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 much more value and uniqueness—in short, they’re a lot more fun.
In fact, when you order something handmade, you know that the product you’re receiving has been 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 places have always been small-scale, but today the internet has made the work of artists and artisans accessible to a global audience.
This means that you can order a handmade rug in Copenhagen from the comfort of your New York apartment; you can order handmade soaps in Lisbon from the comfort of your London apartment. You get the picture. The ability to order 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 Marketplaces for Handmade Goods?
Anything and everything. Most markets offer a few basic categories that differ only in semantics. These general categories are:
- Jewelry
- Home
- Toys
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Kids
- Weddings
- Art
As for the markets, some of the larger sites offer less common items, such as vintage rattan furniture from designers at the supermarket’s headquarters and dog collars from Etsy. So if you’re looking for something general, like jewelry, the site you choose won’t make much difference. They all offer jewelry. But if you want something more unique, you’ll be able to narrow down your options more easily.
Do All Marketplaces Offer the Same Variety?
Variety is key at craft markets. Since each market offers thousands of vendors, there’s no shortage of variety or quantity of products. Clothing, stationery, jewelry, home decor, furniture—you name it, there’s an artist selling it.
In this regard, the main difference between most sites isn’t the variety, but the number of sellers. For example, Etsy is the largest online marketplace, with nearly 2 million sellers and over 30 million active buyers. On the other hand, Dawanda 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 all kinds of products, not just handmade. If you take the time and effort to read through these listings, you can find some impressive 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 as 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 niche marketplace that primarily offers furniture, while Big Cartel is a site that sells to designers, makers, and artists, allowing them to open their own online stores for a monthly fee. In short, if you’re looking for handmadewelry or other typical artisanal items, these aren’t the marketplaces for you.
What’s the Quality of the Products Like?
As with any type of product, there are higher and lower quality products. Some handmade items will be prettier than others, some will be better made, and others you wouldn’t buy even if they paid you. That’s life! And that’s why it’s your responsibility to read the sellers’ reviews to determine if they meet your quality standards.
An important point is that most sellers are not people who got into crafts to make money; they are people who craft and create art out of passion. While this doesn’t guarantee they will produce a high-quality product, it will definitely increase the odds. A craftsperson who designs their product with deep passion will likely create something incredible, unlike machines that produce the pattern they’re programmed to create.
Is Shipping and Handling Included in Product Price?
No. The price displayed on all websites does not include shipping and handling. It will be added at the end of the checkout.
That said, some sites like iCraftGifts have a special category of items called “Free Worldwide Shipping.”
As with most products on the website, shipping costs will depend on four factors:
- Your location
- Seller location
- How quickly do you want it?
- Item weight and size.
If you want to minimize shipping costs on Marketplaces, you can search for sellers near you. This means that if you order products from the United States, you can avoid Dawana and Folksy, which are based in Europe. Or, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get free shipping when buying from Handmade on Amazon.
While it’s not necessary to keep shipping costs low, it’s important to be vigilant.
Where to Shop?
And remember, there are no exclusivity clauses here. You can buy bedroom curtains from one and personalized pens from the other. The only problem you might have is limiting your options among all the great options available.
