DIY-ers have a huge opportunity to sell online. By creating something unique, they’re able to attract customers who are looking for that one-of-a-kind, handmade product. You’re not going to find too many uncommon craft items on Amazon. Tinfoil, socks, and electronics, sure. But figuring out how you can put artistic skills to work can be a little bit tricky.
What do you make? How can you offer something new and special? Something 500 others isn’t already promoting online. Crafty types, take heart. We’ve gathered 4 simple, low-cost DIY crafts that you can make and sell with minimal startup expenses. Even better: there’s no official training needed and certainly nothing requiring a professional sculptor’s skills.
Bath Bombs
Bath bombs have been rising since early 2015, and today, the market for these fizzing bathtub potions are more popular than ever before. Even more interesting: the materials that go into them are very inexpensive. The few basic ingredients for these DIY crafts (baking soda, Epsom salts, food coloring, to name a few) can be purchased in large quantities inexpensively — meaning high margins for you!
Candles
Candles are DIY crafts that can be sold year-round. Since most people won’t splurge on quality candles for themselves, they make great gifts. With birthdays, anniversaries, and many holidays year-round, you’ve always got a reason to keep customers coming back for more. By purchasing bulk wax and scented oils, you can create many different scent combinations in a variety of different sizes and shapes. And the really good news: You can launch a candle-making operation for under $100.
Handmade Soap
More and more consumers want to incorporate safe, organic cleaning products into their daily lives. Capitalize on this movement by creating and marketing your own, made-from-scratch products, like hand soap. With minimal startup investment, you can purchase soap-making materials and start creating unique DIY crafts to sell within this market. Like candles, every host or hostess, sister or uncle appreciates items that make them feel spoiled. With the amazing varieties of scents and dyes available, it’s easy to develop products for specific markets. In the United States, one woman makes a living using the spent grain from breweries to make soaps the brewery then brands and sells as keepsakes.
Lip Balm
Did you know that homemade lip balm only takes beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E and a microwave? Most balms take you less than five minutes to create.
Holiday Ornaments or Gift Tags
For many families, buying new holiday decor each year is a tradition. More, hand-crafted items reflect the care the gift giver takes and can be re-used year after year. Holiday ornaments are just the beginning. Many crafters build from this skill to create similar products like personalized gift tags, napkin holder embellishments, etc. that sell year-round. The best part: If you’re using a medium like clay, you can make your products for next to nothing — and your profit margins will soar.
Whether you’ve been crafting for years or it’s something new you’d like to experiment with, these DIY project ideas offer some simple ideas that you can dive into right away.
