How to Make Money Crafting

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6:00 AM

Learn How to Make Money Crafting from Home!

Turn your favorite past time into a part time side hustle!

Everyone wants to make a little extra spending money this time of year.

I know that I love "paying off" my supplies by selling some of the things I make, this way they are paying rent to take up space on my desk, floor, table, spilling out of my craft room, etc.

Creativity is contagious, pass it on. Albert Einstein Hand lettering by doodlecraft

Do you have to turn everything you love into a side hustle?

No.

Of course not.

If you don't want to, this post isn't for you...just go craft something wonderful.

If you are excited about the possibilities of the things you love making also making you an income, this post is for you.

Let's start by answering a few simple (but impossible) questions:

What to sell?
How to sell?
Where to sell?
How much to sell for?

Do you have to turn everything you love into a side hustle? No. Of course not. If you don't want to, this post isn't for you...just go craft something wonderful. If you are excited about the possibilities of the things you love making also making you an income, this post is for you. Let's start by answering a few simple (but impossible) questions: What to sell? How to sell? Where to sell? How much to sell for?

What to Sell?

What are you passionate about? What do you love to make?

If you make candles, that's a great product to start with.

If you do custom vinyl, start there.

The best thing to do is start with something you already have and make it work for you.

When you start making income, put some back into the business and invest in new products or new skills.

I suggest starting with something easy and inexpensive to ship. (not glass, nothing bulky)
Stickers, Bumper stickers, custom vinyl, custom pet art, greeting cards, watercolor painting prints, paper crafts, printables, etc.

If you are a designer or good with Adobe, Canva or Illustrator, I totally suggest starting with downloadables, svg's, printables, digital files, etc.

What to Sell? What are you passionate about? What do you love to make? If you make candles, that's a great product to start with. If you do custom vinyl, start there. The best thing to do is start with something you already have and make it work for you. When you start making income, put some back into the business and invest in new products or new skills. I suggest starting with something easy and inexpensive to ship. (not glass, nothing bulky) Stickers, Bumper stickers, custom vinyl, custom pet art, greeting cards, watercolor painting prints, paper crafts, printables, etc. If you are a designer or good with Adobe, Canva or Illustrator, I totally suggest starting with downloadables, svg's, printables, digital files, etc.

Customize/Personalize.

Everyone wants customized and personalized stuff these days.

Customizing generic things is a great way to start a side hustle.

Think: Baby's 1st ornament, Name tumblers, Cake Toppers, Handmade Cards...

Customize/Personalize. Everyone wants customized and personalized stuff these days. Customizing generic things is a great way to start a side hustle. Think: Baby's 1st ornament, Name tumblers, Cake Toppers, Handmade Cards...

What do you have laying around?

Silk flowers--Maybe make hair bows and sell them.

Wood Scraps--Maybe make front porch signs and sell them.

Fabric--Maybe make microwavable bean bags for cold Winter hands.

Vinyl--Maybe start with canister labels and bumper stickers.

If you can utilize what you already have on hand, there will be less initial investment.

Just get started and start turning a profit.

What do you have laying around? Silk flowers? Maybe make hair bows and sell them. Wood Scraps? Maybe make front porch signs and sell them. Fabric? Maybe make microwavable bean bags for cold Winter hands. Vinyl? Maybe start with canister labels and bumper stickers. If you can utilize what you already have on hand, there will be less initial investment. Just get started and start turning a profit.

What TOOLS do you ALREADY have?

When I was super poor and had young kids, I totally splurged on $50 worth of Stampin' Up supplies...a stamp set, paper and ink.

I made handmade cards and sold them on eBay and at a neighborhood boutique and actually made quite the profit--I mean, enough to buy my kids diapers and keep making cards.

I also had the kindest woman place an order for 100 handmade cards.

But that was the kindest gesture when I desperately needed money and she allowed me to work for it.

(I think of her often and try to pay it forward with others I know are struggling)

Here's some cards I made after I had a little more money to put back into my business and buy more stamps.

I colored them with colored pencils.

I found scrapbook paper and embellishments at yard sales.

What TOOLS do you ALREADY have? When I was super poor and had young kids, I totally splurged on $50 worth of Stampin' Up supplies...a stamp set, paper and ink. I made handmade cards and sold them on eBay and at a neighborhood boutique and actually made quite the profit--I mean, enough to buy my kids diapers and keep making cards. I also had the kindest woman place an order for 100 handmade cards. But that was the kindest gesture when I desperately needed money and she allowed me to work for it. (I think of her often and try to pay it forward with others I know are struggling) Here's some cards I made after I had a little more money to put back into my business and buy more stamps. I colored them with colored pencils. I found scrapbook paper and embellishments at yard sales.

How to Sell?

They say that a person needs to be exposed to a product 13 times before they make a purchase...so advertising, getting the word out to the world and marketing is key.

Work with influencers that have a following, work with social media accounts that have the same vibe as your product.

Contact individuals, send them free products and ask them to share.

Yes, influencers want/expect to be paid for their time, so don't be afraid to invest a little in promoting/advertising.

Big Brands are working with influencers on social media---more than TV commercials, because THAT is what WORKS right now.

If you are looking to connect with influencers that will work in exchange for products, check out Social Cat or Shopify Collabs.

I've been working as an influencer with them and they both have great platforms...I don't know much on the seller side, but check it out.

How to Sell? They say that a person needs to be exposed to a product 13 times before they make a purchase...so advertising, getting the word out to the world and marketing is key. Work with influencers that have a following, work with social media accounts that have the same vibe as your product. Contact individuals, send them free products and ask them to share. Yes, influencers want/expect to be paid for their time, so don't be afraid to invest a little in promoting/advertising. Big Brands are working with influencers on social media---more than TV commercials, because THAT is what WORKS right now. If you are looking to connect with influencers that will work in exchange for products, check out Social Cat or Shopify Collabs. I've been working as an influencer with them and they both have great platforms...I don't know much on the seller side, but check it out.

Where to Sell?

Start on your own social media.

Get business accounts on all platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Pinterest, Threads, and YouTube.

Get your business name for all of them, try to keep them the same on all platforms for cohesion.

Set up a FREE Etsy account and post listings there.
Sell on eBay.
Sell on Amazon Handmade.
Sell directly through social channels like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Set up a Shopify Store front, it's a fixed price per month no matter how much you are selling.
Facebook Marketplace or local listings like Craigs List or Classifieds
Set up a Website.
Sell at events like fairs, conventions, flea markets, swap meets, etc.
Rent or sublease space in a like-minded place locally.

Let your friends and family know that you are starting a business, ask for their support...through likes, shares, comments, engagement.

Support other small business and friends.

Shop small and local if you can.

There are so many wonderful and FREE ways to support small business!

Booths and Events.

Lots of people love selling at boutiques, farmer's markets, events, conventions, etc...the type of place you need inventory, tables and displays and lots of helpers!

Typically you get a 10x10 or 10x20 space to set up your stuff. Buying in to the event can cost anywhere between $10 to more than $1000.

The event will advertise and get lots of your customers there, especially if they are well established events (ie, Pinners, Comic Conventions and Fairs).

There are typically discount codes for you to offer your customers if they attend the events as well and there can be kickbacks for you if people use your code.

Events can be extremely lucrative--if that's your vibe.

Here's some booth tips if that's what you are excited about:

Sell at boutiques/markets that are applicable to your items (like if you sell D&D dice sets, go to a Comic/Gamer convention...go where YOUR people are)
Make sure you can ACCEPT electronic payments, venmo isn't always enough, especially if the internet is spotty. (Get the Square or PayPal Business App and reader)
Have weights or sandbags to hold down the tables, plan for inclement weather.
Get stretchy tablecloths that go under the legs of the table so they won't blow away or up in the breeze.
Find out if you will have access to electricity. (Bring fans if it's hot)
Clearly label the prices. People will not ask for the price...but the right price can entice a buyer.

Where to Sell? Start on your own social media. Get business accounts on all platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Pinterest, Threads, and YouTube. Get your business name for all of them, try to keep them the same on all platforms for cohesion. Set up a FREE Etsy account and post listings there. Sell on eBay. Sell on Amazon Handmade. Sell directly through social channels like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Set up a Shopify Store front, it's a fixed price per month no matter how much you are selling. Facebook Marketplace or local listings like Craigs List or Classifieds Set up a Website. Let your friends and family know that you are starting a business, ask for their support...through likes, shares, comments, engagement. Support other small business and friends. Shop small and local if you can. There are so many wonderful and FREE ways to support small business!

Passive Income:

Passive income is where it is at.

Imagine making money while you sleep...while you are on vacation...and while you are working on other things.

Here's some ways to create a passive income:

Start a Blog.

The best advice I ever heard was "there is ALWAYS room for another great crafting blog". You are not obsolete just because other people are doing it too.

How many crafting bloggers do you follow? Lots, right!?

The big crafting blogs followers will follow you too--easy!

Income comes through various streams...selling through your email list for direct sales, advertising on your website (trust me, this is BIG, it may seem annoying, but this is how the majority of bloggers can offer so much for FREE, me included) Advertising companies like Google Adsense is a good place to start, but look into Mediavine other ad agencies.

Seriously, some bloggers make $50K a month. (lol, that's not me...yet)

It doesn't happen over night...but start today to make a better tomorrow.

Start a Facebook Group.

Some facebook groups are creating passive income for people.

Make a group to market your crafts, spotlight and share and learn with like-minded souls.

Link to your store, blog or website regularly.

Be an Influencer.

Be the person that other businesses come to to promote their products.

Influencers get product and get paid most of the times too.

Make that social media work for you.

E-Books and Digital Courses.

Create a course, class, instructions, or other digital download.

It's work to create the course/class/instructions, to be sure...but then it's done and you can continue to sell the product forever.

Design something once, sell it millions of times.

Online classes can be hosted on other sites like Skillshare, Craftys, and Udemy.

Sell Stock Photos.

Maybe your passion is photography.

Take pictures and sell them as stock photos to Shutterstock, Getty Images or Adobe Stock Contributor Program.

Sell Digital Files.

If you are a graphic artist/designer, use those skills to sell your files.

Make SVG's, Tumbler wraps, Laser Cutting files, fonts, templates, and more and sell them on Etsy as well as digital download sites like Design Bundles, Creative Fabrica, or the Hungry Jpeg.

If you make high quality SVG's, apply with Cricut as a Contributing Artist and get paid every time someone cuts your file.

Plus, you can sell them at all these places simultaneously!

Passive Income: Passive income is where it is at. Imagine making money while you sleep...while you are on vacation...and while you are working on other things. Here's some ways to create a passive income: Start a Blog. The best advice I ever heard was "there is ALWAYS room for another great crafting blog". You are not obsolete just because other people are doing it too. How many crafting bloggers do you follow? Lots, right!? The big crafting blogs followers will follow you too--easy! Income comes through various streams...selling through your email list for direct sales, advertising on your website (trust me, this is BIG, it may seem annoying, but this is how the majority of bloggers can offer so much for FREE, me included) Advertising companies like Google Adsense is a good place to start, but look into Mediavine other ad agencies. Seriously, some bloggers make $50K a month. (lol, that's not me...yet) It doesn't happen over night...but start today to make a better tomorrow. Start a Facebook Group. Some facebook groups are creating passive income for people. Make a group to market your crafts, spotlight and share and learn with like-minded souls. Link to your store, blog or website regularly. Be an Influencer. Be the person that other businesses come to to promote their products. Influencers get product and get paid most of the times too. Make that social media work for you. E-Books and Digital Courses. Create a course, class, instructions, or other digital download. It's work to create the course/class/instructions, to be sure...but then it's done and you can continue to sell the product forever. Design something once, sell it millions of times. Online classes can be hosted on other sites like Skillshare, Craftys, and Udemy. Sell Stock Photos. Maybe your passion is photography. Take pictures and sell them as stock photos to Shutterstock, Getty Images or Adobe Stock Contributor Program. Sell Digital Files. If you are a graphic artist/designer, use those skills to sell your files. Make SVG's, Tumbler wraps, Laser Cutting files, fonts, templates, and more and sell them on Etsy as well as digital download sites like Design Bundles, Creative Fabrica, or the Hungry Jpeg. If you make high quality SVG's, apply with Cricut as a Contributing Artist and get paid every time someone cuts your file. Plus, you can sell them at all these places simultaneously!

Teach Live Classes:

Maybe you love teaching classes.

Classes are a great way to bring in some extra income--again, make sure you can accept electronic payments through square or paypal...not just venmo.

I taught at Pinner's Conference back in 2018 and loved it...but don't want to do it again. LOL!

It was fast and furious, set up and take down...but I came out $500 richer afterwards so it was totally worth my time and half day spent.

I bought my products for the class direct from the company and they gave me a wholesale price.

I sold my kits for a very reasonable amount, but was able to come out ahead because 100 people attended the class.

Still, I had left over product and it's a bit tiring...but it might be exactly your thing!

Here's my van loaded up prior to the event.

Pinners let me come down the night before for the VIP event and bring my stuff to have in a holding area so I didn't have to haul it all in right before the class.

It was orchestrated really smoothly.

I had to have all the supplies for the class, and students paid for them at the door.

I hired two of my friends to come and help me, they took payments and passed out kits.

The class was only taught once that weekend, and it was only one hour long.

Other Live Class Event Ideas:

Look into local craft stores or shops that you could teach classes out of.
Maybe the local coffee shop will let you teach a paint night there.
Host craft nights where you supply kits for those in attendance and make sure they are covering the costs plus some.
Teach a kids craft camp during the Summer, charge enough to make the few hours worth your time and not just equal cheap babysitting.
Check out the art scene in your area and see what classes are taught locally and find out about adding to them.
Host a Craft Workshop or Super Saturday.

Teach Live Classes: Maybe you love teaching classes. Classes are a great way to bring in some extra income. I taught at Pinner's Conference back in 2018 and loved it. I had to have all the supplies for the class, and students paid for them at the door. I hired two of my friends to come and help me. It was fast and furious, set up and take down...but I came out $500 richer afterwards so it was totally worth my time and day spent. I bought my products for the class direct from the company and they gave me a wholesale price. I sold my kits for a very reasonable amount, but was able to come out ahead because 100 people attended the class. Still, I had left over product and it's a bit tiring...but it might be exactly your thing! Look into local craft stores or shops that you could teach classes out of. Maybe the local coffee shop will let you teach a paint night there. Host craft nights where you supply kits for those in attendance and make sure they are covering the costs plus some. Teach a kids craft camp during the Summer, charge enough to make the few hours worth your time and not just equal cheap babysitting. Check out the art scene in your area and see what classes are taught locally and find out about adding to them. Host a Craft Workshop or Super Saturday.

How much to sell for?

Pricing is complicated.

It's hard to know what to price things at.

Here's my basic guide:

Pricing is tricky.

Sometimes it's hard to charge what you are worth...and unfortunately, it brings the whole market down when someone is selling tumblers for $10.

Say I'm selling a tumbler, I'd charge $6 for supplies, and about 30 minutes of work--unless I am doing custom graphics, in which case, it's much more time. So I'd settle for $20 to $30.

Of course if you are just doing a side hustle, you can decide a price that works for both parties.

It's important to FEEL good about the price you are charging.

If you are doing it for too cheap, it will make you despise the creating process...so make sure you are charging a price that makes you dance!

That's it!

I think we've covered the basics of making money crafting--plus a big list of ways to make passive income.

I hope it's helpful!

I know we could all use a little extra this time of year.

Let me know in the comments if you have other suggestions!

Like, Pin and Save!

Learn how to make money crafting. Learn what to sell, how to sell, where to sell and how to price your items to sell.

Here's more Individual Craft Specific articles to help you launch your side hustle/small business:

Cricut (or Electronic Cutting Machine) Business:

If you have a Cricut, or other electronic cutting machine, I have a bunch of posts dedicated to starting a business with Cricut.

Read through them and decide what you like, want to do, or what works for you.

How to Start a Cricut Business from Home

Learn how to make money with a Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker...even the Cricut Joy can do a lot of projects to help you earn a little extra on the side.