India has an incredible history and culture of arts and handicrafts. Every region in India has a particular craft as its speciality – from Rajasthan miniatures to Kalighat in Bengal. Apart from these traditional arts, there are many talented individuals adept at making some of the most interesting and beautiful works of art and craft around India. Online retail gives all of them the chance to showcase their art and earn a living using them. Of course, these talented entrepreneurs tend to be invisible in the online megastores like Flipkart and Amazon due to the sheer size and scope of the platform. But there are platforms available, which not only facilitate, but also celebrate these handmade, handcrafted items.
Etsy is a perfect example of a similar concept applied to a marketplace. Anyone can sell anything on Etsy, as long as it’s hand made. This makes Etsy a vibrant space full of extremely talented individuals and some amazing works of art. Unfortunately, Etsy does not operate in India. But that does not mean there aren’t any alternatives.
Let’s check them out!
Online Marketplaces for Handicrafts in India
CraftsVilla
CraftsVilla proclaims that it is an online marketplace to discover India. The website sells products like traditional apparels like sarees, hand crafted gift items, home decor and accessories. The products come from individual suppliers and artisans who are working with traditional Indian handicrafts and arts. While big conglomerates are always on the lookout for smaller marketplaces to swallow, CraftsVilla has been maintaining its niche.
AfDay
AfDay, or Art for Everyday, is an online marketplace started by founder Rashmi Daga, an IIM-A alumna. Her vision was to bring the Indian consumer closer to various designers and craftsmen who create art out of everyday objects. A great USP for AfDay is its Custom Made section, where you can request the designer to create customized products according to your taste.
ItsHandMade
Its HandMade is a Bangalore based startup that specializes in selling handmade novelty items and accessories. You don’t need to be a wholesaler or a business owner to sell on ItsHandMade. You can be a one-time seller, or a seasonal seller or a perpetual seller according to your inclination. As long as you are not a mass producer or a retailer, you are good to go. This is good because you know that all products sold on this website are actually handmade!
SaffronArt
SaffronArt is the biggest online marketplace for artworks in India. Like most art markets, it is auction based. It sources paintings and sculptures of artists of the likes of M.F.Hussain, S.H.Raza and even Amrita Shergil, all stalwarts of Indian art. And at the same time, you can find artworks of contemporary artists, folk artisans and handicraft specialists. and other collectibles.
The India Craft House
The India Craft House is one of those rare websites that present the rich folk and handcraft heritage of India in a contemporary format. All the products are sourced directly from artisans or NGOs working closely with folk and artisan communities from all corners of India. Another interesting thing about this website is the ‘Shop by State’ option, which lets you explore the traditional and folk craftsmanship from different states of India.
These are some of the best online marketplaces for handicrafts in India.
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