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Showing posts with label craft fair tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft fair tips. Show all posts

Monday, May 19, 2025

15 Online Selling Platforms To Sell Your Handmade Crafts

Laptop on a sewing table with handmade crafts, fabric, and shipping supplies for online selling



The question isn't if you’ll sell your handmade crafts online, but where you’ll sell them.


Handmade crafts come in many forms—sewn doll clothes, aprons, jewelry, paper goods, candles, ceramics, upcycled décor, and more. The beauty of handmade is its uniqueness, and with so many platforms available, you can choose the best home for your creations.


Gone are the days when eBay was the only option. Today, you can build your store, sell on handmade-exclusive sites, or list your crafts locally. Some platforms are free, others charge a small fee, but all offer a place to get started.


How To Find What’s Selling in Handmade Crafts

Knowing what’s trending can help you create items buyers are already searching for. Here are some of the best ways to research what’s hot in handmade right now:

Pinterest—Search for handmade ideas and crafts. The most pinned and repinned items are often in high demand.

Google Trends – Type in your craft niche (like “handmade candles” or “doll clothes”) to see what people are searching for over time and by location.

Etsy & Etsy Autocomplete – Browse bestsellers and featured shops. Try typing phrases into the Etsy search bar—autocomplete suggestions are based on actual user searches.

Amazon Handmade Bestsellers – Visit the Handmade section on Amazon and check the best sellers for real-time insights into what’s selling across major categories.

YouTube – Search for “trending handmade crafts” or “DIY crafts 2025.” Crafters and influencers often showcase popular styles and seasonal projects.

TikTok & Instagram Reels – Use hashtags like #handmadegifts, #crafttok, or #smallbusinesscheck. Watch what's going viral—especially around holidays or new trends.

Craft Store Websites (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Craftsy) – Check featured products, seasonal kits, or “new arrivals” to see what retailers promote.

Facebook Groups & Marketplace – Join handmade seller groups or browse listings in your area. See what people are posting and what items are getting the most interaction.

Shopify’s Trending Products Reports – Browse Shopify’s blog posts and “trending products” lists. While not handmade-specific, they can spark ideas for handmade versions of in-demand items.

Google Shopping & eBay Trends – Search “handmade” or “DIY” on Google Shopping to see sponsored products. Check “Trending on eBay” for what’s rising demand—even within handmade categories.

Craft Fair Websites & Event Pages—Visit online listings for events like Renegade Craft Fair, Harvest Festival, or local holiday markets to see what vendors are offering this year.

Zibbet, ArtFire, and other Craft Marketplaces—These niche platforms showcase handmade products. Browse their featured or most-loved items for inspiration.


Where to Sell Handmade Crafts Online

Ebid

Pros: No store fee, international reach.

Cons: Smaller audience than eBay.

Charges a small listing fee and commission on sale.


Mercari

Pros: Easy to use, free to list.

Cons: Not known specifically for handmade.

The commission only applies after a sale.


Etsy

Pros: Huge handmade audience, lots of traffic.

Cons: Very competitive, fees can add up.

Charges $0.20 per listing and a commission after a sale.


eBay

Pros: Global reach, optional store.

Cons: Higher fees and crowded categories.

Free for 250 listings/month to start; fees apply after.


Webstore

Pros: Local focus, no listing fees.

Cons: Less buyer traffic than larger platforms.

Optional $5/month for local ad promotion.


Ecwid

Pros: Free for 10 products, integrates with blogs.

Cons: Limited features on the free plan.

Easy to set up a shop within your existing website or blog.


Handmade at Amazon

Pros: It is a high-trust platform with a large audience.

Cons: Application required, higher fees.

You must apply to be accepted as a handmade seller.


Bonanza

Pros: Free to list, versatile item categories.

Cons: You must promote your store to generate sales.

Suitable for handmade, vintage, and home items.


GLC Craft Mall

Pros: Very affordable store plans.

Cons: Smaller customer base.

$4.50/month for 300 items, plus a 5% processing fee.


eCrater

Pros: 100% free to list and sell.

Cons: Requires some marketing to drive traffic.

Supports books, magazines, and handmade items.


Folksy

Pros: Handmade-focused, UK-based.

Cons: Primarily UK traffic, but US sellers are welcome.

Free to join, with listing and commission fees after three free listings.


Aftcra

Pros: Handmade-only, USA-based.

Cons: Limited audience compared to Etsy.

No listing fees; US sellers only.


Shop Handmade

Pros: 100% free with your store page.

Cons: Older platform; may require extra marketing effort.

You only pay your chosen payment provider’s fee.


Facebook Marketplace

Pros: Free, large audience, can be local or national.

Cons: Not all categories are searchable by keyword.

Use for fast-moving or made-to-order crafts.


Payhip

Pros: Free to start, excellent for digital or physical handmade items, and easily integrates with blogs.

The cons are a 5% fee on the free plan and low built-in traffic—you'll need to promote it yourself.


💡 Pro Tip:

Avoid copying the same product description word-for-word if you're selling on multiple platforms. Instead, rewrite each one slightly to avoid Google seeing it as duplicate content. This also helps tailor your message to each platform’s audience.


Can You Sell on More Than One Platform?


Absolutely! Many sellers list on multiple platforms, but you'll want to manage inventory carefully and track where each item is listed to avoid accidental double sales.


Using different product photos or slightly different wording for each listing also helps you reach more people and rank better in search results.


Don’t Forget: Photos and Descriptions Matter


A good photo is worth a thousand clicks. Use natural lighting, show your item from multiple angles, and add something for scale (like a spool of thread or a ruler).

Your descriptions should:

• Include keywords a shopper might search for

• Mention fabric, size, use, and washing care if relevant

• Sound friendly and confident


Sell Your Handmade Crafts Offline Too


Craft Fairs

It's great in the fall. You can take orders, hand out business cards, and refer people to your website or store.


Flea Markets

Usually held on weekends. An easy way to test products and pricing.


Consignment Shops

You typically keep 60% of the sale. They do the marketing and selling for you.


Craigslist

List locally for free. Promote your Webstore or blog shop.


Festivals & Holiday Markets

Sell Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas crafts. Many shoppers come specifically for handmade gifts.


Starting a handmade business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small. Pick just one platform from this list and post 5–10 items. You’ll learn what works, how to reach your buyers, and how to grow from there.

🎯 You’re just one listing away from your first sale.

🛍️ Don’t forget to Shop My Sewing Shop or visit my Payhip Store for sewing supplies and tools to help you sell your handmade crafts!


 

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