Irving-based arts and crafts retailer Michaels has launched MakerPlace by Michaels, the only online marketplace offering handmade goods, artist-led classes, how-to guides, and access to the company’s assortment of supplies via one platform.

Michaels said that MakerPlace was created using feedback from makers and artists to inform key launch and roadmap features. The launch follows a successful three-month beta test to optimize the experience for shoppers and sellers alike, the company noted.

SunSprinkles bud vases are available at Michaels’ new online MakerPlace. [Photo: Michaels]

“The launch of MakerPlace by Michaels deepens our ability to support customers in all of their creative pursuits, whether that be learning new skills, discovering handmade goods, or growing their own handmade business,” Michaels CEO Ashley Buchanan said in a statement. “MakerPlace provides a new way to buy and sell unique handmade art, gifts, goods and classes while empowering our customers to directly support or become handmade sellers themselves.”

The company said that while visiting MakerPlace, U.S. customers can browse dozens of categories of handmade goods—including jewelry, home décor, art, accessories, crafting arts, bath and beauty, and clothing. Plus, they can learn or refine skills to bring their own creative ideas to life via maker-led classes and how-to’s.

Tuft Wonder Rugs are available at Michaels’ new online MakerPlace. [Photo: Michaels]

‘Helping handmade artists and makers succeed’

MakerPlace sellers have listed hundreds of thousands of SKUs alongside classes and how-to’s for beginners, hobbyists, and aspiring professionals, the company said.

By offering free product listings and low referral fees, MakerPlace seeks to lower the barrier to entry and help artists and makers earn more on every sale, the company said.

Sellers also have extra ways to earn on MakerPlace by hosting virtual classes and posting how-to guides with supply lists that earn commissions when materials are purchased on Michaels.com, the company said.

Art works by Tiffany Bohrer are available at Michaels’ new online MakerPlace. [Photo: Michaels]

MakerPlace offers sellers the option of Basic and Professional membership tiers along with multiple shipping options.

MakerPlace sellers will also benefit from discounts on the company’s products and support from Michaels marketing to reach its engaged customer base, the company added.

Heather Bennett, EVP of marketing and e-commerce at Michaels, said the company’s research found that nearly three in four makers “believe there’s a void in the online marketplace landscape today,” and that existing platforms come with pain points like high upfront costs, increasing fees for product listings and competition with an overflow of mass-produced goods.

“MakerPlace by Michaels was designed in direct response to these challenges with the goal of helping handmade artists and makers succeed,” Bennett added in a statement. “We’re so grateful to all the MakerPlace sellers who registered early to participate in our beta and look forward to continuing to support them in the years to come.”

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