Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 470,884 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,271 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 312,251 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,271 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 312,251 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,215 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 470,884 cutting edge ideas.

Cottage Creatives

Handicrafts as additional income for penny-pinched creatives

Implications - The recession has inspired many consumers to create their own handicrafts, be it for function or entertainment; some are even turning their art into profit. The advent of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities has allowed anyone to carve out their own creative niche and an additional source of income.
Trend Themes
1. Handcraft-focused E-commerce - The advent of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities has allowed anyone to carve out their own creative niche and an additional source of income.
2. Eco-friendly Products and DIY Projects - Many artists have taken it upon themselves to show the world how to be creative and eco-friendly in their home decor or fashion, such as recycling plastic bags for jewelry or creating a lamp out of old screws.
3. Unusual Materials for Fashion Design - Designers are exploring the use of unusual materials such as gloves or zippers to create unique and innovative pieces of wearable art.
Industry Implications
1. E-commerce - The popularity of handcraft-focused e-commerce communities offers new opportunities for small businesses or individuals to sell their creations online.
2. Sustainable Fashion - The trend of eco-friendly DIY projects and designers using recycled materials offers opportunities for businesses to market sustainable fashion products or services.
3. Fashion Design - Exploring the use of unusual materials for fashion design offers an opportunity for designers to create unique and innovative pieces that stand out in the market.
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
12 Featured, 86 Examples:
2,244,762 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Feb 09 — Oct 09
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Plastic Bag Jewelry
Plastic Bag Jewelry
Etsy Artisans Recycle To Make Eco Chic Yarn Accessories
Many people are rightly concerned about the excessive use of plastic bags. In an effort to reduce the number of bags going to landfills, several Etsy jewelry artisans now offer various creations made from… MORE
Zipped-Up Eco Accessories
Zipped-Up Eco Accessories
Toni and Tree Make One-Of-A-Kind Zipper Jewelry
We’ve seen some zipper jewelry before, and Etsy seller toniandtree does a great job bringing even more creativity to the idea. The brooches featured on the site are original pieces that incorporate the… MORE
Broken Heart Bling
Broken Heart Bling
Breakup Jewelry By Etsy Artists Symbolize Broken Romance
If the glamorization of relationships doesn’t end (Megan Fox broke up with her fiance this week, Rihanna and Chris Brown had their share of heartache earlier this month, and both stories were splashed… MORE
DIY Bracelet Painting
DIY Bracelet Painting
Raw Wood Bangles Make the Perfect Canvas for Creative Jewelry Lovers
At a Toronto art store the other day, I saw a wall of raw wood bangles ready to be decorated. I picked up a few and then, seeking inspiration, checked out what Etsy artists had created anything a similar… MORE
Lavish Lavalieres
Lavish Lavalieres
Etsy Seller Tijusai Creates Burgandy Aster from Flowers
Etsy seller Tijusai has made these delicate and beautiful necklaces by hand. The lavish lavalieres ("a pendant with one stone, suspended from a necklace," according to Wikipedia) can make any outfit look… MORE
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Etsy Accessories Fit for Your Next Springtime Adventure
Spring is the best season for an outdoor adventure, and these beautiful handmade and vintage Etsy finds are perfect for a day hiking trip. In this gallery, you'll find boots and binoculars, stick soap… MORE
Knit Nintendo Toys
Knit Nintendo Toys
Michelle Rheaume Sells Classic Toy Patterns for Geeky DIY Projects
Michelle Rheaume has created an Etsy site filled with knitted patterns that let you create your own Nintendo toys which, for the record, is something I’m definitely interested in. The Nintendo toys by… MORE
DIY Hardware Lamps
DIY Hardware Lamps
Georgiosi's Screw Lamp is a Retro Way to Reuse
Many artists have taken it upon themselves to to show the world how to be creative and eco-friendly in their home deco; this DIY project by Georgiosi is comprised of thousands of old brown screws to create… MORE
Gowns Made of Gloves
Gowns Made of Gloves
Toolgrrl Designs' Blood Countess Art Dress Has a Gory History
While this Toolgrrl Designs Blood Countess Art Dress is made of gloves--a seemingly innocuous albeit unusual material for a gown--it's the backstory behind this piece of wearable art that makes it macabre… MORE
Mustache Brooches
Mustache Brooches
Give a Purse or Scarf Some Flair With Pin-On Facial Hair
You won’t find these mustache brooches in your grandmother’s jewelry box (and if you do, your grandmother must be an interesting lady). Available from the Wifeofbrian shop on Etsy, these mustache brooches… MORE
Celebrity Etsy Stores
Celebrity Etsy Stores
Rosie O'Donnell's Charitable 'Munnys' Benefit 'Rosie's Broadway Kids'
Rosie O’Donnell’s charity, “Rosie’s Broadway Kids,” is the worthy beneficiary of her Etsy store’s “munnys” figures. While the website does not describe the art medium, the purchasers are… MORE
Planters With Character
Planters With Character
The Plane Jane Project Handcrafts Pots With Personality
The Plane Jane Project is a shop on Etsy for those looking for a unique place to put their flora. The creature pots all come with names like ‘Foxy Little Devil,’ ‘Little Swamp Creature’ and ‘Little… MORE

Related Examples

Mustache Cufflinks
Mustache Cufflinks
Celebrate Movember All Year Long, Even If You Have to Shave
Mustache Gloves
Mustache Gloves
Cozy Hands and a Warm Upper Lip Are Just Bonuses
Zippers, Slashes & Chains
Zippers, Slashes & Chains
Rad Hourani Spring 2010 Collection Strategically Hides, Exposes & Restra
Metal Mustaches
Metal Mustaches
Tom Selleck-Worthy Whiskers for Clean-Shaven Faces
Zipper-Back Kicks
Zipper-Back Kicks
Leather Jacket-Motif Spring 2010 Converse 'First String' Collection
Bandana Mustaches
Bandana Mustaches
Cindy Liu Combines Cowboy and Gangsta for Her Retail Creations
20 Ways Femmes Can Wear Facial Hair
20 Ways Femmes Can Wear Facial Hair
From Bearded Hats to Mustache Jewelry
Solar-Powered Hanging Planters
Solar-Powered Hanging Planters
The Smart Solar Roto Basket Rotates Your Flowers
Zippered Brooches
Zippered Brooches
Zipper Flower Pins Are Hot for Summer 2009
Ticking Planters
Ticking Planters
Sevres Vase Clock is a Fully-Customized Clock Using Your Favorite Pot
Monkey Chandeliers
Monkey Chandeliers
‘Just Not Normal' Makes a Lighting Fixture From Cheeky Critters
Stringy Chandeliers
Stringy Chandeliers
Tim Baute Creates Delicate Looking Lighting Called ‘SevenUp'
Glowing Bubble Lights
Glowing Bubble Lights
Omer Arbel Office Creates Elegant Hanging Lightbulbs
Futuristic Jewelry for Men
Futuristic Jewelry for Men
Yoolhee Ko's Stunning Plastic Pieces Are Large & Light
Flora & Fauna Bricks
Flora & Fauna Bricks
'Brick Habitats' Create Bird Residences & Planters on Your House
Mega Glitter Lights
Mega Glitter Lights
Italian Masiero Crystal Light Fixtures Sparkle in Dazzling Colors
Dismal Lighting Design
Dismal Lighting Design
‘You Only Live Once' Lamp Brightens Our Day With a Creepy Mood
Mobile Mood Lights
Mobile Mood Lights
Set the Tone Using Your Phone With the Colour Therapy Lamp
DIY Lighting
DIY Lighting
Trust In Design's Climbing Lamp Lets You Get Bright and Creative
Creature Lights
Creature Lights
The Headphone Lamp Looks Like a Green Version of the Pixar Logo
Knitted Nintendo Gear
Knitted Nintendo Gear
A Baby Zelda Outfit is Created By Video Game Addicted Parents
Collage Art Bangles
Collage Art Bangles
Cindyg's Bracelets Combines Fancy Script and Crystals
Food Geeking
Food Geeking
DIY Guide Lets Nintendo Geeks Transform a Radish into a Super Mario Mushroom
Classic System Covers
Classic System Covers
Old Nintendo 64 Creatively Customized Into Princess Peach's Castle
Globular Mini-Gardens
Globular Mini-Gardens
Liz Boscacci's Terrariums Turn Into Planters
Manly Chain Accessories
Manly Chain Accessories
Karlina Rodriguez's Man Necklaces Are Great Hipster Accessories
Edible Jewelry
Edible Jewelry
Christophe Roussel's Macaroon Necklace Is a Tasty Treat
Anime Planters
Anime Planters
Koshi Kawachi's 'Manga Farming' Uses Comics as Soil
Zippered Hairbands
Zippered Hairbands
These Flowerly Fashions are all the Rage for Summer 2009
Expandable Eco Bangles
Expandable Eco Bangles
Alex and Ani Recycled Metal Jewelry Inspires the Spirit
Zipper Stripe Sneakers
Zipper Stripe Sneakers
Adidas Nizza Hi Zip Adds a Pop of Neon Color and Texture
Plastic Bag Ballroom Gowns
Plastic Bag Ballroom Gowns
Credit Crunch Couture in Zsofia Kormos's ‘ReClothes'
Manuscript Necklaces
Manuscript Necklaces
Stunning Paper Jewelry by Ana Hagopian is Delicate and Dainty
Zip-Away Fashion
Zip-Away Fashion
The 120-Zipper Dress Goes From a Mini to a Cocktail and Everything in Between
Geeky Nintendo USBs
Geeky Nintendo USBs
Super Mario Memory Sticks Celebrate Classic Gaming
Zippered Jewelry
Zippered Jewelry
Funky Hoop Earrings from Fred Flare Put Zip in Your Wardrobe
Masked Autobot Tees
Masked Autobot Tees
Robots in Disguise T-Shirt Features Mustached Transformers
Handcuff Graffiti Bangles
Handcuff Graffiti Bangles
Ken Leung and Dana Chin Make Street Style Jewelry
Zingy Zipper Handbags
Zingy Zipper Handbags
The Biker Zip Clutch is Covered in Steel Fringe
Zippered Jewelry
Zippered Jewelry
Funky Designs by Kate Cusack Include Necklaces and Bracelets
Fake Moss Bracelets
Fake Moss Bracelets
Woodsy Jewelry Made from Copper and Green Felt
Nintendo Board Games
Nintendo Board Games
Super Mario World by Ashley Buerkett is a 3D Masterpiece
Fabric Planters
Fabric Planters
Non-Woven Polypropylene Gardening Bags Fold Flat for Storage
Geek Luxe Bangles
Geek Luxe Bangles
Pixelated Hermes Bracelet Lets You Nerd up Your Wardrobe
Living Necklaces
Living Necklaces
Rockettoro Pendants Let You Hang Real Blossoms From Your Neck
Architectural Bridal Gowns
Architectural Bridal Gowns
Anne Bowen's Wedding Dresses Are Inspired by NYC Buildings
Ribbon Necklaces
Ribbon Necklaces
Cool Danish Accessories By Kantine
Mobile Pod Kitchens
Mobile Pod Kitchens
The Futuristic 'EGGo' Kitchen Survives Your Camping Trips
15 Cool Innovations for Nintendo Lovers
15 Cool Innovations for Nintendo Lovers
Paper Bag Couture
Paper Bag Couture
Grocery Sacks Become Gorgeous Gowns in Hands of Design Students
Faux Facial Hair Fashion
Faux Facial Hair Fashion
Mustache Balaclavas Give American Apparel A Hairy Twist
Fish Scale Gowns
Fish Scale Gowns
Miley Cyrus Gets Aquatic on Oscars Red Carpet
Facial Hair for Infants
Facial Hair for Infants
Mustaches On Babies Photographed By Alexander Crispin
Bright Bangles
Bright Bangles
Designers Unfurl a Bevy of Bracelets for Spring 2009
Educational Plush Toys
Educational Plush Toys
Activist 'Good News Grizzly' Takes Up Armor for Charity
Inauguration Ball Gowns
Inauguration Ball Gowns
Oscar de la Renta Pushes For Edgier Designs For Hillary Clinton
Haute Couture Royal Gowns
Haute Couture Royal Gowns
Dior Celebrates Its 60th Year in Regal Style
Eco-Chic Footwear
Eco-Chic Footwear
Dacca Boots Are Made From Plastic Bags
Tribal Accessories
Tribal Accessories
Wild Bags and Bangles by Louis Vuitton
play_circle_filledCustom Nintendo Proposals
Custom Nintendo Proposals
Will You Mario Me?
Stark Leaf Necklaces
Stark Leaf Necklaces
Brevity Jewelry Juxtaposes Nature Motifs With Cold Metal
Celebrity Knits for Charity
Celebrity Knits for Charity
Stars for 'Save the Children'
Breathing Plant Pots
Breathing Plant Pots
Intuitive Planters by Jae-Han Song
play_circle_filledSculpture Contests for Charity
Sculpture Contests for Charity
Canstruction 2008
Mixed-Media Jewelry
Mixed-Media Jewelry
Glamoramapuss Handmade Necklaces
Sunlight-Seeking Planters
Sunlight-Seeking Planters
The PlantBot
Toilet Paper Gowns
Toilet Paper Gowns
White Cashmere Collection: A Touch of Pink
play_circle_filledOffensive Ringtones
Offensive Ringtones
'Psycho Teddy' Tune Protested by Mental Health Charity
Potato Jewelry
Potato Jewelry
Spudz Necklaces
28 Camping Innovations
28 Camping Innovations
You Won't Find These on 'Survivor Gabon'
Culinary Camping Gadgets
Culinary Camping Gadgets
Electric Marshmallow Toasters
play_circle_filledTargeting Casual Gamers
Targeting Casual Gamers
Nintendo Overlooking Hardcore Players
Real Life Nintendo
Real Life Nintendo
Video Game Characters Superimposed in the Real World
Story Telling Bangles
Story Telling Bangles
Disaya Jewellery
21 Wild Camping Innovations
21 Wild Camping Innovations
play_circle_filledSocial Justice Bracelets
Social Justice Bracelets
The 46664 Nelson Mandela Bangle by Montblanc
Camping Rafts
Camping Rafts
Floating Cabins
play_circle_filledCut-Out Mustaches
Cut-Out Mustaches
Nike Vintage Shows Love for Retro Facial Hair
Top 21 Recycled Plastic Bag Creations
Top 21 Recycled Plastic Bag Creations
Cancer Survivor Branded Booze
Cancer Survivor Branded Booze
Cleavage Creek's Charity Wine
Plastic Bag Dresses
Plastic Bag Dresses
LUSH Green Awareness Campaign
Dejected, Dysfunctional & Dumped Love Hearts
Dejected, Dysfunctional & Dumped Love Hearts
Bittersweets
Urban Gardens
Urban Gardens
Living Wall Planters
Artifacts of Ex Lovers Exhibit
Artifacts of Ex Lovers Exhibit
Broken Heart Museum
Swiss Glamour Camping Kit
Swiss Glamour Camping Kit
Have All Your Neccesities In One Place
Love Patch
Love Patch
The Cure Of A Broken Heart