felt the site was lacking, Young said.

In 2006, she heard about Etsy but didn't move over until October of last year. She said she loves the community-like atmosphere of the site.

For Young, creating her bags has turned into a full-time job. She works from 6 a.m.-6 p.m., and while she's been approached by shop owners to start selling outside of Etsy, she said she is content with the exposure she has right now on the Web.

The Internet has pushed her to try something she might not have considered, Young said. Her advice, like other Etsy sellers', is to find something unique to sell.

"Most of the people on Etsy work really hard at their craft in trying to come up with new ideas," she said.

Sarah Jane — sarahjanestudios.etsy.com

Since opening last October, Sarah Jane's shop has been an instant success. She never considered her work would be sold around the world, or that she would be approached to illustrate children's books.

Most of Sarah Jane's artwork is geared toward children. It's very sweet but playful and detailed. She has multiple cards for sale and also wall prints.

For Sarah Jane, Etsy has been a great tool to earn publicity, but she said she has worked hard to promote her site with advertising and by word-of-mouth. As a mother, she said she loves the ability to stay at home with her children but also contribute to the world with her artwork.

Her advice to people looking to set up shop on Etsy is to advertise themselves and be proactive if they want sales.

"With Etsy, as great as it is, it's easy to get lost," said Sarah Jane. "Just like eBay, you have to find a way to stand out."

Ashley Blanch Steele — hiccupdecor.etsy.com

Since her appearance on "The Martha Stewart Show" earlier this year, Ashley Blanch Steele's little Etsy shop has been flooded with orders. She is currently working with numerous boutiques and outside shops and plans to work solely as a wholesaler in the future.

Etsy has been a launch pad to a great career, said Steele, of Layton.

"There is no way we would have gotten as half as busy as we are without Etsy," she said.

Steele came up with the idea to sell wooden baby blocks and other products after designing some items for her son's nursery. Steele uses fun, modern designs to adorn her creations.

She considers Etsy a win-win. People who sell through the site don't have to pay much: 20 cents per item listed and 3.5 percent transaction fee per sale.

"It's really expensive to have to build your own Web site," she said. "Etsy is a no-brainer."

Etsy by the numbers:

— more than 1.5 million members

— more than 200,000 sellers

— more than 2.8 million items currently listed for sale

— 3,770 Utah sellers

— $87 million in estimated sales in 2008

— 20-cent listing fee (good for four months), 3.5 percent transaction fee per sale

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com