I’ve found all kinds of gift ideas for less than $50—gorgeous leather totes, unusual plants, funky glassware, cheery ceramics, personalized jewelry and more.

Shopping at maker marketplaces supports small businesses, but since you’re not buying from major U.S. retailers, proceed with care. As is typical, Etsy, the granddaddy of these sites, warns that it doesn’t guarantee or endorse any items or content posted by sellers.

My tips to stay safe and shop smart:

1. Watch out for gotchas. Shipping and return policies can vary dramatically, so read them closely. Sales may be final, and shipping fees may sting. A beautiful beeswax candle set I found on Etsy cost only $8, but shipping—from the U.K.—was an additional $21.

2. Get the details. Study product descriptions for dimensions, materials and weight. If you have a question, message the seller through the site before ordering.

3. Narrow your search. Sort by price (and many other criteria) on most sites to avoid getting distracted by budget busters.

4. Check the feedback. Read reviews—not just ratings—to learn about products and sellers. If a seller has no reviews, seek out other vendors.

5. Scope out the shop. See an item you like? Look at the vendor’s other goods for insight into whom you’re dealing with and to get more gift ideas. I liked a ring holder on one site, but the tiny, uneven assortment of other offerings made me think twice.

6. Stand up for yourself. Contact the seller if something goes awry. I bought a handmade laptop case a few years ago, but when it arrived, it didn’t fit as advertised. After I complained, the seller shipped out a new one, plus a free iPhone case.

7. Take your case higher. If the seller isn’t responsive to complaints, contact the host website. It may mediate a solution, although there are no guarantees; your best protection is trying to avoid a problematic seller or item in the first place.

Some maker marketplaces to check out:
▶︎ Etsy. Click on Gift mode and get ideas based on whom you’re shopping for—wife, child or neighbor, for example. etsy.com
▶︎ Amazon Handmade. Search for Prime-eligible products and get fast, free shipping if you’re a member. amazon.com/handmade
▶︎ MakerPlace by Michaels. You’ll find a gift guide as well as how-tos so you can make your own presents. michaels.com/makerplace
▶︎ Artisans Cooperative. Browse gift guides including “unique stocking stuffers” and “artisan crafted gifts for children.” artisans.coop
▶︎ Cratejoy. Shop a wide selection of themed gift basket subscriptions, most of which auto-renew. To avoid unwanted renewals, click on the Give as a Gift box, where you can limit the number of deliveries. cratejoy.com
▶︎ iCraft and Goimagine. These sites have a homier vibe. On Goimagine, you can find sellers near you. icraftgifts.com, goimagine.com