Welcome to our tour of the best things to make and sell online.
There is a large craft market at the moment. So if you are a talented maker, you can easily monetize your skills by starting your own craft business that sells handmade products through an eCommerce store or online marketplace.
The trick is to focus on the right products. Therefore, in this post, we will reveal 27 handmade items that are in high demand.
In addition, we will also share examples of existing eCommerce stores that are making a lot of money selling these products.
Ready? Let’s jump into it.
#1 – Soap
Soap is one of the most popular handmade products to sell on sites like Etsy. There are tons of different types of soaps you can make, from organic scented soaps to unique and interesting designer soaps.
The good thing about soap making is that it’s a fairly easy skill to master and there are plenty of tutorials online to help you get started. All you need are some soap molds and melts.
You can also get very creative with your designs, which will help your products stand out from the competition on seller marketplaces like Etsy.
Example
Here is an example of iandgeco soap seller on Etsy. They have taken a simple, rustic approach to their soap box, with a good selection of handmade and organic products for customers to choose from.
This seller has had over 2,500 sales on the Etsy platform and also offers a variety of different boxes for different occasions.
#2 – Candles
Handmade candles are another bestseller and are extremely easy to make. You can choose to create and scent the candle wax yourself or simply customize the candle holder to create a unique product.
Candles with interesting or funny slogans on the label are very popular and take almost no time to create. Just design and print labels from your computer and stick them to the candle jar – easy!
Alternatively, you can go the route of creating and shaping your own sails from scratch. It’s not that difficult, and candles in interesting shapes and styles are very popular right now.
You can sell your candles on marketplaces like Etsy or create your own online store using a tool like Sellfy.
Example
GlimGlamCandles he sells custom candle jars from his own e-commerce site. They sell a variety of different scented candle jars, as well as some fun candles that make great gifts for friends and associates.
GlimGlam also has candle accessories, such as matching ones, which are great for upselling customers at checkout.
#3 – Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are another great personal care product to sell online. They make great gifts for special occasions, and it’s easy to create bath bombs that have a unique selling point.
Just like making soap, making bath bombs is very simple. There are plenty of YouTube videos to get you started, and you’ll just need to pick out some interesting shapes and scented products to start making them.
When selling your bath bombs, it’s a good idea to create custom packaging to make your bath bombs look extra luxurious. You can also arrange gift boxes with bath bombs and sell them at a higher price.
Example
etsy seller LatherUpUK jumped on a recent trend to increase sales of bath bombs on Etsy. The retailer created a unique bath bomb design in the shape of popular influencer-endorsed Prime energy drinks.
Unsurprisingly, it was a hit, selling over 400 times on Etsy. This is a great example of how you can get creative and use trends to promote your bath bombs online.
#4 – Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the best selling handmade items online. You can sell anything from high-end luxury jewelry to newer items like bracelets and earrings.
An easy place to start when it comes to jewelry is to sell custom engraved jewelry. You can create bracelets or necklaces with customers’ names or phrases and quotes. These types of elements are very popular and easy for creators to create.
Example
This is an example of a charm bracelet seller on Etsy. green ivy Create custom bead bracelets with people’s names. Customers can choose the name when they place an order, and the seller creates and ships their products.
The bracelets are reasonably priced and the seller has received over 600 orders.
#5 – Custom T-shirts
When looking for things to make and sell online, custom t-shirts are an option. T-shirts are very popular and if you can create your own unique design and print them, you can make a nice profit too.
To get started, you can use a printing machine like Cricut to print and stamp your designs onto plain t-shirts. You also have the option of using a print-on-demand service that will print your designs and ship them each time a customer places an order.
Your printing and shipping will increase your profit, but print-on-demand is a good option if you’re looking for a slightly more passive e-commerce business.
Example
This Etsy seller create personalized t-shirts for parents. Customers can add children’s names or birth years to personalized t-shirts.
These super simple designs are extremely popular and the seller has made over 1,400 sales to date.
#6 – Dishes
Tableware such as mugs, glasses, and thermoses are great products to sell online. If you are an expert potter, you can create your own cups and mugs to sell from scratch.
However, if you want a simpler product to create, you can add stickers to your plates to sell them online. With a printer like Cricut, you can create dishwasher decals to personalize your mugs, bottles, etc.
Some sellers will also add additional customization items such as diamonds and other accessories. You can also use a print-on-demand store to sell custom tumblers.
Example
this seller Create unique containers by using diamond crystals to personalize the glass with the customer’s name. Cups are fairly easy to create and tend to have high profit margins.
#7 – Crochet Items
Knitting is a fun skill to master, and you can use it to create a variety of different products, from clothing to children’s toys and more.
Although crocheting is fairly easy to understand, many people prefer to purchase crocheted products rather than create their own. As such, crochet items are a good option for making and selling products online.
Small crochet items that are easy to create, such as coasters, are a good choice for vendors. However, if you are skilled enough in crocheting, you can start your own business creating more detailed bespoke pieces for your clients.
Many vendors also make extra money selling crochet patterns to whoever creates them.
Example
He WoolyBaaDesigns on Etsy skinny headband with super simple crochet flowers. Coasters are affordably priced to encourage sales and compete with other sellers.
The seller has over 600 reviews of her products and has a rating of 4.5/5 customer.
#8 – Recycled furniture
If you want to make and sell things online in 2023, a good place to start is with upcycled furniture. By sanding, painting, and generally giving a piece of furniture a new lease of life, you can make a sizable profit when you sell it online.
All you need to do to get started is pick up some vintage furniture from local charity shops and home sales. You can even get them for free on Facebook Market.
You’ll need some general DIY skills, but if you have them, you need to know exactly what to do to get the parts ready to sell.
You can list them on sites like Etsy or resell them on community marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
Example
Here is an example year upcycled wardrobe for sale on etsy.
The item was listed for almost $400 and was made from an old recycled part. As you can see, the seller has added unique and modern designs to make the piece more in line with current home trends.
#9 – Artwork
If you are a passionate artist then it is very easy to make and sell your artwork online. Custom artwork and paintings are popular with consumers looking for something a little different from mass-produced items.
Etsy is a great place to sell your artwork because it has a large user base and can help potential buyers discover your products. However, there is also a lot of mass-produced artwork for sale on Etsy, so it may be a good idea to create your own online store to sell your wares there.
You can sell all kinds of artwork online, from original digital artwork to intricate paintings and wall art.
Since there are so many people selling art online, it can be quite difficult to compete, so it’s a good idea to promote your artwork and build a following on social media. Sites like Instagram are a haven for artists looking to grow their following and get their creations seen by a new audience.
Example
smooth cutting He sells his original canvases on Etsy at affordable prices.
She has a unique style and subject matter in her paintings and they are all 100% original. To increase sales, Lisa also sells copies of her work and greeting cards of hers.
#10 – Cakes
People love shopping for gifts online, and as such, there is a huge demand for handmade cakes. On Etsy in particular, many sellers sell boxes of candy that include items like cookies, brownies, and scones.
If you’re an avid baker, this is definitely an eCommerce opportunity for you.
To get the most out of sales, it’s a good idea to offer boxes for different occasions, like birthdays and Mother’s Day. You can also add personalization options for customers to add names and messages to cookies.
Another key tip is to make sure your baked goods are fresh and meet food safety standards. Although this seems obvious, many sellers struggle to perfect their shipping processes so that their products are fresh when they arrive, and this can lead to bad reviews that will negatively affect future sales.
Example
He the bakery of happiness sells custom brownie boards on Etsy. Customers can request to add their message to the brownie before shipping, making it a great gift.
This Etsy listing is very popular and has had nearly 2,000 reviews to date.
#11 – Canned foods
Another interesting food item to sell is canned foods such as jams, pickles, and spreads. Food items like these make great gifts and sell especially well if you add stickers and labels to the jars.
For example, you can add popular quotes and messages to the jars, or give customers the option to add a custom message.
Canned foods are also good for vendors because they are easy to make in batches and can be stored for a long time and easily shipped.
Example
He jam kitchen co sells a selection of artisan jams and spreads on Etsy. They also sell sampler packs that include small jars of each of their jams, wrapped in a neat package. Some of the packages are labeled for special occasions like birthdays, making them a popular gift.
#12 – Chocolate
If you like the idea of selling sweets, then selling handmade chocolates online is a good option. Handmade chocolates make great gifts and it’s very easy to make interesting and unique chocolate selections using different shapes.
Some vendors add playful messages to the chocolates, while others go the artisan route, creating highly decorative chocolate selections.
If you like the idea of selling chocolates but don’t want to make your own, you can also select chocolate selection gift boxes using pre-packaged chocolates you’d find at the supermarket.
Example
Lilly’s sweet treats sells handmade chocolate bars on Etsy. The plates are unique and very decorative and even include personalized messages according to the client’s request. These types of chocolate products are not commonly found on the high street, making them an attractive option for someone who wants a unique and thoughtful gift.
#13 – Toys for children
Children’s toys are selling very well online and parents are always looking for new toys to encourage their children’s development.
Handmade toys are becoming increasingly popular as thoughtful gift items and a welcome change from the mass produced plastic toys available in high street shops.
When it comes to creating handmade children’s toys, the possibilities are endless. You can sew whimsical stuffed animals for children or create attractive wooden toys. It’s particularly on-trend right now to buy neutral toys for kids that are minimal and don’t have too much color, so this could be a good choice for 2023.
Example
Seller Busy Puzzles on Etsy Create handmade wooden baby toys that can be personalized with the baby’s name. They are minimalist and stylish and make a great keepsake gift for young babies. The seller has recorded nearly 70,000 sales on Etsy alone.
#14 – Keychains
The keyring is a simple yet popular item to sell online. While these are not expensive items, they are produced quickly so you can still make a nice profit on them.
There are also many different options when it comes to making key chains. You can sell plastic key chains made from epoxy resin, or you can create key chains out of other materials such as crochet, leather, and more. Some vendors also make wooden key rings and engrave names or quotes on them.
Popular styles include letter keyrings or keyrings that can be personalized with the customer’s name.
Example
rosecraft sells custom lariat keychains on Etsy. The designs are super simple yet effective and appeal to a wide audience. The seller has recorded over 2,000 sales on Etsy so far.
#15 – Rugs
Rugs have been a huge trend online lately and more people than ever are eager to buy great, custom rugs.
For To start making your own rugs, you’ll need to invest in a few supplies, like a tufting gun, but it’s a fairly easy skill to learn. You can follow online tutorials to learn the basics.
Rugs are often expensive items, so you can make a nice profit selling them online.
It’s a good idea to focus on designs that are in style, as these are more likely to sell than the classic rug designs made by wholesalers. For example, you can create rugs based on characters from popular games or quotes from TV shows.
Example
RugReece on Etsy sells a selection of handmade rugs that are ordered by customers. The creator focuses on pop culture designs such as logos, game characters, and other designs that would appeal to an online audience.
#16 – Congratulations
Greeting cards are one of those products that will never seem to go out of demand. There will always be birthdays, holidays, and milestones that people want to celebrate by giving their friends and family handwritten cards.
And handmade cards are becoming more and more popular as people move away from mass-produced cards for more special, personalized products.
As such, now is the perfect time to start creating and selling your own greeting cards on sites like Etsy. It’s up to you what kind of cards you sell, but the more creative the better.
Example
This greeting card from seller DebfoDesign Use original felt artwork to create a unique card with a lovely soft texture. Each item is made by hand with care and attention, and the product page even has a video showing that process.
#17 – Digital products
Instead of selling physical crafts, you could create your own digital products and sell them online. I mean things like selling online courses, ebooks, fonts, printables, digital artwork, etc.
The good thing about selling digital products is that you have a much lower barrier to entry and the profit margins are fantastic.
No shipping is required and no inventory needs to be maintained. You only have to make a digital product once, but you can sell it over and over again as many times as you want.
To get started, check out our roundup of the best digital products to sell online. Then use one of the best platforms for selling digital products to build your store and start selling.
Example
Look at this Sellfy shop by Sverre Glomnes. It sells presets and plugin packs for filmmakers and photographers, which is a fantastic niche of digital products.
#18 – Terrariums/pots
Terrariums are becoming increasingly popular as a way to bring a touch of greenery to indoor spaces. Basically, they are miniature gardens inside small, sealable glass containers.
If you like botanicals, you can make your own and sell them on sites like Etsy. The process of making a terrarium includes selecting the right type of soil and planes and adding decorative elements such as moss, stones and figurines. And of course choosing a container.
Example
DIY patio tent is an Etsy shop specializing in handmade terrariums and planters. They sell tons of different terrariums in different styles with different plants, as well as related items like decorative sand and gravel. They have made over 18,000 sales so far and counting!
#19 – Organized subscription boxes
If you don’t want to create products from scratch, you can select existing products and sell them as a subscription box.
The idea is that you offer a subscription box that suits a very specific niche. For example, you can make a Korean skincare subscription box filled with cool Korean beauty products, or an anime subscription box filled with collectibles, etc.
Then send a box full of new freebies each month to your subscribers in exchange for recurring revenue.
If you go this route, you’ll need to use an eCommerce platform that supports subscriptions, like Sellfy.
Example
BusterBox is a monthly subscription box business targeting the pet niche. Every month pet owners receive a new themed box filled with unique dog toys and healthy treats. It is one of the best-selling dog subscription boxes on the market.
#20 – Recycled clothing
Vintage clothing is in fashion now. You can hit the market while it’s hot by recycling old and used clothes to give them a fresh new look and then selling them for a profit.
You can buy your old clothes at charity shops or thrift shops and then recycle them by cutting, sewing, mending, patching and dyeing them.
Example
Look at this trucker jacket by Etsy seller CasaGraceQuilts. As you can see, it’s not cheap. The seller is able to charge a very high price because it is a truly one-of-a-kind item made from a restored, handmade antique quilt.
#21 – Dream Protectors
Dream catchers are handmade willow circles containing a woven net/fabric and are sometimes decorated with feathers and beads. Originally used in Native American cultures, they are now popular decorative items that many people hang over their beds to ward off nightmares.
You can make your own quite easily using materials you can find at your local craft store such as twine, metal/wooden hoops, and decorative materials such as beads, gems, and shells.
Example
Etsy seller SuzieCalypso sells lots of great dream catchers like this trapped in moon shaped dreams. His store is very successful with over 10,400 sales to date.
#22 – Handmade Wallpaper
Wall hangings are another easy-to-make item that’s popular on sites like Etsy. You can make your tapestries with materials such as macramé, thread or fabric. Best sellers in this category tend to have unique, bold, and fresh designs that offer something new and original.
Example
This macrame leaf wall hanging is one of the most popular products in this category on Etsy, and you can see why. It looks great and is totally unique. SELLER even offers customization options so you can choose the number of sheets you want and the style.
#23 – Blankets
Everyone loves a good blanket. They are a staple that is always in demand, and if you have a sewing machine, they are very easy to make. Grab some terry cloth and start sewing.
There are all kinds of blankets you can make, from colorful patchwork quilts that have that boho chic aesthetic to heavy, heavy blankets that offer the ultimate in comfort.
Example
here is a beautiful multicolored square crochet blanket From Etsy seller thisgrannyaintsquare. It is made of 100% acrylic yarn and has proven to be very popular with Etsy buyers, generating many sales.
#24 – Custom Musical Instruments
Another great idea of craft business is customizing musical instruments and selling them to hobbyists. For example, you can offer painted guitars, handmade percussion instruments, etc.
Or, if you have the skills, you can even turn musical instruments into decorative items. For example, why not make a coffee table out of an old electric guitar?
Example
Here’s a really cool one custom les paul style guitar by Etsy seller FlamingGoodStuff. It is priced high to reflect the care and attention that has been given to it. The seller spent over 30 hours designing and decorating it with burn marks using pyrography.
#25 – Handmade Leather Accessories
Leather accessories are another product category that will always be in high demand. These include things like wallets, belts, leather key chains, briefcases, backpacks, etc.
It takes skill to create high-quality leather goods, but if you can handle it, there are plenty of potential customers who might be interested in what you have to offer.
Example
Etty Seller dudidesign offers a range of interesting leather accessories including chokers, bracelets and clips. They have made over 6,750 sales to date.
#26 – Custom Decals
Decals are a specific type of sticker that is commonly used on things like cars, laptops, etc. They usually have more complex shapes/designs than stickers and have an extra transfer layer to make transfer easier without risk of wrinkling, tearing, etc.
If you want to make and sell stickers, it’s worth doing some keyword research to see what kinds of stickers are in demand. Look for sticker keywords with high search volumes and low competition, then set up shop to fill that gap in the marketplace.
Example
EsmeraldaCityHardwear is a US-based Etsy shop that sells vehicle decals and other merchandise. The store is a huge success with over 21,500 sales to date.
#27- Handmade Keyboards
Personalized keys have become increasingly popular in recent years, so demand is skyrocketing right now, and there isn’t a lot of competition in the space.
If you didn’t already know, keycaps are small pieces of sculpted plastic that sit on top of switches on mechanical keyboards. They are popular with gamers looking to add a personal touch to their setup.
The easiest way to create and sell your own keyboards is to 3D print them and then paint them by hand. However, it is also possible to use molds or even carve them out of wood if you have the right skills.
Example
TerraKeycaps is a UK based Etsy seller who sells individually and handmade keys that are incredibly detailed. They have made over 1,650 sales to date.
final thoughts
That concludes our detailed guide to the best things to do and sell this year. We hope it has given you some ideas to help you get started on your ecommerce journey.
Remember: When selling crafts online, marketing will be very important. Check out these social media marketing tips to learn how to use social media to increase sales.
But if making your own products seems like too much work for the extra money, you can always try drop shipping. Check out our tour of the best dropshipping websites to get started.
And if you’re not sure how to get started, check out our comparison of ecommerce platforms.
Luck!
Divulgation: This post contains affiliate links. This means that we may make a small commission if you make a purchase.
