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.
🎯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
Jewelry & Accessories
Examples: Beaded bracelets, wire-wrapped pendants, resin jewelry, stamped rings
Startup: $50-$200
Home Decor
Examples: Wall signs, candle holders, macrame, terrariums
Startup: $100-$300
Candles & Soap
Examples: Soy candles, bath bombs, handmade soap, wax melts
Startup: $75-$150
Digital Products
Examples: Printable art, planners, SVG files, templates
Startup: $0-$50
Fiber Arts
Examples: Knitted items, crocheted toys, woven wall hangings
Startup: $50-$150
Paper & Stationery
Examples: Stickers, greeting cards, journals, bookmarks
Startup: $30-$100
20 Best Things to Make and Sell on Etsy
Complete breakdown with demand, margins, and production time
| Product | Demand | Competition | Margin | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personalized Name Necklaces | Very High | High | 55% | $25-$60 | 15-30 min |
| Soy Candles (Various Scents) | Very High | High | 65% | $15-$35 | 20-40 min |
| Printable Wall Art | Very High | Very High | 95% | $5-$15 | 1-3 hours |
| Resin Jewelry (Earrings/Rings) | High | Medium | 60% | $15-$40 | 30-60 min |
| Custom Pet Portraits | High | Medium | 70% | $30-$100 | 2-5 hours |
| Handmade Soap Bars | High | High | 60% | $8-$18 | 30 min + curing |
| Macrame Plant Hangers | High | Medium | 55% | $20-$50 | 1-2 hours |
| Vinyl Sticker Sheets | Very High | High | 70% | $4-$12 | 15-30 min |
| Crocheted Stuffed Animals | High | Medium | 45% | $25-$60 | 3-8 hours |
| Hand-Stamped Jewelry | High | Medium | 60% | $20-$50 | 20-45 min |
| Wooden Signs (Laser Cut/Painted) | Very High | High | 50% | $25-$80 | 1-3 hours |
| Bath Bomb Sets | High | High | 65% | $12-$30 | 30-60 min |
| Beaded Bracelets | High | Very High | 65% | $8-$25 | 15-30 min |
| Digital Planners | Very High | High | 90% | $8-$25 | 5-15 hours |
| Embroidered Items | Medium-High | Medium | 50% | $30-$80 | 3-10 hours |
| Scrunchies | High | Very High | 70% | $5-$15 | 10-20 min |
| Wax Melt Shapes | High | Medium | 70% | $8-$18 | 20-40 min |
| Clay Earrings | Very High | High | 65% | $15-$35 | 30-60 min |
| Personalized Tumblers | High | High | 45% | $25-$50 | 1-2 hours |
| Greeting Cards (Handmade) | Medium | High | 60% | $5-$12 | 15-30 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Related Guides
Selling Crochet Items
Complete guide to selling crochet on Etsy.
Complete Art Selling Guide
Everything you need to sell art on Etsy.
Selling Plants & Seeds
Live plants, cuttings, botanicals.
Digital Products Guide
Create and sell digital downloads.
Custom Clothing Guide
Made-to-order fashion and apparel.
Custom Knives Guide
Bespoke blades and personalized knives.
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.