25 Easy DIY Crafts to Sell (& How to Make Them)
Turn your crafting passion into a profit with these crafts you can sell!
Humans have been creating and selling handmade creations for thousands of years. All this time later, DIY crafts are still popular to give as gifts, use as part of a stress-relieving hobby and create less expensive and higher quality home decor and apparel.
If you’re looking to make some extra money or build up a side hustle, you can sell your homemade items to friends and family or on the web. No matter your skill level, these easy DIY crafts could inspire a whole handcrafted empire.
Why Sell DIY Crafts?
Some of the biggest benefits of selling your own DIY crafts are the low startup costs and the medium to high potential for profit. If you wanted to start selling sweaters made in bulk, you’d have to buy hundreds of sweaters up front from a factory, ship them to a warehouse and try to sell your stock as quickly as possible.
With a handknit sweater, you only need to buy enough materials for as many sweaters as you’d like to keep in stock. You can also adjust each sweater’s size, color and design as needed, which means you get to utilize your creativity whenever you want. DIY crafters also tend to find joy in making and sharing unique items knowing that they’ll be loved and appreciated for years to come.
Where to Sell DIY Crafts
Marketplaces
Online marketplaces can help put your handmade crafts in front of a larger audience. Depending on what you’re selling and who you’d like to sell to, you might choose to use one online marketplace over another.
Etsy sells both handmade and vintage items and caters to a more creative audience who is looking for a really unique or personalized item. Amazon Handmade caters to both smaller and larger businesses so you’ll see products that look truly handcrafted next to products that are more likely to be handmade in bulk in a factory somewhere than in someone’s garage.
While eBay is a popular online marketplace, it isn’t the most popular option for selling DIY crafts. Most of eBay’s audience is looking for second hand objects and collectibles from a certain time in history or a well known brand. You can find a niche audience looking for handmade items like jewelry, keychains, stickers and bookmarks.
If you’re not sure which site looks best for your product, try to see if your creation fits in with previously sold or other popular items.
Your Own Website
Having your own website means having complete control over your branding, product placement and customer data. You’ll also pay less fees by building out a store on WordPress, Shopify or Wix compared to online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay.
You might be able to make more money by avoiding those built-in expenses, but you’ll have to work harder to get people to visit your website. If you launched a macramé wall hanging company, it might take you years before your website’s SEO content strategy starts to bring in the amount of customers you need to rival your store’s traffic on Etsy.
Local Markets and Craft Fairs
Check bulletin boards, Facebook groups or your town’s website to see if you can find local markets or craft fairs near you. These markets and craft fairs can boost your brand’s visibility in your community and get you some face-to-face interaction with your customers.
DIY Craft Ideas
1. Candles
You can find anything from pickle-shaped and -scented candles to luxury soy wax candles scented with essential oils online. Making and decorating custom candles is an accessible and popular hobby that can often be turned into some extra cash. You’ll find thousands of people selling candles online so try to find a way to make your candle brand unique.
Expected Income: $7 - $8 per candle
Expected Costs: $1 - $2 per candle
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Wax, wicks, fragrance oils, molds, jar or vessel of choice, dye
You can learn more about candle making in Skillshare classes like: Candle Making: DIY Soy Wax Container Candles Scented with Essential Oils and Twine Wrapped Glitter Soy Candle-Making for Gifts or Holidays.
2. Soap
Anybody can appreciate a high-quality, perfectly-scented soap bar. As a household item used to wash dishes, hands and bodies, both liquid and bar soap are very popular articles to buy as gifts for loved ones or just for yourself. Soap-making is a common DIY craft but it also has a huge market of customers.
Expected Income: $5-$8 per soap bar and $6-$12 per 8oz of liquid soap
Expected Costs: $1-$2 per soap bar and $2-$3 per 8oz of liquid soap
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Soap base, essential oils, molds, colorants, soap dispensers
You can learn more about soap making in Skillshare classes like: Soap Making: How To Make Your Own Handmade Soap, Beginner's Guide to Make Your Own Liquid Soaps, Shampoo bars. . . and more! and Basic Cold Process Soap Making.
3. Bath Bombs
Crafting fragrant and colorful bath bombs might be the perfect DIY craft for you if you enjoy a relaxing bath after a long week. With hundreds of fun shapes and calming scents, you can create your own unique combinations like a honey pot-shaped honey and lavender bath bomb or a classic spherical bath bomb with healing herbs and essential oils like fresh roses and patchouli.
Expected Income: $2-$8
Expected Costs: $0.50-$1.50 per bath bomb
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Baking soda, citric acid, essential oils, molds, colorants and (optional) dried flowers or herbs
You can learn more about bath bomb making in Skillshare classes like: Beginner's Guide to Make Your Own Liquid Soaps, Shampoo bars. . . and more! and DIY Bath and Body Products: Bath Bombs.
Fashion and Accessories
4. Jewelry
If you’re fashion forward and interested in making your own accessories, jewelry might be the DIY craft for you. From trendy clay earrings to dainty silver necklaces, gold bangle bracelets and jewel-covered rings, the versatility of jewelry design makes it easy to find your niche and create pieces that reflect your unique style.
Expected Income: Jewelry prices range depending on the materials used, size of your piece and more but handmade jewelry can cost between $20 and $200.
Expected Costs: $5-$50 per piece
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: You’ll need different materials depending on if you’re making wire wrapped jewelry, resin jewelry or your own gold rings, but for basic beaded jewelry making you’ll need beads, wires, clasps, tools, charms and crimp beads.
You can learn more about jewelry making in Skillshare classes like: Introduction to Jewelry Making: Take Your Hand Sketch to an Accessory, Easy Clay Earrings: Advanced Techniques and Floral Resin Jewelry Basics.
5. Knitted and Crocheted Items
If you’ve ever created scarves, hats, blankets, and other crocheted items, you might be curious about turning knitted goods into an extra income stream. Since you can find a knitted garment in just about everyone’s closet, there are plenty of opportunities for creative knitters to sell their own unique creations.
Expected Income: $15-$150
Expected Costs: $5-$50
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks and patterns
You can learn more about knitting and crocheting in Skillshare classes like: Knitting 101: Everything You Need to Knit With Confidence, Cozy House Socks: An introduction to Sock Knitting and The Essential Coaster - Learn the Basics of Crocheting in the Round.
6. Scrunchies
A scrunchie is an indispensable accessory for anyone with long hair that can help turn a simple ponytail or bun into a statement. Sewing stylish and colorful hair scrunchies is an accessible craft that can help bring in some extra income each month.
Expected Income: $3-$30
Expected Costs: $0.50-$5
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Fabric, elastic bands, sewing machine or needle and thread
You can learn more about knitting and scrunchie making in Skillshare classes like: Sew your own scrunchie in 10 mins | No Sewing pattern needed, The Ultimate Scrunchie Sewing Masterclass and Easy Knitting Basics for Beginners: Knit a DIY Scrunchie.
7. Tote Bags
Whether on your way to the farmer’s market, the gym or a picnic with your best friends, a tote bag will always come in handy. Designing and sewing custom tote bags is a DIY craft that can appeal to both eco-conscious shoppers and fashion enthusiasts.
Expected Income: $10-$50
Expected Costs: $2-$15
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Fabric, sewing machine, thread, handles
You can learn more about sewing and bag-making in Skillshare classes like: Beginner's Guide to Sewing: Craft a Custom Tote Bag and Learn to Sew Like a Pro, DIY How to make your own (Mom) Tote Bag! and Block Printing A Tote Bag : Create Your First Cardboard Block.
Home Decor
8. Home Decor Items
Your home is likely filled with some of your most prized possessions and beloved decorative items like vases, tufted cushions and hand-painted mirrors. By creating your own home decor items, you can help someone else fill their home with articles they truly cherish.
Expected Income: $20-$200
Expected Costs: $5-$50
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, Amazon Handmade, own website
Materials Required: This will largely depend on the home decor item you are making.
You can learn more about making your own home decor in Skillshare classes like: Upcycled Home Decor: Furniture Makeover for Beginners, Terrazzo Making for DIY Home Decor Projects and Light Up Your Living Space: Redesign & Rewire Any Lamp.
9. Wall Art
Just like handmade home decor items, unique pieces of wall art can completely transform any living space. You can entice customers with anything from a huge abstract canvas to a small charcoal sketch.
Expected Income: $30-$300
Expected Costs: $10-$60
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Canvases, paints, brushes, frames
You can learn more about making your own wall art in Skillshare classes like: DIY Wall Art: 5 Beautiful & Budget-Friendly Techniques, Create a Stunning Wall Art Series: Simple Designs for Any Space with Procreate and Modern Textured Wall Art and Paintings.
10. Embroidery Hoop Art
An embroidery hoop and some colorful thread can take a plain white t-shirt or tote bag and turn it into something beautiful and unexpected. Decorative embroidery hoop art is a versatile skill that could help you sell a wide range of handmade products like fabric-based jewelry, embroidered wall art and decorative pillows.
Expected Income: $30-$300
Expected Costs: $10-$60
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Embroidery hoops, fabric, embroidery thread, and needles
You can learn more about embroidery in Skillshare classes like: Embroidery on Photographs with 10 Simple Stitches, Chain Stitch Embroidery: Upcycle A Garment Into Art and Hand Embroidery: Pet Portrait.
11. Plant Holders
Filling your home with plants can boost productivity and improve your home’s air quality. While plants are beautiful on their own, you can make them even more special with some handmade plant holders. Whether you’re interested in working with ceramics or diving into some macrame projects, creating your own plant holders can be an accessible and fun DIY craft.
Expected Income: $10-$60
Expected Costs: $3-$15
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Macrame cord, ceramic materials and paint
You can learn more about making your own plant holders in Skillshare classes like: A Beginner's Guide to Mindful Macramé: From Plant Hangers to Wall Art, Crochet a Plant Pot Cover Using Plastic Bag or T-Shirt Yarn and Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners - Throwing Clay, Beginning Ceramics.
Personalized and Gift Items
12. Handmade Cards
A handwritten card never goes unnoticed. You can make a handwritten note even more special by designing and creating your own custom greeting cards. People need greeting cards for thank you notes, birthdays, condolences and more, which means you’ll always have a market of people interested in buying your cards.
Expected Income: $4-$10
Expected Costs: $0.50-$4
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Cardstock, markers, stamps and embellishments
You can learn more about making your own handmade cards in Skillshare classes like: Simple Watercolor Techniques for Handmade Cards: Washes, Florals and Pops of Colour, Monotype, Paper Cut & Collage: 3 Greeting Cards to Play With Composition and Paint A Simple Rose In Watercolor: Create Your Own Beautiful Greeting Card.
13. Personalized Gifts
Customization can transform the average item into a gift that feels thoughtful and unique. By adding initials, monograms or full names to name plaques, photo frames, travel pouches and mugs, these items become truly meaningful and more desirable by potential customers.
Expected Income: $15-$60
Expected Costs: $5-$30
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: This will largely depend on the personalized item you are making.
You can learn more about making your own custom gifts in Skillshare classes like: Design & Sell Personalized Gifts with Printify Print on Demand & Etsy, Design PERSONALIZED SVG cut files (of people!) | From photograph to digital Etsy Product and DIY: Make a Cement Planter & Engrave a Personalized Message.
14. Hand-Painted Mugs
Hand-decorated mugs with unique designs make beautiful gifts. You can paint someone’s age on a mug for a special birthday gift or add a watercolor-inspired painting for a gift that is both functional and a work of art.
Expected Income: $10-$25
Expected Costs: $3-$10
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Blank mugs, ceramic paint and brushes
You can learn more about making your own custom gifts in Skillshare classes like: Easy Mug Design: How to Create a Custom Hand Painted Mug to Sell, Give as a Gift or Use Yourself! and Porcelain Painting: Learn How to Paint Your Own Zodiac Sign Coffee Mug.
15. Bookmarks
Avid readers—whether of graphic novels, gently used cookbooks or animal encyclopedias—all use bookmarks to remember key passages or the page where they left off. As an inexpensive and thoughtful gift, bookmarks are an accessible DIY craft that can please a wide variety of shoppers. You can even offer bookmarks as a larger collection of book-inspired creations like hand-folded book art.
Expected Income: $3-$10
Expected Costs: $0.50-$2
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Cardstock, ribbons, laminator and embellishments
You can learn more about making your own bookmarks in Skillshare classes like: Loose watercolor florals - DIY easy bookmarks, Procreate : Design Stylised Character Bookmarks and Blooming Affirmations: Crafting Pressed Flower Bookmarks.
16. Handmade Dolls
A staple among playrooms and curio cabinets, handmade dolls can be used as toys, home decor and collectors items. Sewing and crafting your own unique handmade dolls can be a rewarding pastime that can also double as a side hustle.
Expected Income: $20-$80
Expected Costs: $5-$30
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Fabric, stuffing, sewing machine and thread
You can learn more about making your own handmade dolls in Skillshare classes like: Crochet Your Unique Character: Basic Amigurumi Doll’s Body and Crochet Wavy Hair for Amigurumi Dolls.
Functional and Upcycled Items
17. Upcycled Crafts
Besides being eco-friendly and inexpensive, upcycling can give a new life to an old and worn object, piece of furniture or article of clothing. If you’re already interested in thrifting, buying second hand and repairing old objects instead of throwing them away, you might make the perfect upcycling crafter. From adding a mosaic top to an old side table to turning old books into new journals, the possibilities are endless.
Expected Income: $15-$300
Expected Costs: $5-$80
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Old items, paint, tools and embellishments
You can learn more about making your own upcycled crafts in Skillshare classes like: Upcycling with Hand Embroidery: T-Shirts & Blouses, Upcycled Home Decor: Furniture Makeover for Beginners and A Jewelry Box / Upcycling an Old Notebook.
18. Coasters
If you’re someone who appreciates both functional and aesthetic products, you’ll love some gorgeous handmade coasters. This versatile craft can be made using cork, glass, thread, tiles and more, which means you can make a final product that is unique to you and your style.
Expected Income: $15-$40 (per set)
Expected Costs: $3-$10
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Cork, ceramic, paint, resin, thread and crochet needles
You can learn more about making your own coasters in Skillshare classes like: Gouache Painting on Square Coasters - A Collection of Three Dense Landscapes, Wood Burning 101 - Wood Burn a Coaster and DIY Resin and Dried Flowers: Learn how to make Coasters.
19. Magnets
With enough creativity you can transform magnets into souvenirs, save-the-dates, fridge decor or unique business cards. Depending on what you’re looking to sell, you can market your magnets as gifts, business necessities or just a fun way to use some photos from a recent vacation to Disney world, your local lake or an international trip.
Expected Income: $3-$10
Expected Costs: $0.30-$3
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Magnet sheets, paint and embellishments
You can learn more about making your own magnets in Skillshare classes like: Cricut Magnetic Bookmarks with Print Then Cut and How to Make Cute Sticker Sheets in Procreate and Cricut Design Space-For Beginners.
20. Keychains
No matter if you’re moving into a new apartment, buying a new car or heading to college for the first time, a keychain will come in handy. If you’re looking for a versatile craft that can employ a lot of different creative skills, you might be the perfect person to tap into the keychain market and develop your own side hustle.
Expected Income: $3-$10
Expected Costs: $0.30-$3
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Keychain blanks, resin, paint, charms and beads
You can learn more about making your own keychains in Skillshare classes like: Crochet for Beginners : Create the Cutest Octopus Keychain, Make Your Own Handmade Leather Keychain! and Learn Tinkercad For 3D Printing - Design & Print A Keychain.
21. Baskets
Most people have more stuff than they know what to do with. Organizational items like baskets can help keep smaller items in order while also working as aesthetically pleasing home decor. If you enjoy sewing- or weaving-related crafts, you might try exploring the world of basket making. You might keep things rustic by using traditional materials like pine or willow or getting creative with thicker fabrics and threads.
Expected Income: $20-$150
Expected Costs: $5-$50
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Reeds, rattan or yarn, weaving tools, and clothes pins or clips
You can learn more about making your own baskets in Skillshare classes like: Knit a sturdy cotton rope basket, How to make a Jute Basket and Introduction to Basket Weaving - Weave a Rustic Basket.
22. Hand-Painted Shoes
Whether you could easily fill a shoe rack or a walk-in closet with shoes, anyone passionate about sneakers, high heels and mary janes could become a passionate shoe-painter. Hand-painting shoes can transform a basic pair of white sneakers into a work of art or a worn down pair of flats into this season’s hottest trend. If you’re an experienced painter and fashion aficionado, you might be able to make some extra income by selling hand-painted shoes.
Expected Income: $40-$200
Expected Costs: $15-$80
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Blank shoes, fabric paint and brushes.
You can learn more about painting shoes in Skillshare classes like: Sneaker Customizing for the Beginner: Learn How to Paint Your Sneakers and DIY Galaxy Shoes: Transform Ordinary Canvas Sneakers into Cosmic Kicks.
Seasonal and Holiday Items
23. Holiday Ornaments
The holidays mean it’s time to whip out old family recipes, send out invitations and holiday cards to your loved ones and decorate your home with items like holiday ornaments. If you’re interested in other crafts like glass painting, glass blowing or paper mache, you might really enjoy selling holiday ornaments every fall and winter.
Expected Income: $5-$50
Expected Costs: $1-$15
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Ornaments, paint, glitter and ribbon.
You can learn more about making your own ornaments in Skillshare classes like: Create Geometric Origami Paper Ornaments for Holiday, Party & Home Decor, Holiday Gifting: Hand-Painted Ornaments and Crafting Cozy Christmas Ornaments: Embroidery Using Raffia, Felt, Beads.
24. Decorative Pillows
Decorative pillows can add a touch of personality, color and texture to side chairs, couches and beds. Most people like to buy decorative pillows when moving to a new house or redoing their living room. If you enjoy sewing and interior design, you can tap into the decorative pillow market by making your own brightly colored, feather-stuffed or bouclée pillows.
Expected Income: $20-$70
Expected Costs: $5-$20
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Fabric, stuffing, sewing machine and thread
You can learn more about making your own decorative pillows in Skillshare classes like: Tunisian Crochet: Create a Vibrant Throw Pillow, Easy Sewing: Origami Pillow and 1 Pillow - 7 Sewing Machine Skills for Beginners.
25. Wall Hangings
Hand-painted wall art isn’t the only way to fill empty walls. Wall hangings, whether made from macrame, fabric or wood, can add a bohemian and artistic edge to any space. If you enjoy working with your hands and adding beauty to interior spaces, you might enjoy making wall hangings and selling them for some extra cash each month.
Expected Income: $30-$150
Expected Costs: $10-$50
Best Places to Sell: Etsy, local markets, own website
Materials Required: Macrame cord, fabric, wood and tools
You can learn more about making your own wall hangings in Skillshare classes like: Create a Macramé Wall Hanging Using 5 Easy Knots, Learn how to make a macrame feather wall hanging! and Create a Mosaic Wall Hanging with Fabric.
Key Takeaways
With so many different DIY craft ideas out there, you might not know which is the best choice for you. Start your journey to becoming a DIY craft master by taking a look at your current skills and past passions. If you used to sew pillowcases with your grandma when you were growing up, you might enjoy getting back into sewing, knitting or crocheting.
You can also look around your home and see what you are already interested in. If you have a ton of hand painted mugs, you might understand the mug market and what clients enjoy more than someone who only has store-bought mugs.
It is also a good idea to research the market before you dive into it. If you only want to sell your DIY crafts at the farmers market, you might choose a product that doesn’t already have an existing stand at your local market. You can also try searching your idea on online marketplaces and take a look at the competition.
Remember that your income will depend on how competitive your desired market is and the amount of interest you could develop from your potential audience. The amount of money you make will also depend on the materials you used and how much time you put into each design.
No matter what craft you choose, your new hobby has a potential to fill your life with more creativity, fun and profit.
Try Skillshare for free! Sign up for a 7 day free trial today!
Get Started- Unlimited access to every class
- Supportive online creative community
- Learn offline with Skillshare's app