Selling Crafts on Handmade at Amazon: What You Need to Know

Updated April 22, 2025.

If you’re a creative soul with a love for crafting and dreams of turning that creativity into real income, then Handmade at Amazon might be just the perfect place for you.

Think of it as Etsy’s polished, older cousin who went to business school and knows a thing or two about customer service.

While Etsy has been the go-to platform for indie makers for years, Handmade at Amazon is a lesser-known but incredibly powerful option that’s definitely worth considering.

So, below I've shared what it is, how it works, and how you can get started.

What Is Handmade at Amazon?

Handmade at Amazon is Amazon’s dedicated marketplace for artisans who create handcrafted goods. Unlike typical Amazon listings, which can be mass-produced or dropshipped, Handmade is curated to ensure everything is genuinely handmade by the seller or their team.

Amazon created Handmade in 2015 to give artisans a professional platform while still honoring the heart and soul of handmade products.

You can sell everything from jewelry and home décor to baby gifts, art, and even personalized wedding items.

Is It Free to Join?

Here’s some good news. It is free to apply to Handmade at Amazon, and if you’re approved, Amazon waives the $39.99 monthly Professional Seller fee that most sellers have to pay!

This is a major perk for small craft businesses that may not be ready to commit to a subscription fee right out of the gate.

However, like Etsy, you will pay a referral fee on each sale, which is currently 15 percent of the item’s total sale price including shipping. It is a little higher than Etsy’s combined fees, but more on that in a bit.

I do have a list of craft-related sites that don't charge any listing fees if you're more interested in that.

How Does Amazon Handmade Work?

Once you’re approved as a Handmade seller, you’ll create your listings just like you would on Etsy, but on the Amazon platform. You’ll upload product photos, write descriptions, set prices, and choose shipping options.

One of the coolest parts is that your products can show up in Amazon search results alongside everything else sold on the site. That means millions of potential buyers could find your crafts just by typing a few keywords.

Amazon handles the checkout process, and if you opt in to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), they’ll even store, pack, and ship your products for you. But if you're like me and love the personal touch, you can also ship items yourself.

How Much Can You Earn?

That depends on what you sell, how much you sell, and how much effort you put into marketing and presentation.

Sellers on Handmade have reported making anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to full-time incomes.

If you already have a product line that sells well on Etsy or at local markets, Handmade can open the door to a much larger audience.

How Is Handmade at Amazon Different From Etsy?

There are a few key differences:

• Application Process: Unlike Etsy, Amazon Handmade requires an application and approval process. It is not hard, but it ensures that only truly handmade products are sold on the platform.

• Product Quality and Professionalism: The visual standards and expectations are a little higher on Handmade. You are expected to have crisp, professional-looking product photos and polished listings.

• Audience: Amazon’s customer base is vast and includes people who might not typically shop on Etsy. They might be looking for a one-of-a-kind birthday gift or wedding décor and stumble across your shop in a regular Amazon search.

• Fees: Etsy charges a listing fee plus a transaction fee and payment processing fee. Combined, these usually total around 8 to 10 percent. Handmade charges a flat 15 percent referral fee but no listing fees.

Advantages Over Etsy

• No listing fees, which means you can list without paying upfront!

• Access to Amazon’s massive customer base.

• Listings do not expire, unlike Etsy listings which expire after four months.

• You can use Fulfillment by Amazon if you want to offer Prime shipping and streamline delivery.

How to Sign Up

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Go here to apply.

2. Create an Amazon seller account or sign in if you already have one.

3. Complete the application. It includes questions about how you make your products, photos of your work, and some basic business details.

4. Wait for approval. This can take a few days to a couple of weeks.

5. Once approved, set up your shop, create your listings, and start selling.

Selling your crafts on Handmade at Amazon might take a little more setup and polish than some platforms, but if you’re ready to reach a larger, more mainstream audience and keep a bit of that handcrafted charm alive, this is definitely a path worth exploring.

And if you're anything like me, seeing your handmade item show up on Amazon next to big-name products will feel like a tiny dream come true!