Getting Started with Etsy: Opportunities for Creative Entrepreneurs
Getting Started with Etsy
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn your creative hobby into a real source of income? Maybe you knit, paint, carve wood, or design digital art.
I’ve been asking myself that same question for years — and watching others try. One name keeps coming up: Etsy.
Getting started with Etsy doesn’t require a business degree, tech skills, or a warehouse. It just takes a product, a bit of time, and the willingness to put yourself out there — even just a little.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is an online marketplace, but it’s not your typical high-volume shopfront. Instead of mass-produced items, it’s home to handmade creations, vintage finds, and personal touches that don’t belong anywhere else.
You could think of it as a global craft fair that never shuts its doors — only, the stalls are digital and the reach is enormous.
With over 90 million buyers and sellers worldwide, Etsy has become a kind of sanctuary for independent makers, artists, designers, and collectors.
Whether you’re creating jewellery in your kitchen or editing printable wall art on a rainy Sunday, the platform offers something powerful: visibility.
A Story from Edinburgh
Let me tell you about Patrick — an old acquaintance from Edinburgh.
He’s Irish, mid-sixties, soft-spoken. Spent most of his working life driving buses.
But what he always wanted to do — and I mean always — was carve.
Not just anything, but whimsical wooden figures rooted in Celtic folklore.
Forest spirits, old druids, those sorts of characters.
When he retired, he finally gave himself permission. Bought a few tools, set up a little corner in his garden shed, and launched an Etsy shop.
Twelve pieces to start with. No grand plan — just a quiet “why not”.
Three weeks later, someone in Canada bought one of his leprechauns. And that, as they say, was that.
“It’s not the money,” he told me over a pint.
“It’s knowing someone out there wanted something I made. That’s enough to keep the chisel in my hand.”
From Poland to Oxford: Lisa’s Digital Canvas
Then there’s Lisa — a Polish design student I met during a visit to Oxford. She paints abstract pieces for interiors.
Think soft, minimalist shapes that look just right above a Scandinavian-style sofa.
What’s clever is that Lisa sells both physical prints and digital downloads.
Some customers just want a JPEG they can print locally and frame the same afternoon. Lisa figured that out quickly — and built her shop around it.
“I wake up and sometimes three files are gone overnight,” she laughed.
“It’s like passive income with a personality.”
For Lisa, getting started with Etsy wasn’t about building an empire.
It was about earning enough to cover rent, buy some sketchbooks — and enjoy a few good nights out with friends.
Why Choose Etsy Over Other Platforms?
Let’s be honest — there are plenty of ways to sell things online. So why Etsy?
1. Built for Creatives
Etsy’s not built for big brands. It’s for people who make things — with hands, hearts, or pixels. If your product has a story or soul, it’ll fit right in.
2. Low Barrier to Entry
Getting started with Etsy is surprisingly straightforward. You don’t need to code or hire anyone. I’ve seen people open their shops between breakfast and lunch.
And if you’re thinking long term — maybe registering a company or scaling up — we’ve got a separate guide just for that.
Check out our piece on how to start a business in the UK from scratch for practical steps beyond the platform.
3. People Are Already Looking
This isn’t about cold outreach. Etsy’s traffic is made up of buyers actively searching for handmade, unique and creative goods.
You don’t have to find them — they’re already browsing.
4. Trust and Belonging
People trust Etsy. It feels human. There’s a culture of appreciation, of buying directly from the source.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll get messages like, “I loved your parcel — it made my day.” That’s gold.
Who is Etsy For?
Stay-at-home parents looking to earn without commuting
Retirees like Patrick, bringing old skills back to life
Students like Lisa, turning creativity into independence
Hobbyists curious to see what the world thinks
Creatives who’ve grown tired of “someday” and want to begin
I've lost count of how many times someone’s told me, “I’ve been thinking about starting an Etsy shop.”
Well — maybe now’s the moment.
Getting started with Etsy doesn’t mean knowing it all. It means being curious enough to try.
What Sells on Etsy?
Not sure if your thing belongs on Etsy? Here’s what’s already thriving:
Handmade goods (candles, ceramics, clothing, jewellery)
Vintage items (must be 20 years old or more)
Art and photography
Craft supplies and kits
Personalised gifts
Digital downloads (like planners or wall art)
What to Keep in Mind
Etsy won’t do the work for you.
There are fees — for listing, for transactions, for payments.
There are quiet days. And sometimes, your best piece might go unnoticed. But you keep going. Because it's yours.
And because every now and then, someone miles away chooses your work over everything else. That’s a feeling worth chasing.
In Summary
Etsy isn’t just a website. For a lot of people, it’s the missing link between “I love making things” and “I wonder if someone would pay for this.”
Patrick’s got his shed. Lisa’s got her iPad and a touch of intuition.
You? You might be sitting on something remarkable — even if you don’t see it yet.
I’ve seen enough Etsy journeys to believe this: getting started with Etsy isn’t about being ready.
It’s about being brave enough to begin.
