Amazon has a secret handmade store that rivals Etsy

by Eva Waite-Taylor Apr 28, 2021 4 minutes

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Amazon is a treasure trove that has it all – from TVs and tablets to beauty and clothing, you can buy just about anything you’d ever need from the online giant.

If you’re a long-serving fan of the shopping website, you might think you know how to take full advantage of its services, including its whopping Prime Day sale event. So, it might surprise you to hear that there are a number of lesser-known sections of the website.

We’ve already let you in on its secret outlet store, Treasure Truck, Amazon warehouse and Prime Wardrobe, but now we are here to introduce you to our new go-to for artisan items from a range of independent brands: Amazon Handmade.

It’s an online destination where you can shop unique, handcrafted pieces created by local makers from around the world, all while benefiting from the convenience of shopping on Amazon.

As with the rest of Amazon, you can expect to find everything from jewellery and clothing to artwork and homeware, all beautifully hand-crafted.

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Inspired by other makers? You too can sell your products on the online giant – read on to find out how you can list your own items.

Alternatively, if you’re searching for ways to support small, local businesses, look to Amazon Handmade. To help you decide if this is a service for you, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions and selected some of our favourite handmade items to save you from endlessly scrolling.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Amazon vs Etsy

A common question asked is how Amazon Handmade differs from the likes of Etsy. Both are great platforms for sourcing handmade and personalised products, but there are some key differences, particularly if you’re a seller.

Owing to the vast number of people that use Amazon, it offers artisan’s a place to leverage a large customer base. As for the customer, some of the sellers allow Amazon to deliver its products, making it a particularly great choice for Prime customers, as you can benefit from free, fast delivery.

Another difference is that Etsy offers a greater number of product categories (160), while Amazon Handmade currently only has 11.

How to sell on Amazon Handmade

Not everyone can sell on Amazon Handmade, you have to apply by providing examples of your products, photos of your workspace and hand-making process. There are certain criteria that must be met in order to sell on the retailer’s site – firstly, all your products must be handmade, either by you or an employee, and your company must have 20 employees, or less.

How much does it cost to sell on Amazon Handmade?

Creating your shop and listing products on Amazon Handmade is free, but a 12.24 per cent referral fee will be deducted from each product bought. For more details, you can read all about the process on Amazon’s website.

What are the most popular handmade items?

If you’re looking to invest in small businesses, we’ve rounded up some of the bestselling artisan products on Amazon Handmade below.

While delivery charges may apply, some sellers have chosen to send their products directly to Amazon so they can be distributed. As such, we’d recommend signing up to Amazon Prime so you can benefit from free delivery. The monthly membership costs £7.99, or you can pay an annual sum of £79, and you’ll also be granted access to more than 800,000 free ebooks and the use of prime video and Amazon’s music services.

HabacStudio 100% mulberry silk face mask

With face masks mandatory in most public spaces in England, you may have found you’re suffering from maskne. But, Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist and British skin foundation spokesperson, previously told The Independent that face masks made from silk can actually be beneficial to our skin. As such, this is a great choice if you have acne-prone skin, since the silk is breathable, and there are nine colours to choose from, including dusty pink and black. With an average 4.5-star rating, it’s received rave reviews, with one user noting that “these masks are heaven to wear, comfortable, breathable and cover the face really well.”

Buy now £13.99, Amazon.co.uk

The Magical Touch personalised birthstone bracelets

Following Beyoncé ‘s revival of the nameplate necklace recently, it’s clear that personalised jewellery is the way to go. This dainty bracelet can be engraved with a message, for example, a name or meaningful quote, as well as with the recipient's birthstone. What’s more, you can choose what colour metal you’d prefer – either silver or rose gold.

Buy now £10.99, Amazon.co.uk

Customat personalised door mat

Whether you know someone who’s recently moved house, or are looking to add a personalised touch to your entrance, this is the doormat for you. With two size options, either 70cm x 40cm or 60cm x 90xm (which costs an extra £11), you can choose whether to keep or remove “the” and add your family or house name.

Buy now £22.95, Amazon.co.uk

Octo midnight breeze essential oil soy wax candle, 180ml

All of Octo’s candles are handmade and hand-poured using natural ingredients, including soy wax that is scented with 100 per cent natural essential oils. This particular candle is a blend of rose geranium and vetiver is said to be calming while aiding balance – perfect for trying times. What’s more, is you can benefit from Amazon Prime delivery and still support small brands.

Buy now £19.00, Amazon.co.uk

UrbanAdorn beautiful handmade 12 x 20 cotton cushion cover

UrbanAdorn makes beautiful homeware using 100 per cent handmade fabrics and yarns. This particular cushion cover features a stripy print and pom pom detailing, providing the perfect statement to any home. Make sure you get a cushion insert (£8.50, Amazon.co.uk).

Buy now £19.99, Amazon.co.uk

Totally Lampshades handmade lampshade

The homeware offerings on Amazon Handmade are second to none, and we love this lampshade, which is made using William Norris’s blue strawberry thief fabric. We think this would work well with pretty much any colour scheme and is affordable at just £32.99.

Buy now £32.99, Amazon.co.uk

Sunday’s Daughter personalised face in here make-up bag

Part of the Stacey Solomon x Amazon Handmade collaboration, this customisable make-up bag would make an ideal gift for any beauty fanatic. Made in the brand’s Sussex studio, every item is made to order and sent with one to two working days.

Buy now £22.00, Amazon.co.uk

Voucher codes

For the latest homeware discounts, try the links below:

For more unmissable sections of the online giant, read about Amazon’s secret outlet store or Prime Wardrobe that let’s you try before you buy