If you're reading this, you probably already agree with millions of consumers around the world that mass production is incredibly boring. Handmade items, on the other hand, offer much more in terms of 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 getting is made with care, attention to detail, and of course, love.
As evidence that civilization Marketplaces has grown weary of mass production, markets for handicrafts have sprung up everywhere. Of course, these venues have always been on a smaller, local scale, but today the Internet has made the creations of artists and artisans available to a global audience.
This means 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 flat. You get the idea. Being able to order handmade items (especially gifts) from around the world makes them even more special knowing they are handmade and international.
What Can You Find at Marketplaces for Handmade Goods?
Everything and nothing. Many markets offer several basic categories that can differ only in semantics. These general categories are:
- Jewelry
- House
- toys
- Clothes
- Accessories
- A boy
- Wedding party
- Art
Meanwhile Marketplaces , some top sites offer more obscure items, such as vintage rattan furniture direct from designer Supermarket HQ and custom 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 a little more unique, you'll be able to narrow down your options more easily.
Do All Marketplaces Offer the Same Variety?
Variety is the name of the game in handmade markets. Since each market offers thousands and thousands of sellers, there is 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 is not the actual variety, but the number of sellers. For example, Etsy is the largest online marketplace with nearly 2 million active sellers and over 30 million active buyers. Dawanda, on the other hand, is home to 320,000 designers. This is not to say that Etsy is better because there is no such thing as a “better” objective. There is only what YOU prefer.
There may be too much variety for some. On eBay, for example, there are millions of listings for everything, not just handmade products. If you have the time and inclination to read these lists, you can find some impressive products. If you don't have the time or inclination, you might be better off with a website that doesn't offer as many vendors as Artfire and Zibbet. Remember, a “small” site means thousands of sellers, not millions.
Supermarket HQ and Big Cartel differ slightly in terms of variety. Supermarket HQ is a curated marketplace that primarily features furniture, while Big Cartel is a website that sells to designers, makers, and artists, allowing them to open their own online stores for a monthly fee. In short, if you are looking for handmade jewelry or other typical handmade items, these are not the markets 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 constructed, and some you wouldn't buy if someone paid you. This is life! And that's why it's up to you to read the sellers' product reviews to determine if they meet your quality standards.
One thing to remember here is that most sellers are not people who got into the craft business to make money; They are people who make crafts and create art because they are passionate about it. While this does not guarantee that they will produce a high quality product, it definitely increases the chances. A craftsman who designs his product out of deep passion is likely to create something amazing, unlike machines that produce the pattern they are programmed to produce.
Is Shipping and Handling Included in Product Price?
No. The price shown for the product on all websites does not include shipping and handling. Rather, it is added at the end when you pay.
That being 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 4 factors:
- Your location
- Location of the seller
- How fast do you want it?
- Item weight and size.
If you want to minimize shipping Marketplaces costs, 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 you order 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 possible problem you might have. Narrowing down your choices between all the great options available to you.