Walking into a craft store is a small adventure—the rows of yarn, the stacks of paper, the quiet promise of making something with your hands. For anyone in Ireland looking to turn that feeling into a hobby or side income, this guide maps out the best craft stores, profitable products for 2026, and Ireland’s craft traditions.

4 related posts

Art & Hobby chain stores in Ireland: 22 nationwide · Years of experience of artandcraft.ie: 30+ · Top craft stores listed on Yelp Dublin: 10 · Most profitable craft margin (jewelry): up to 80% · Easiest hobby to start (paper crafts): under €20

Quick snapshot

1Best Craft Stores Near You
2Wholesale Craft Suppliers
  • Baker Ross Ireland offers themed craft kits for children with fast delivery (Baker Ross Ireland)
  • Golden Pages lists 20 top craft stores across the country (Golden Pages)
3Profitable Crafts to Sell
4Irish Craft Traditions

Five key facts at a glance: the table below pulls together the most essential numbers for anyone exploring the Irish craft scene.

Fact Value Source
Number of craft stores listed by Golden Pages 20 Golden Pages (Irish business directory)
Years of experience of artandcraft.ie 30+ years artandcraft.ie (specialised craft retailer)
Average profit margin for handmade candles 50–60% GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance)
Easiest craft investment (colouring book) under €10 artandcraft.ie
Top-rated craft store in Dublin (Yelp) Evans Art Supplies – 4.8 stars Tripadvisor (customer reviews)
Baker Ross product range themed seasonal craft kits for children Baker Ross Ireland (arts and crafts retailer)

What is the hottest craft right now for adults to sell?

Resin art and epoxy tumblers

Candle and soap making can be started with very low investment—basic supplies cost under €50 according to GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance), and the perceived value of handmade soaps allows for high markups. Custom apparel with heat press has been trending through 2025–2026, fueled by social media videos on TikTok.

Bottom line: Resin and epoxy tumblers require the most upfront material cost but deliver the highest per-item margins. For low-risk entry, candle making offers the quickest return with the smallest cash outlay.

What crafts is Ireland known for?

Aran knitting and Irish wool sweaters

Celtic jewellery and knotwork

  • Celtic jewellery uses traditional motifs such as the Claddagh (Ireland on a Budget)
  • The Claddagh ring remains one of the most asked-for Irish export items

Waterford crystal and pottery

What this means: Ireland’s craft identity is deeply tied to heritage—sweaters, jewellery, crystal. Anyone selling crafts today can draw on that legacy as a brand story that resonates internationally.

What are the most profitable crafts to make?

Comparing three popular categories reveals where the strongest margins lie for Irish crafters.

Craft category Typical startup cost Potential profit margin Skill level required Source
Jewellery making €100–300 60–80% Intermediate GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance)
Candle and wax melts €30–80 50–60% Beginner GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance)
Pottery / ceramics €200–500 50–70% Intermediate–advanced GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance)

The pattern: jewellery offers the highest margin but requires skill and tooling; candles give the best return on time for a beginner. Pottery sits in between—higher upfront cost but pieces command premium prices.

What is the latest craft craze?

Jigsaw puzzles and art kits

  • Puzzle sales surged during the pandemic and remain popular in 2026 (GoDaddy Resources)
  • Art subscription boxes have grown 25% year-over-year

Air dry clay sculpting

Fabric painting and tie-dye revival

  • Tie-dye became a TikTok trend in 2024–2025 (GoDaddy Resources)
  • Custom fabric painting allows for personalised apparel with minimal equipment

The catch: trends move fast. Air dry clay and tie-dye are cheap to start but may peak before 2027. Jigsaw puzzles have staying power as slow-craft activities.

What hobby is easiest to start?

Adult colouring books

Knitting or crochet for beginners

  • Starter kits cost under €30 (GoDaddy Resources)
  • Knitting can be sold as scarves, hats, blankets on Etsy or at craft fairs

Paper crafts and card making

The trade-off

Paper crafts are the cheapest to start but hardest to scale into a business. Knitting and crochet offer a clear path to sales—Irish wool sweaters are a proven export, and hand-knitted accessories sell well on Etsy. For pure relaxation, adult colouring books win on cost and zero skill requirement.

The choice comes down to your goal: a low-cost relaxation or a potential side income.

Craft Trends in 2026: What is in? What is out?

In: Sustainable and upcycled crafts

  • Etsy searches for ‘upcycled craft’ increased 40% in 2025 (Etsy trend data)
  • Denim and fabric scrap projects are particularly popular

Out: One-time use plastic-based projects

  • Plastic resin projects are declining due to environmental concerns (GoDaddy Resources)
  • Single-use craft kits are falling out of favour

In: Digital downloads and printable planners

  • Printable craft kits grew 25% year-over-year (Etsy trend data)
  • Zero shipping cost, instant delivery

Why this matters: Sustainability is not just a trend—it’s a market requirement. Crafters who align with upcycled materials and digital delivery will stay relevant longer.

How to start your craft hobby in 5 steps

  1. Pick a low-cost starter craft – paper crafts, adult colouring, or knitting. Estimated cost: under €30. (GoDaddy Resources)
  2. Find a local craft store – Use the Golden Pages (Irish business directory) for the nearest shop or visit The Craft Corner’s list for Dublin and Cork locations.
  3. Buy basic supplies online – Baker Ross Ireland delivers themed kits nationwide. (Baker Ross Ireland)
  4. Learn from free tutorials – YouTube and The Craft Corner offer step-by-step guides for clay, knitting, and paper crafts.
  5. Join a community – Check local notice boards at Evans Educational in Finglas or online groups on Facebook for Irish crafters.
Why this works

Starting small and local reduces the risk of abandoning the hobby after the first week. Once you master one craft, the skills transfer to others—and the same local store will have the supplies for the next project.

This step-by-step approach helps you build confidence without a large upfront commitment.

What the numbers say about craft profitability

According to GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance), the most money is likely to come from high-end jewellery or fine art. Services such as graphic design can also generate large income, but for physical crafts, jewellery remains the margin leader. Etsy trend data confirms that Celtic-inspired pieces and personalised items have the highest conversion rates.

The upshot

Irish crafters have a unique advantage: the traditional motifs (Aran, Claddagh, crystal) give them a built-in brand that sells globally. For someone in Dublin looking to start a side business, making Celtic-style earrings with wholesale beads (available at Evans Art Supplies) can turn a €50 investment into €200 in sales within a few weekends.

Quotes from the craft community

“Dublin’s contemporary design stores combine Irish heritage and craft with hyper-modern, international trends.”

— Ireland.com (Irish tourism authority)

“Knitting and crochet can be sold as handmade items such as scarves, hats, blankets, or toys on Etsy, at craft fairs, or through a website.”

— GoDaddy Resources (small business guidance)

“I love the selection at Evans Educational—always something new for my kids’ school projects.”

— Tripadvisor reviewer (quoted in Tripadvisor Ireland)

For a deeper look at the best shops and 2026 trends, check out this guide to craft store near me in Ireland.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best craft stores near me in Dublin?

Top-rated options include Cork Art Supplies (Princes Street), Get Creative (Celbridge), and Evans Educational (Finglas). All are listed on The Craft Corner’s guide.

How do I find wholesale craft stores near me?

Check the Golden Pages craft stores directory for a searchable list of wholesale suppliers across Ireland.

What is the most profitable craft to sell from home?

Jewellery making offers the highest margins (60–80%), followed by candles (50–60%). Both can be started with supplies from local craft stores.

Is resin art still trendy in 2026?

Resin art remains popular on Etsy, but environmental concerns are shifting demand toward sustainable alternatives like air dry clay.

What Irish craft can I sell internationally?

Aran sweaters, Claddagh rings, and Waterford crystal have strong global demand. Handmade Celtic jewellery sells particularly well on Etsy.

Do I need a business license to sell crafts in Ireland?

If you earn over €5,000 per year from craft sales, you must register as a sole trader with Revenue. Check Revenue.ie for details.

How long does it take to learn knitting?

Basic knitting (scarf, hat) can be learned in 2–3 hours using online tutorials. Full mastery of Aran patterns takes several weeks of practice.

Does Art & Hobby take one for all?

Art & Hobby’s loyalty or bulk discount policy is not publicly documented. Contact your nearest store directly to ask about volume pricing.

Related reading

For anyone in Ireland looking to start or grow a craft hobby, the choice is clear: pick a traditional Irish craft that already has a global market, source materials from the local stores listed above, and sell through platforms like Etsy or at craft fairs. The combination of heritage storytelling and modern distribution is your biggest advantage—or you risk leaving money on the table that other makers are already collecting.