2025 DIY Craft Market Growth: Why 85 Million People Are Choosing Hand-Made Over AI

AI creates perfect images in seconds, yet humans are spending months on a single ceramic lamp. In 2025, the world is witnessing a remarkable shift. People are putting down their smartphones and picking up crochet needles and clay. It's not just a hobby; it's a movement toward the human touch—the choices, the imperfections, and the emotions that machines simply cannot replicate.

2025 DIY Craft Market Growth and the Digital Detox Movement

The overall craft industry in the US reached approximately US $51 billion in 2025 and is projected to surge to $87.38 billion by 2035. According to recent reports, about 71% of US consumers now identify as crafters, representing roughly 85 million active creatives across North America. This boom is fueled by a desire to ditch mass-produced items in favor of personal expression and sustainable consumerism.

Crafting for Mental Well-being: A Gen Z Trend

A 2025 survey in Great Britain revealed that 30 percent of Gen Z participate in crafts for mental wellbeing—more than double compared to older age groups. For artists like Viktor Kushchenko of KUSTceramics, pottery is a lifeline. Operating out of Kyiv, he uses ceramic art to cope with the stress of conflict and has launched rehabilitation programs to help others adjust to life off the frontlines through creativity.