16 Easy Crafts to Make and Sell: Unlock Your Creative Potential

Are you a DIY enthusiast looking to make a little extra money while indulging in your favorite hobby? Crafting is the perfect opportunity for you to do just that— and with so many options out there, it’s never been easier!

From painting and woodworking to jewelry-making and knitwear designs, crafting has something for every mompreneur out there.

We understand how difficult it can be to find inspiration for crafts to make and sell. That’s why we’ve compiled a few DIY ideas to get those creative juices flowing! Take these concepts as starting points, and embrace your unique skills and vision to make them your own.

Here are sixteen hot craft ideas you can make and sell for profit and how to get started with each.

1. Jewelry Making

Jewelry making is a popular and easy craft idea for all ages. You can use various materials and techniques when making jewelry, such as beading, metalwork, clay sculpting, wire wrapping, or macramé.

Aside from making earrings and bracelets, have you considered a permanent jewelry business? Google Trends shows searches for “permanent jewelry” skyrocketing 1,300% compared to the last twelve months.

If you choose to sell handmade jewelry, expect a lot of competition. Experiment with different styles and colors to create one-of-a-kind pieces that will be sure to stand out. Try to find your niche or portion of the market!

2. Homemade Jar Candles

Turn your crafting skills into an aromatherapy session with homemade jar candles. This is simpler than you think and inexpensive compared to the store-bought version.

Use hot glue to stick the wicks to the center of the bottom of a mason jar. Melt the wax over the heated water in a double boiler. Remember to use a safe wax type (such as soy or beeswax) when pouring your candles— this will ensure that they burn longer without releasing toxic fumes. Add essential oils to your candles for extra relaxation and aroma.

3. Crochet and Knitting Designs

Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? If so, why not make some blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, or other handmade items to sell? There are endless patterns and styles that you can use as a starting point for your creations.

You can also experiment with different yarn textures and colors to create one-of-a-kind items that customers will love. Plus, you don’t need much to get cracking– just some yarn, needles, hooks, and creativity!

4. Woodworking

If you’re a fan of woodworking, consider making custom furniture pieces or home decorations for customers. Type in “wooden” into Pinterest or Etsy’s search bar, and you will find everything from airplane toys and wall art to boxes and birdhouses.

If you are very crafty, try upcycling old furniture into something new with paint, stain, and other embellishments. With woodworking, the possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild!

5. Wall Art

For budding painters or artists, wall art pieces are a great way to showcase your skills. You can create custom artwork or unique prints that customers won’t be able to find anywhere else.

You can create wall art on different canvases, such as stretched canvas, wood panels, or even fabric. Consider selling vinyl wall art decals or framed prints if that is your style.

6. Picture Frames

Picture frames are a relatively easy-to-make and fun craft for kids and adults. They add a personal touch to any home or office décor and make great gifts!

The frames can be made of mosaic tiles, wood pallets, plastic, metal, or even popsicles! Plus, you can customize them with paint, fabric, crystals, and other embellishments that catch the eye.

7. Handmade Signs

Handmade signs are perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of rustic charm to their home or business. Signs are relatively easy to construct and ship when you get some practice, making them a great craft to sell online.

There are many ways to make a DIY sign. For one, you can buy inexpensive birch plywood from your home improvement store to create a beautiful handmade sign. Paint and letter the sign with stencils or hand-letter it if you have great handwriting.

8. DIY Bath Bombs

Making bath bombs is a fun indoor project that is surprisingly simple. You can create stunning scents and colors with essential oils, food coloring, and other ingredients.

Packaging is another essential for bath bombs – ensure to keep them protected from moisture so they don’t get mushy! DIY bath bombs are low-cost and sell at a good price point; you probably have most of the ingredients at home.

9. DIY Phone Case

People will always need a case for their phone and like to buy one that reflects their personality and style. Phone cases are a great way to keep your devices safe and are inexpensive to make, but can easily sell for $20 or more.

You can make custom cases with durable materials like leather, silicone, or felt. Cut out the shape of the phone case and add holes for the camera, socket, and buttons. Customize it with paint, glitter, beads, rhinestones, nail polish, or stamps for the finished look!

10. No-Sew Pillow Cover

Don’t know how to sew? No problem! No-sew pillow covers are fun, cute, and marketable, selling for as much as $50 a pop at craft fairs. Pillows are an easy craft to make and sell and one way to use up leftover fabric. You can create custom pillow covers with fabric adhesive rather than relying on a needle and thread.

If you cannot find a nice fabric with patterns and colors, take a plain white one and decorate it with some paint! Use painter’s tape to control the look of your design.

11. Online Courses

You can create and sell an online course if you’re an expert in a specific craft or skill. Record instructional videos and create accompanying PDF documents to help students learn your art. Find your audience on social media or sites like Skillshare or YouTube.

You can also build a community of learners by providing support via Facebook groups, webinars, and more. Online courses allow you to share your knowledge with the world while making a profit!

12. Graphic Tees

Graphic tees are a great way to express your creativity and make money. Using heat transfer vinyl, or iron-on, you can design simple or intricate designs and transfer them onto t-shirts. You can even experiment with different materials, such as fabric markers, embroidery thread, and fabric paint.

If you like creating digital graphics, you can sell them as t-shirt designs on platforms like Redbubble and Teespring. If you are a photographer and have albums of beachy waves or breathtaking landscapes, you can design graphic tees with your photos!

13. Tote Bags

Tote bags are a popular item for both everyday use and special occasions. You could sell many types of tote bags, for example, tote bags for kids, moms, college students, teachers, and other professionals.

To appeal to customers, you can make totes in many different sizes, colors, and fabrics. Get creative with this project – add pocket details, appliqués, or embroidery for a truly unique look.

Like graphic tees, selling crafts online on sites such as Teespring and Redbubble has never been easier – feel free to transfer your finished design onto pre-made bags and not worry about shipping or returns.

14. Pottery

Pottery is a timeless art form that customers of all ages will love. Consider making mugs, soap dishes, bowls, or other home decor crafts. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials online to help you get started.

During the hard leather stage, the hardened clay is ready to trim. Add handles or other altercations with sculpting tools. When the clay is dry, fire them in a kiln. Once your pieces are finished, glaze them with vibrant colors for a beautiful finish.

15. Suncatcher

Suncatchers often sell well at craft shows and are one of the more unique DIY crafts. They can be simple or complex to make, and their dazzling designs appeal to many. All you need is memory wire, pliers, and other materials like beads or sequins.

To make a suncatcher, use the pliers to bend a shape, such as a heart or a circle. Hoop one end of the wire so the beads cannot fall off. Then, string the beads onto the wire, and twist or knot the other end. Hang your suncatcher near a window or in an outdoor area so the sunlight can make it sparkle.

16. Stickers

Stickers are a great craft to make and sell, as they’re affordable and easy to customize. You can create stickers using adhesive sticker paper and a Cricut machine, or if you don’t have one, you can pay a company such as GotPrint or Sticker Mule to do it for you.

Canva is an excellent tool for designing stickers, as it offers templates and digital tools to help you create something unique. You can profit by selling your creations on Etsy, using a marketplace like Redbubble, or creating an online sticker shop.

There are many cool craft ideas you can try to make extra cash, from facial scrubs to graphic tees and suncatchers. Many of these DIY project ideas require minimal supplies and can sell for healthy profit margins.

Whether you’re just starting or an experienced crafter, these projects are a great way to make money and express your creativity. Now grab your supplies and put together some fantastic creations– the possibilities are endless!

This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.