There are plenty of ways to make a little extra cash on the side. Reselling thrift sweaters on Poshmark, delivering fast food for Grubhub, or even pet-sitting through a site like Rover.
The truth is this: side hustles are something that we’re all either thinking about, doing, or want to be doing at this point in time.
If you enjoy a little crochet after a long day of work or baking on the weekends, you can totally look to your hobbies for a means of money-making.
The list of what you can make and sells for a side hustle is potentially endless, but I’m going to help get you started here. Here’s a look at 15 homemade items you can make and sell, plus, where you can sell these handcrafted goodies.
What’s Ahead:
1. Baked goods
If you’re like me, you may be more comfortable with a spatula than a sewing needle. If that’s the case, consider selling homemade baked goods.
If you decide to pursue this option, keep in mind that items made for consumption have special regulations, called cottage food laws. Most states require your personal baking utensils and equipment be different than those you use for business, and some states even require a completely separate kitchen. Additionally, you may need certain licensing and perhaps an inspection to do business in your own kitchen. Research your state’s laws, available through your local occupational or health department, on selling food from home.
While your ingredients may cost nothing more than a little pocket change per cookie or muffin, be sure to calculate additional expenses, like labor, taxes, cupcake liners, and even website maintenance and business cards. All in all, you’ll probably spend up to $2 per baked good for production, so aim to sell your treats for $4-$5 to make a decent profit.
2. Necklaces
Handmade necklaces have a number of advantages over store-bought alternatives.
You can design these accessories to your liking (or your friends’), and the tools are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of a single accessory. DIY necklaces can even meet practical needs. Create a decorative chain to attach to your mask or use silicone beads to create a teething necklace for moms of babies.
Since designs and materials are so varied, the cost of production and pricing for this product can be difficult to pin down, but a quick Google search can give you tons of candle-making ideas. And just search “candles” on Etsy to learn how much you can sell your own creations for.
3. Soaps
Have you ever tried to read the list of ingredients in your body wash? Not only is it filled with words I don’t know, but I can hardly pronounce most of them (and I’m a professional writer)!
Handmade bar soaps, body scrubs, and even bath bombs are particularly trendy products because so many consumers today truly care about what they’re putting on their bodies. Not only that, but buyers interested in zero waste practices love the lack of plastic in products like bar soaps versus bottled body wash.
Typically, bar soaps cost just a few dollars to produce (in bulk), but artisan bar soaps sell for twice, sometimes three times that online.
4. Macrame goods
Macrame is another current trend, so you can charge a pretty penny for these handmade goods. Additionally, a macrame cord or rope is the only essential material you’ll need to get started, so this craft can be inexpensive to create.
Once you’ve mastered some basic knots, there are a number of products you could make, including plant hangers, wall decor, coasters, keychains, and even petite little earrings. The size of your project will dictate the width and length of cord or rope you purchase, but there are plenty of $10 spools from Amazon that are great for beginners.
5. Dog collars
It’s easy to find a basic red or blue collar at your local Walmart, but some of us want a little extra “bling” for our furry friends. With a few simple materials, you can create colorful accessories for your pet and plenty of others.
After you’ve selected some fabric and thread, you’ll need to order some specific supplies in bulk, like buckles, D-rings, and tri-glide clips. You’ll also need a heavy-duty sewing machine for this project, as collars will require sewing several layers of fabric together.
Fortunately, there are plenty of pet lovers who are happy to fork out the cash to dress up their pets.
6. Children’s toys
If you’re a parent or have friends with young children, consider crocheting or sewing unique toys for kids.
There are plenty of toys you can create from a simple set of supplies, like felt play food or even crocheted hatching dinosaurs (seriously, Google them, they’re adorable). You can even make toys with materials you have lying around the house!
To keep costs down, start by recycling fabrics for materials. If you’d like to try your hand at crochet, expect an initial investment of $10-$30, then roughly $5 per roll of yarn, then price your masterpieces using the balanced method, from Crochetpreneur.
7. Fridge magnets
Of all the crafts in this list, magnets are arguably the simplest.
All you need are (of course) magnets, a hot glue gun and glue sticks, and something fridge-worthy to feature. Plenty of simple tutorials from HGTV can show you how to make various different magnets. However, there are a number of cute and creative items you can showcase using magnets, like these tiny vase magnets for $56!
You can order a pack of 120 magnets for just $10.99 on Amazon and a basic glue gun with glue sticks for a dollar more. That’s a pretty cheap investment, and depending on how clever your idea is, you can charge $10, $20, or even $50 for a small set of fridge magnets!
8. Artwork
Whether you prefer acrylic paintings, watercolor, or simple black and white sketches, selling your one-of-a-kind artwork is another excellent means of making money off your creative endeavors.
One reason artwork is such a great craft to sell is because you can sell it digitally. Create one unique and popular design and sell the same printable piece over and over again! You can even develop downloadable designs to use as wallpaper backgrounds for laptops and cell phones.
Typically, digital artwork sells for just a few dollars per piece, but this is a great money-maker for those who have little spare time and want a product they can leave on auto-pilot.
9. Hair accessories
If sewing kids’ toys caught your attention, hair accessories may be another ideal money-maker for you.
The beauty of hair accessories is there are so many different fabrics you can utilize for these products, making your exclusive designs even more attractive. There are plenty of easy tutorials online for scrunchies, headbands, and such; and you can recycle old clothes and fabrics for this project too.
If you don’t already own a sewing machine, expect to pay $100 or more for a new sewing machine. Or, try your local thrift store for a cheaper, entry-level option. My husband and I purchased ours secondhand from Goodwill for around $20.
Despite the potentially pricey cost up-front, the materials for this craft are quite inexpensive. One scrunchie costs roughly $1 for materials and sells for $3-$5.
10. Candles
As pricey as they are, candles are extremely easy to make. They feature a variety of colors and scents, fun vessels like mason jars and tins, and sometimes even dried herbs and flowers in the wax.
On Etsy, most candles are priced between $10 and $25, and they typically cost just $3-$4 each to make and ship, according to Candle Science. But, add a creative twist to your product to help it stand out. You can also charge a little more than your competitors if your product has a one-of-a-kind design.
For instance, a popular store on Etsy, Get A Whiff Co sells their candles for $23.99 or $31.99, depending on the size.
11. Concrete planters
If you’re a green thumb like me, you’ll love this DIY product.
Concrete planters can be made in a number of unique shapes, sizes, and, yes, even colors! As if those perks weren’t enough to pique your interest, concrete planters are CHEAP! You can purchase a 60-pound bag of concrete from Home Depot for just $3 and sell a single planter for five times that!
Here is an easy tutorial for large planters you can create with a five-gallon bucket.
12. Resin coasters
Resin is another excellent tool for crafting enthusiasts. You can use resin to create anything from bookmarks to hair clips, but one super simple item to make with this material is coasters.
Resin coasters require a simple, circular mold, and you can use a number of decorative materials to spice up the design. Dried flowers and herbs, for example, make for a gorgeous and inexpensive addition to your coasters. Or, think up a design that’s outside the box to set your product apart.
Start with a clear polyester casting or epoxy resin (which you can get on Amazon for around $50). In addition to the resin, you’ll need a few extra tools, including protective gear (gloves and goggles), a nonstick work surface, and measuring cups and stir sticks.
13. Clay earrings
This craft is a great option for folks who want a smaller project that sells for a big profit.
Polymer clay earrings are especially trendy today, and there’s virtually an unlimited number of designs you can create. Geometric pieces (which you can find thousands of on Etsy) are extremely popular, but you can also branch out and think up unique designs.
Polymer clay is a great DIY material for a number of reasons; it’s non-toxic, quick-drying, durable, and incredibly easy to use. Plus, these stylish accessories typically sell for $10-$20 per pair.
14. Embroidery
Like macrame, embroidered goods are incredibly popular, and there are a number of ways to make your designs stand out.
To get started, pick up a basic embroidery hoop, some cotton embroidery floss, and a few extra tools, like needles and scissors. You can find simple designs online to learn various stitches, but eventually, you can create and sell your own unique designs, offering customizable products — like tote bags, t-shirts, hats, and more — or kits for interested consumers.
Many commercial embroidery shops charge by the stitch, but most embroiderers recommend different pricing for hand-embroidered goods. With this said, the price you charge should take not only the cost of your supplies into consideration but your time as well.
15. Marble ring dish
Some activities aren’t easy to do while wearing rings, like making homemade pizza dough or pulling weeds. Fortunately, there are beautiful products for those who want a dedicated place to store their rings, and you can be the one to make and sell them.
Marble ring dishes are a simple solution to the problem of “ring-averse” tasks, and you need just a few tools to make them, including an oven-safe mold, a rolling pin, and of course some clay. You can order clay on Amazon for around $12 or so and may even recoup your investment with the first sale!
Where to sell your handmade goods
There are a number of sites and stores to sell your handcrafted goods, both local and online. Here are a few great sites to consider listing your products:
- Etsy.
- Shopify.
- eBay.
- ArtFire.com.
- Zibbet.
- Bonanza.
- Handmade Artists.
- iCraft.
- Craigslist (local and online).
- Facebook Marketplace (local and online).
- Instagram (local and online).
If you want to try and sell your crafts locally, check out the following options:
- Farmer’s markets.
- Flea markets.
- Fairs and festivals.
- Consignment shops.
- Cafes and coffee shops.
- Art galleries.
Many of the sites and locations listed above are great for selling homemade baked goods as well, including Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, farmer’s markets, coffee shops, and such.
Summary
If you’re looking for opportunities to earn a little extra cash on the side, the solution may be right in front of you.
There are plenty of fun hobbies like sewing and baking you can also pursue as a means of making money. Create your own candles and soaps for buyers who prefer ingredients they can pronounce. Or, try designing some handmade toys for your friends’ kids.
Not only will these crafty endeavors offer an outlet for creative expression, but they may also boost your savings too!
Read more:
About the author
