Etsy is a booming selling marketplace with approximately 31.7 million active buyers around the world. Etsy’s gross merchandise sales (GMS) have rapidly increased annually, surpassing 20 billion dollars in 2020. Etsy has a large audience and is a great place to buy and sell handmade goods, vintage, and craft supplies. Etsy’s mission is “To keep human connection at the heart of commerce.”
Etsy is expected to surpass annual revenue significantly in 2022, and now is a great time to stock your Etsy shop with desirable items for the new year. On Etsy, you can sell handmade items, vintage fashion, and craft supplies. You can find more information about getting started here.
Fun Fact: Etsy acquired Depop in June 2021.
Handmade jewelry and accessories are top sellers on Etsy. Browse Etsy for inspiration and to see what is selling and yielding exposure. In 2022, expect to see a lot of earthy, natural wire-wrapped stones and gems, and personalized jewelry with names and birthstones. Similarly, knit scarves and hats are very popular.
If you’re interested in making and selling jewelry, check out this article from Small Business Trends.
Vintage clothing has made a huge comeback, and vintage style is everywhere right now. With companies mass-producing vintage-inspired fashions, buyers want the real thing! Top-sellers in vintage fashion include denim, dresses, jewelry, and accessories. As a general rule with vintage, the older the better in terms of value and desirability. Popular brands (of any decade) sell well, too!
Learn more about selling and authenticating vintage fashion in the article A Reseller’s Guide to Vintage Fashion.
Similarly, vintage décor is on-trend. Ceramics, vases, trinkets, artwork, and vanity accessories are among the top-selling vintage décor pieces. With vintage being “in,” consumers will pay up for the real thing; that is, authentic vintage housewares.
Fun Fact: An item is vintage if it is at least twenty years old. Items that are over 100 years old are antiques (and even more valuable).
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Homemade clothing and apparel have always been top-selling categories on Etsy. Many Etsy sellers capitalize on trendy and witty sayings popularized on TikTok. You also cannot go wrong with the classics, like profession-specific or title-based apparel, (i.e. “nurse” or “grandma”). While the competition is fierce in these areas, you can be incredibly successful with the right look, competitive pricing, and strategic advertising.
Printable and downloadables are becoming increasingly popular on Etsy, with some Etsy sellers yielding six-figure sales making digital content such as planners and calendars. Downloadables are all about the look and the function, and you can browse Etsy for inspiration. I recommend listing these right away, to capitalize on New Year’s resolutions for those who commit to becoming more organized.
Personalized party supplies sell very well on Etsy! Everyone is shopping for supplies for birthday parties, anniversary parties, baby showers and wedding showers, and of course weddings. Consider selling personalized:
Etsy Tip: You can also resell party décor that you have purchased for a special event on Etsy. There is a huge market for wedding accessories!
Personalized gifts are one of the most common things you see on Etsy, having always been a top-seller. The market has certainly become more competitive as nearly everyone has purchased a Cricut machine. However, with unique ideas, competitive pricing, and advertising you can easily yield astronomical revenue selling personalized gifts such as:
Selling gifts requires skillful consideration of the holiday and season. Major holidays make for excellent opportunities to capitalize upon specific gifts such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and of course Christmas. Also, don’t forget to capitalize on trends. Consider selling custom cellphone cases, air pod cases, and of course stickers with trending sayings and themes.
Etsy Tip: Download Tiktok to see what is trending
Etsy is known for its homemade home décor. Many consumers appreciate unique, handmade, and personalized pieces. According to Veranda, 2022 home décor trends to consider include bold, vibrant colors, antique, and vintage-inspired décor, and earthy aesthetics.
Etsy is a unique platform with a large and growing audience. Do you sell on Etsy? What are some of your best-selling items?
You may also be interested in the article A Reseller’s Guide to Etsy: How to Get Started Selling on Etsy