“Do what you love and the money will follow.” How many times have you heard this old chestnut? Sadly, there’s not much of a market for drinking wine while watching old episodes of “Snapped” and giving yourself a pedicure. But if you have an artistic or crafty side, you can still act on this advice to bring in extra income. And you don’t necessarily have to start an Etsy shop, either!
Let’s say you love to knit, embroider, paint, sketch, scrapbook, make greeting cards, create jewelry, quilt, sew, bake pretty-as-a-picture cakes, or sculpt. How can you translate your talents into some cold, hard cash — or maybe a couple of cold, hard, Amazon gift cards?
Don’t get us wrong — there’s absolutely nothing with Etsy. It’s a fantastic way to score one-of-a-kind artworks and artisan products, as well as cool retro finds. But there are other avenues to pursue, either in addition to or instead of Etsy. Here are some creative ways to get started with a craft-based small business!
Consider Taking Commissions
Do you post pictures of your creations on Facebook or Instagram? If not, you should! You might be surprised how many friends and followers will express interest in your wares. They might comment on your photos or contact you directly, but there’s no shame in the self-promotion game, either. Create an album of your artwork or crafts, and add a sentence in the description saying that you’re happy to take commissions.
Be careful, however, that you don’t undervalue your time and talents in this scenario. Lowballing your customers, or offering too-generous “friends and family” discounts, is a good way to burn out on an activity you enjoy. Price your commissions fairly, and stand your ground when folks try to talk you down.
Another way to approach crafting-for-hire is to barter. If you’re asked to knit a winter hat for a friend who loves to bake bread (or garden, or run errands or babysit), why not arrange a swap? As long as you’re clear about the terms of the barter, this can be a win-win scenario.
Share Your Skill by Teaching
It might seem like just a hobby, but if you’ve been quilting for years, you’ve definitely amassed some marketable skills. There are several business ideas for women. Lots of women find success starting a small business based on an artistic pursuit.
Get in touch with a continuing-ed school or community class organization, advertise online for private or group lessons, or start a YouTube channel with how-to videos.
What about writing a book or ebook on your craft? Self-publishing is easy, and it’s a one-off project that can continue to be profitable for a long time to come.
The Benefits of Blogging
There is a reason that so many stay-at-home moms love to blog for fun and profit. If you don’t yet have a blog devoted to your craft, now is the time to start one. It’s not difficult to set up a basic WordPress site and sign up as an Amazon affiliate to generate some passive income. Your blog can be an e-commerce site, as well. And it is an excellent way to promote that book or funnel visitors to your YouTube channel.
Blogging also helps you establish yourself as an expert, and will lend some weight to your crafting resume.
Do It On-Demand
Painters, photographers, calligraphers, and digital artists and designers, this one is for you. Upload your artworks or designs to a site such as Zazzle, Teespring, and Threadless. Customers choose the garment or item — options include t-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, mugs, posters, and more — and your design gets printed onto it.
This on-demand method means you don’t have to worry about inventory or having a supply of goods on hand. And there’s tons of customization possibilities, so people can choose exactly what they want.
Keep It Local
It can be easy to forget, in this Internet-obsessed era, that you don’t have to go online to sell your artwork or crafts. Particularly if your masterpieces rely heavily on texture for their appeal — say, super-soft merino mittens or handcrafted wooden kitchen utensils that are a pleasure to hold in one’s hand — getting up close and personal with your customers can be extremely lucrative.
Consider renting a table at local fairs, festivals, and bazaars. Or, if you’ve got decent sales chops and an outgoing personality, peddle a selection of your items to local boutiques and gift shops. Be sure to print up a stack of business cards with your blog or website address, email, and other contact information for folks to take along.
Wrapping Up
With a little ingenuity, you can have the best of both worlds — a hobby that you love and a little extra moola too. Accepting commissions from friends and acquaintances, teaching others to make beautiful handmade items, and partnering with a local business are all great ways to make your creativity pay off.
Do you have any artistic hobbies? Have you ever sold your work, and if so, what method do you use? Leave us a comment below and start the conversation!
