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Crafting & maker statistics: 8 numbers to know
A source-backed snapshot of the people, participation and marketplaces behind hands-on creativity. Built for makers, writers and small creative businesses who want a clear starting point.
Last updated October 20, 2026. Figures reflect the latest source available for each measure.
At a glance
Making is personal, and it is substantial.
Whether someone is choosing beads for a first keychain or building a small handmade business, creative projects sit inside a much bigger picture. The data below brings together national participation research, federal economic data and marketplace reporting.
Each number links straight to its original source, so it is easy to check the context before you share it.
U.S. arts and cultural economic activity in 2023
The sector accounted for 4.2% of U.S. gross domestic product, according to the federal arts and culture account.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, released April 2025. ↗Inflation-adjusted growth in U.S. arts and cultural activity in 2023
That compared with 2.9% growth for the broader U.S. economy in the same year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, released April 2025. ↗of U.S. adults made or performed art in 2022
The national survey counted personal art-making across visual art, music, writing, craft and other activities.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 2022 data, published October 2023. ↗of U.S. adults made pottery, ceramics or jewelry in 2022
That is the survey's reported share of adults who took part in those hands-on making activities during the year.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022, published 2023. ↗of U.S. adults worked with textiles in 2022
The measure includes weaving, crocheting, quilting, needlepoint, knitting and sewing.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Participation Patterns in 2022, published 2023. ↗of U.S. adults attended a craft fair or visual arts festival in 2022
The figure reflects in-person attendance at least once during the survey year.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, By All Means, the Arts: 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, published 2025. ↗active sellers on the Etsy marketplace at the end of 2024
Etsy reported 89.6 million active buyers on its marketplace at the same date.
Source: Etsy, Inc. 2024 annual report, filed February 2025. ↗Etsy marketplace gross merchandise sales in 2024
Craft supplies was one of Etsy's six largest marketplace retail categories that year.
Source: Etsy, Inc. 2024 annual report, filed February 2025. ↗What these numbers suggest
Small projects are part of a lively creative habit.
National figures cannot predict what one maker will choose next. They do show a broad base of people who create, collect ideas and look for ways to make a project feel personal. That is why approachable supplies, clear project guidance and playful details matter.
Methodology & sources
How to use this page
This is a curated reference, not a forecast. It uses the most recent published figure available from each named source as of October 20, 2026. Measures differ by source, year and geography, so use the linked report when precision matters.
U.S. participation figures come from the National Endowment for the Arts survey of adults. Arts economy figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Marketplace figures come from Etsy's public annual report and describe Etsy's marketplace, not all makers or all craft commerce.
Cite this page
Barkers Creative Designs. “Crafting & Maker Statistics: 8 Numbers to Know.” Updated October 20, 2026. https://barkerscreativedesigns.com/maker-statistics
Use the anchored statistic links above when referring to one specific number.
Spot a newer primary source or a correction? Let us know so this reference can stay useful.