A Birmingham-based social networking website for hobby craft enthusiasts has launched an online marketplace for users to sell their creations.
Hobzy has picked up 125,000 users around the world since its launch in November 2011.
The start-up business is based at the Zellig building at the Custard Factory and has more than doubled its staff from three to seven in the past year.
The new marketplace and android app, Hobzy Bazaar, provides solo crafters with a platform to sell homemade items in low volumes, similar to popular e-commerce website Etsy.
Francesca Stone, community manager at Hobzy, said: “Crafters devote so much time to creating truly unique items and it really is a labour of love rather than a mass production.
“We are the home of all things hand-made and want to give single sellers who may feel overcrowded, or like they can’t compete in other marketplaces, a space to share and sell their beautiful one-off creations.
“Our new marketplace is an extension of our original purpose and is the perfect compromise for those who enjoy crafting in their spare time and want to make a little pocket money out of doing what they love without giving up the day job.''
The business raised £100,000 of funding last year and this month received a further £285,000 in funding from a consortium of angels and investors.Hobzy is looking to hire a full-time marketplace developer on a salary of between £22,000 and £26,000.
