If you’re reading this, you probably already agree with millions of consumers around the world that mass production is incredibly boring. On the other hand, handmade items offer so much more in terms of value and uniqueness—in short, they’re so much more fun.
In fact, when you buy something handmade, you know that the resulting product was made with care, attention to detail, and, of course, love.
As evidence that civilization has grown weary of mass production, craft markets have sprung up everywhere. Of course, these spaces have always been small-scale and local, but today the internet has made the work of artists and artisans accessible to a global audience.
This means that you can buy a handmade rug in Copenhagen from the comfort of your New York apartment; you can buy handmade soaps in Lisbon from the comfort of your London apartment. You get the idea. Being able to buy handmade items (especially gifts) from all over the world makes them even more special, knowing that they are handmade and international.
What can you find at handmade markets?
Everything and nothing. Most markets offer a few basic categories that differ only in meaning. These general categories include:
- Jewelry
- Housewares
- Toys
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Baby items
- Wedding items
- Art
On the other hand, some of the best markets offer more unique items, such as vintage rattan furniture straight from the headquarters of a designer supermarket and dog collars made from Etsy. So if you are looking for something general, such as jewelry, the site you choose will not make much difference; they all offer jewelry. But if you are looking for something more unique, you can narrow down your options more easily.
Do All Marketplaces Offer the Same Variety?
Variety is key in craft markets. With thousands of sellers in each marketplace, there’s no shortage of variety or quantity of products. Clothing, stationery, jewelry, home decor, furniture… you name it, there’s bound to be an artist selling it.
In this regard, the main difference between most sites isn’t in variety, but in the number of sellers. For example, Etsy is the largest online marketplace, with nearly 2 million active sellers and over 30 million active buyers. eBay, on the other hand, is home to 320,000 designers. This doesn’t mean Etsy is better, because there’s no “best.” There’s only what YOU prefer.
For some, the variety can be overwhelming. For example, eBay has millions of listings for everything, not just handmade items. If you take the time and effort to browse through these listings, you can find some amazing items. If you don’t have the time or inclination, you might be better off choosing a site that doesn’t offer as many sellers, like Artfire and Zibbet. Remember, “small” means thousands of sellers, not millions.
Supermarket HQ and Big Cartel are a bit different in terms of variety. Supermarket HQ is a curated marketplace that focuses primarily on furniture, while Big Cartel is a site that sells to designers, artisans, and artists, allowing them to open their own online stores for a monthly fee. In short, if you’re looking for handmade jewelry or other typical artisanal items, these aren’t the right marketplaces.
And what about the quality of the products?
As with any product, there are higher and lower quality products. Some handmade items will be more beautiful than others, some will be better made, and others you wouldn’t buy even if you were paid to do so. Such is life. That’s why it’s important to read seller reviews to see if they meet your quality standards.
It’s important to remember that most sellers aren’t just making crafts for the money; they’re people who create crafts and art out of passion. While this doesn’t guarantee a high-quality product, it certainly increases the odds. A craftsman who designs their product with deep passion is more likely to create something amazing, unlike a machine that produces programmed patterns.
Are shipping and handling costs included in the price of the item?
No. The price listed for an item on all sites does not include shipping or handling costs. These are added at checkout.
However, some sites, such as iCraftGifts, have a special category of products called “Free Shipping Worldwide.”
As with most products on the site, the shipping cost will depend on four factors:
- Your location
- Seller location
- How fast do you need it?
- Product weight and size
If you want to minimize shipping costs on Marketplaces, you can search for sellers near you. This means that if you’re ordering from the US, you can avoid Dawana and Folksy, which are located in Europe. Or, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get free shipping when you buy from Handmade on Amazon.
While it’s not necessary to keep shipping costs low, it’s important to be aware of them.
Where to buy?
And remember, there are no exclusivity points here. You can buy bedroom curtains from one site and personalized pens from another. The only problem you might have is choosing between all the great options.
