I’m looking to have a little fun this year selling homemade crafted items, but what actually bring in the highest return in profits? What are the highest selling handmade crafts?
Looking to sell at a local craft fairs this year? Try selling these products below to ensure you have maximum impact! We searched through Etsy.com to find the most profitable crafts and found some great products that would be a joy to produce and sell. READ ON….
#1 Wedding-Based Items That Sell On Etsy
Nine times out of ten, somebody at a craft fair will be planning their wedding (or at least knows somebody who is getting married). Thus, handmade items targeted to the wedding market sell incredibly well at these fairs.
You can usually put a wedding spin on any product, but the most popular ones including the following:
- Bridal accessories like veils, purses, and clips
- Stationery like wedding planners, guest books, and invitations
- Party favors
- Gifts for the bridal party
- Decorations like centerpieces and bouquets
- Wedding signs and customized guest books
#2 Products for Pets That Sell On Etsy
Pet owners adore their pets so pet treats, personalized pet tags, and collars always sell well at craft fairs. They are often listed as a bestselling item on Etsy and other online stores as well. If you’re an animal lover, making pet products will be a very profitable side hustle.
#3 Eco-Friendly Products That Sell On Etsy
Regardless of the specific product, anything eco-friendly does incredibly well at fairs and online. Whether you fancy making reusable straws, selling all-natural skincare, or creating reusable shopping bags, your products are bound to fly off the shelves.
#4 Resin Products That Sell On Etsy
The resin art market is on a rollercoaster that seems to only be going up! In fact, this sector is expected to reach a crazily high $10.3 billion by 2027. With that in mind, it probably comes as no surprise that these items do well at craft fairs.
What exactly is Resin? I’m glad you asked.
” Resin is an organic compound that comes in a liquid form. When you buy resin, it comes in two separate forms that need to be mixed together to form the actual resin. These are the resin and the hardener. Mixing these two parts together creates a reaction in the resin particles which leads to the resin being able to cure. Once dried, it forms into a strong and durable plastic. Epoxy resin is commonly used in many different areas of DIY projects, crafts, arts, and for industrial purposes.“
Resin-expert.com. What is Resin made of – All information and Resin History
While you can make paintings and larger items with resin, smaller products often work best at craft fairs. The most popular in this category include:
- Resin combs
- Resin jewelry boxes
- Resin necklaces
- Resin coasters
- Resin pyramids
- Resin bookmarks
- Resin spheres
- Resin lamps
#5 Pottery Products That Sell On Etsy
Thanks to shows like The Great Pottery Throwdown, clay products have rapidly increased in popularity recently. Even at-home beginner pottery kits have seen sky-high sales. The world seriously loves clay.
People of all ages like to get involved so there is a huge market at craft fairs for pen pots, clay kits, flowerpots, incense holders, sculptures, and just about anything else you can dream up!
#6 Polymer Clay Jewelry That Sells On Etsy
TikTok and Instagram have ensured the rise of polymer clay jewelry thanks to the oh-so-satisfying videos of the creation process.
What is polymer clay jewelry? FireMountainGems.com tells us that ” Polymer clay is a clay-like material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticizer and pigment. It is available in many colors and brands, with each brand offering its own color palette and properties.”
Polymer clay is incredibly versatile, allowing you to make anything from small flower pots to earrings! It is also affordable so can be a great addition to your small craft business that will absolutely turn a profit at the end of each fair.
#7 Textured Embroidery Hoops
If you have been perusing the embroidery side of Etsy or Instagram lately, you may have seen a lot of stitched hoops of girls with long, flowing hair that sticks out from the rest of the piece. This real-life texture is all the rage right now and craft fair shoppers adore these hoops.
Remember to stick to your target market, however. If you specialize in under-the-sea-themed items, you might not want to start selling hoops of girls standing in a flower field. Instead, you could stitch an underwater landscape and make the seaweed or other elements stand out.
#8 Handmade Candles
No matter how many smart lightbulbs you put in your home, nothing gives you quite the same amount of satisfaction as lighting a candle. And if it’s handmade by somebody at a craft fair? Even better!
You can create candles for the general public or go into any of the following niches:
- Religion
- Birthdays
- Scented candles
- Natural candles
- Rituals
If you haven’t yet made candles, there are plenty of tutorials online to follow. Plus, the popularity means you can always find the materials you need!
#9 Bath Bombs and Soap
With a huge emphasis placed on self-care and looking after your physical and mental health, items like bath bombs and handmade soap are selling very well this year.
The materials needed are relatively inexpensive, they are pretty easy to make, and your profit margins will be excellent. People just can’t resist the delicious scents and beautiful aesthetic of bath items.
Top Tip: All-natural ingredients will increase your selling price, allowing you to make even more money and attract a wider crowd.
#10 Bookmarks
Even though e-readers are gaining popularity, there are loads of people who still prefer reading good ol’ paper books. And, of course, they need bookmarks!
These are fantastic to sell at craft fairs since they are light, easy to make, and there are limitless styles and options.
#11 Tie Dye Attire
With 90s fashion coming back into style, tie-dying has made its second debut. Natural dyes are preferred over chemical ones these days but, either way, your clothing is guaranteed to fly off your craft fair stall.
#12 Coasters
There has always been a market for coasters — and there still is! Whether people give them as a gift or use them to spruce up their own home, coasters will always sell at craft fairs.
Generally speaking, the quirkier the better when it comes to coasters. But, as always, ensure they work with your brand style for the best results.
#13 Lip Balm
The beauty of lip balm is the plethora of ways you can go about making it. This ensures there is plenty of space on the market for multiple makers and sellers. Not to mention that most people just love lip balm!
It’s a well-selling product that almost guarantees repeat customers. Why? Because it runs out. If they are super pleased with your work, they will definitely come back for a second tube.
#14 Planners and Planner Accessories
Yep, planners and their accessories are still going strong in 2021! They are one of the easiest crafts to sell online and at craft fairs.
The importance of organization and planning has been unimaginably ramped up in recent years, meaning more people are willing to pay for a planner that promises to help them with this.
You can create daily, weekly, fitness, list, to-do, monthly, and so many other planners to ensure your customers can find something that suits their needs.
#15 Crochet and Knitted Items
If you like needle arts, then crochet and knitted items can earn you quite a big chunk of change at craft fairs. The products you can make are limitless. Everything from scarves to mug warmers sells well.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you stick to your brand. Make sure your knitted or crocheted items are unique so you can easily stand out from the crowd.
So, Will You Have to Report Your Income From Craft Fair Sales?
You now know exactly what to make for your craft fair adventures this year, but let’s take a look at whether you have to declare this income, shall we?
The answer is yes, you do have to report this income. The IRS states that if you make money selling items at a craft fair, you must report it on your tax return, regardless of whether it’s your primary job.
But don’t let this put you off! Selling these top 15 craft items is guaranteed to be monetarily, socially, and personally extremely rewarding.
In Conclusion
It’s true what they say, find something you love to do, and you will never work another day in your life. These crafters have found the key to making money yet loving what they do. If you’re looking for a fun side hustle and love craft fairs, give one of these niches a run! You can make some extra side money while doing what you love.
