Etsy Seller Ideas 2026

Things to Make and Sellon Etsy

Turn your creativity into income. Discover 80+ profitable product ideas with step-by-step guidance on what to make, how to price it, and how to sell it successfully on Etsy.

80+ IdeasHigh MarginsBeginner FriendlyTrending 2026Step-by-StepLow Startup

🎯Quick Answer: Best Things to Make and Sell on Etsy

Top 6 product categories for Etsy sellers:

  • Personalized Jewelry - Name necklaces, stamped bracelets (45-70% margin)
  • Candles & Soap - Soy candles, handmade soap bars (50-70% margin)
  • Digital Products - Printables, planners, SVG files (70-95% margin)
  • Home Decor - Wood signs, macrame, wall art (40-60% margin)
  • Paper & Stationery - Stickers, greeting cards, journals (50-75% margin)
  • Fiber Arts - Crocheted items, knitted goods (35-55% margin)

Key success factor: Choose products that match your skills, have proven demand, and offer good profit margins after Etsy fees.

Popular Product Categories to Make

Find the right category for your skills and budget

💍45-70%

Jewelry & Accessories

Examples: Beaded bracelets, wire-wrapped pendants, resin jewelry, stamped rings

Very High DemandBeginner-Medium

Startup: $50-$200

🏠40-60%

Home Decor

Examples: Wall signs, candle holders, macrame, terrariums

High DemandMedium

Startup: $100-$300

🕯️50-70%

Candles & Soap

Examples: Soy candles, bath bombs, handmade soap, wax melts

Very High DemandBeginner

Startup: $75-$150

📱70-95%

Digital Products

Examples: Printable art, planners, SVG files, templates

Very High DemandBeginner-Medium

Startup: $0-$50

🧶35-55%

Fiber Arts

Examples: Knitted items, crocheted toys, woven wall hangings

High DemandMedium-Advanced

Startup: $50-$150

📝50-75%

Paper & Stationery

Examples: Stickers, greeting cards, journals, bookmarks

High DemandBeginner

Startup: $30-$100

20 Best Things to Make and Sell on Etsy

Complete breakdown with demand, margins, and production time

ProductDemandCompetitionMarginPriceTime
Personalized Name NecklacesVery HighHigh55%$25-$6015-30 min
Soy Candles (Various Scents)Very HighHigh65%$15-$3520-40 min
Printable Wall ArtVery HighVery High95%$5-$151-3 hours
Resin Jewelry (Earrings/Rings)HighMedium60%$15-$4030-60 min
Custom Pet PortraitsHighMedium70%$30-$1002-5 hours
Handmade Soap BarsHighHigh60%$8-$1830 min + curing
Macrame Plant HangersHighMedium55%$20-$501-2 hours
Vinyl Sticker SheetsVery HighHigh70%$4-$1215-30 min
Crocheted Stuffed AnimalsHighMedium45%$25-$603-8 hours
Hand-Stamped JewelryHighMedium60%$20-$5020-45 min
Wooden Signs (Laser Cut/Painted)Very HighHigh50%$25-$801-3 hours
Bath Bomb SetsHighHigh65%$12-$3030-60 min
Beaded BraceletsHighVery High65%$8-$2515-30 min
Digital PlannersVery HighHigh90%$8-$255-15 hours
Embroidered ItemsMedium-HighMedium50%$30-$803-10 hours
ScrunchiesHighVery High70%$5-$1510-20 min
Wax Melt ShapesHighMedium70%$8-$1820-40 min
Clay EarringsVery HighHigh65%$15-$3530-60 min
Personalized TumblersHighHigh45%$25-$501-2 hours
Greeting Cards (Handmade)MediumHigh60%$5-$1215-30 min

Profit margins and prices vary based on materials, quality, and location. Time estimates are for experienced makers.

Match Your Skills to Products

Already have a skill? Find the best products to create

Sewing

Scrunchies, bags, quilts, clothing, stuffed animals, fabric jewelry pouches

Drawing/Illustration

Custom portraits, printable art, stickers, greeting cards, digital downloads

Crafting with Hands

Jewelry, macrame, wreaths, candles, soap, pottery

Knitting/Crocheting

Scarves, blankets, amigurumi, baby items, hats, sweaters

Woodworking

Signs, cutting boards, toys, home decor, furniture, jewelry boxes

Photography

Stock photos, prints, digital products, photo editing presets

Graphic Design

Logos, templates, printables, invitations, social media designs

Baking (Shipped)

Decorated cookies, cake toppers, candy, edible arrangements

How to Start Making and Selling on Etsy

Your 6-step roadmap from idea to first sale

1

Choose Your Product Niche

Pick a product category based on your skills, interests, and market demand. Research what sells well and identify gaps you can fill.

Pro Tip: Start with something you enjoy making - passion shows in quality.

2

Calculate Your Costs

Add up all costs: materials, time (at hourly rate), packaging, Etsy fees (listing + transaction + payment processing), and shipping.

Pro Tip: Use the formula: (Materials + Labor + Overhead) x 2 for pricing.

3

Create Sample Products

Make 5-10 items to photograph and list. Perfect your process before scaling. Test different variations.

Pro Tip: Gift samples to friends/family for honest feedback before launching.

4

Set Up Your Etsy Shop

Create your shop with a memorable name, clear policies, professional banner, and cohesive branding.

Pro Tip: Include your niche keywords in your shop name for SEO.

5

Photograph and List Products

Take high-quality photos in good lighting. Write keyword-rich titles and detailed descriptions. Use all 13 tags.

Pro Tip: Natural light near a window creates professional-looking photos.

6

Market and Scale

Share on social media, add new listings regularly, analyze what sells, and expand successful product lines.

Pro Tip: Pinterest and Instagram are goldmines for handmade product promotion.

Handmade & Craft Products on Etsy

95M+
Active Buyers
7.5M
Active Sellers
60%+
Buy Unique Items
$50-70%
Avg Margin

Tips for Making Products That Sell

Do This

  • Research what's selling before you start making
  • Price to profit, not just to compete
  • Take professional photos in natural lighting
  • Use all 13 tags with researched keywords
  • Add personalization options to increase value
  • Create a production system for efficiency

Avoid This

  • Don't copy other sellers' designs exactly
  • Avoid products that take too long for the price
  • Don't use phone photos with poor lighting
  • Never use trademarked characters or logos
  • Don't make products you can't reproduce consistently
  • Avoid saturated niches without a unique angle

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about making and selling on Etsy.

The best things for beginners to make and sell on Etsy include: (1) Handmade candles - low startup cost, high demand, simple process, (2) Jewelry - beaded bracelets, wire-wrapped pendants, resin pieces, (3) Printable art and wall decor - digital products with no shipping, (4) Personalized items - custom name signs, monogrammed accessories, (5) Soap and bath products - natural ingredients, profitable margins, (6) Knitted or crocheted items - scarves, beanies, baby items, (7) Stickers and planner accessories - low cost materials. Start with what you enjoy making and can produce consistently.
The top-selling handmade items on Etsy include: (1) Personalized jewelry - name necklaces, birthstone pieces, custom engravings (very high demand), (2) Wedding items - invitations, decorations, personalized gifts (seasonal peaks), (3) Home decor - wall art, signs, candle holders (consistent demand), (4) Baby and kids items - nursery decor, toys, clothing (growing market), (5) Seasonal decorations - holiday ornaments, wreaths, themed items (high volume during holidays), (6) Pet accessories - collars, tags, toys (rapidly growing niche), (7) Custom portraits - digital or hand-drawn family/pet portraits.
Earnings from selling handmade items on Etsy vary widely: Part-time sellers (5-10 hours/week) typically make $200-$1,000/month. Full-time sellers (30-40 hours/week) often earn $2,000-$8,000/month. Top sellers can make $10,000-$50,000+/month. Key factors affecting income: product pricing (aim for 3-4x material costs), production efficiency, number of listings (more = more visibility), niche selection, SEO optimization, and marketing efforts. Digital products typically have higher margins (70-95%) than physical handmade items (30-60%).
Basic supplies to start selling on Etsy depend on your chosen craft: GENERAL: Quality packaging materials, shipping supplies, labels, thank you cards. JEWELRY: Pliers, wire, beads, findings, clasps, display cards. CANDLES: Wax, wicks, fragrance oils, containers, thermometer. SOAP: Melt-and-pour or cold process supplies, molds, colors, scents. DIGITAL: Design software (Canva, Illustrator), good computer, graphics tablet. SEWING: Machine, fabric, thread, patterns, cutting tools. Most crafts can be started with $50-$200 in initial supplies. Buy quality materials to produce professional results.
The standard pricing formula for handmade items: (Materials + Labor + Overhead) x 2 = Wholesale Price, Wholesale Price x 2 = Retail Price. Example: $5 materials + $15 labor (1 hour at $15/hr) + $2 overhead = $22, x2 = $44 wholesale, x2 = $88 retail. However, also consider: competitor pricing, perceived value, target market, uniqueness factor. Many sellers price too low initially. Your time is valuable - don't work for less than minimum wage. Include ALL costs: Etsy fees (6.5% + payment processing), packaging, shipping materials, marketing.
Most profitable items by margin: HIGHEST MARGIN (70-95%): Digital downloads (planners, art, templates) - create once, sell unlimited. Custom digital portraits, printable invitations. HIGH MARGIN (50-70%): Personalized jewelry (especially with engraving), custom candles, unique home decor. GOOD MARGIN (30-50%): Quality handmade clothing, leather goods, ceramics, woodworking. Profitability also depends on production speed. Fast-to-make items with good margins (stickers, simple jewelry, small candles) can be more profitable than complex items despite lower per-item profit.
Yes, many successful Etsy sellers offer both handmade and digital products. Benefits of offering both: (1) Diversified income streams, (2) Digital products provide passive income, (3) Physical products build brand loyalty, (4) Different price points attract various customers. Tips: Keep shop cohesive with consistent branding, use clear categories, ensure quality in both product types. Example: A jewelry maker might also sell jewelry care guides (digital), a candle maker might offer printable labels (digital), a wedding vendor might sell both physical invitations and digital save-the-dates.
Timeline to make money on Etsy varies: FIRST SALE: Usually 1-4 weeks with good SEO and competitive pricing. Some sellers see sales within days, others wait months. CONSISTENT SALES: Typically 3-6 months to establish steady sales patterns. PROFITABLE: Usually 6-12 months to recoup initial investment and see real profit. Key accelerators: quality product photography, SEO-optimized listings, competitive pricing, at least 10-20 listings, active social media promotion. Patience is crucial - Etsy's algorithm favors shops with history, reviews, and consistent activity.
Easy crafts that sell well include: (1) Stickers - low materials, quick production, high demand, (2) Bookmarks - fabric, paper, or resin, quick to make, (3) Scrunchies - simple sewing, trendy, various fabrics, (4) Macrame keychains - basic knots, minimal supplies, (5) Beaded bracelets - no specialized skills needed, (6) Soap bars - melt-and-pour method is beginner-friendly, (7) Painted rocks - low cost, meditative to create, (8) Hair clips with resin or polymer clay - trendy and simple, (9) Hand-stamped jewelry - personal messages sell well, (10) Greeting cards - simple designs sell if unique.
Business license requirements vary by location: In most areas, small-scale hobby selling doesn't require a license initially. However, as you grow, you may need: (1) General business license - check your city/county requirements, (2) Sales tax permit - required in most US states to collect sales tax, (3) Home occupation permit - if running business from home, (4) EIN (Employer Identification Number) - optional for sole proprietors but recommended. Best practice: Check local regulations, register once you're earning consistent income, and consult an accountant for tax guidance. Many sellers operate as sole proprietors initially.
Items to avoid selling on Etsy: (1) Trademarked/copyrighted items - Disney, sports teams, celebrities without permission, (2) Mass-produced items labeled as handmade - violates Etsy policy, (3) Items with thin margins - complex products that take hours but sell for low prices, (4) Oversaturated markets without differentiation - generic items with thousands of competitors, (5) Items difficult to ship - fragile, heavy, or oddly shaped products, (6) Seasonal-only items - unless you diversify, (7) Products you can't produce consistently - one-of-a-kind items are hard to scale. Focus on items you can make well, price profitably, and enjoy creating.

Profit margins and earnings vary based on product quality, pricing, niche selection, marketing efforts, and market conditions. Research your specific niche before investing significant time or resources.

Ready to Start Making and Selling?

InsightAgent helps you find profitable keywords, analyze what's selling, and optimize your Etsy listings for maximum visibility.