Sure, Etsy‘s been around since 2005, but not everyone is hip to the ecommerce site. No worries, we’ve provided an overview of all the great features Etsy has to offer. Just don’t blame us when you’ve logged your fifth straight hour browsing refab couch cushions. It’s been known to happen.

Etsy is an ecommerce site comprised of individual user shops, similar to eBay or Amazon. However, Etsy has the reputation for hosting a very specific genre of products: handmade items, vintage clothing and jewelry, refurbished and upcycled housewares, craft supplies, etc. Basically, Etsy encourages you to launch your small business venture on the site, and the more DIY the better.

Even if you’re not an Etsy shop owner, the site is just as fun. In addition to browsing items from individual sellers all over the world, Etsy users can access an engaging social layer on the site, whether by “circling” friends like Google+ or adding “favorites” like you would pins on Pinterest.

SEE ALSO: 20 Unique ‘The Hunger Games’ Items on Etsy

It’s true, Etsy has changed a lot since 2005. Whether you’re a veteran user or a newbie, take a look at our guide below. You’ll discover how to search, favorite and purchase some incredibly creative products. And be sure and let us know what you think of Etsy in the comments below.

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One of the first things you’ll notice about the Etsy homepage is the collage of handpicked items. Often, these items belong to themes distinguished by color, occasion, material or type.

Etsy updates the homepage’s handpicked items regularly, so you could check back 20 minutes later for an entirely different set.

The handpicked items come from the Etsy Treasury, a collection of curated lists to which both users and Etsy curators contribute.

Make your own list, if you like. Etsy frequently highlights its community curation and participation efforts.

Before you start browsing the site too much, sign up for Etsy either through email or Facebook.

Having an account on Etsy not only allows you to purchase items; it also opens up Etsy’s rich social and personal curation layers.

Use the homepage search bar to filter items by “handmade” or “vintage,” the two major categories on Etsy. Or search by user name or shop owner to access profiles on-the-fly.

If you prefer to browse more specific categories, scroll down the homepage to the left-hand sidebar. There you’ll find categories like candles, furniture and music.

Or let Etsy’s powerful curation be your guide. Head to the “Colors” navigation page and pull up items by hue. The tool is imaginative and interactive, a fresh way to browse an ecommerce website.

Type in your location to find products sold in your area. Support local businesses and lower your impact on the environment.

You’d be surprised how many search results Etsy returns. A search for Brooklyn, N.Y. pulled up 50,000 items.

At some point after all your browsing, you’ll land on an item. Like most product pages, it lists the name of the item, the price and the description.

However, Etsy functions like eBay — you buy things from individual sellers. Therefore, the product page links to the “shop” owner’s name, location, feedback and favorites.

Because you’re dealing with private sellers, each product description varies. Thorough sellers will include several photos of their items, along with sizing charts and specs, when necessary. You’ll also find a chart that lists shipping costs, since Etsy sellers live all over the world.

Each shop has its own landing page. At the top, you’ll find a shop’s banner, under which the owner has the option to list featured items.

The left-hand sidebar lists shop categories so you can browse by type of item. Or use a handy search bar.

Below the shop information, you’ll find the shop owner…

Each shop owner and Etsy user has a profile page (even if he or she doesn’t have a shop).

The profile includes an about section, thumbnails of the user’s shop items, feedback rating, friends (aka “Circles”), and a cool feature called “favorites.”

The favorites feature reminds me of pins on Pinterest. You can browse Etsy and tag items, shops and even treasury lists as favorites. They get logged into your favorites page, where you can refer to them as reminders for later purchases, bookmarks for awesome shops, or inspiration for your own future projects.

By now you’ve likely found dozens of Etsy items you’re dying to purchase. When you reach checkout, keep in mind that you’ll have to buy multiple items separately if they come from different sellers. That means separate shipping and handling fees and taxes apply.

On the bright side, most Etsy sellers accept PayPal, so you’ll feel more secure.

Finally, if you’re shopping for a loved one, connect your Facebook profile to Etsy to receive custom gift recommendations. Just type in a Facebook friend’s name and Etsy generates products based on your friend’s Facebook Likes.

In our experience, it’s pretty accurate. However, you still have to be the judge when it comes to taste.

Finally, if you’re shopping for a loved one, connect your Facebook profile to Etsy to receive custom gift recommendations. Just type in a Facebook friend’s name and Etsy generates products based on your friend’s Facebook Likes.

In our experience, it’s pretty accurate. However, you still have to be the judge when it comes to taste.

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