Craftsu.com is a online social network where shoppers for unique handmade gifts can connect and interact with artists who make and sell crafts. Craftsu’s networking platform prompts interaction between buyers and sellers through forums, blogs, videos, photos and artist profiles.

Artists who sell crafts and artwork upload images that range from photography to Christmas ornaments to handmade soap, like the EarthGift.com herbal soaps from Asaera Patricia Cote in New Mexico. ArizonaGourds.com artisan, Bonnie Gibson displays her hand painted Southwestern gourds on her Craftsu profile where she invites and answers questions from shoppers seeking something special to give as gifts.

Craftsu.com founder, James Dillehay, is a craft artist and author who has researched e-commerce trends since 2000 and authored several books on selling online. He says many artists and craft makers are seeing the demand for their handmade crafts grow. It's become a trend to 'buy handmade.' He may be right. Popular sites like Etsy and eBay reported increasing sales of craft items from the end of 2008 through 2009, despite a dismal economy for most other industries.