small business ideas crafts

May 23, 2023 - Want to start a craft business but don’t know what to make? We’ve created a list of 24 exciting craft ideas for you to start as a hobby & turn into a business!

reddit.com › r/sweatystartup › side hustle craft ideas?

r/sweatystartup on Reddit: Side hustle craft ideas?

April 22, 2025 -

I have a full time job but am looking for a fun side hustle that could be scalable. Does anyone have any ideas of items to make that can turn a decent profit? Ideally it would be nice if whatever I’m making could have some automation. Thanks for your ideas.

Top answer

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Whatever you do, don't put too much faith in YouTube videos like "10 easy craft items highly profitable" whatever BS. It can vary highly based on trends, area and the type of venue you're selling. I have done the whole thing of making things and selling at craft fairs and other type in person shows, so I have some real world observations. Most importantly, do not undervalue your time. So maybe you start out doing things in your downtime, or you actually enjoy making the thing. Now imagine you have to make 100 of the thing. Or it's now your main job, and no longer a side hustle. Track your time and charge accordingly. Along the same lines, don't forget material costs or shipping costs. That can burn you real quick. Maybe you got a pile of free materials and you're gonna make a quick buck. But then the free stuff is gone and you can no longer make the same thing for the same price. If you're selling in person at events, people like stuff they can easily throw in a pocket, purse or shopping bag. The best type of events I ever did was beer/wine festivals. Perhaps for obvious reasons. But also I had items themed to the event, bottle openers, beer caddies, balancing wine bottle holders, etc. I almost always sold out. Etsy can be useful, but it's mostly garbage and overrun by dropshippers and people selling cheap garbage made in factories. If you have an Etsy, just do your own marketing in person and online. Treat it like a store front. And to kind of circle back to the start, you're going to be chasing trends for what are hot sellers. And almost impossible to scale even with factory type equipment. Look at fidget spinners. Your best bet would be to find some things that can sell decent and offer personalization. Laser etching, CNC engraving, CNC embroidery, that's the money maker.

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This probably isn’t helpful but I notice hand quilting is not available as a service. It’s incredibly time intensive but would work around a job such as being a security guard or being on the phone. I hand quilt on my calls while working from home. It occurs to me you could outsource it to a lower cost of living country to scale up but the headache would be moving items of huge sentimental value (a quilt that may take years to make) between countries.

Discussions

How do you make your handmade business into a livable career?

Imagine working 2 full time jobs but also never leaving the house. 2/3 of all the money you might make goes back into the business, or taxes, and there will be a large amount of stress at all times. But you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to a regular job. More on reddit.com

r/Etsy

19

28

June 8, 2023

How do I start a craft business and is it worth it?? I work with all types of mediums including epoxy/resin (some for breastmilk pieces) vinyl, Cardstock, etc. I also draw and paint. Nervous to put my work out there for a profit, though.

Short answer: It's a lot of hard work but it can be done. Good Luck More on reddit.com

r/crafts

9

11

September 27, 2022

I literally have no idea where to start a small craft business. And I'm completely overwhelmed by the idea. Any advice is appreciated.

You have way too much going on for a business. A business needs to be clearly defined, what you do, what you sell, etc. Figure out who you are and what you're selling, then figure out who you target customers are. More on reddit.com

r/smallbusiness

12

6

October 7, 2020

Side hustle craft ideas?

Whatever you do, don't put too much faith in YouTube videos like "10 easy craft items highly profitable" whatever BS. It can vary highly based on trends, area and the type of venue you're selling. I have done the whole thing of making things and selling at craft fairs and other type in person shows, so I have some real world observations. Most importantly, do not undervalue your time. So maybe you start out doing things in your downtime, or you actually enjoy making the thing. Now imagine you have to make 100 of the thing. Or it's now your main job, and no longer a side hustle. Track your time and charge accordingly. Along the same lines, don't forget material costs or shipping costs. That can burn you real quick. Maybe you got a pile of free materials and you're gonna make a quick buck. But then the free stuff is gone and you can no longer make the same thing for the same price. If you're selling in person at events, people like stuff they can easily throw in a pocket, purse or shopping bag. The best type of events I ever did was beer/wine festivals. Perhaps for obvious reasons. But also I had items themed to the event, bottle openers, beer caddies, balancing wine bottle holders, etc. I almost always sold out. Etsy can be useful, but it's mostly garbage and overrun by dropshippers and people selling cheap garbage made in factories. If you have an Etsy, just do your own marketing in person and online. Treat it like a store front. And to kind of circle back to the start, you're going to be chasing trends for what are hot sellers. And almost impossible to scale even with factory type equipment. Look at fidget spinners. Your best bet would be to find some things that can sell decent and offer personalization. Laser etching, CNC engraving, CNC embroidery, that's the money maker. More on reddit.com

r/sweatystartup

6

0

April 22, 2025

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