Learn the best ways to sell handmade jewelry online and the pros and cons of each one.
If you’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and would like to sell your handmade jewelry, then you’re in luck.
There are many places where you can offer your creations for sale including craft fairs and even opening your own store.
However, opening your own store means you need to spend a lot of money upfront and you may not relish the idea of sitting at a booth all day to sell handmade jewelry at craft shows.
So, what can you do?
Well, this is where you turn to selling your jewelry online. With the technology available today, you don’t really need to be tech-savvy to run your own online jewelry business.
If you’re ready to start making some cash so you stop feeling guilty about all the money you spend on beads, this is the post for you.
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Where To Sell Handmade Jewelry Online
1. Online Marketplaces
An online marketplace is a website that facilitates shopping from many different sources. The marketplace operator does not own any inventory. They simply allow entrepreneurs to set up their own shops and sell to customers.
Advantages
- This can be a win-win situation. For a small fee either per listing or monthly, the marketplace owner makes money and the entrepreneur profits by running their own business.
- The marketplace operator wants shop owners to succeed so they do lots of marketing to drive customers to the website. This means you have an in-built customer base and just need to entice them with your products.
- There’s little to no tech to deal with. The website is already done for you. All you need to do is add photos of your jewelry, descriptions and pricing.
Disadvantages
- There’s way more competition on online marketplaces. Other shop owners will be vying for the same customers as you.
- Some websites charge a monthly fee that you need to pay regardless of whether you’ve made sales or not.
Online Marketplaces For Selling Handmade Jewelry
There are many online marketplaces suitable for selling jewelry online:
- Amazon Handmade – Amazon is a giant in the online space so you’ll benefit from the trust that’s already built into the name and the ridiculous amount of traffic they get every month. They have also waived the monthly fee so that’s an amazing deal.
- Aftcra – If you live in the U.S., Aftcra caters specifically to you. Crafters can list their products for free on the website. You’re only charged 7% of the sale price once you’ve sold a product. Listings expire after 6 months.
- ArtFire – There are three different plans on this website. The most affordable one starts at $4.95 monthly, plus a listing fee of $0.23 per item.
- Big Cartel – If you want to set up an online store and don’t mind paying a monthly fee, this may be the website for you. Plans start at $9.99/ month but there are no additional listing fees.
- Etsy – This is probably one of the best known websites. They charge a fee per listing so there’s no monthly fee to worry about.
- Folksy – Live in the UK? Folksy is an online marketplace for crafts made in Britain. There’s a pay-as-you-go option as well as a plan with a monthly fee.
- ShopHandmade – Who doesn’t like free stuff? Well, if the idea of having an online store completely free appeals to you, check out this website.
2. Sell Handmade Jewelry Online Using Social Media
If you’re not quite ready for an online store and want a simpler solution for selling your handmade jewelry, use social media.
You can show off your pieces via a Facebook page, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. Have an email address and/or phone number where customers can easily contact you to make a purchase.
You’ll need to have a method for accepting payments e.g. PayPal.
Advantages
- Free
- Easy to use
- Lots of traffic already visits these websites and apps
Disadvantages
- Held hostage by changes in Facebook or Instagram algorithms
- Must follow their Terms and Conditions
- Can have your account shut down without warning which means you’ll be out of business
3. Create An Online Store
If you don’t want to deal with the direct competition lurking on online marketplaces, a standalone store could be great for you.
Advantages
- Less direct competition
- No need to worry about algorithm changes
- You set your own Terms and Conditions.
Disadvantages
- You’ll will need to do all of your own marketing and drive traffic to the website yourself so consider if you’re up to the task. But, just remember that even if you’re a part of a popular marketplace, you’ll still be responsible for marketing your products so this isn’t a major setback.
- Lack of credibility – A customer is more likely to buy a product off Etsy or Amazon Handmade than from a store they’ve heard little about. It will take time to build the trust that’s important for an online business.
Shopify is one of the more popular platforms that provide all the tools you need to start and grow your online jewelry business. Create your own store, sell via social media and even in person.
4. Build Your Own Website To Sell Jewelry
The most complex option is to create your very own website. Having done this myself, I know how exciting it can be.
But, if you’re afraid of technology, it might seem like you’re about to climb Mt. Everest.
Creating your own website doesn’t have to be so bad though. Websites like Wix give you drag-and-drop tools to quickly create whatever you have in mind. No coding knowledge needed.
You could also use Squarespace or WordPress to build a website.
Advantages
- Having your own website gives you the most freedom.
- Create anything you can dream up
- You’re not restricted by other people’s rules and regulations
- You’re not competing with other sellers for the same traffic
- No-one can just come along and shut down your business overnight because you’re not building your business on someone else’s land.
- You could hire someone to do all the website design for you.
Disadvantages
- Need to pay for hosting and domain name
- You need to be a bit more comfortable with technology unless you have the budget to hire someone. But, if you hire out the job, every time you need help, you’ll have to pay for it.
- A web developer doesn’t come cheap. Hiring someone might be an option for when you’re ready to level up after having sold for a while and having built a solid customer base and good sales.
The Best Place To Sell Handmade Jewelry Online
I bet you’re wondering which option is the best for you. And, you’re probably not going to like my answer…
It really depends.
How comfortable are you with technology? Is this a serious business or just a side hustle? How much do you want to spend?
An online business can be amazing. You reach people across the world and can literally make money in your sleep. Your business can grow as big or stay as small as you want it to.
You need to decide what exactly you want and that will help you to choose where to sell your jewelry online.
learn peyote stitch
Master basic Peyote Stitch with this FREE beginner bracelet pattern complete with detailed instructions, full materials list and a bonus video so you can see every step.
Thanks for this, Maria, it is really helpful. I already sell my jewellery through a shop which is an artists collective, but would like to reach a wider market. This has made me consider what I can do and has provided the much needed kick in the rear that I needed.
Oh good. I’m glad to know you found it helpful. Selling online can offer a whole new audience for you.
Excellent article. Thank you for your hard work!
You’re most welcome, Kim!
Hi Maria, this is so helpful to the ones like me that needs someone like you to give us Free good advice. Thank you so much.
You’re most welcome!
Hi Maria, I love to make jewelry just for the love of it. My style is bead embroidery, bead weaving. I have a large inventory (for me is about 100 pieces) necklaces and earrings. I have a store on Etsy but have sold very little. It is hard to compete with cheap labor overseas. I do not hire anybody, and don’t want to, so it is all made by me. Can you help me more specifically with where to best sell my jewelry? I am not wanting to make it into a big business, I want to profit a couple hundred dollars a month and be able to buy more supplies to make more jewelry.
Hi Nihala, if you want to compete in today’s market, you’ll probably need to advertise. Use social media, Pinterest or consider running ads to bring people to your store.
Hope that helps!
HI there, this might sound really silly….but I would like to start making Jewelry to sell through a webshop (I make many items for myself and friends). I buy the material here and there, but I know that this is probably the most expensive way to do it…how do I know where I can go for bulk products and know they are of good quality and affordable…
thanks for your reply
regards
Marie Claire
Hi Marie Claire, you’ll need to do some research to find vendors that sell beading supplies in bulk. A Google search can help with this. I know you can buy in bulk directly from Beadsmith. I’m sure you can find other sources too. Check reviews of any business you’ve never heard of and maybe get a small order just to check quality of supplies before going crazy with a big order.
Hi Maria, I wish I would have read your article a few months ago. I have been learning the hard way making a lot of mistake, Great articles keep up the great work. I am working on my own website. I went through Gator Hosting. I have 45 days trail and 30 days are gone still working on what they said would take 30 minutes. SMH/LOL My goal is to have my website up this weekend. I must say it is a lot of work. Then again it could be the way I am going about things.
Karen
Setting up a website can definitely be challenging when you’re not familiar with the process. I wish you luck with yours!
Hello Maria,
And “”YES””” Thank you very much for all your advise on selling our hand made master pieces. Lol ok some might be some not so master rubbish. But thank you for your time helping all of us try to make some money to continue doing what we love.
I guess my only question wold what would be the cheapest place or free to build my own web site ( what would you do if you were having to live on a small gov. check ) so like most not a lot to spend on it every month.
But want to get as big into my art as I can. I use to do chainsaw sculptures 35 yrs of them:-)
Best wishes always
Fabian.
Hi Fabian, I’m not sure what the cheapest place is to run a website as I haven’t done the research but I run mine using WordPress. There’s also Squarespace and probably others. Do a Google search and see what you come up with.
I appreciate the info, but it should be noted that Amazon Handmade is NOT FREE. They force you to set up a seller account, which is $40 a month, before you can apply for the artisan account, which they *claim* is free, but it isn’t. It’s $40/month.
Hi, Some great info here. I am trying to promote some Kenya handmade jewellery for some local Kenyan artisans whose income has been disrupted by the pandemic. I shall certainly use your article!
Thanks! I appreciate that.
Very informative article, especially the sites you listed. I’ve checked out each one of them. I’m currently on Etsy, and have a WordPress blog to document how I’m making my beaded bracelets, earrings, and pendants. I don’t mind paying Etsy for the ease of use of the site ,the convenience of the marketplace and their discounted shipping, but it’s obvious that a lot of the stuff in the beaded jewelry category is not handmade but junk from China. You gave me the idea to use my WordPress blog as the marketing tool and refer customers to Etsy just to complete the sale.
I believe that Etsy now allows sellers to offer items that are not handmade to expand the marketplace but you can definitely still find lots of people selling handmade items there.
I’m glad you got some helpful tips from the post!
I appreciate the information you provided. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Such a lot of info. Makes me think it could be possible. Thank you so much. Have never done this but got inspired tonite.
That’s great! Good luck!
I love the article it was so helpfu,l thank you for your time.
Maria, thank you for the insight. Very helpful. Personality I just would like to sell pieces here and there when I have a good idea. All while waiting wrist surgery which will require time away from my craft. If the platform or yourself have any ideas (even locally) that would be amazing. Thank you all for your time.
You can always use social media to sell your pieces when you have new ones. Consider having a dedicated page on Facebook or whichever platform suits your target audience best and list new pieces there.