22 Easy Crafts To Make And Sell For Extra Money Online
If you’re looking to earn some extra cash, turning to crafting and handmade items can be both profitable and enjoyable. Many people have turned their creative hobbies into lucrative side hustles or even full-time businesses. From trendy accessories to personalized gifts, the market for handmade goods is thriving. This guide will explore 22 easy things to make and sell online that can help you tap into this lucrative market. Each idea is designed to be approachable, even for beginners, and offers the potential for substantial profits with minimal upfront investment.
The Most Profitable and Easy Things to Make and Sell for Extra Money
1. Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are a popular and profitable item in the self-care market. With the rise in wellness trends, bath bombs have become a staple for relaxation and pampering. They can be customized with various colors, scents, and added ingredients like dried flowers or essential oils. The simplicity of making bath bombs—mixing dry ingredients, adding scents, and molding—makes them a great option for beginners. Additionally, bath bombs can be sold individually or in sets, increasing their appeal as gifts.
2. Curated Gift or Subscription Boxes
Curated gift boxes or subscription services offer a personalized touch that customers love. These boxes can be themed around different interests such as self-care, gourmet foods, or seasonal items. By selecting high-quality products and presenting them in a stylish way, you can create a memorable experience for your customers. Subscription boxes, in particular, provide recurring revenue, making them a sustainable business model. This idea requires careful curation and marketing but can be highly profitable.
3. Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts add a unique touch that mass-produced items can’t match. This category includes custom-engraved items, monogrammed accessories, and bespoke art pieces. Personalization can be applied to a wide range of products, from home decor to fashion accessories. By offering custom options, you cater to customers looking for thoughtful and one-of-a-kind presents. Personalized gifts often command higher prices, making them a lucrative option for crafters.
4. Candles
Candles remain a timeless favorite and offer a wide range of customization options. From scented to unscented, and from decorative to functional, candles can be made to suit various tastes and preferences. Crafting candles involves melting wax, adding fragrances or dyes, and pouring the mixture into molds. With a modest initial investment in supplies, you can create candles in different shapes, sizes, and scents. The candle market is vast, and with creative designs, you can stand out and attract a loyal customer base.
5. Jewellery
Handmade jewellery is a popular and profitable craft. From simple beaded bracelets to intricate metalwork, there’s a vast array of possibilities. You can create pieces using various materials like beads, gemstones, or wire. The key to success in jewellery-making is to find a niche or style that sets your designs apart. Quality craftsmanship and unique designs can help you build a strong brand and attract customers willing to pay a premium for custom or handmade jewellery.
6. Ceramics
Ceramics offer endless possibilities for creative expression and are highly sought after for their aesthetic appeal. From mugs and plates to decorative items, ceramics can be both functional and artistic. Although creating ceramics requires some initial investment in materials and equipment, the results can be rewarding. You can experiment with different glazes, shapes, and patterns to develop a unique style. Ceramics can command higher prices, especially for well-crafted and distinctive pieces.
7. Printed Merchandise
Printed merchandise, such as custom t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags, is a popular choice for crafters looking to enter the print-on-demand market. By using print-on-demand services, you can create and sell custom designs without holding inventory. This model is cost-effective and scalable, allowing you to focus on designing and marketing your products. To succeed, you’ll need a keen eye for design trends and the ability to create eye-catching graphics that appeal to your target audience.
8. Cupcake & Cake Decorating
Decorating cupcakes and cakes allows you to combine creativity with culinary skills. Custom cakes and cupcakes are in high demand for events such as birthdays, weddings, and celebrations. You can experiment with different flavors, fillings, and decorations to create visually stunning and delicious treats. This business does require knowledge of food safety and legal considerations for selling baked goods, but the potential for profit and customer satisfaction makes it a worthwhile endeavor.
9. Sweets
Handmade sweets, such as chocolates, candies, and gourmet treats, can be a delightful and profitable venture. With a focus on quality ingredients and unique flavors, you can attract customers looking for premium confectioneries. Creating sweets involves a blend of culinary skill and creativity, allowing you to experiment with flavors and presentations. Like with baked goods, ensure you comply with food safety regulations and consider packaging that highlights the premium nature of your products.
10. Face Masks
The demand for face masks continues, making them a practical and profitable item to sell. You can create masks from various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and specialty materials. Adding custom designs, patterns, or features like filters can enhance their appeal. Face masks are relatively simple to sew, making them accessible for those new to crafting. With attention to quality and design, you can attract customers looking for both functionality and style.
11. Tote Bags
Tote bags are versatile and environmentally friendly, making them a popular choice for customers looking for reusable options. You can personalize tote bags with unique designs, slogans, or artwork. This craft allows for a range of creative expressions, from simple prints to intricate embroidery. Tote bags are practical and often used as promotional items or gifts, providing ample opportunities for customization and branding.
12. Home Decor Items
Handmade home decor items, such as wall art, cushions, and planters, can add a personal touch to any space. This category offers a broad range of possibilities, from painting and woodworking to sewing and crafting. Focus on creating items that complement current home decor trends or cater to specific tastes. High-quality materials and craftsmanship can help your products stand out in a competitive market, appealing to customers looking to personalize their living spaces.
13. Pet Accessories
Pet owners love to pamper their pets, and handmade pet accessories offer a niche market with growing demand. You can create items such as custom collars, pet beds, and toys. Focusing on quality materials and unique designs can set your products apart. Ensure that all pet accessories are safe and comfortable, as pet owners prioritize their animals’ well-being. This market segment offers opportunities for creativity and specialization.
14. Stationery
Handmade stationery, including cards, journals, and planners, appeals to those who appreciate the charm of personalized paper products. You can design unique prints, patterns, and embellishments to create items that stand out. Stationery can be used for personal notes, gifts, or event invitations. Crafting high-quality stationery requires attention to detail and design, but it can be a rewarding way to express creativity and cater to a niche market.
15. Knitted or Crocheted Items
Knitted or crocheted items, such as scarves, hats, and blankets, are timeless crafts that remain popular. These items are especially sought after during colder months and can be customized with different patterns and colors. Knitting and crocheting require some skill and practice, but the results can be both beautiful and practical. Offering a range of styles and sizes can help you reach a broader audience and attract customers looking for cozy, handmade goods.
16. Upcycled Furniture
Upcycling furniture involves transforming old or discarded pieces into new, stylish items. This craft requires some basic carpentry and painting skills, but the results can be highly rewarding. By giving new life to furniture, you create unique and eco-friendly products that appeal to customers interested in sustainable living and vintage aesthetics. Upcycled furniture can be sold locally or online, providing a niche market for one-of-a-kind home furnishings.
17. DIY Craft Kits
Creating and selling DIY craft kits is an excellent way to share your craft skills with others. These kits can include all the materials and instructions needed to complete a specific project, such as making candles, painting, or embroidery. Craft kits cater to both beginners and experienced crafters looking for new projects. By offering a variety of kits, you can attract a wide range of customers and provide them with enjoyable, hands-on experiences.
18. Custom Embroidered Items
Custom embroidery adds a personal touch to clothing, accessories, and home decor. You can create items such as monogrammed towels, embroidered shirts, or personalized hats. This craft requires some skill with embroidery machines or hand stitching, but it allows for a high degree of customization. Customers appreciate the uniqueness and personal touch of embroidered items, making them a popular choice for gifts and personal use.
19. Resin Art
Resin art involves creating decorative pieces using resin, which can be molded into various shapes and combined with different elements like flowers, glitter, or pigments. This craft allows for a wide range of creative possibilities, from coasters and trays to jewelry and wall art. Resin art requires careful handling and curing time but offers the potential for stunning and unique products. It’s a growing trend in the craft market, appealing to customers seeking distinctive and high-quality decor.
20. Handmade Soap
Handmade soap is a popular and practical craft that offers numerous customization options. You can experiment with different ingredients, scents, and colors to create unique soap bars. Many customers prefer handmade soap for its quality and natural ingredients. Crafting soap involves a straightforward process, but attention to detail and creativity can help you stand out in the market. Packaging your soap attractively can also enhance its appeal and increase sales.
21. Woodworking Projects
Woodworking allows you to create a wide range of functional and decorative items, such as shelves, cutting boards, and picture frames. This craft requires some basic woodworking skills and tools but can yield high-quality, durable products. Customers appreciate well-crafted wooden items for their aesthetic appeal and functionality. By focusing on unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship, you can attract buyers looking for custom or handcrafted wooden pieces.
22. Digital Art Prints
Digital art prints are an accessible and profitable option for those skilled in graphic design or digital illustration. You can create artwork for printing on various products, such as posters, cards, or home decor items. Digital art offers the advantage of being easily reproducible and scalable, allowing you to reach a broad audience. Selling digital prints online eliminates the need for physical inventory and shipping, making it a cost-effective and flexible business option.
Conclusion
Crafting and selling handmade items can be a rewarding way to earn extra money while indulging in your creative passions. From bath bombs and personalized gifts to digital art prints and upcycled furniture, there are numerous opportunities to explore. Each of these ideas offers the potential for profitability with relatively low startup costs, making them ideal for those looking to venture into the world of handmade goods. With creativity, dedication, and effective marketing, you can turn your craft into a successful side hustle or even a full-time business.
Where to Sell Your Crafts & Handmade Items Online
Teachable
Teachable stands out as a top platform for selling online courses. It’s user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to set up and manage your course offerings. If your craft includes teaching others, this platform can help you reach learners interested in your expertise.
Etsy
Etsy is the go-to platform for everything handmade and craft-related. It’s well-known for its vast array of unique, handmade items and offers a great marketplace for sellers looking to showcase their creative products.
Amazon Handmade
Leverage Amazon’s massive customer base by listing your handmade products on Amazon Handmade. This platform allows artisans to reach a broader audience while benefiting from Amazon’s established reputation.
Hyena Cart
Hyena Cart is a platform dedicated to eco-friendly products. If your crafts align with sustainable practices, this marketplace can help you connect with environmentally conscious consumers.
Zibbet
Zibbet is an emerging marketplace that’s gaining popularity for discovering new artworks, crafts, and designs. It’s a great place for creative sellers to gain visibility and reach potential buyers.
Aftcra
Aftcra focuses exclusively on handmade items from U.S. sellers. This platform caters to those who create unique, handcrafted products and want to tap into a market of domestic buyers.
Handmadeology Market
Handmadeology Market is an online space dedicated to showcasing well-crafted, handmade items. It provides a platform for artisans to reach an audience specifically interested in quality, handmade goods.
ICraft Gifts
ICraft Gifts is ideal for personalized items, crafts, and gifts. If your products include customization options, this platform can help you connect with customers looking for unique, personalized gifts.
Where to Sell Your Crafts & Handmade Items Offline
While selling online can greatly expand your reach, showcasing your creations locally can also be effective. Here are some of the best offline venues:
Art Fairs
Art fairs offer a platform to display and sell your crafts in person. These events attract art enthusiasts and potential buyers interested in unique, handmade items.
Local Galleries
Local galleries often host exhibitions or sales events featuring handmade crafts. Partnering with galleries can help you gain exposure and connect with art lovers in your community.
Craft Fairs & Retailers
Craft fairs and local retailers are excellent places to showcase your products directly to consumers. These venues allow you to interact with potential buyers and receive immediate feedback on your creations.
Small Shops Looking to Stock Local Brands
Approaching small, independent shops that focus on local brands can provide opportunities to stock your products. These shops often seek unique, handmade items to offer their customers.
Pros & Cons of Starting Your Own DIY Craft Business
Starting a DIY craft business comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. Here’s a breakdown to consider before diving in:
Pros
Cons
How to Make Things to Sell as a Beginner
Starting a craft business as a beginner can be daunting, but there are resources available to guide you. Here’s how to get started:
What Handmade Items Are in Demand?
To find out what handmade items are currently popular, explore these resources:
By utilizing these tools and keeping an eye on market trends, you can better understand what items are in demand and tailor your products accordingly.