18 Best Things to Sell on Etsy
With everything going digital, the buying and selling of goods have also moved online. Craft fairs, farmers markets, and local markets, which were once the primary channels, now hold a smaller share compared to online marketplaces.
Currently, Etsy is America’s top marketplace for selling handmade items and crafted goods, a lucrative opportunity for small businesses or individuals looking to profit from creativity.
If you’re aware of Etsy's business potential but unsure what to sell, this article is for you. It lists all the trendy items you can sell on Etsy and explains the simple process of making them using laser cutting and engraving machines.
In This Article
- How to Find Products to Sell on Etsy?
- Top-Selling Items on Etsy
- FAQs on Selling on Etsy
- Conclusion
How to Find Products to Sell on Etsy?
Conducting market research is a prerequisite for launching any business. Without it, you're like a ship without a compass, navigating the vast ocean with no clear direction. But where should one begin the search? Etsy itself is the best platform for market research.
One approach is to explore Etsy’s ‘Trending Now’ page. It displays a variety of categories with products listed under each. By digging deeper into these categories, you can assess the number of products listed, review sales data (using reviews as indicators), and gauge both competition and market demand.
Another resource is the Etsy Marketplace Insight reports. Periodically, Etsy publishes reports highlighting trendy and emerging searches on their platform. This gives an idea of what buyers are currently seeking on the platform.
You may also randomly check the listings of a product category you’re personally interested in. And see if there’s competition or even demand for that before getting into it.
Top-Selling Items on Etsy
The top-selling products on Etsy can fluctuate, but past reports offer a substantial glimpse into trends and consumer interests. We draw on data from the Etsy Market Insights: Early 2024 report for our analysis.
Jewelry is one of the leading categories. Notably, searches for ‘gold charm necklace’ surged by 106% year-over-year, while ‘custom charm necklace’ saw an even more impressive increase of 227%. The search for ‘personalized velvet boxes’ skyrocketed by 4,304%. The kids' crafts, searches rose by 250% while the décor trends, particularly in wall art, also experienced a significant uptick.
Based on these insights, we have compiled a list of the top-selling categories and items on Etsy for you to consider.
Handmade & Personalized Jewelry
Personalized Name Necklace ©HerNameJewelry - Etsy
Jewelry is a top seller on Etsy – particularly appealing to women who seek unique and personalized pieces matching their outfits. There’s a vast market, from handcrafted earrings to bespoke necklaces that resonate with individual styles. You can make laser-cut earrings, personalized bracelets and rings. Selling just jewelry designs is also an option.
Wall Art
Custom lyrics print ©TheWorldGallery - Etsy
Homeowners often look for pieces that enhance their living or working spaces. Customizable items, such as prints featuring meaningful lyrics, personalized family name signs, or bespoke illustrations, sell well on Etsy.
Wreaths & Door Hangers
Personalized front door hanger © AlexanderLaserDesign - Etsy
Wreaths and door hangers are also popular for their ability to make any entrance welcoming. You can capitalize on trends by offering customizable elements i.e. family names, seasonal decorations, or even DIY wreath-making kits for crafting enthusiasts.
Candles
Aroma therapy candles ©Kindred Fires
Beyond their beauty, candles offer sensory pleasure and ambiance, which makes them a beloved choice for gifts and self-care. You can stand out by creating candles with unusual scents, adding locally sourced ingredients, or designing unique, reusable containers that serve as keepsakes.
Personalized Drinkware
Personalized engraved tumbler ©Lamoriea - Etsy
Drinkware is a beloved choice for personalized gifts and everyday use items, appealing to both coffee aficionados and casual sippers. Engraved tumblers, custom mugs, and specially designed coffee cups help individuals start their day with a personal touch. This type of drinkware is also popular as corporate gifts.
Wedding & Party Supplies
Weddings are memorable and lifetime events. So, people often look for personalized things to make their day more special. This opens a door of opportunities for customization. You can offer a range of products – like elegant custom wedding signs, personalized cake toppers, intricately designed laser-cut wedding invitations, and guest books.
Personalized Gifts
Personalized Engraved Travel Jewelry Box ©PersonalizationLab - Etsy
This category taps into the market for unique, bespoke items that carry a personal sentiment. Leather bookmarks, custom-engraved cutting boards, and personalized jewelry boxes are just a few examples that make perfect gifts.
Seasonal Decor
Christmas Tree Ornaments ©BusyPuzzle- Etsy
Seasonal decor items are in high demand as they help celebrate and brighten various holidays throughout the year. From intricately designed Christmas ornaments to Thanksgiving centerpieces and Halloween-themed decorations, these products help customers express their festive spirit.
It may seem like an occasional category, but considering multiple seasonal events, the demand for such things often stays throughout the year.
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Personalized Night Lights
Acrylic night lights can transform any room with a soft, personalized glow. These items are ideal for adding a whimsical touch to children’s rooms or creating ambient lighting in other living spaces. Since Etsy buyers look for something unique, you can try offering on-demand customization services. Ask for names, significant dates, or any unique graphics they want to add.
Shelving
Hanging Shelving ©BASEROOTS - Etsy
Shelving is one of the essential items that serves both decorative and functional purposes. Again, you have multiple options: hanging shelves, which are ideal for adding dimension to walls; wall shelves that maximize space in compact areas; and floating shelves that offer a sleek, modern look. Each type can be customized in terms of material, size, and finish to suit specific interior design preferences and organizational needs.
Personalized Bags & Totes
Bags are everyday items, but for sellers and businesses, they double as mobile billboards. Customized, personalized bags play a crucial role in spreading brand awareness. With the proliferation of online sellers, the demand for these uniquely branded bags is continuously growing.
Personalized Apparel & Accessories
The demand for personalized apparel, particularly sportswear and t-shirts is significantly rising on Etsy. And screen printing is one of the best ways to offer such products. Choose unique colored plain t-shirts and screen print inspirational quotes or art prints. You may give buyers the freedom to share designs or quotes they want to print.
Digital Downloads
You don’t have to necessarily sell tangible products. All your custom-made downloadable designs and laser cut files are sellable. This segment has recently grown as people are shifting to making crafts with desktop laser cutters and engravers. This segment allows creators to sell their designs worldwide without the logistics of physical shipping. Also, customers get instant access to templates for creating their own unique items.
Craft Supplies
Since Etsy is a dedicated platform for homemade crafts – some DIY homeowners also want to experience the art of making something of their own. So, DIY kits surrounding all these product categories can be offered. Moreover, unique craft-making tools like sewing kits, punching kits, hemmers, threads, cutters, and all other craft stuff fall under this category.
Art Prints
Botanical Art ©Firumwalls Etsy
Art prints encompass a broad spectrum of styles and subjects, which makes them a popular choice for decorators and art lovers alike. You can offer prints of original paintings, digital art, or classic reproductions. The prints could be offered digitally with a license or be printed on t-shirts, or in the form of wall art.
Related Reading:
How to Make Prints of Your Art
Vintage Items
Saphiret Brooch ©GammaRedmondVintage
If you're a collector with vintage items, there's a thriving market for you on Etsy. According to their seller policy, your vintage items must be at least 20 years old. These could include historical paintings, war-associated ornaments, clothing from your ancestors, or cultural artifacts.
Handmade Soaps
©NaturalAmor - Etsy
Handmade soaps combine artistry with wellness – they offer a tactile and sensory experience that commercial products often lack. These soaps are made using natural ingredients and can be customized with various scents, colors, and additives like essential oils or exfoliants. You can market these soaps as eco-friendly options and attract health-conscious consumers.
Personalized Pet Supplies
Personalized Dog Collar Tags ©SoGoodSoWood - Etsy
This category caters to pet owners who view their pets as family members and are looking for unique, personalized items. Products to sell include engraved name tags, collar tags, and custom-sized pet clothing.
FAQs on Selling on Etsy
Is It Worth It to Sell on Etsy?
Absolutely, Etsy Is a prominent platform specifically made for artisans and crafters. It has over 93 million active buyers who constantly seek unique, handcrafted items.
Can You Sell Non-Handmade Items on Etsy?
As per Etsy seller policy, you can only sell hand-made items that are made or designed by you. You even have to disclose the distribution partner (if working with one). Apart from hand-made crafts, you can sell vintage items (older than 20 years) and craft-making supplies.
Conclusion
Etsy is the best platform for selling your handmade crafts. We’ve highlighted some of the top-selling items on Etsy to give you an insight into current market trends. The goal is not to mimic these products but to understand their successful attributes. Use this information as inspiration to craft your own unique items using laser machines.
For more questions, please join our community to get inspired!
