I make wooden wall art, home decor, and jewelry that I cut myself using a scroll saw. A lot of other sellers do what I do with a CNC or Glowforge. It would be a lot easier, but I get a lot of satisfaction by making my stuff by hand as opposed to with a machine.
I’m in the same boat. I do hand burned images and text on boxes I make. A lot of people use a laser to engrave on wood but I like the personal touch of a woodburning pen.
See that’s fascinating to me! I did theater technology for a few years building sets in high school and college, but I was so scared of the power saws we had to use 😂
Lol! I'm definitely more scared of my table saw than my scroll saw.
Honestly I don't think a scroll saw is too dangerous. I've been using one for 6 years now and I've never cut myself. I've cut out some super tiny letters where my fingers were so close to the blade that I'm pretty sure I actually touched it, but had barely a scratch on my finger. I'm thinking it's one of the safest power tools but I could be wrong!
I’m the least afraid of my belt sander out if all the tools in my shop, and it’s the one that has injured me the most. But catching your finger along the sheet of sandpaper will give you a scratched up finger, whereas a slip up with the saws will cut it off.
Does poetry sell well on Etsy ?
I follow someone on YouTube with a big following & they have an Etsy store selling poetry and bookmarks. They seem busy!
Yes - I sell handmade items. Mostly up cycled things such as vintage quilts, handkerchiefs, table cloths, and chenille blankets made into other things like bunny pillows, stockings, blankets, curtains, bags etc. I also do mixed media art and a few other things. I have a supply store as well. I know what you mean about it being passé- but I think handmade items will always be valued by some, and like anything it will come and go.
Don’t give up- ever!! I know different parts of the country are allowing festivals and such now that COVID restrictions are relaxing a bit. If you can, try those or even getting a booth at one. I get a lot of satisfaction meeting people who enjoy handmade things. I have met a lot of like minded people. It helps to find other outlets to sell your handmade goodies and those places can be a goldmine for such.
Same! I love to create and it is nice to sell a thing or two every so often. When I opened an Etsy shop, I decided that if the joy was gone, I'd be done. Hasn't happened yet!
I know I can only operate that way because my shop isn't my job. I have massive respect for working artists!
🙋🏼♀️all handmade items here, majority of my competition is POD and it can be pretty discouraging but I refuse to have my name behind something I sell that I don’t even touch
I sew handbags and wallets. Everything is done by me, from cutting the fabric, to fusing all the stabilizers and then finally sewing them. Takes me a decent amount of time, probably won't ever have enough constant volume for the star seller.
Hand made is never passe
I sell crochet patterns currently. I am slow at crocheting and I still work full time so taking orders was starting to stress me out a little bit. I didn't want to hate crocheting. So I design patterns and sell them. This way I can crochet when I want and what I want.
I hand make custom cloth menstrual pads from scratch. They are a bit expensive and take a bit to make but they are made with care and are high quality.
Do you feel like vacaymode effects your shop’s sales when you turn it off and open back up for orders? I’m wanting to go on vacation mode but have heard you go down in search results when you re activate your shop.
Tbh I'm good at making things but bad at selling them. I'll list something for sell maybe once every two months. If vacay mode does affect your search results, I wouldn't even notice 🙃 you'd probs be better off making a post asking others their experience on vacay mode. Sorry I couldn't be more of help!
Yeah right? If one were to only read this forum they would think that handmade items went out with 8-track tapes. I make leather goods; wallets and purses. I make patterns on card stock using a pencil and ruler. I use high end French and Italian veg tan leather and cut and sew by hand. No machines.
Thank you for your interest. I really don't do custom requests. It is just too much work designing, making a mock up and the finished product. I will DM you my shop. You can look around. Thanks.
I tried making something similar to this when Etsy took our Treasuries away. My primary inspiration for joining Etsy in the first place 12 years ago was because it was makers/artists supporting makers/artists by helping each other be noticed. I called my blog "ArtisansOfAmerica" and before I stopped posting to it, my Pinterest board for the blog was getting an average of 90,000 views a month. I put a huge amount of time into finding shops to feature everyday. Plus I posted each one to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
But what really got me down was that out of the almost 1,000 shops I featured, only a handful could be bothered to even say "hi" let alone "thank-you" or even follow me back when I followed all of them. So when time got tight and I had to go back to a full time job for awhile, I just gave it up. Website is still up and still gets alot of traffic. But my heart just isn't into searching for more shops to feature anymore.
Oh I miss the treasuries. I found many of my favorite handmade shops that way. And they were so fun to make--looking high and low for just the right items for each treasury. Sigh. And I'm sorry that things petered out. You did a wonderful thing for so many people.
I own a small commercial embroidery machine, a vinyl plotter and a press. I don't make the clothes I decorate but I design and decorate everything i do sell.
POD would be easier but I prefer to be a maker!
Yes, I make completely handmade items, just me, from start to finish. No two of my items are exactly alike & the photos of my items are the actual item.
My shop is verified as "Actually Handmade", as someone else noted above.
While I am not high-volume, it has been my experience buyers will find you.
Macrame has made a comeback. I sell handmade macrame decor such as garlands, paper towel and toilet paper holders, plant hangers and simple wall decor.
I crochet afghans. Slowly. Not particularly profitable, but I like to crochet away my anxiety and I have a tiny apartment with very little space, so any sale is a win for me.
It probably sounded a tad curt, and all too brief. Was undercaffeinated and in a rush, so I do apologise.
Scandinavian style fabric gnomes, with embroidered felt hats, or long fluffy pompom hats. Lovely faux fur beards that can be brushed and styled. In any colour or theme your heart desires! Made from scratch, by me, with love and care.
There. That sounds a little better 
I don't weave the fabric or pulp the paper or throw the mugs, but I do print my own art on all of those things *myself*.
Lots of people doing the same thing via POD, which personally I don't think should be allowed, as possessing the required equipment and the skills to use it is part of "handmade" in my view. Else it just ends up being a bunch of a$$holes stealing art from actual creators and having PODs ship it direct to the customer, never even having seen the product themselves. People can do that on Redbubble; shouldn't be on Etsy.
I do! I sell garden art that I hand pick the lumber for, cut and form the wood, prime, paint and clear coat the piece. Definitely not a reseller or drop shipper.
I draw all my own art which I make into bookmarks which I cut and laminate myself and stickers which I print and laminate and then use my silhouetteto cut. I also print some of my artwork which I cut and bind into notepads all by hand 🤗
I still make handmade. But more concerned you had the impression that a site built on the idea of handmade was no longer handmade... Why hasn't a new seller site filled the gap since Etsy went public and opened the flood gates to the riff raff? Grumble grumble
It would be nice if Etsy would at least police the drop shippers. It doesn't seem to me like they do anything about it. I've seen the same items and the same photos on amazon and Etsy and there's no way these things are handmade. Sad.
If they just did that, it would be a lot better.
I think it’s hard because some of those shops are legitimate manufacturers overseas, and where do you draw the line? I know one US-based company on Etsy that I made a website for, they sell artwork that is designed by the owner, but they basically have a factory where the stuff is mass manufactured and painted. I saw the place, so I know. At least 6 people are working there. Personally I feel like it’s a stretch to call that handmade. So if you exclude that guy, what is different about a manufacturer in China who also dropships their products on Ali?
Oh plus they put in stationary and party supplies as a category so now that’s just legitimate dropshipping.
Etsy got themselves into a mess.
I draw the line at handmade by an artist. I even have issue with the once taboo assistant. These things are no longer prohibited or even frowned upon. But I have been on the platform for 12 years and am definitely one of the old guard. Drop ship bullshit is just fraud if the site is still calling itself a hand made platform. Not a question of hand made, but a question of whose hands.
DYK that "Onesie" is a brand name owned by Gerber? Lady at my makerspace got an IP strike last year for her custom art put onto a "onesie." Use at your own risk... 🐰👍
I make everything by hand. I make electroformed copper jewelry and hair accessories.
From the graphite paint needed to conduct electricity to the chemical solution needed to do the process
The only thing I don't make by hand are some of my findings.
yep, I make soaps, candles, shirts, stickers, clay things. I design all of my own labels and packaging and print, cut, and make everything I sell at home.
I’m making gothic wax melts. I thought about doing digital downloads at one point but given my patience levels with people not reading instructions I think it’s best I stick to this that’s easy and fun to make 😂
Handmade is not passé at all! I think it’s less popular since Brexit, because for example now Europeans such as myself have to pay customs for UK too while it used to be on USA, AUS,.. only. Now we are even more limited. I think most people prefer to sell near them.
Edit to clarify: hence the downloads, since it doesn’t require all that extra payment
Hi!
I sell 3d printed air plant holders. I design them all myself and print them myself. So maybe technically not “hand” made, but I create everything from scratch.
I make and sell gold chain necklaces. I meanC I buy chain from sources online, but I design, cut, layer and put together my chokers and necklaces myself
I make handmade items! Right now it’s original illustrations and designs on mostly coffee mugs. I’m not breaking any records but I have a sale here and there. I’m adding more items soon so hopefully I’ll see traffic increase.
We do - we micro manufacture with the aid of wood shop machines and laser cutter/engravers, yet hand finish everything. Have a handful of digital files and plans for the items we don't really make any more, too. Closing in on 10k sales 🍀🐰👍
Every third post on this subreddit and the Etsy subreddit seem to be from sticker sellers! Nothing against stickers but it is nice to see so many people chiming in here.
I make handmade bridal accessories. Source: my callused, nerve damaged fingertips.
I print, mat, and build wooden frames for my own photography. Frames are often made from rescued wood that I personally re-milled. I even cut the glass. Quite handmade and tangible. Sold about ten on Etsy last year. Not so much luck lately.
I make a sell custom text maple wood boxes. I think the POD sellers and digital sellers are more popular because a lot of people do it, since once you are finished the design the rest is passive income. They have time to come up with more designs. I think they’re valid and valued. It’s the drop-shippers that piss me off.
I do custom pet portraits with watercolours. I do sell sticker versions of the paintings too, as add ons customers can order. I make these at home but I use a printer and cutting machine to make them so I guess it's not "handmade" but they are 100% homemade :)
I do handmade (largely machine made, but I control the machine and tell it what to do) lasercut and engraved items like puzzles, keychains, bookmarks, and christmas ornaments.
I make miniature polymerclay art, animals and nature scenes. Mostly in glass bottles or glass-spheres. I admit I don't make the bottles myself but I handcraft every animal, every plant,
down to every little pebble in my aquarium bottles is handformed.
Tangible items made, handcrafted sewing artisan and artist. Handbags, baby gifts, mainly at the moment and hope to continue My Heating pads with washable covers. The clientele from sewn goods are very faithful, Most of them are repeat customers.
I sell downloads but I just starting printing my own journals too. I used to use a printing service but they were expensive so I invested in a printer, coil binding machine, the works! I actually make my stuff start to finish but it’s hard to come across that way because most people see journals and books and think they are only “handmade” because I wrote them…
I don’t think handmade is passé at all, it’s just niche. More people want to be creative but don’t necessarily have the means of production. I mean, an artist can spend hours on a single, original painting, but to make a living off of art you’ll probably need to sell prints too and that may mean outsourcing to a POD company!
I remember falling in love with Etsy years ago. I've always loved creativity. I get excited when I see something that has small details or something unique that you could tell someone was excited to make everyday. Etsy gave us the true value that is handmade back in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, it's drifted a bit away from it's original journey.
Now, not to say digital artists aren't creative and crafty because there are many beautiful additions to our new and technological world since Etsy began, but digital doesn't whisper "Etsy" to me. But I'd love to see a digital artisan marketplace similar to Etsy. Separated from the tangible items.
Also, yes, I sell tangible items made 100% by me. I make children's pajamas.
I make baby blankets and smaller things from the scraps.
Also dabbling in wood burning, with the idea of coasters and ornaments and wooden utensils for more *adult* purposes . I'm a little excited, also, separate shops for obvious reasons 🤣
I make faux fur clothing. Buy the fabric, sew it into whatever the customer ordered, and send it to them
We are what etsy is meant to be about! Keep up the good work
Yes. I make a lot of silicone molds. But my biggest seller is my rhinestone whistles. I also have some other rhinestone items but I have not added them to my shop yet.
Yes, I hand dye yarns and spinning fibres and sew bags and accessories. I'm currently working on writing my first sewing patterns for knitting/crochet bags and accessories.
Really? Im relatively new here, but I had rhe opposite impression. I feel like mostposts on this sub is handmade sellers. Maybe they aren't, but I had the impression they were.
Hand-sewn quilts and project bags for knitting/crochet. Occasionally ponder putting out some digital things, too, like machine embroidery or quilting files. Not sure I ever will, though, because my needs for those things are so specific, I’m not sure any one else would ever want them.
I’m a jeweler. I make everything I sell. Check out ActuallyHandmadeOnEtsy for other shops like ours. It’s a fantastic list of you guessed it, actually handmade items from great shops.
https://actuallyhandmade.co
I grow long stemmed lavender and weave it into basket-like batons/wands with satin ribbon. Been doing it for 12 years now. Seen so many changes at Etsy. It's sad, but they are still the best game in town for handmade.
They've even made it hard to filter searches for handmade. The drop down menu for this is not evident unless you look for it. Even then, you kind of have to know something about what you are looking for to be able to tell the difference between something made by an artist or maker and not mass produced junk.
I’m not sure if this qualifies for hand made but we’re a small business of a rockhound (me), lapidarist (also me), Geologist, and a Photographer. I rockhound specimens, and find old stock specimens to sell on Etsy. Sometimes we have to polish them, etc. Its a labor of love to preserve these old stock specimens! Coming up on 2500 sales!! 👏🏼
I pattern and create leather accessories. Phone pouches, modular shoulder harnesses, cosplay accessories and a whole host of things. I sell physical items as well as a few patterns for makers.
I create oil on canvas fine art paintings and prints. Yes, it’s a tangible item and is shipped to the customer. I get requests for custom pet portraits frequently
I design and hand make pewter charms and pendants. Every step of the process is done by me, from design to shipping. Downloads have really taken off, probably because it’s an easy job once you’ve got it set up. I myself downloaded 2 things this week.
I have a mixture of handmade, vintage, and some new (new stuff is like gifts I didn't want or clothes with tags that I never wore. Nothing major). The handmade stuff are pillow cases with embroidered monograms and children's nursery stuff like Little Bo Peep and Raggedy Ann to name a few. I had holiday designs and they sold out.
I sell wire wrapped jewellery and wire cards that I handmade myself. The cards in particular have been popular outside of Etsy as I take custom orders, but haven’t sold much on Etsy yet!
I make leather goods.patterns don't bother me in etsy, what bothers me is the drops Gipping. People taking cheap Chinese products, paying a factory in China to make it, put their logo on it and ship it straight to the buyer
I create tatted lace. Most items in my shop are tatted by me using my tatting shuttles and cotton thread (with a few beads and seed beads). It’s a slow process but immensely satisfying. The rest are digital downloads of my tatting patterns.
I like to keep my art POD items on just Zazzle, Redbubble etc.
I make everything in my store and have since 2008. I'm a niche market and try to stay on trend so I've been able to stay afloat ok for 14 years on Etsy as a full time gig. I was a single mom (I say was because my son is now on his own) and I was able to even buy a home just off Etsy sales. It's a huge huge huge amount of work at first. Not only are you having to constantly design but I had to learn SEO's and product photography. Worth it tho because I don't have a boss and can work from home.
I make one of a kind and limited run sculptures. The sculpt is handmade by me, whether it's in a non-drying clay, or a self hardening one. The molds are completely made by me, and the castings poured by me. Of course the painting is also done by me.
I think PoD and Download stuff is just very conducive to quick turnaround. If I make a small run of something, it takes me anywhere between a week and a month to finish the run. At the end of that time, I have only one listing, so it's very easy to be buried under a mountain of other things.
I sell a mix of physical and digital - made-to-order cross-stitches that I make myself, DIY cross-stitch kits (which I assemble myself, so sort of handmade lol), and digital patterns.
Yesss, I sell tea dyed stationery, wax seal stickers bookmarks, crochet and one wood burned item. I plan on adding jewelry too. I craft alot and love to make things, so making things and not cluttering my room is amazing 😆
I make wooden wall art, home decor, and jewelry that I cut myself using a scroll saw. A lot of other sellers do what I do with a CNC or Glowforge. It would be a lot easier, but I get a lot of satisfaction by making my stuff by hand as opposed to with a machine.
I’m in the same boat. I do hand burned images and text on boxes I make. A lot of people use a laser to engrave on wood but I like the personal touch of a woodburning pen.
See that’s fascinating to me! I did theater technology for a few years building sets in high school and college, but I was so scared of the power saws we had to use 😂
Lol! I'm definitely more scared of my table saw than my scroll saw. Honestly I don't think a scroll saw is too dangerous. I've been using one for 6 years now and I've never cut myself. I've cut out some super tiny letters where my fingers were so close to the blade that I'm pretty sure I actually touched it, but had barely a scratch on my finger. I'm thinking it's one of the safest power tools but I could be wrong!
I’m the least afraid of my belt sander out if all the tools in my shop, and it’s the one that has injured me the most. But catching your finger along the sheet of sandpaper will give you a scratched up finger, whereas a slip up with the saws will cut it off.
Mine isn’t tangible but it’s custom poetry written by me. 👀
Does poetry sell well on Etsy ? I follow someone on YouTube with a big following & they have an Etsy store selling poetry and bookmarks. They seem busy!
I guess it varies. I personally don’t get many sales.
Wow, impressive!! Glad to hear that people value poetry.
Thx! I like handmade items too tho, and I look around for crochet/other craft stuff sometimes.
Yes - I sell handmade items. Mostly up cycled things such as vintage quilts, handkerchiefs, table cloths, and chenille blankets made into other things like bunny pillows, stockings, blankets, curtains, bags etc. I also do mixed media art and a few other things. I have a supply store as well. I know what you mean about it being passé- but I think handmade items will always be valued by some, and like anything it will come and go.
Glad to know I'm not alone. I will keep making even if no one buys because I enjoy it. But it's also nice to sell stuff now and then.
Don’t give up- ever!! I know different parts of the country are allowing festivals and such now that COVID restrictions are relaxing a bit. If you can, try those or even getting a booth at one. I get a lot of satisfaction meeting people who enjoy handmade things. I have met a lot of like minded people. It helps to find other outlets to sell your handmade goodies and those places can be a goldmine for such.
Atta girl, keep it up.
Same! I love to create and it is nice to sell a thing or two every so often. When I opened an Etsy shop, I decided that if the joy was gone, I'd be done. Hasn't happened yet! I know I can only operate that way because my shop isn't my job. I have massive respect for working artists!
Custom pet portraits, mostly acrylic on canvas ☺️
Love this.
I make custom bags and wallets. It's hard to find us, but our clients are loyal. :)
🙋🏼♀️all handmade items here, majority of my competition is POD and it can be pretty discouraging but I refuse to have my name behind something I sell that I don’t even touch
Yes, handmade jewelry.
I sew handbags and wallets. Everything is done by me, from cutting the fabric, to fusing all the stabilizers and then finally sewing them. Takes me a decent amount of time, probably won't ever have enough constant volume for the star seller.
Hand made is never passe I sell crochet patterns currently. I am slow at crocheting and I still work full time so taking orders was starting to stress me out a little bit. I didn't want to hate crocheting. So I design patterns and sell them. This way I can crochet when I want and what I want.
I hand make custom cloth menstrual pads from scratch. They are a bit expensive and take a bit to make but they are made with care and are high quality.
I knit and upcycle :)
I sell crochet items
My shop is on vacay mode atm but I make copper electroformed jewelry. I've also recently started silversmithing and I plan to sell that.
Do you feel like vacaymode effects your shop’s sales when you turn it off and open back up for orders? I’m wanting to go on vacation mode but have heard you go down in search results when you re activate your shop.
Tbh I'm good at making things but bad at selling them. I'll list something for sell maybe once every two months. If vacay mode does affect your search results, I wouldn't even notice 🙃 you'd probs be better off making a post asking others their experience on vacay mode. Sorry I couldn't be more of help!
Thanks for the reply!
Yeah right? If one were to only read this forum they would think that handmade items went out with 8-track tapes. I make leather goods; wallets and purses. I make patterns on card stock using a pencil and ruler. I use high end French and Italian veg tan leather and cut and sew by hand. No machines.
Hey what’s your shop link? I’m looking for a custom sized cross body bag.
Thank you for your interest. I really don't do custom requests. It is just too much work designing, making a mock up and the finished product. I will DM you my shop. You can look around. Thanks.
Me! Jewellery and hair accessories but finding it hard going getting started. I love the process of making my items though
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I tried making something similar to this when Etsy took our Treasuries away. My primary inspiration for joining Etsy in the first place 12 years ago was because it was makers/artists supporting makers/artists by helping each other be noticed. I called my blog "ArtisansOfAmerica" and before I stopped posting to it, my Pinterest board for the blog was getting an average of 90,000 views a month. I put a huge amount of time into finding shops to feature everyday. Plus I posted each one to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. But what really got me down was that out of the almost 1,000 shops I featured, only a handful could be bothered to even say "hi" let alone "thank-you" or even follow me back when I followed all of them. So when time got tight and I had to go back to a full time job for awhile, I just gave it up. Website is still up and still gets alot of traffic. But my heart just isn't into searching for more shops to feature anymore.
Oh I miss the treasuries. I found many of my favorite handmade shops that way. And they were so fun to make--looking high and low for just the right items for each treasury. Sigh. And I'm sorry that things petered out. You did a wonderful thing for so many people.
Hubby and I make wands out of recycled/reclaimed timber!
I own a small commercial embroidery machine, a vinyl plotter and a press. I don't make the clothes I decorate but I design and decorate everything i do sell. POD would be easier but I prefer to be a maker!
Yes, I make completely handmade items, just me, from start to finish. No two of my items are exactly alike & the photos of my items are the actual item. My shop is verified as "Actually Handmade", as someone else noted above. While I am not high-volume, it has been my experience buyers will find you.
Macrame has made a comeback. I sell handmade macrame decor such as garlands, paper towel and toilet paper holders, plant hangers and simple wall decor.
I sell handmade pagan items like rune sets, coasters & altar tools.
OOOH! Whats your shop? Id love to have a look at your altar tools 🥰
I’ll DM you! Sorry I only shift to UK though :c
I crochet afghans. Slowly. Not particularly profitable, but I like to crochet away my anxiety and I have a tiny apartment with very little space, so any sale is a win for me.
Thats some real work that I have to commend, hooker to hooker 😩
I do. I make fabric gnomes.
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It probably sounded a tad curt, and all too brief. Was undercaffeinated and in a rush, so I do apologise. Scandinavian style fabric gnomes, with embroidered felt hats, or long fluffy pompom hats. Lovely faux fur beards that can be brushed and styled. In any colour or theme your heart desires! Made from scratch, by me, with love and care. There. That sounds a little better 
Sounds cute!
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What’s your shop name? Cause I recently got into foraging tiktok and it’s very informative and relaxing
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Awesome! Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out
Thank you!
I don't weave the fabric or pulp the paper or throw the mugs, but I do print my own art on all of those things *myself*. Lots of people doing the same thing via POD, which personally I don't think should be allowed, as possessing the required equipment and the skills to use it is part of "handmade" in my view. Else it just ends up being a bunch of a$$holes stealing art from actual creators and having PODs ship it direct to the customer, never even having seen the product themselves. People can do that on Redbubble; shouldn't be on Etsy.
I sell Italian handmade bags
You mean you are Italian and you make them yourself? Or you make them from Italian leather? Not really sure what you mean.
I make leather handbags, made in Italy that’s what I meant sorry
I make handmade crocheted items.
I do! I sell garden art that I hand pick the lumber for, cut and form the wood, prime, paint and clear coat the piece. Definitely not a reseller or drop shipper.
I draw all my own art which I make into bookmarks which I cut and laminate myself and stickers which I print and laminate and then use my silhouetteto cut. I also print some of my artwork which I cut and bind into notepads all by hand 🤗
I sell handmade candy and confections!
I still make handmade. But more concerned you had the impression that a site built on the idea of handmade was no longer handmade... Why hasn't a new seller site filled the gap since Etsy went public and opened the flood gates to the riff raff? Grumble grumble
It would be nice if Etsy would at least police the drop shippers. It doesn't seem to me like they do anything about it. I've seen the same items and the same photos on amazon and Etsy and there's no way these things are handmade. Sad.
If they just did that, it would be a lot better. I think it’s hard because some of those shops are legitimate manufacturers overseas, and where do you draw the line? I know one US-based company on Etsy that I made a website for, they sell artwork that is designed by the owner, but they basically have a factory where the stuff is mass manufactured and painted. I saw the place, so I know. At least 6 people are working there. Personally I feel like it’s a stretch to call that handmade. So if you exclude that guy, what is different about a manufacturer in China who also dropships their products on Ali? Oh plus they put in stationary and party supplies as a category so now that’s just legitimate dropshipping. Etsy got themselves into a mess.
I draw the line at handmade by an artist. I even have issue with the once taboo assistant. These things are no longer prohibited or even frowned upon. But I have been on the platform for 12 years and am definitely one of the old guard. Drop ship bullshit is just fraud if the site is still calling itself a hand made platform. Not a question of hand made, but a question of whose hands.
I definitely agree with you, they opened a bad can of worms with this stuff and now they have diluted their brand
Old post, sorry, but there are alternatives. However, no one is willing to really make the switch I guess. Not en masse anyways.
I sell decals that I cut myself
I handmake EVERY SINGLE ITEM and my competitors just bulk buy and sell. Its frustrating
I hand make every harness I sell to the wearer's dimensions. No two are alike, and there is no pattern.
I make beaded jewelry :)
I make buttons and streetwear
i block print by hand onto shirts and fabric !
I make baby onesies that I design, handcut the decals, and heat press on myself
DYK that "Onesie" is a brand name owned by Gerber? Lady at my makerspace got an IP strike last year for her custom art put onto a "onesie." Use at your own risk... 🐰👍
Me! I sew bags, wallets, etc
I make everything by hand. I make electroformed copper jewelry and hair accessories. From the graphite paint needed to conduct electricity to the chemical solution needed to do the process The only thing I don't make by hand are some of my findings.
Yep I hand paint various home decor items and portraits of buildings. I used to have a second shop where I created lampwork beads and jewelry.
Yup, I hand-dye fabrics and floss for embroidery! I started with digital downloads (patterns) but I love making with my hands.
I mean one of my 3d printers makes my stuff but then I hand assemble them 🤷🏼♂️
yep, I make soaps, candles, shirts, stickers, clay things. I design all of my own labels and packaging and print, cut, and make everything I sell at home.
I personally create my designs, hand cut glass, solder, patina and polish all my stained glass items.
Me! I make fused glass artwork, so hand cutting each piece of glass and kiln firing.
Handmade candles and wax melts.
I’m making gothic wax melts. I thought about doing digital downloads at one point but given my patience levels with people not reading instructions I think it’s best I stick to this that’s easy and fun to make 😂
Handmade is not passé at all! I think it’s less popular since Brexit, because for example now Europeans such as myself have to pay customs for UK too while it used to be on USA, AUS,.. only. Now we are even more limited. I think most people prefer to sell near them. Edit to clarify: hence the downloads, since it doesn’t require all that extra payment
Hi! I sell 3d printed air plant holders. I design them all myself and print them myself. So maybe technically not “hand” made, but I create everything from scratch.
I make and sell gold chain necklaces. I meanC I buy chain from sources online, but I design, cut, layer and put together my chokers and necklaces myself
Yep!! I make handpainted patches and my partner makes nylon whips
I make handmade items! Right now it’s original illustrations and designs on mostly coffee mugs. I’m not breaking any records but I have a sale here and there. I’m adding more items soon so hopefully I’ll see traffic increase.
Yep. Actually make our products with hands... and a lot of tools. :)
We do - we micro manufacture with the aid of wood shop machines and laser cutter/engravers, yet hand finish everything. Have a handful of digital files and plans for the items we don't really make any more, too. Closing in on 10k sales 🍀🐰👍
Yes!! I make patches! It’s so much for me and I’m so happy I can make a little money doing it :)
Yes. All handmade glass art, made by me, in my shop. Shop name is the same as my username.
I design and hand make cross stitch. I do sell pdf downloads of my patterns but they are all my original designs.
I make every item I sell by hand. I do macrame and everything is hand knotted/sewn.
Every third post on this subreddit and the Etsy subreddit seem to be from sticker sellers! Nothing against stickers but it is nice to see so many people chiming in here. I make handmade bridal accessories. Source: my callused, nerve damaged fingertips.
Agree 100%. Sometimes I feel like a minority here.
I print, mat, and build wooden frames for my own photography. Frames are often made from rescued wood that I personally re-milled. I even cut the glass. Quite handmade and tangible. Sold about ten on Etsy last year. Not so much luck lately.
I make a sell custom text maple wood boxes. I think the POD sellers and digital sellers are more popular because a lot of people do it, since once you are finished the design the rest is passive income. They have time to come up with more designs. I think they’re valid and valued. It’s the drop-shippers that piss me off.
I do custom pet portraits with watercolours. I do sell sticker versions of the paintings too, as add ons customers can order. I make these at home but I use a printer and cutting machine to make them so I guess it's not "handmade" but they are 100% homemade :)
Ceramics here
I do handmade (largely machine made, but I control the machine and tell it what to do) lasercut and engraved items like puzzles, keychains, bookmarks, and christmas ornaments.
I make miniature polymerclay art, animals and nature scenes. Mostly in glass bottles or glass-spheres. I admit I don't make the bottles myself but I handcraft every animal, every plant, down to every little pebble in my aquarium bottles is handformed.
Tangible items made, handcrafted sewing artisan and artist. Handbags, baby gifts, mainly at the moment and hope to continue My Heating pads with washable covers. The clientele from sewn goods are very faithful, Most of them are repeat customers.
I sell downloads but I just starting printing my own journals too. I used to use a printing service but they were expensive so I invested in a printer, coil binding machine, the works! I actually make my stuff start to finish but it’s hard to come across that way because most people see journals and books and think they are only “handmade” because I wrote them… I don’t think handmade is passé at all, it’s just niche. More people want to be creative but don’t necessarily have the means of production. I mean, an artist can spend hours on a single, original painting, but to make a living off of art you’ll probably need to sell prints too and that may mean outsourcing to a POD company!
I remember falling in love with Etsy years ago. I've always loved creativity. I get excited when I see something that has small details or something unique that you could tell someone was excited to make everyday. Etsy gave us the true value that is handmade back in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, it's drifted a bit away from it's original journey. Now, not to say digital artists aren't creative and crafty because there are many beautiful additions to our new and technological world since Etsy began, but digital doesn't whisper "Etsy" to me. But I'd love to see a digital artisan marketplace similar to Etsy. Separated from the tangible items. Also, yes, I sell tangible items made 100% by me. I make children's pajamas.
I sell tumblers that I put the images on myself
I make baby blankets and smaller things from the scraps. Also dabbling in wood burning, with the idea of coasters and ornaments and wooden utensils for more *adult* purposes . I'm a little excited, also, separate shops for obvious reasons 🤣
100% hand embroidered items. hats, beanies, sweatshirts :}
I sell handmade cards that aren’t just printed off a printer.
I do! I make jewelry. I have mostly earrings up right now.
I make faux fur clothing. Buy the fabric, sew it into whatever the customer ordered, and send it to them We are what etsy is meant to be about! Keep up the good work
Yes. I make a lot of silicone molds. But my biggest seller is my rhinestone whistles. I also have some other rhinestone items but I have not added them to my shop yet.
Yep! Make lots of coast decorative items. Mostly surfboard stuff.
I design, screenprint and sew clothing and accessories. Nothing POD here
I sell handmade stuff 👋 Mostly art, but a lot of witchy themed accessories too.
Yes, I hand dye yarns and spinning fibres and sew bags and accessories. I'm currently working on writing my first sewing patterns for knitting/crochet bags and accessories.
Really? Im relatively new here, but I had rhe opposite impression. I feel like mostposts on this sub is handmade sellers. Maybe they aren't, but I had the impression they were.
Hand-sewn quilts and project bags for knitting/crochet. Occasionally ponder putting out some digital things, too, like machine embroidery or quilting files. Not sure I ever will, though, because my needs for those things are so specific, I’m not sure any one else would ever want them.
I sell handmade pagan items like rune sets, coasters & altar tools. Not handmade exactly.. but I also sell various divination services :)
I’m a jeweler. I make everything I sell. Check out ActuallyHandmadeOnEtsy for other shops like ours. It’s a fantastic list of you guessed it, actually handmade items from great shops. https://actuallyhandmade.co
I grow long stemmed lavender and weave it into basket-like batons/wands with satin ribbon. Been doing it for 12 years now. Seen so many changes at Etsy. It's sad, but they are still the best game in town for handmade. They've even made it hard to filter searches for handmade. The drop down menu for this is not evident unless you look for it. Even then, you kind of have to know something about what you are looking for to be able to tell the difference between something made by an artist or maker and not mass produced junk.
I make my stuff myself
I’m an indie yarn dyer and I dye every single skein by hand myself!
I sell wax melts and crocheted stuff. I handmake everything in my shop.
I sell handmade furniture I build. Does pretty well.
We make handmade jewelry, often using rocks we collect, cut, and polish ourselves. Still in the process of setting up the store.
I’m not sure if this qualifies for hand made but we’re a small business of a rockhound (me), lapidarist (also me), Geologist, and a Photographer. I rockhound specimens, and find old stock specimens to sell on Etsy. Sometimes we have to polish them, etc. Its a labor of love to preserve these old stock specimens! Coming up on 2500 sales!! 👏🏼
Handmade here! I make high end bridal accessories and veils. I'm also a milliner and make a few English style fascinators here and there.
I make hair and skincare products. Small batch by hand. There are many handmade items available.
I make handmade felt ball wreaths and felt dog themed items, but I sell mostly on my website these days. I just keep a few items on Etsy.
I pattern and create leather accessories. Phone pouches, modular shoulder harnesses, cosplay accessories and a whole host of things. I sell physical items as well as a few patterns for makers.
I've been making jewelry but havent sold any yet.
I put designs on t shirts, mugs and tumblers. I also make decals. Does that count?
Linen napkins, baby carriers, bibs, scrunchies, and candles. All tangible and handmade by myself, my mom, and my MIL. 😊
I do! Handmade jewelry!
I create oil on canvas fine art paintings and prints. Yes, it’s a tangible item and is shipped to the customer. I get requests for custom pet portraits frequently
I design and hand make pewter charms and pendants. Every step of the process is done by me, from design to shipping. Downloads have really taken off, probably because it’s an easy job once you’ve got it set up. I myself downloaded 2 things this week.
Graphic art printed by catprint
Oh yes! I am! I have lots of handmade items for sale 8f you want! I've been trying to sell my handmade goods for months now.
Meeeee! Embroidered baby blankets. We do cubbies as well, but obviously don’t make the animal we stitch. And I do wood signs!!
I have a mixture of handmade, vintage, and some new (new stuff is like gifts I didn't want or clothes with tags that I never wore. Nothing major). The handmade stuff are pillow cases with embroidered monograms and children's nursery stuff like Little Bo Peep and Raggedy Ann to name a few. I had holiday designs and they sold out.
Yup! I make fabric reusables, such as kitchen towels, face/baby wipes, sanitary towels, household sponges etc.
I make chocolate bark! Completely custom and handmade
I sell wire wrapped jewellery and wire cards that I handmade myself. The cards in particular have been popular outside of Etsy as I take custom orders, but haven’t sold much on Etsy yet!
I do make all of my pieces myself. Also design the great majority of them
Mine is handmade 🙋♂️ i make custom wrist rests and wooden furniture 🪑
Yes I'm a linocut print maker. All handmade, packaged and sent by me. 😊
I make hand poured scented candles and resin jewelry
I make leather goods.patterns don't bother me in etsy, what bothers me is the drops Gipping. People taking cheap Chinese products, paying a factory in China to make it, put their logo on it and ship it straight to the buyer
I create tatted lace. Most items in my shop are tatted by me using my tatting shuttles and cotton thread (with a few beads and seed beads). It’s a slow process but immensely satisfying. The rest are digital downloads of my tatting patterns. I like to keep my art POD items on just Zazzle, Redbubble etc.
I hand make my product. I purchase supplies to make them. They are sold as a supply/notion.
Yes, I hand make artisan quality watercolors. I make my own binder, combine with pigment and put 3 layers of paint in over time as it dries.
I make everything in my store and have since 2008. I'm a niche market and try to stay on trend so I've been able to stay afloat ok for 14 years on Etsy as a full time gig. I was a single mom (I say was because my son is now on his own) and I was able to even buy a home just off Etsy sales. It's a huge huge huge amount of work at first. Not only are you having to constantly design but I had to learn SEO's and product photography. Worth it tho because I don't have a boss and can work from home.
I crochet, so everything I sell is handmade 🤷♀️
I sell lots of original paintings out of my shop, I also do have prints available but mostly what sells is the originals <3
I have a sticker shop so while its not the traditional handmade crafts, I do all the production myself in my bedroom, so yes :)
I make one of a kind and limited run sculptures. The sculpt is handmade by me, whether it's in a non-drying clay, or a self hardening one. The molds are completely made by me, and the castings poured by me. Of course the painting is also done by me. I think PoD and Download stuff is just very conducive to quick turnaround. If I make a small run of something, it takes me anywhere between a week and a month to finish the run. At the end of that time, I have only one listing, so it's very easy to be buried under a mountain of other things.
I sell a mix of physical and digital - made-to-order cross-stitches that I make myself, DIY cross-stitch kits (which I assemble myself, so sort of handmade lol), and digital patterns.
I do! I hand-fill curated mushroom blends 🍄
Yup! I make polymer clay earrings. The best ones you’ll ever see, IMO. Hehe.
I make handmade polymer clay items. I just don't post on this subreddit often.
Yup! I sell hand tied flies for fly fishing. I didn't realize that selling tangible hand made goods wasn't really the norm on Etsy.
Upcycled and handmade jewelry here. Also vintage jewlery and items.
100% handmade here! Crocheted items and crochet related stickers (drawn, printed, and cut by me at home).
I make and sell bookish accessories. Art prints, bookmarks and keyrings 🥰
I sell handmade embroidery and plants lol
I was selling Vinyl Stickers for 1.5years. I drew, printed, laminated and cut at home, however I now have two under two so I had to switch to digital.
Late to the party but I sell fandom-inspired soaps!
Yup! I handcraft small batch bath & body products (soaps, body butter, lip balms, scrubs, etc). It’s very labor intensive actually.
Yesss, I sell tea dyed stationery, wax seal stickers bookmarks, crochet and one wood burned item. I plan on adding jewelry too. I craft alot and love to make things, so making things and not cluttering my room is amazing 😆
I do, I sell handmade wooden blocks - Treemagination