Etsy, the ecommerce site may host online storefronts for handmade, vintage, repurposed items and other funky art stuff, but it also fosters a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. Artists turning to entrepreneurs. Are the two mutually exclusive?

Etsy’s user friendly interface and robust marketing tools have rendered it comparable to eBay. In 2010 and 2011, Etsy's sales increased by 71%. It's 875,000 shop owners sell an average of 2.9 million items per month.

The folks at MBAOnline.com compiled research into an infographic telling the story of the impact of Etsy on both small business owners and the ecommerce industry in general. Check it out below: