14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

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Last Updated on October 23, 2022 by Chris Panteli

Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

What are the best things to sell on Etsy, and why should you care?

In 2021 over 2.14 billion people worldwide are expected to buy goods and services online, and in 2019 alone, online sales surpassed 3.5 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide.

That is a huge chunk of change, and with Amazon accounting for over 45% of all U.S. e-commerce retail, it’s hard to imagine that there is anywhere else to sell online and make money.

Enter, Etsy!

The online marketplace that specializes in selling vintage items, handmade goods, art, and crafts – and possibly a new business venture for anyone with a passion for these sorts of products!

Do things sell well on Etsy?

Etsy has just over 60 million products listed and the top sellers earn $10,000 per year or more. It is growing at an incredibly fast pace and in 2019 45.7 million people purchased goods on its platform. There is definitely money to made with this growing e-commerce website, and finding the best things to sell on Etsy is the first step to a profitable future.

What Is Etsy?

Before you start your search for the best things to sell on Etsy, it is important that we understand the intricacies of the platform. That way, you will be better prepared for setting up your online business and increase your chances of making money with the things you decide to sell.

Create a Digital Etsy Empire!

Learn exactly how to design digital products (without Photoshop), list products on Etsy, get traffic to your Etsy shop, and grow a real revenue-generating business

14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade you will likely have heard of Amazon and eBay; possibly the two biggest e-commerce platforms in the world. And while there is a distinction between the two, both tend to attract similar audiences.

The two giant online marketplaces offer customers the ability to buy products online – and while eBay only facilitates the sale of third-party sellers, Amazon also offers its own products!

Both marketplaces have similar categories for their product listings, with eBay having noticeably fewer restrictions in comparison with Amazon.

So, with Amazon and eBay having a combined annual revenue of well over $300billion – the question is ‘what makes Etsy so special?’.

Why Is Etsy Special?

Etsy was founded in 2015 by a group of close friends, which included Robert Kalin. He was an amateur furniture maker who was looking for somewhere other than Amazon or eBay to sell his wonderful creations.

The online marketplace was an instant hit, with creators, designers, crafters, and vintage lovers alike coming to the platform in their droves. The company’s egalitarian ethos has fostered a unique community of like-minded buyers – with sellers being able to offer products they want and also make money in the process.

Etsy truly takes a different approach to the corporate megaliths that have dominated the industry for so long – and while it may support the boutique seller, its global operations, sales and growth are nothing but extraordinary.

So if you want to be part of something quite special, all that’s left to do is figure out the best things to sell on Etsy – and start your online business in a new world of hand-made, vintage, and craft e-commerce.

How To Discover Best Selling Items On Etsy

Running a successful Etsy store is like any other business. There will be seasonal trends, market fluctuations, fads, and flops – and it’s your job as an Etsy e-commerce proprietor to do your research and minimize your risk.

Etsy is a unique marketplace in the sense that it caters to creative entrepreneurs and independent designers looking to sell handmade, vintage, and craft items. So before you open the doors to your new Etsy shop, it’s best to know that what you’re going to sell has an audience – and more importantly, that the audience will part with their hard-earned cash.

And there is no better way to validate your product ideas than browsing the Etsy store itself – after all – if someone else is managing to sell, then why can’t you?

best selling Etsy items

A simple search on the Etsy website for “best selling items” will give you a snapshot of what’s currently working on the platform. And you can then see if you are able to replicate the success of other profitable sellers with your own unique take on a proven product.

Another great way to find best-selling items on Etsy is by visiting the Marketplace Pulse Top 100 Etsy Sellers page. Here, you will find the top-performing Etsy shops based on sales during the last thirty days. You can then click through to the individual seller’s stores and discover the sorts of items people are actually spending money on!

How To Discover Best Selling Items On Etsy

The key to making money on these sorts of online marketplaces is finding the sweet spot between popular items and oversaturated ones. Also, offering a unique, personal and individualistic spin is something that will always do better when trying to find the best things to sell to an Etsy audience.

14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

Selling on Etsy may require a slightly different approach to other online platforms. But the business principles remain true. This curated list of popular items will give you a great starting point in figuring out what to sell.

The key to running a successful online Etsy store goes beyond just choosing the right things to sell – but it definitely starts with ensuring you can cater to the platform’s unique and diversified audience.

Your shop will have a greater chance of breaking through the competition if you are able to produce high quality, unique and beautiful creations – as well as properly listing your products, writing descriptions, and pricing correctly.

Create a Digital Etsy Empire!

Learn exactly how to design digital products (without Photoshop), list products on Etsy, get traffic to your Etsy shop, and grow a real revenue-generating business

14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

My good friend Sadie, who blogs over at Sadie Smiley, and also runs a super successful Etsy store can help you conquer the Etsy frontier with her incredible course. You can learn how to sell your very own digital products – from idea to creation. She leaves nothing out and by the end of the 8-week course, you’ll know the ins and outs of starting, running, and mastering your very own Etsy business.

1. Jewelry

Jewelry is an extremely profitable and popular category on Etsy, and on the flip side is also quite competitive. But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed with your hand-made, unique, and beautiful pieces.

Creatives and designers can craft masterful and high-quality bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, bangles, and brooches and make an absolute killing. The important thing to be conscious of is the current styles and trends for every piece you make.

The Etsy community is very sensitive to color trends, textures, and visual elements of design – so making sure your pieces pop for the given season and current fashion is an absolute must.

things to sell on Etsy - Jewelry
Check out these incredible Aromatherapy Necklace’s sold by TheArtOfTurning

Also, creating a cohesive brand for your jewelry will help you build a customer base and carve out your own unique place within the Etsy community. So try to ensure your handmade jewelry items fit together within your portfolio of work.

2. Stickers

Stickers are a great low-cost way to start selling your own hand-made items on Etsy. And the great thing about stickers is you can get really creative with your designs and cater to a multitude of purposes – including bumper stickers, labels, scrapbooks, planners, stationery, gifts, collectibles, and many more.

things to sell on Etsy - stickers
Check out these super cute Star Planner Stickers sold by RebeccaYatesLondon

You can get started really easily with sticker production and can use the free or pro version of Canva for your designs (pro is better because the media is cleared for commercial use under Canva’s license).

You can then print and cut your stickers at home and send out your orders as they come in. A great budget Inkjet printer (if you’re just getting started) is Canon’s PIXMA TS6220 – it comes with five separate ink cartridges and can print a wide range of sticker types and sizes from a tablet or smartphone.

The Cricut or Silhouette Cameo is a great option for doing your cutting and can save you a boatload of money doing it yourself – whilst maintaining a premium quality for your stickers.

cricut vs silhouette ✂️ sticker cutting machine comparison

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Finally, if doing everything yourself sounds like too much work, you always have the option to outsource. And this may well become a necessity as and when your Etsy business blows up and orders start outpacing your output.

Sticker Mule can handle all of your bulk order sticker printing needs – and they offer unrivaled material quality, fast delivery, and great prices with continuous special offers and discounts. In fact, if you join today you can get $10 worth of store credit for free – and put it towards stickers for your brand new Etsy shop empire.

3. Craft Supplies

The craft supplies category on the Etsy platform is pretty varied and actually caters to a couple of distinct audiences. Firstly, you’ll have the average punter looking to buy quality craft supplies for DIY passion projects and crafty adventures. Secondly, you will actually have fellow artisan Etsy sellers looking to source materials for their own unique creations.

And while sourcing your craft supplies from a wholesale distributor is possible, you will have to adhere to specific guidelines from Etsy when operating in the Craft Supplies category.

A better approach is to offer handmade craft supplies yourself – and this is a real winner when thinking about the best things to sell on Etsy.

things to sell on Etsy - craft supplies
Check out these stunning hand-cut decorative felt leaves sold by PrettyDieCuts

From beads, paints, charms, ribbons, yarn, fabrics, and patterns, the possibilities for handmade craft supplies are almost endless. And by offering quality made, unique and beautiful items you can really set yourself apart and build a strong following.

4. Wedding Accessories

Do you hear wedding bells? Or perhaps you see dollar signs when thinking about the best things to sell on Etsy and the big day?

The U.S. wedding industry is worth over $70billion dollars annually, and Etsy has fast become the perfect online marketplace to find custom, one-off creations to cater to the happy couple’s special day.

And just think about the vast amount of different products you could include in your Etsy store:

  • Personalized invitations
  • Decorations
  • Wedding signs
  • Save-the-date cards
  • Table place cards
  • Cake toppers
  • Gifts

The great thing about this particular market is the year-round demand – people get married all throughout the year and will constantly be looking for new ideas.

things to sell on Etsy - Wedding Accessories
Check out these gorgeous Rustic Wedding Save the Dates sold by LoobyDooCreations

If you can find a unique spin on a particular product then you could quickly gain a following and grow a really successful Etsy business. Also, offering custom work for each couple could really set you apart from the competition.

You can use free design tools like Canva, and source materials that enhance the products you sell for each couple’s preferences.

5. Printables

Printables are one of the easiest things to sell on Etsy – but that isn’t to say the upside for this market isn’t absolutely tremendous. Pretty much anyone with a creative eye can create unique and individual printables to cater to a whole host of needs – including budget sheets, meal planners, kids games, art, planners, resume templates, and collectibles.

things to sell on Etsy - printables
Check out this funky money saving challenge printable sold by StackYourDollars

You can find inspiration from existing successful stores and replicates their success by creating your own unique take on printables that are selling well. Canva again is the go-to place to easily knock together masterful designs – and adding some of your own personality to your items will set you apart from other Etsy shop owners.

You can also offer personalization to your printable collection – and knowing that 1 in 5 shoppers will pay a 20% premium for personalized goods should do wonders for your profit margins.

6. Home Decor

Having a comfortable and well-decorated home goes beyond a simple lick of paint and some cheap furniture from Ikea. The home decor market has exploded in recent years, with many people looking for rustic one-off pieces to give their homes a little something special.

If you have the skills and creative juices to create unique pieces then home decor items are certainly one of the best things to sell on Etsy.

The category is absolutely enormous, with items including:

  • Wall art
  • Vases
  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Rugs
  • Clocks
  • Statues
  • Figurines

things to sell on Etsy - Home Decor
Check out this lush driftwood heart decoration sold by SustainMyCraftHabit

You could really capitalize on the latest trends and materials within this Etsy niche – and also provide tailored and custom design elements to further increase your sales.

7. Candles

It seems that Jan from The Office was a little ahead of her time when she started her Serenity By Jan candle business – if only she had Etsy, hey?

The candle industry is big business and worth over $1.7 billion annually – so even just a small piece of that pie would be wonderful for your bank account.

And the great thing about candle production is it’s cheap, accessible and you can add tremendous value with colors, scents, and styles.

You don’t need a huge amount of equipment or space and learning the craft is relatively straightforward. And you can add a really good mark-up to the sale price, leaving you plenty of room for profit.

things to sell on Etsy - candles
Check out this sublime nude silhouette candle sold by CandlesBany

Your candle Etsy shop business will benefit massively from brand development – and the use of organic and ethically sourced materials, alongside interesting scent combinations and well-designed packaging.

The Candle Making for Beginners course will teach you exactly how to easily make gorgeous candles and start your own craft candle Etsy business.

8. Personalized Clothing

A running theme throughout the discovery of the best items to sell on Etsy is the power of personalization. And the clothing market is no different – especially t-shirts.

The demand for personalized t-shirts is somewhat insatiable, and if you can establish yourself as a unique brand you could really break into this competitive market.

Creating a stylish logo (Canva), using on-trend color combinations, and using your own photos (instead of online stock images) are all great tactics to drive up sales.

things to sell on Etsy - personalized clothing
Check out this simple humorous t-shirt sold by QuirkyShirty

You could also introduce humor, satire, political stances, pop-culture references, and shock-tactics to further increase your reach.

Printify and Etsy: Start a Print On Demand T Shirt Business Walkthrough and Product Review

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Using a print-on-demand service is probably the most cost-effective way to manage your online personalized Etsy t-shirt business. Printify is the perfect platform that can connect your Etsy store with printing partners – and fulfill all your orders seamlessly.

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14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

9. Vintage Clothing

To start a vintage clothing store on Etsy you will need to take a very different approach to that of a personalized clothing shop. Either you will have a wardrobe full of vintage clothing or you will have to source them.

Finding vintage clothes to fill up your Etsy store with is actually not as hard as it may sound – you can try your local thrift shops, estate sales, and sourcing personal collections.

things to sell on Etsy - vintage clothing
Check out this funky 1960s micro mini dress sold by SeedingVintage

Just remember, Etsy defines vintage as items over a minimum of 20 years old – so you will need to ensure the heritage of the pieces you sell.

And remember, the Etsy buyer has a fine eye for detail, and just because the items you sell are old it doesn’t mean they should be presented as such. Take great photos, write wonderfully descriptive inventory blurbs and store your vintage clothes as if they were new!

10. Kids’ Crafts

Kids love to craft! It’s an inherent part of childhood and a magical time when they can create without prejudice or judgment.

By the year 2026, the arts and crafts for children market is expected to be worth around $19billion – and the benefits it may have for the youth of today is quite extraordinary. It can help with motor skill development, self-esteem, self-expression, visual processing, and memory.

And while we have already covered the crafts supply route (which can ultimately be for children as well as adults) the kid’s crafts Etsy market is particularly well suited to crafting kits.

This could include:

  • Dream-catcher kits
  • Jewelry making
  • Paint by numbers
  • Crochet starter kits
  • Knitting kits
  • Collage kits

The possibilities for creative kits you could assimilate are endless – and the more unique and fun you can go the greater chance you will have of standing out.

things to sell on Etsy - kids crafts
Check out this cool robot family painting craft kit sold by CreativeActivities

It could also be a good idea to have seasonal packs as part of your main inventory of kits – and also to be aware of kids trends that you could also incorporate for your customers.

11. Kids Toys

Toys are a fantastic item to sell on Etsy, but you do need to ensure that if they’re handmade they meet the requirements of your local jurisdiction. You will also need to be clear and precise in your descriptions of the intended use and age group restrictions for the toys you sell.

Also, for toys intended for ages 12 and under – they must be third-party tested and be certified in a Children’s Product Certificate. But don’t let this put you off if you have a great idea for a kids toy – just make sure you are compliant.

things to sell on Etsy - kids toys
Check out this nostalgic 1950’s vintage Meccano set sold by OldschoolrelicsGB

Another option you have is to sell vintage toys (remember, 20 years or older) and to list them in the vintage section. You can source old toys from private collectors, yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, and other online marketplaces.

Many old toys see a resurgence in popularity, and keeping tabs on these trends can be a great way to find items that will sell well and turn a nice profit.

12. Bathroom Decor

The bathroom is possibly the most important room in the house – and keeping it looking sleek, stylish, and comfortable means there is no shortage of customers looking to buy bathroom decor.

things to sell on Etsy - bathroom decor
Check out this really cute concrete duck bathroom statue sold by CraftyLittleCactus

The bathroom may not be the largest space in the house, but you would be surprised at the number of creative items you could fill a bathroom decor Etsy store with:

  • Wall prints
  • Signs and posters
  • Personalized letters
  • Artificial plants
  • Rustic shelves
  • Ablution accessories
  • Animal statues
  • Concrete trays

Finding a small niche within this space and focusing on quality, uniqueness, and style will definitely help your store stand out on the Etsy platform.

13. Handbags

If diamonds are a woman’s best friend then handbags must be a close second. The global handbag market size in 2019 was an eye-watering $49.35 billion. And while the market leaders take a pretty healthy chunk out of that – there is still plenty of room for unique, handmade, custom, and consumer-conscious pieces.

things to sell on Etsy - handbags
Check out this vegan soft leather handbag sold by HoxtonCrafts

You could either make your own unique pieces by sourcing the materials and crafting the items to order. Or, the vintage route means you can make a profit on the handbags you can source for a decent purchase price and resell on the Etsy platform.

There is also a growing demand for handbags made with ethically sourced materials, including vegan fabrics and faux leathers.

14. Pet Accessories

This list would be incomplete without including one of the largest and most personable retail markets – anticipated to reach $22billion by the end of 2023. People really love their pets, and can’t resist treating their furry friends to gorgeous, quality-made accessories.

things to sell on Etsy - pet accessories
Check out these gorgeous custom hand-stamped brass dog tags sold by LettersandLinks

This is a great opportunity to put your own crafting, knitting, sewing, and creative skills to the test, and create handmade items that pet owners will adore.

How To Start Selling On Etsy

Now that you’ve made your way through the list of best things to sell on Etsy, hopefully, you will be ready to get started. This is an exciting time for any entrepreneur and if done properly, could be the beginning of a financially prosperous journey for you.

Before you do anything (if you haven’t already) you will need to signup for an Etsy account – which is free and super simple to do. Just navigate your way through the signup process and don’t forget to add a profile picture (smile ) and write a short but sweet bio to introduce yourself to the amazing Etsy community.

Now that you have a profile on Etsy you are ready to open your very own Etsy store – fill it with gorgeous handmade items and make an absolute killing with your brand new weekend (or full-time) job!

  1. At the top right of the screen click Sell On Etsy
  2. Then click Open Your Etsy Shop
  3. For your shop, choose your language, country, and currency
  4. Decide your shop name, then click Save and Continue

You will then need to optimize your shop profile for your business with a killer logo and store banner – again Canva is a free way to make gorgeous designs that look ultra-professional.

You will also want to ensure you have a detailed about section so that your customers can understand your products and your business ethos, and decide upon any shop policies for deliveries and returns.

Finally, you can start to add listings to your shop and actually call yourself an Etsy business owner – good on you!

How Much Does It Cost To Operate On Etsy

As with any business, your total net profit will depend upon a number of costs – including those that Etsy will charge you to operate on their platform. These costs should be accounted for within your pricing strategy and allow you to scale your sales without compromising profitability.

Etsy shop creation$0.00
Listing fee (regardless of item sale) per item$0.20
Transaction fee as a percentage of the total item cost (only if it sells)5%
Payment processing fees for transactions that use Etsy Paymentsvariable *
*Payment processing fees are a set rate plus a percent of the total sale price of the item – this will vary by country.

How To Be Successful On Etsy

Running a successful and profitable online business will require more than simply just finding the best things to sell on Etsy! Don’t get me wrong, choosing the right thing to sell is half the battle – but now you need to optimize your store and reach your target audience to drive those sales.

Create a Digital Etsy Empire!

Learn exactly how to design digital products (without Photoshop), list products on Etsy, get traffic to your Etsy shop, and grow a real revenue-generating business

14 Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

6 Tips For Etsy Sellers

  1. Market Research – You should fully understand the market in which you are going to be selling. Make sure there is a demand for the product you wish to create and that you can reach your target audience at a price point that will convert.
  2. Take Great Product Photos – The image you use for your items is the most powerful weapon an Etsy shop owner has control over. This is what will entice your potential customer to pull out their credit card and part with their hard-earned cash. Make sure the images are high resolution and fully capture the product’s features and style.
  3. Etsy SEO – SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization – and while often used in the context of being found on Google, the same principles apply for the Etsy platform. Your item descriptions need to include relevant keywords so you can be found through Etsy search. Take a look at what your competitors are including in their descriptions and use this as a reference point.
  4. Customer Service – As a brick and mortar business owner myself I live and die by reviews – and the same is true of an e-commerce business as well. If you want those 5 stars then you must ensure you deliver fantastic customer service, answer queries in a timely fashion, and respond to disputes professionally.
  5. USP – Etsy is gaining popularity at an alarmingly fast rate, and is therefore attracting more and more competition across the categories. In order to stand out, your products need to have a unique selling point – so that you can stand out from the crowd and drive sales.
  6. Promotion – As with any successful business you need to get your brand out there, and this will mean cross-platform promotion. You could use (or start one if you haven’t already) your blog to funnel customers to your products. This is a proven tactic and a great way to increase your sales. Pinterest is also a great way to visually entice new customers and direct them to your store.

FAQs

What products sell best on Etsy?

Etsy is a marketplace known for handmade and vintage items across a number of categories including Jewellery & Accessories, Clothing & Shoes, Home & Living, Wedding & Party, Toys & Entertainment, Art & Collectibles, and Craft Supplies. Unique items that are beautifully made within these categories will sell tremendously well on Etsy.

How much does Etsy take per sale?

Etsy’s fees are straightforward and scalable – they take $0.20 per item for a listing fee and 5% of the total sale cost for a transaction fee.

How do I get more sales on Etsy?

You can increase your sales on Etsy by conducting thorough market research, taking excellent product images, optimizing your item descriptions, offering unique and quality products, delivering top-notch customer service, and engaging multi-platform promotion.

Where can I learn more about starting a successful Etsy store?

My good friend Sadie has an incredible 8-week Etsy course where she teaches you everything you need to know to start and run your very own profitable Etsy business.

Awesome Things To Sell On Etsy

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