Etsy has opened the doors for artistic individuals to share their talents with consumers (and make a buck or two) by selling their original creations easily online.
It’s a game-changer for people who want to make money on the internet while exercising their creative skills. If you’re going to sell handicrafts to the general public, Etsy is a great way to go.
The Etsy platform allows you to quickly set up a digital storefront and share your wares with online customers from around the world.
You don’t have to bother setting up your own website, which saves you time, stress, and money. While there are plenty of opportunities to sell goods on Etsy, there’s also significant competition. It can be tough to stand out from the crowd.
So, are you wondering how to make money on Etsy?
The key is to choose your product offering wisely. You can sell both digital and tangible objects on Etsy, so there’s a diversity of options. You want to sell something that’s unique but in-demand. Read on for a list of the best things to sell on Etsy to make money.
1. Handmade Jewelry
Handmade jewelry is a top seller on Etsy. Everybody wants a unique piece of sparkle that can’t be duplicated. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are all popular.
Customized jewelry is also a versatile and appealing pick. People can get personalized details like names, birthdays, or anniversary dates engraved on their jewelry for a one-of-a-kind piece.
2. Crafting Supplies and Ready-Made Kits
While handmade goods like jewelry are popular on Etsy, the goods needed to make those crafts are also in high demand. From beading products to knitting supplies, amateur do-it-yourself crafters are after all kinds of goods.
Other possible crafting supplies include charms, sewing goods, wires, hooks, and claws (for jewelry creation).
Ready-made craft kits are another lucrative option. You can create ready-made craft kits for adults or kids. For example, you might sell ready-made kits that give someone all of the supplies they need to make beaded jewelry or craft sock puppets.
The DIY community is prevalent on Etsy, and while people are selling their handicrafts on the platform, they also need supplies.
3. Unique Accessories
Similar to handmade jewelry, fashion accessories are a hot item on Etsy because they can be one-of-a-kind. People no longer want mass-produced items that look identical to what everybody else has.
Unique bags, wallets, gloves, belts, cufflinks, enamel pins, and other accessories are a great niche to get into on Etsy.
Other possible accessories include caps, hats, and scarves. When deciding what to sell on Etsy, consider your passion and skills. For example, with accessories, if you have a talent for knitting, you might sell scarves.
Alternatively, if you like to work with leather, you might be better positioned to sell belts or gloves.
4. Home and Garden Decor
Everybody wants to make their house a home. Unique decor is one way to do that. Etsy is full of fantastic decor items like vases, frames, wall art, and home knit blankets.
The home and living niche on Etsy also features more oversized items, like furniture. In addition to the indoor decor, there’s also outdoor decor, like garden accessories (e.g., flower pots and window planters).
5. Digital Artwork
You don’t always have to sell a physical product via Etsy. Digital artwork is an ideal product because you don’t have to worry about shipping labels and costs.
You can also look into creating customized digital artwork for a higher price, such as anime fan art or cartoon portraits are great examples. These are among the best things to sell on Etsy to make money.
6. Printables
The term printables is all-encompassing on Etsy. It essentially refers to any product that the consumer can print, such as stationery items and notebooks.
Postcards, notecards, and holiday cards are another popular printable, allowing people to send old-fashioned greetings via snail mail. Technically, even digital artwork can be considered a printable.
Planners are a significant target segment in the printables market because they’re always in demand. Every year, people need to get their new schedule or calendar.
Again, customization can help you command a higher price for the things to make and sell on Etsy. Create customized, printable planners where you add a person’s name and a quote, for example.
7. Stickers and Bumper Stickers
Stickers can be sold as a ready-made product or as a printable item. You can get highly creative with stickers, for example, using glitter or glow-in-the-dark patterns.
You can also create bumper stickers that people can put on their cars. Another significant segment is planner stickers that people put into their agendas or calendars—for example, to mark birthdays or other events.
8. Party Decorations
A great party takes a lot of preparation. People often turn to Etsy to get the goods they need. You can create party invitations, cake toppers, banners, and more.
Maximize profits by packaging a “party in a box” and selling decorations in themed sets. For example, you could sell decorations for a child’s themed birthday party, e.g., “circus” or “unicorn” theme.
9. Wedding Accessories
Wedding decorations and accessories are among the most searched items on Etsy. Some types of wedding-related things that do well on the platform include wedding signs, cake toppers, place cards, and programs.
Since people celebrate nuptials year-round, this is a versatile category you can cater to whatever the season.
Plus, you can also expand your wedding offering to serve all the events around a wedding. For example, bachelor and bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners all need decor and accessories.
Again, personalized items do well in this niche. For instance, for a bachelorette party, the bride might opt to get every girl in her group a personalized wine glass.
10. T-Shirts
A t-shirt is a versatile piece of clothing that can be worn to the gym, work, or school—or just for lounging around. It should thus come as no surprise that t-shirts are an in-demand item on Etsy.
You can sell standard graphic T’s or offer personalized options. T-shirts with pretty graphics or witty sayings on them are some of the best things to sell on Etsy to make money.
You might also consider selling T-shirt mockup templates to help other crafty types who need help with an idea of things to sell on Etsy. This is the image used to market t-shirts on the platform (such as “flat lay” images).
It can be sold as a digital printable product. As mentioned, digital products have the bonus of sparing you the hassle and cost of shipping.
11. Personalized Clothing
Of course, you aren’t limited only to t-shirts when it comes to selling clothing on Etsy. When it comes to good things to make and sell on Etsy, personalized clothing of all kinds is a winner.
Long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and athleisure are great options. Branded baseball caps and beanies are also practical and make sizing simpler.
12. Kids’ Clothing
If you want to narrow your target market for what you sell on Etsy, consider kids’ clothing. The global kids’ wear industry is expected to reach a value of $325.9 billion by 2027.
Now is a great time to get in on the action and get a piece of that business. In addition to clothing, think about the types of accessories kids might need, such as backpacks and lunchboxes for school.
13. Baby Goods
You can narrow your target market even further by focusing specifically on baby goods instead of general kids’ clothing. Babies need all kinds of clothing, from rompers to hats and socks.
What makes the baby market even more attractive is that babies require a lot of accessories, like diaper bags, stuffed animals, teething rings, changing pads, burping blankets, and more.
Another benefit is that babies grow quickly and need new clothing regularly. Given the consistent demand, it’s no wonder that baby goods are among the best things to sell on Etsy to make money.
As usual, creativity will help you stand out in the Etsy marketplace and boost your success. For example, you might make matching clothing for babies and older siblings.
14. Pet Supplies
Some people don’t have a baby. Instead, they have a fur baby. Pet supplies are another unique item on Etsy. You can successfully sell leashes, toys, name tags, food bowls, and more.
Customized dog and cat beds are also an option. Don’t forget other types of pets, like birds, reptiles, hamsters, and gerbils.
15. Journals and Notebooks
A journal or notebook is an all-purpose item that pretty much anybody can use. People might use a notebook for writing their thoughts or for practical purposes like creating shopping lists.
Journals also make easy gifts, especially if they’re personalized (for example, with the person’s name engraved on the cover). Plus, this gift is suitable for all ages.
If you’re going to sell journals or notebooks on Etsy, consider carving out a niche for yourself. You’ll want something unique to stand out. You might create journals with funny sayings on the cover or with a unique design, like a tie-dye look or metallic engraving.
Alternatively, you can prioritize convenience and create printable journals and notebooks for a digital product.
16. Mugs
Finally, one of the best things to sell on Etsy to make money is mugs. Like a journal, a cup is an item that people can buy for themselves or someone else. It’s practical and appreciated. You can opt for traditional ceramic mugs or go with vinyl.
You can also customize mugs if you want to add a personalized touch to your product.
Final Thoughts: What to Sell on Etsy
As the above list clarifies, there are many things to make and sell on Etsy that can earn you money. Whatever route you choose, the key to success is originality. Etsy has more than 4.3 million active sellers. You want to make sure you stand out from the crowd.
Further, the Etsy community values uniqueness. People come to Etsy to find one-of-a-kind items they can’t find in traditional retailers, where things tend to be mass-produced.
Whether you’re selling jewelry or baby clothing, you want your products to reflect your special offering.
With some effort and creativity, making money with Etsy is possible. The list above provides plenty of ideas for inspiration.
All you have to do is decide what you want to make, create it, and then start selling.
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