Are you ready to start a side hustle, and now searching for the best things that sell on Etsy to make money?
I knew Etsy was a great marketplace to sell handcrafted goods, but I honestly thought it was more artist-centric. I had no idea just how many different types of physical and digital products were being sold on the Etsy platform.
Then, when the quarantine pandemic escalated and we were suddenly sent to work from home – without much understanding why, or for how long, I dug deeper into Etsy and what new shop owners were selling. (I mean, all shopping was done from my computer during shutdown, right?!)
Next thing I know, I opened my first Etsy shop just for fun – and earned thousands of dollars in my first nine months – only working part time. Then I was so curious, I opened a second shop to test out digital products… and they sold too!
So now, I have opened my eyes to just how many products there are to sell on Etsy and make money, even for a beginner seller!
Let's take a look…
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Three Main Categories for Things to Sell on Etsy
There are three primary categories for things you can sell on the Etsy marketplace. All items will essentially fall into one of three things:
- Handmade Items
- Vintage Items
- Craft / Art Supplies
Within those three categories, there is a wide array of things to sell. Some are physical products and others are instant digital downloads, but as long as you follow the Etsy seller guidelines for your new shop, you will have endless options.
If you are ready to learn even more about Etsy, make sure to pop over to The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy.
Sell Supplies on Etsy
First off, there is an entire list of things that sell on Etsy in the “supplies” category, meaning you can open an Etsy shop without even MAKING anything!
If you have access to unique crafting supplies, fabrics, or stationeries, you can list them as-is for sale in your Etsy store. If you don't have unique items, another option is to find supplies at wholesale or bulk prices. You buy cheap, and sell to others who are looking for those exact supplies and may not have them in their local craft shops.
Some popular supplies that sell on Etsy include:
- Beads
- Jewelry Supplies
- Blanks for Crafting – Blank T-shirts, Blank Mugs [If you can buy in bulk or at a great deal, other Etsy makers and sellers will love buying from you!]
- Painting Supplies
- Scrapbook Paper
- DIY Kits
Selling Vintage on Etsy
To sell vintage things on Etsy, they need to be at least 20 years old, as defined specifically in their Vintage Policy. You may need to verify how you have dated the item and how you came to be its owner, but if you are into vintage clothes and accessories, it can be a fun way to make money without making anything yourself.
Some popular vintage things to sell on Etsy include:
- Dresses
- Jewelry
- Tshirts
- Lamps
- Posters
Sell Customized & Personalized Items
Offer to customize almost anything and there will be a buyer for it. Especially if it is in one of the most popular categories for personalized gifts – like birthdays and weddings. Whether the customization is through embroidery, vinyl, engraving or any other craft, buyers will always be willing to spend extra money to find a one-of-a-kind custom gift on Etsy.
- Socks (Pet and people faces are especially popular!)
- Pillows
- T-shirts (also think about matching sets for couples, families, best friends, coworkers…)
- Coffee Mugs
- Keychains
- Tumblers
Buyers love customization on all kinds of things, which is how Etsy selling got so popular! Buy you can also make products ahead of time and sell whatever inventory you have on-hand without having to make every item to-order. Read on for some great ideas to sell on Etsy. If you need some help narrowing down your options, here are 7 Ways to Decide What to Sell on Etsy.
Sell Handmade Jewelry on Etsy
- Clay Earrings
- Hammered Metal Bracelets
- Birthstone-based jewelry
- Beaded Necklaces
- Custom Rings
- Hairbands, Bows, Barettes
Sell Invitations, Stationery, & Cards on Etsy
- Birth Announcements
- Engagement Announcements
- Wedding Save-the-Dates & Invitations
- Be my Bridesmaid / Groomsman Requests
- Holiday Cards
- Funny & Unique Birthday Cards
- Stickers & Decals
Sell Hand-Sewn, Crochet or Macramé Items on Etsy
- Hanging plant holders
- Wall decor
- Clothes
- Scarves
- Blankets, Quilts
- Face Masks
- Costumes
Sell Wedding & Engagement Celebration Gifts
- “Bride Tribe” themed gifts
- Monogrammed robes
- Bride slippers
- Groomsmen Engraved Flasks / Decanter Sets
- Can sleeves (aka under the brand name “Koozies”)
- Etched Wine or Beers Glasses
- Bridal Gown Custom Hanger
- Unique Guest Books
sell Leather Work
- Wallets
- Coin purses
- Belts
- Clutch or Purse
Sell Wood Work
- Puzzles
- Furniture
- Nursery Name Signs
Sell Metal Work
- Family Name Initials/Monograms
- Lawn Statues
- Metal Dice
- Metal Stamps
Sell Party Decorations
- Cake toppers
- Mantle place Banners
- Custom Confetti
- Neon Signs
- Birthday girl sashes
Sell Baby Gear
- Coming home outfit
- Handbands / bows
- Receiving blankets
- Custom story books
Sell Pet Lovers Gifts
- Collars
- Pet Toys
- Stuffed animal matching the pet
- Custom portrait matching the pet
- Homemade Pet Treats
- Pet Beds & Houses
Sell Bath & Beauty Supplies on Etsy
- Homemade soaps, shampoos and lotions
- Essential oils & diffusers
- Hand-poured Candles
- Bath Bombs
- Cosmetics
Home & Garden Decor
- Art
- Wallpaper
- Wine racks
- Wall Clocks
- Vases & Planters
- Barware & Coasters
Holiday / Seasonal Gifts & Decor
- Seasonal wreaths
- Custom ornaments
- Stockings
- Advent Calendars
- Easter Baskets
- Beach Totes
Toys, Sports & Activities
- Books
- Stuffed Animals
- Dolls & Doll Accessories
- Baby Rattles & Mobiles
- Musical Instruments
- Video Games
- Cell Phone Accessories
- Sports Memorabilia
- Fan Gear
- Sports, Movie, & Music Posters
Sell Digital Downloads on Etsy
Selling printable art and digital files has quickly launched to the top of the list of best things to sell on Etsy in 2022. One of the best things about it is that you need no inventory to get started – mean you can sell on Etsy with no investment! (Oh yeah, especially if you use my link for 40 free listings in your new shop!)
Another huge benefit is not having to think about or account for shipping costs or time for delivery, which means selling printables on Etsy is a great way to make passive income from home! I am a huge advocate of encouraging everybody to start some form of passive income.
(Oh, and if Etsy isn't for you, try blogging! I walk through that step by step in my post here: How to Start a Blog and Make Money.)
Some of the most popular digital items to sell on Etsy include:
- Printable Calendars
- Printable Planners – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Annual
- Habit Trackers
- Project Management Trackers
- Budget Planners
- Fonts, SVGs, PNGs
- Printable Art
- Digital Plans for DIY Woodworking
- Digital Sewing Patterns
Sell Printable Children's Activities on Etsy
- Coloring book pages
- Dot art
- Educational activities
- Letter tracing
Related:
Mom Has The Last Word
This list is only a fraction of the things you can sell on Etsy. Between the general ideas and the specific, you can mix and match to start brainstorming the perfect niche to start your own Etsy store today! Think you are ready to try? Make sure to read the Ultimate Guide to Etsy for New Sellers to get some more background and insight into how Etsy works, why it's better than other platforms, and what kind of fees to plan for!
So, what are you thinking about selling on Etsy? Tell us in the comments below. I'd love to visit and support your Etsy shop!
