where have all the artists gone?

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought. — Jonathan Swift

Having been away from Etsy for a year or so, I was surprised to find how things have changed... even though some things have stayed the same (forum bickering). I was a little disappointed that the merchandise seems to have become more ebayish, yet some of the real artists remain... theblackapple, littleput books (the original Scrabble pendant artist). Yes, Scrabble pendants are still around and being done to death!

I find it interesting that two years ago, Scrabble pendants were the big thing on Etsy, but nowhere to be found anywhere else. Now, I believe they are abundant. Also, Michaels and Hobby Lobby now carry jewelry parts like the original steampunk found on Etsy (ie, pieces that are manufactured to look like watch parts, etc.) And the retail stores carry manufactured resin pendants. I only now am realizing that jewelry design begins in the art world and works it way down, just like clothing begins with the designers, and gets copied, and copied, and copied. How I admire artists with imagination enough to create something new.

All in all, it is my opinion that Etsy has become the new online craft mall, Ebay style. Wonder where all the artists have gone?