Creative Handz reference

Handmade & craft business statistics

A current, source-led snapshot of the independent makers, craft artists, and shoppers shaping handmade commerce in the United States.

Last updated October 6, 2026

36.2M

small businesses operate in the U.S.

Small businesses account for almost 46% of private-sector employment, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2025 profile.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, June 2025

11,500

craft artists held jobs in 2025

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects craft-artist employment to reach 11,800 by 2035, a 2% increase.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 employment projections

62.1%

of craft artists are self-employed

The occupation is notably independent, with nearly two-thirds of craft artists working for themselves in 2025.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 employment projections

86.5M

active buyers used Etsy in 2025

Etsy reported 5.6 million active sellers and more than 100 million items for sale as of December 31, 2025.

Source: Etsy, 2025 annual report

$10.5B

in Etsy marketplace sales during 2025

Etsy reported $10.46 billion in 2025 marketplace gross merchandise sales, rounded here to one decimal place.

Source: Etsy, 2025 annual report

31%

of surveyed Etsy buyers sought something custom or personalized

The figure reflects Etsy's 2025 monthly buyer surveys, where shoppers could select more than one reason for a recent visit.

Source: Etsy, 2025 annual report

What these figures show

Handmade is built by independent people.

From self-employed craft artists to shoppers looking for custom work, the numbers point to a market that values a human hand, a clear point of view, and pieces made with care. That is the space Creative Handz makes for, with expressive knitwear, blankets, and custom rugs made one piece at a time.

Method & sources

How to read this page

Every figure above is linked to its original publisher. Figures describe the date and group named in each source, and marketplace figures are not a measure of the entire handmade economy. This page is reviewed monthly, or sooner when a primary source releases updated data.

Cite this page

Creative Handz. “Handmade & Craft Business Statistics.” Updated October 6, 2026. https://creativehandz.store/handmade-market-statistics

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