How to Sell Handmade Crafts: Build a Marketplace for Handicraft and Artisan Goods

If you're an artisan cooperative looking to amplify the visibility of your community's craftsmanship, a social enterprise striving to provide sustainable income opportunities for rural artisans, or perhaps a specialty retailer eager to diversify your offerings with unique, handmade goods, this blog is for you.

This blog explores:

• The marketplace types best suited for handicrafts and artisan goods—a product, digital, or used goods marketplace.
• Essential features to create a platform that supports artisans and engages buyers.
• A step-by-step guide to launching a multi-vendor marketplace in less than 48 hours.

Even fair trade organizations committed to ethical marketplaces and prioritizing artisan welfare will find valuable insights here.

But first, let's take a closer look at the leading examples in this space and what makes them stand out.

1. Upcoming handmade crafts & artisan goods marketplaces

The global market for Handmade Crafts & Artisan Goods is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.1%, reaching USD 723.6 billion by 2028. With this market shifting online, artisans and craftsmen can expand their customer base.

Marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon Handmade have demonstrated the immense potential of this industry. For instance, Etsy reported over 10 million lapsed buyers and acquired 8 million new buyers by providing a platform where artisans and buyers connect.

Additionally, regional players powered by Shipturtle—Artisan Box, Bazaa, Blue Barrows, Local Markers, iTokri, and Magikelf—are marking their space.

Yet, with evolving consumer demands for sustainable, ethical, and unique products, there's ample room for new entrants and innovation.

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I. Best for curated artisan experiences: Artisan Box

UK-based Artisan Box offers access to curated collections of British artisan food. With each delivery, customers explore artisan-made products that tell a story of cultural heritage.

Key features:

1. Subscription model: Quarterly deliveries of curated items encourage recurring engagement and customer loyalty.
2. Storytelling and cultural connection: Each product has background details about the artisan, creating an emotional connection between creators and consumers.
3. Sustainability: Focuses on fair trade and eco-friendly practices, appealing to conscious consumers.

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II. Best for eco-conscious consumers: Blue Barrows

India-based Blue Barrows specializes in eco-friendly, sustainable handmade goods, emphasizing minimal environmental impact without compromising design.

Key features:

1. Diverse product categories: The platform caters to varied needs, from home décor to eco-friendly personal accessories.
2. Sustainability-focused branding: Promotes waste-free and recycled product options, capturing the eco-conscious market.
3. Artisan empowerment: Provides fair wages and direct support to artisans, ensuring ethical sourcing.

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III. Best for regional flavor: Local Markers

Turkey-based Local Markers bring hyperlocal artisans into the spotlight, promoting uniquely regional handmade goods.

Key features:

1. Hyperlocal focus: Celebrates and markets distinct local art forms, helping preserve cultural heritage.
2. Community building: Hosts events and initiatives that bring local artisans closer to their audience.
3. Customization options: Allows buyers to co-create personalized designs with artisans, enhancing exclusivity.

2. Recommended online marketplace types

When creating a marketplace for handicraft and artisan goods, you can build four key types of platforms—a product marketplace, a digital marketplace, a used goods marketplace, or an auction-type website. Each model caters to different buyer needs and seller strategies:

I. Product marketplace

Leading examples: Etsy or Amazon Handmade

This type focuses on selling physical artisan goods like handcrafted pottery, textiles, jewelry, and home décor. Artisans list their products, while the platform facilitates transactions and logistics.

Key features:

• We offer a wide range of unique, handmade products from diverse artisans.
• Centralized shipping and inventory management.
• Opportunities for artisans to showcase traditional techniques and cultural heritage.

A product marketplace is ideal for artisans looking to scale their craft to a broader audience. It allows customers to explore a curated selection of high-quality handmade items. Learn more.

II. Used goods marketplace

Leading examples: eBay or Facebook Marketplace

This model caters to the resale of pre-owned artisan goods, such as vintage textiles, rare handmade collectibles, or second-hand crafts. It promotes sustainable practices and affordability.

Key features:

• Affordable access to unique or rare artisan items.
• Encourages sustainable consumption by extending the life of goods.
• Attracts niche buyers and collectors looking for one-of-a-kind pieces.

A used goods marketplace is ideal for eco-conscious consumers and vintage craft enthusiasts, supporting sustainability and affordability in the handicraft sector. Learn more.

III. Digital marketplace

Leading examples: OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare

This marketplace sells digital goods like craft tutorials, embroidery patterns, printable artwork, and NFT-backed items. It removes the need for physical inventory and shipping logistics.

Key features:

• Instant access to digital files after purchase.
• Opportunities for artisans to monetize their expertise through educational content.
• Easy scalability as products are reusable and infinitely deliverable.

Digital marketplaces are perfect for artisans who can share knowledge or skills through digital formats, offering creative inspiration to craft enthusiasts. Learn more.

IV. Auction-type website

Leading examples: Catawiki or Auctionzip

This platform allows buyers to bid on handcrafted items, often rare or high-value collectibles. Auctions create excitement and competitive pricing for unique goods.

Key features:

• Dynamic pricing based on demand through bidding.
• Fantastic for rare or premium artisan goods with perceived high value.
• Builds excitement and engagement through timed auctions.

Auction sites are well-suited for artisans or sellers dealing in exclusive, high-value items that generate buyer interest and competitive bidding.

3. Key steps to build a multivendor marketplace using Shipturtle

Shipturtle is a powerful multivendor marketplace solution that helps e-commerce businesses grow and collaborate effortlessly. It integrates with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce and others, offering tools to manage vendors, streamline shipping, and scale globally without revenue cuts.

You can quickly build a feature-rich multivendor marketplace website following five simple steps:

• Step 1: Set up your cart platform
• Step 2: Choose your multivendor plugin
• Step 3: Connect multiple vendor stores
• Step 4: Include the necessary marketplace features 
• Step 5: Customize with open APIs

Note: A unique domain name and a hosting plan are prerequisites.

Step 1: Set up your cart platform

Choose a robust e-commerce platform to serve as the foundation of your marketplace. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento are popular due to their scalability and user-friendly interfaces. Ensure the platform supports multivendor plugins and integrations.

Step 2: Select the right multivendor plugin

A multivendor plugin enables your platform to support multiple sellers. Opt for a plugin that offers features like vendor registration, product management, commission settings, and order tracking. Examples include Shipturtle, Webkul, Syncio, and Puppet Vendors for multivendor functionality.

Step 3: Connect multiple vendor stores

Invite vendors to your marketplace and integrate their stores seamlessly. Provide tools for easy onboarding, including bulk product listing uploads, commission tracking, and individual dashboards for sellers to manage their inventory and orders.

Learn how you can onboard suppliers from any platform using Shipturtle:

Step 4: Include the necessary marketplace features 

Automate repetitive tasks with pre-built workflows and integrations. Shipturtle, for example, provides over 400 customizable workflows to streamline your processes. This includes features such as:

I. Product listing module:
Empower vendors with complete control over their product catalogs, enabling them to:

• Easily add, edit, or delete products from their dashboard.
• Upload bulk products via CSV files, which is ideal for managing extensive inventories efficiently.
• Organize products into specific categories and use custom tags to enhance discoverability.

As the marketplace admin, you maintain oversight with the ability to approve or reject product listings, ensuring that quality and consistency are upheld across the platform.

For a deeper understanding, refer to our Products & Listings Module explainer.

II. Orders module:
Simplify order management with Shipturtle's automated system that:

• Automatically splits orders between multiple vendors based on the purchased products.
• Sends notifications to vendors, allowing them to manage order fulfillment directly from their dashboard.
• Tracks orders throughout the process, providing real-time updates to customers and vendors.

This system ensures smooth order processing, reduces delays, and guarantees an optimal buyer experience.

For additional clarification, check out the Orders Module explainer.

III. Payouts module:
Streamline financial transactions to vendors with flexible payout options:

• Set commission rates for each vendor at five levels, whether a flat fee, percentage, or a combination of both.
• Automate vendor payouts through integrated systems like Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay.
• Generate comprehensive reports to ensure vendors are paid accurately and on time.

This transparent process fosters trust and simplifies financial operations for your marketplace.

For further details, watch the Payouts Module explainer.

IV. Shipping module:
Enhance logistics management with advanced shipping features:

• Set global or customized shipping rules based on location, product type, or vendor preferences.
• Offer customers a range of shipping options, including standard and expedited services.
• Integrate with over 200 logistics providers, including global services like FedEx and UPS and local courier services.

This module ensures that vendors can manage their shipping efficiently while you maintain control over the overall customer experience.

For more information, refer to the Shipping Module explainer.

Step 5: Customize with open APIs

Enhance your marketplace with tailored features using open APIs. This allows for personalized functionalities, such as custom search filters, geo-targeting for hyperlocal markets, or subscription-based services for recurring purchases.

5. Build multivendor online store with Shipturtle

Shipturtle can help you craft a unique platform where artisans can shine, effectively competing with industry giants.

Our multivendor application can:

• Enable seamless vendor onboarding and management for marketplaces with diverse sellers.
• Support hyperlocal and global commerce.
• Allow multi-currency and international shipping support.
• Streamline operations with automated workflows.
• Provide advanced customization with open APIs.

Whether starting small or aiming to create an enterprise-level platform, Shipturtle provides the tools and flexibility to succeed in the competitive e-commerce space.

Book a demo today to understand our use case better and bring your marketplace idea to life!