Etsy was selected as this year’s recipient of the 2014 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for “its employment of design in everything from outreach initiatives to their sales. ‘Their user-friendly technology and innovative approach to retail brings craft and design into everyone’s home in ways both small and large,’” says Cooper-Hewitt spokesperson Laurie Bohlk.

Randy Hunt (MFAD ’07), Etsy’s creative director said “People value things that have a story, but even more so, something in which they are the story; where they are a participant in that experience.”

The Cooper Hewitt writes: “The site allows sellers to envision, create and vend their own goods. Its primary rule? Each item listed must be either handmade, a unique factory object or over 20 years old.”

Our congratulations to Hunt and his creative team.