Michaels is rolling out MakerPlace, an online marketplace for selling handmade goods, along with artist-led classes, and how-to guides. The arts and crafts retailer’s new digital platform offers a variety of categories including jewelry, home décor, art, accessories, crafting arts, bath and beauty, and clothing.

Users in the U.S. can browse handmade goods and learn creative skills through maker-led classes and tutorials, while MakerPlace sellers have listed hundreds of thousands of products alongside classes and how-to guides for beginners, hobbyists, and professionals. The membership-based model offers Basic and Professional tiers for sellers and offers multiple shipping options. 

The platform was developed in response to Michaels research that found nearly three in four makers believe there’s a gap in the online marketplace landscape today, with existing platforms either too expensive to join or too competitive due to an overflow of users, postings, and products the retailer said.

The MakerPlace platform offers free product listings and low referral fees, with a view to making it accessible for artists and makers. In addition, sellers can earn more through virtual classes and how-to guides with commission opportunities for materials purchased on Michaels.com.

“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,” said Ashley Buchanan, Michaels CEO. “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.”