How to Start a Craft Business on Etsy (A Detailed Guide with Video)

Ready to transform your sewing hobby into a thriving online business?  Interested in starting a craft business on Etsy? 

Does the thought of earning some bucks from your sewing projects touch a nerve? If so, then you are just one step away from cutting it.

Because friends,  here is the plain truth. 

Learning how to start a craft business on Etsy is one of the easiest ways to make money from the comfort of your sewing room.

Aside from being a fun and productive way to pass time, sewing carries great earning potential and gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere.

So if you love the idea of managing a crafts-focused online store on the popular Etsy website, then we have some great news for you!

Starting a craft business on Etsy is easier than you think, and in case you have any completed sewing projects hidden behind cabinets, it’s time to pull them out.

Now if you genuinely love art and crafts, you’ve probably heard about Etsy from a fellow seamstress, your favorite crafts blog, or it may have popped up on one of your social feeds.

Either way, we’ve created this section to act as an entry point into this loved-up online market. 

So first off, Etsy is a global online marketplace where talented crafters get to mingle with like-minded shoppers that are willing to pay for outstanding hand-crafted items.  

Unlike other platforms, the Etsy Market Place thrives on three main categories of products; handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. 

This alone is enough to demonstrate the level of creativity that Etsy houses, and if you are one of those creative crafters that can come up with unique design inspirations, you’ll enjoy sharing your craft on Etsy.

All you have to do is brainstorm and decide on the product category that thrills you the most, then you can go ahead and set up your Etsy shop. 

And the best part is that nothing is off-the-table on Etsy. Whether you’ve specialized in embroidery, crocheting, quilting, upholstery, or hemming, Etsy has a spot for you.

On top of that, it supports different levels of sewists and even if you just kick-started your sewing journey, there’s always a shopper looking for simple beginner sewing projects.

So, ready to open an Etsy shop and get your crafts business running? Let’s get down to business…

Opening your own Etsy shop is a super-easy step, but first, we all know that every house has its own rules right?

Now Etsy is no exception, and  to ensure that you launch a successful craft business on their platform, here are a few things you need to get under your belt before opening an Etsy store:

• Just like any other online marketplace, Etsy has enacted a stringent seller policy that comes together to protect its wide community of buyers and sellers. It’s good to get to know what you can and cannot sell, and what Etsy expects from you as a seller.  

• It’s always good to make up your mind on your shop’s name prior to setting it up. Should you mess up on the name after your shop goes live, you’ll only be allowed one more chance to change it.

• Have a plan on how you are going to stay unique on Etsy.  At this point, you should be aware that you won’t be an isolated seller on Etsy, and it’s going to take you substantial time, effort, and drive for you not to get lost in the crowd.

• Have your future goals in mind as you set up your Etsy shop. One mistake that most crafters make is that they fail to acknowledge future possibilities of evolving their craft. Leave some wiggle room for growing your craft, and if you are currently taking a quilting class, for example, make sure that your shop’s name and vibe will accommodate quilting once you master it. 

So you are ready to share your sewing craft with the world? Let’s get straight into opening an Etsy shop.

#1:  Register an Account With Etsy.com

For anyone who plans to buy and sell items on Etsy, you have to register an account with them first.

No worries, this is a super-simple step that won’t take more than five minutes of your time. Just like signing up on Facebook, you’ll need an email address, a name, and a secure password. 

Once you sign in,  you’ll need to pin a clear profile picture for identity purposes. Finally,  a short and well-written bio will offer shoppers a glimpse into who you are, and what you offer on Etsy.

As a rule of thumb, make the name unique, simple, and memorable, so that buyers won’t struggle to pronounce or recognize it when they see it a second time.

• Using your own name as your Etsy shop name is not completely off-the-table, and if you have one of those odd-duck names that often attract attention, take advantage of that! One perk of using your name is that it gives you the freedom to steer your shop in whichever direction you choose, and should you decide to level up your product offerings later, you won’t need to alter your name.

• Play with different add -ons, with some of them being ‘crafts’, studios, ‘creators’, or even  ‘Quilters’. Whichever sewing area you choose to specialize in, make your buyers aware by including it in your shop’s name. 

• Make use of abstract names. Depending on the vibe or feeling you intend to invoke, you can coin spectacular shop names from plants, flowers, places, and colors. 

• Surf Etsy for name Ideas. Now there’s nothing wrong with getting ideas from established shops on Etsy, and if you are almost giving up on finding a suitable name for your shop, you can try this option. Also, note that Etsy can’t allow any two shops to share a name, so even if you find a name you like on Etsy, you’ll have to play around with it and make it unique. 

Once you’ve chosen a perfect name for your shop, click the ‘Save and Continue’ button.

4.  Add Products to your Etsy Shop

Now imagine what your sewing room would look like if you took out the alluring decor pieces and embellishments. 

You’d probably end up with a plain, boring working space that would rid you of any desire to sew.

Similarly, you’ll need to include some flair to your Etsy shop for it to attract shoppers, and most importantly, keep you inspired.

Some of the finishing touches that will complete your shop set-up include a shop logo, banner, a warm welcoming message to entice shoppers, and a short story ( photos or videos) to introduce your brand.

In case you are partnering with another sewist to create any design, you will need to update the shop members section too. Other updates such as optimizing your shop for suitable keywords will definitely follow once you start selling.

And just like that, your Etsy shop will be ready and waiting for you to list your first product, which is the final step on starting a craft business on Etsy. 

So now that you’ve successfully set up your Etsy shop, it’s time to start making money from your crafts.

Normally, most crafters end up confused about where to start, and if you are feeling equally overwhelmed,   don’t worry.

In this section, we are going to teach you how to navigate the seemingly saturated Etsy marketplace, and by the time you are done, you will be ready to bring your A-game in whichever sewing area that you love. 

And here is the best part:

We’ve made sure that this section is chock full of best-selling items on Etsy, and it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a pro. 

Whether you are gifted at making magnificent wedding gowns or prefer getting down on simple, yet alluring sewing projects for the home, you’ll find something for you in this list. 

Without wasting time, let’s get into it...

#1:  Home decor pieces

Do you love topping off empty spaces with elegant decor pieces? If yes, then sewing home decor items will be a great idea for your craft business.

Make use of your profound sense of style to craft items that will help transform people’s homes, whether through sewing throw pillows, colorful drapes, table runners, cushion covers, mats, duvet covers, or any other embellishment you can think of. 

#2:  Vintage goods

For crafters who have a sweet spot for antique items, this is a category you will get lost in. From linen curtains, old wool scarves, bedsheets, to leather-laden fashion pieces, you can have it all. 

#3: Clothing Items

If you are one of those crafters who have an eye for exclusive fashion and design, Etsy will be glad to have you. 

Whether you’ve perfected adding personalized prints to T-shirts, or you can sew an elegant Maxi skirt from scratch, Etsy shoppers are bound to be your new virtual best friends. 

You can choose to specialize in baby clothes, throw blankets, girly items, pajamas, or even wedding gowns, you are not limited.

#4: DIY Gift Ideas

Crafting gift ideas is another way to cut it on Etsy. If you are creative enough, you are likely to make a significant amount of money out of it, and for a long time.

Because the truth is, people love giving and receiving gifts, and it's a trend that is here to stay.  From personalized aprons, zipper pouches, storage bags, customized decorative signs, pajamas...the list is endless!  

#5:  Craft Supplies

Etsy is also receptive to sellers that can offer craft supplies. If you have a picture-worthy fabric collection, for example, you will want to sell some of it in your shop.

Other craft supplies that sell on Etsy include beads, ribbons, hooks, pins, and virtually any other supplies that aid in crafting. 

#6:  Home-made Face Masks

Ready to aid in stopping the spread of coronavirus? Why not sew nice facemasks for Etsy shoppers. DIY Facemasks perform well on Etsy, and if you are capable of including attractive designs to your facemasks, you are good to go. 

Generally, Etsy is chocked full of a rich variety of handmade items, and we may have missed one or two. You can check out Etsy.com for ideas on what other items are profitable on their site. 

And once you’ve made up your mind on the product categories you’ll be dealing with, you can then begin listing (adding)  products to your Etsy shop, and just like that, your craft business will be ready for take-off!

Well, friends, we’re sure you are impressed by how easy and fast it is to start a craft business on Etsy, and we want to ensure you don’t lose steam.

So in this section, we’ll be taking you through all the fantastic perks that come with selling your craft on Etsy, including some tips that will help make the journey exciting and worthwhile!

So to begin with, what makes Etsy different from other online outlets?

Unlike other outlets such as Amazon and eBay, Etsy restricts its product offerings to one specific industry-handmade items.  So instead of feeling lost in a sea that shelters all types of fish, you’ll only be dealing with one.

This means that you’ll have an upper hand from competing with fellow crafters rather than multiple manufacturers in the consumer market.

And since you’ll know who you are dealing with, you shouldn’t have a hard time fitting in or staying ahead of the competition.  

For a fact, building your business name from the ground up is one daunting task. If you want to save yourself from all the stresses that come with it, you can take advantage of the ready exposure that Etsy offers.

You are going to be part of an online store that’s already on everyone’s lips, and if that’s not exciting enough, then we don’t know what is!

And should you want to take your business exposure a notch higher, Etsy has enough tools to set you on that path.

Etsy comes with built-in traffic, which means that shoppers are likely to have an easy time locating your Etsy store.

With the right SEO optimization and integration of niche-specific keywords, your product listings will rank impressively on search engines.

We can’t help but emphasize on the costs that tag along with starting your craft business on Etsy. Unlike owning a physical store, managing an Etsy shop won’t milk your finances dry.

Besides eliminating expenses such as rent,  electricity bills, and daily commute, selling on Etsy requires zero license fees.

All you have to pay is $0.20 for each listing and you are set to start selling. Compared to Amazon’s $0.99 listing fees, we can comfortably agree that Etsy is a way cheaper option.

Etsy makes your work easier by saving you the hassle of building your own website. With just a mailing ID and distinctive products to list, you’ll be good to go.  

Etsy is also very easy to navigate, and you’ll have an easy time listing products, uploading pictures, and dealing with shipping orders.

For those who want nothing to do with tiresome web designing, a ready-made platform will do the magic. 

Even though Etsy banks a small percentage of your sales, it’s still incomparable to the effort and costs of starting a website with a sales page.