Quick and Easy Crafts To Make and Sell Online

10 Tips For Choosing What To Make and Sell at a Craft Fair or on Etsy

1. Start with items that are small and easy to ship. Jewelry, scrunchies, keychains, pouches, coasters, bookmarks, ornaments and small sewn accessories are all easier to package than large fragile pieces.
2. Think about what people buy as gifts. Shoppers love handmade items for birthdays, teachers, neighbors, hostesses, bridesmaids, pet lovers, coffee lovers and holidays. Giftable items usually have a much better chance of selling than random pieces with no clear purpose.
3. Choose items you can make more than once without starting over every time. If each piece takes too long or needs too many custom steps, it can become hard to earn a real profit.
4. Make sure the supplies are affordable and easy to replace. A pretty project is not very helpful if the materials are expensive, hard to find or always out of stock.
5. Create collections instead of one lonely item. A few matching scrunchies, a set of coasters, a bracelet stack, a candle scent collection or a pouch with a matching keychain can feel more polished.
6. Pay attention to seasons. Ornaments, candles and gift tags do well around Christmas, while tote bags, bracelets, coasters and beachy items can shine in spring and summer.
7. Keep your style clear. Cottage, coastal, farmhouse, colorful, modern, boho or vintage inspired… whatever you choose, let your photos, packaging and product choices feel connected.
8. Price with your time included. Supplies matter, but so does the time it takes to make, photograph, package, list and ship each item. Do not accidentally work for pennies.
9. Test a small batch first. Make a few, share them online, bring them to a fair or gift them to honest friends before buying a mountain of supplies.
10. Make items that solve a tiny problem or bring a little joy. A pouch that organizes a purse, a cozy that saves hands from hot coffee, a pretty bracelet stack or a cheerful candle all have a reason to come home with someone.

10 Budget Friendly Display Ideas for those of you that sell at Craft Fairs and Handmade Markets

1. Thrifted wooden crates. Stack them sideways or upright to add height to your table and create little shelves for candles, soaps, jars, pouches or signs.
2. Dollar store picture frames. Remove the glass and use the frame to hold pricing, product names, QR codes or a sweet little shop sign.
3. Vintage trays. Trays make jewelry, keychains, scrunchies and small gifts look collected and intentional instead of scattered around the table.
4. Pegboard display. A small pegboard can hold earrings, bracelets, packaged keychains, ornaments and lightweight accessories while keeping everything easy to see.
5. Wood slice risers. Stack a few wood slices under candles, soaps or small decor pieces to add height and a cozy handmade feel.
6. Cardboard risers covered in fabric. Strong boxes can be wrapped in fabric, paper or peel-and-stick wallpaper to create inexpensive display levels.
7. Wire cooling racks. These can work beautifully for hanging earrings, bookmarks, tags, small ornaments or packaged items with clips.
8. Mason jars. Use jars to hold scrunchies, bracelets, pens, bookmarks, small rolled items or wrapped treats. Add ribbon or a label to make them match your table.
9. Small baskets. Baskets are perfect for fabric items, dog treats, packaged soaps, mini bundles and lower priced add-on items.
10. A simple table runner or fabric remnant. A pretty piece of fabric can pull the whole table together and make your display feel warm, cozy and branded without spending much at all.

A Few More Handmade Ideas To Consider

Original photographs, digital art, printable signs, handmade banners, stickers, bookmarks, gift tags, notepads, small ornaments, painted wood signs, nursery prints and seasonal decor can all be wonderful additions to a handmade shop.

The biggest thing to remember is this… do not try to make everything at once. Choose a few items that fit your skills, your budget and your audience. Make them well, photograph them clearly, price them fairly and keep learning as you go. You never know which little handmade idea might become the one that opens a whole new door for you.

Helpful Little Selling Reminder

Before you make a big batch of anything, take a minute to figure out your real cost. Add up supplies, packaging, listing fees, payment fees and your time. It is so easy to fall in love with a project and then realize later that it is not actually profitable. Start small, keep notes and let your shoppers help show you what they love most.