Preparation
As 2019 comes to a close, the one thing we’re looking forward to most in the new year is the plethora of brand-new crafts inspired by the latest trends. Whether you’re a novice crafter or a DIY pro, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: One of the most appealing things about making a project by hand is seeing the result and knowing that you’re the person who brought that idea to life. Crafts are so versatile; you can make items to decorate your home, give them as gifts to your friends and family members, or sell the finished products for profit. Though there are some crafts you’ll inevitable remake year after year, it’s those inspired by the latest trends that always keep us coming back for more. In that spirit, we talked to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s in-house trend expert (and one of the judges on NBC’s Making It), to get the inside scoop on the craft trends of the new decade!
“There’s just this beautiful resurgence of crafting,” says Johnson. “Shoppers are increasingly wanting to turn to this other form of self-expression and being able to really show off their personal style or personal taste for home design…or whatever that might be.” You can find finished products being sold on the site, but you may not be aware that Etsy also sells craft kits and patterns for you to make your own inspired goods. Johnson has seen a 33 percent year-over-year increase in Etsy searches for craft supplies and tools across the board with the tags “beginner” or “easy” in the search inquiry—meaning that people new to crafting are looking for ways to get started.
Another hot trend on Etsy (and also popular on Pinterest) are constellation crafts. According to Johnson, this trend has been going on for the past year but will extend into 2020. Reusable plastic wall stencils allow you to put the night sky in your room, or on any project that you want to add a starry scene. Constellation fabric, ribbon, and stickers are great supplies to add to your crafting toolbox. Create items that you can use for hosting a stargazing party or decorate your child’s bedroom for a cosmic experience.
Quilting has been around for centuries, but Johnson has noticed a 22 percent in searches for quilting tools and supplies on Etsy. She says that it’s not really a surprise that people want to make their own quilts or design quilted items. “It’s an interest in that quilted texture and homespun look,” Johnson says. The Wife-made lovebird quilt pattern, for example, is a digital download of a quilt pattern that is suitable for beginners. Quilters and aspiring quilters alike can find a variety of resources on Etsy. Patterns, fabric, quilt rulers and rotary cutting surfaces are all available for someone who wants to make their own homemade blankets and quilts.
Stained glass might be one of the most trending crafts going into 2020. In fact, Johnson has seen a 127 percent increase in searches for stained glass tools and supplies on Etsy. The mosaic look of stained glass provides a beautiful cast of colorful light in any room where it is displayed. One kit available on Etsy—the Stained Glass Mosaic Craft Kit—comes with everything you need to make a framed stained glass picture of a bird that’s perfect to give as a gift. Stained glass patterns, like this digital download for a poppy pattern, are also popular on the site.
Art therapy activities, like paint-by-the-numbers, have jumped 444 percent on sites like Pinterest. And, according to Johnson, the same interest for art therapy crafts is exhibited on Etsy as well.
“Paint-by-the-numbers was on the rise last year, and I’m sure that it’s continuing to be popular,” she says. “It’s such a fun activity that allows you to decompress and relax and spill out some creativity. But it’s also a wonderful craft that brings you and your friends together.” You can find downloadable coloring pages on Etsy, as well as craft kits for painting rocks or custom paint-by-numbers projects.
Another popular theme that Johnson has noticed on Etsy is the desire to create eco-friendly and sustainable crafts, whether that means upscaling a thrift store item or using sustainable materials in the project. “Now more than ever, people are thinking about the impact of their actions and thinking about how what they do can affect the Earth,” Johnson says. “They want to use recycled materials or natural dyes [for example].” In searches on Etsy, there has been a 43 percent year-over-year increase across all categories for items that are more eco-friendly. The eco-friendly movement has also made its way to Pinterest, where people are pinning their favorite eco-friendly craft ideas. It’s a trend that continues to gain momentum as we learn more about the environment and our impact on it.
Green with envy? Not us! But chartreuse green is a popular color for crafts going into 2020. “It evokes feelings of growth and harmony,” Johnson says. On Etsy, there has been a 12 percent increase in searches for green items and a 55 percent increase in searches for neon green in the last three months compared to the previous year. Kelly green fine glitter has received 369 reviews on the site, and these Celtic Knot Green Jacquard Ribbons have more than 1,600 reviews. Finding ways to add green to your crafts will keep you on trend for the new year.
