Etsy is a popular platform for selling handmade and vintage items, as well as unique and creative goods. Those with a knack for creativity can make a pretty penny selling custom and handmade items through an Etsy shop!
I’m speaking from experience here: I started my shop on Etsy a few years back and had great success with it (you can read about my tips here). If you don’t have an outside social media to promote Etsy can make selling easier than hosting it on your own website on Shopify. However, that doesn’t mean you can just sell anything on Etsy! You need to make and sell things that users want.
Below are some of the best things you can sell as someone just getting started on Etsy. To learn more, read on!
1. Handmade Jewelry
Handmade jewelry is a popular category on Etsy for several reasons. Jewelry made by hand is unique and one-of-a-kind, making it appealing to buyers looking for items that are different from what’s available in traditional retail stores. Etsy’s platform provides a curated selection of handmade jewelry, which makes it easy for buyers to find unique, high-quality pieces.
In addition, handmade jewelry is often more personal and meaningful than mass-produced jewelry. From polymer clay to real gemstones, there is no end to the different types of jewelry offered by creators around the world.
Buyers appreciate the care and attention to detail that goes into making handmade jewelry and are often drawn to items that have a personal story or connection to the maker.
2. Handmade Clothing
Those looking for a unique fashion accessory to add to their closet will often take a look at Etsy. If you create scarves or shawls, hats, gloves, dresses, tops, or any other article of clothing, you will likely find a buyer on Etsy. Those looking for unique self-expression may even buy their clothing exclusively from sellers on Etsy.
Many buyers look to purchase clothing on Etsy due to the unique nature of the clothing in addition to the increased durability of handmade clothing. While store-bought clothing may be cheaply stitched together, pieces made lovingly by hand tend to last much longer.
3. Handmade Home Goods
Home goods are a huge seller on Etsy. Some of the most common handmade home goods that sell on Etsy include:
- Furniture (chairs, shelves, tables)
- Home decor (rugs, curtains, wall art)
- Kitchen goods (spoons, utensils, cutting boards, pottery)
- Bedding and linens (quilts, pillowcases, stuffed animals)
Handmade home goods tend to be more durable than store-bought goods. Plus, they also tend to be more unique, as each creator adds their own unique spin on their product. In addition to being functional, buyers love goods that add a personal touch to their living spaces.
4. Handmade Bath and Beauty Products
Etsy is also a popular stop for people interested in homemade bath and beauty products. This is especially the case for families with certain skin allergies or sensitivities, as some sellers may produce homemade soaps and lotions without the harsh chemicals contained in many store-bought soaps.
Bath and beauty products vary, as you can usually find a combination of items listed on Etsy including soaps, lotions, makeup, skincare products, and candles. Buyers love to indulge in luxury homemade bath items, so selling these products can be quite lucrative.
5. Vintage Items
Though Etsy is mostly known for homemade items, vintage items have become a highly sought-after commodity there too. The popularity of vintage items can be attributed to several factors, including their unique character and charm, historical and nostalgic appeal, investment potential, and the supportive Etsy community.
Vintage items often have a unique character and charm that sets them apart from modern, mass-produced items. This rarity makes them highly desirable to buyers seeking one-of-a-kind products for their homes. Etsy provides a platform for vintage sellers to showcase their collections and reach a wide audience of potential buyers for a large range of different vintage items, from rustic milking stools to classy vintage clothes.
Additionally, many vintage items often have a nostalgic appeal that appeals to older buyers who value the craftsmanship and attention to detail found in these rare items. The sense of nostalgia that vintage items evoke often makes them highly desirable.
6. Art and Photography
Art and photography are popular categories on Etsy, offering a platform for artists and photographers to showcase their personal work and reach a large audience of potential buyers. Artists have a variety of options on Etsy to sell their work, including prints, original pieces, and custom commissions. This gives artists the flexibility to sell the works they want exactly how they want.
Artists on Etsy encompass a wide range of styles and mediums, including traditional and digital art, fine art photography, and abstract and contemporary pieces. This diversity of styles and mediums makes Etsy a popular destination for art lovers and collectors, as they can easily find the types of pieces they are interested in. Every piece you find on Etsy is one-of-a-kind, so buyers know they’re getting something special.
Buyers can even request commissions from specific artists offering this service. If you’re an artist into photography or creating physical art, Etsy is a great place to get your name out there.
7. Personalized Gifts
One of the most popular things for buyers on Etsy in recent years is personalized gifts. Sellers can provide buyers with the ability to create unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for their loved ones, which become increasingly popular around holidays.
Some of the most common ways gifts can be personalized are with custom engravings, monograms, stickers, and printing. Products that buyers would normally be unable to buy elsewhere or make themselves suddenly become possible with the right seller on Etsy!
If you have a printer, Cricut, or other methods of personalizing the items you sell, this can be an easy way to quickly gain popularity on Etsy, especially around the holidays.
8. Printables
Selling printables is another way of making money on Etsy without much effort. Depending on the type of printable you try to sell, you can make anywhere from a few dollars a sale to hundreds of dollars per sale.
You can easily set up your printables using Canva or Adobe and turn them into printable planners, calendars, journals, to-do lists, Cricut projects, flyer templates, and more. Homeschooling templates, coloring books, crochet patterns, and other DIY templates have also increased in popularity since the pandemic began.
Once you set up your store, you can gauge the demand and start with customized printables or more. Printables are literally the easiest source of passive income on Etsy.
9. Stickers
If you love stickers and are in the habit of collecting them, it’s easy to turn your hobby into a business by selling stickers on Etsy. If you make stickers, even better! You’ll earn much more!
Stickers in all forms and shapes are popular as personal items or as business brand requirements. The business stickers would require you to adhere to specific guidelines that look classy while being functional at the same time.
The personalized stickers though give you free rein. Find a free designing software such as Canva and start designing stickers you like. Stickers of flowers, animals, hearts and love, anime stickers from your favorite show, parenting stickers, and more can be made in vinyl or plain paper.
Keep experimenting with different types of stickers, or design some original pieces till you find the ones that sell best!
10. Wedding Gifts
It’s a lot easier to find that perfect wedding gift on Etsy than in other stores. Etsy sellers usually have a unique skill that they use to create gorgeous creations that are perfect as wedding gifts or wedding souvenirs. Many couples also make wedding registries on Etsy, so as a seller of unique gifts, you’re perfectly positioned to earn a lot here.
What can you sell as wedding gifts on Etsy? Anything you’re good at making. From customized cutting boards to personalized watercolor potraits to rustic wedding favors, it’s easy to make something unique that will please all types of couples.
Start by gifting a few friends to get their reviews, and it’ll be easy to turn your unique passion into a business on Etsy.
Etsy is a great place to sell for those who create unique goods. It’s important to keep in mind that Etsy has specific guidelines for the types of items that can be sold on the platform, so be sure to review their guidelines before listing your items. Additionally, it’s a good idea to research your target market and competition, as well as to consider shipping and handling costs when pricing your items. As long as you do your homework, you’ll be on your way to creating an Etsy empire in no time.
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