How to Turn Your Crafts into Cash: Where to Sell Handmade Items
How to Turn Your Crafts into Cash: Where to Sell Handmade Items
You’ve poured your heart into creating beautiful handmade pieces—whether it’s wreaths, custom signs, centerpieces, or one-of-a-kind gifts. But now you’re wondering… how can I actually start making money from this?
Good news, friend! There are plenty of places to sell your handmade items, both online and in person. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale up your side hustle, this guide will walk you through the best platforms to turn your crafts into cash.
Let’s dive into the most popular and profitable places to sell handmade goods!
1. Etsy: The Handmade Haven
Etsy is one of the most popular online marketplaces for handmade and vintage items, and for good reason. It already has an audience searching for handcrafted, unique products. That means less work on your end to bring in traffic.
Pros:
- Huge built-in audience
- Easy to set up and start listing
- Great for niche and personalized products
Cons:
- Listing and transaction fees
- Lots of competition
💡Tip: Use strong SEO in your titles and descriptions to help your products stand out in Etsy’s search results. Keywords like “custom farmhouse wreath” or “UV printed welcome sign” can make a big difference!
2. Craft Fairs & Pop-Up Markets: Local Love
There’s nothing like meeting your customers face-to-face. Craft fairs, farmers’ markets, and pop-up events let you build relationships, get real-time feedback, and show off your personality and products.
Pros:
- Instant sales and cash
- Great way to build a local customer base
- See what products are most popular in-person
Cons:
- Time-consuming setup
- Booth fees and travel may apply
💡Tip: Have business cards, QR codes, or postcards with your online shop info so people can find you after the event! One of the best ways to find craft fairs, farmers markets, and local events is by joining community Facebook groups. Try searching for something like “Happenings in [Your City]”—for example, “Happenings in Greenville.” Also, be sure to check your city or county’s official website for upcoming community events.
Facebook is also full of fantastic groups specifically for handmade vendors. Just search for “vendor event groups in [Your State]” to discover craft shows and pop-up markets near you!
3. Shopify: Build Your Own Online Store
If you’re ready to grow your brand beyond a marketplace, Shopify is the perfect platform to create your own eCommerce website. It’s easy to customize and integrates with other tools (like Instagram and Pinterest).
Pros:
- Full control over your store and branding
- No marketplace competition
- Scalable as your business grows
Cons:
- Monthly fee (starting at $39/month)
- Requires driving your own traffic
💡Tip: Use blog posts, social media, and email marketing to bring customers to your Shopify store. Once they’re there, make sure you have clear product categories and high-quality images to convert them into buyers!
4. Amazon Handmade: Reach Millions
Amazon isn’t just for mass-produced products—Amazon Handmade is a curated section for artisans. If you’re already making high-quality, ready-to-ship products, this can be a great place to get exposure.
Pros:
- Access to Amazon’s massive customer base
- Trusted buying platform
- Handmade support team for sellers
Cons:
- Application process required
- Referral fees on sales
- Return Policy
💡Tip: Amazon buyers love fast shipping and great customer service. If you can deliver quickly and consistently, this platform can really pay off.
Bonus Options: Don’t Forget These!
- Facebook Marketplace or Groups – Great for local sales and no fees.
- Instagram Shop – Tag your products in posts and stories directly.
- Pinterest – Link your product pins back to Etsy or your Shopify store for passive traffic.
Final Thoughts: Choose What Fits You
You don’t have to do all the things at once. Start with one platform that fits your current lifestyle and goals, and grow from there. If you’re brand new, Etsy or local craft shows are a great low-risk way to test the waters. Once you’re ready to build your brand and income, Shopify and Amazon Handmade give you room to grow.
You’ve already got the creative spark—now it’s time to turn those crafts into cash!
Want More Tips?
✨ Make sure to follow me on YouTube for tutorials, crafting tips, and behind-the-scenes peeks into how I run my own handmade business!
💬 Leave a comment and let me know: where have you had the most success selling your handmade items?
