The best dresses were designed with some grandma’s old fabrics. One day, someone visited their grandpa’s garage. They saw lots of different spare parts and a wood machine there. This was a spark for a great money-making idea – creating busy boards for kids.
Trust us: your DIY idea will find its target audience. It will be a perfect match, and you will never experience a lack of customers. Remember when one day you were thinking: if only someone could write an essay for me, and then you found a reliable paper writing service? At this very moment, someone is thinking of an organic lip balm or a hand-made pet accessory.
It is important to give honest answers before you get started:
- what do I love doing? (painting, knitting, sewing, etc.)
- am I good at it?
When you identify what you can produce, take another round of questions:
- Will people buy it because they need it?
- Will it be popular with customers for aesthetic purposes?
- Do I know how to promote my business?
- Can it be a nice DIY present?
If 3 or more answers are a confident ‘YES,’ do not hesitate to start. If 2 or fewer are positive, do not hesitate either. Make a questionnaire and ask your followers on FB or Instagram. You might find their suggestions useful.
Make Things and Make Money
The list of money-making DIY business ideas is never-ending. At the end of the day, you can be the one to come up with something innovative. But for now, you should consider the list of possible options below.
- Photo holders
Most people keep all their photos on their phones or in iCloud, and that is true. But you cannot use iCloud to decorate your room. Photo holders are a great alternative to photo frames. We suggest two easy-to-make options: mini-mountain and rock photo holders.
With a bit of modeling clay and nail polish, you can make a small cute mountain. You will place your photos on top of it. It will look especially lovely with some holiday pictures. They can serve both as photo or paper holders.
Another option is a rock photo holder. You need some smooth river rocks and some copper wire. You can paint the rocks any colors or patterns you like. Once the base for the holder is ready, envelope it with the wire. It is relatively inexpensive and very easy to make.
BTW, do not limit yourself to photo holders only. A cactus ring holder is cute and functional too! You can put your rings on its ‘head’ and ‘arms’. Very convenient!
- Homemade candles
This idea gives endless room for your imagination. You can create candles with different waxes, flowers, and scents. People buy candles all the time: as presents, for romantic dinners, or for meditation. Mason jar candles are worth mentioning here. It is very convenient to use them without having wax all over the place. Another practical example is citronella candles. They are used as a bug repellant.
- Bath bombs and soap
DIY bath bombs and soap recipes are easy to find on the internet. Of course, it is a great idea to add some essential oils and natural food-safe dye to them. A pleasant scent and a nice color will define the best-sellers among your bombs and soaps.
- Custom mugs
This idea is not new at all. But the fresh Instagram look gave it a new breath. You can take orders and create exclusive mugs based on the customer’s desires. But it is also great to have a line of ready-to-drink-from mugs. They can include:
- His/Her Mugs
- Message Mugs
- Glitter Letter Mugs
- Abstract Brushstroke Mugs
- Affirmation Mugs
- Name Mugs
You can make your stylish mugs look cute with the help of accessories. Basketweave mug cozy is a great seasonal offer. Both your mug and your fingers will feel warm.
- Fabric covered pots
We have already tackled the topic of dressing things up. You can watch some YouTube tutorials and learn how to make fun decoupage pots. It is also a wonderful tip on decorating your dorm room on a budget. You really do not need to spend a lot of money on the materials. We are sure that you and your dorm mates have tons of old jeans and T-shirts you do not wear.
- No-sew pillow covers and baby blankets
If you do not have a sewing machine, it is not a big deal. Watch some videos on how to make no-sew pillow covers. You will be amazed at how easy it is. It seems that nothing can beat this idea in its simplicity. And then you learn about DIY baby blankets. Unlike pillow covers, there is no need to think about the exact size here! It is also a wonderful gift for soon-to-be parents.
- Sunglasses bags
Do you have some leftovers from fabric-covered pots or no-sew pillows? Do not throw them away. Use them for your DIY sunglass bag. Experiment with the designs. Paint a spectacle frame or write an affirmation. Why only sell your cases to people wearing sunglasses? Turn people with eyesight issues into your customers too!
Source: https://www.freepik.com/free-psd/sunglasses-sleeve-mockup-top-view_22124756.htm
- Dishwasher-Safe Painted Dishes
If the idea of customized mugs seems too easy for you, check this out. There are special porcelain paints that are dishwasher safe. A small hint: similar colors when you are at the beginning stages of the business. They will coordinate with each other, and it will be easy to mix and match them. Later, you can experiment with different patterns.
- Welcome Mats and Mouse Pads
Everyone needs a rug, both you and your computer mouse. So make them look nice. Once you master the decoupage technique with fabric pots, you can move on to mousepads. Floral pastel designs look very stylish. And you can buy blank doormats and create unique designs for them. Some people want a new welcome mat for every season.
Keep Your Small Business Afloat
Getting started is the most important step. But it is also valuable to know how to keep things going. So here are some tips on how to keep your DIY business afloat:
- Have more than one place to sell your crafts
It is a universal truth – never put your eggs in one basket.
- Get on social media
Facebook and Instagram, as well as Pinterest and TikTok, are powerful selling platforms.
- Start writing blog posts
You can earn money as a blogger and by selling your crafts. Isn’t it lovely?
- Run giveaways
People love them. Word of mouth has transformed into a word of link in our modern digital world.
- Start an email list
Find a way to collect emails from people who sign up for you. Then start emailing them about your updates. Make it your habit, and constantly update the list of emails. When you cannot cope manually any longer, you can find ways to automate this process.
You can choose an idea from our list. You are also welcome to design an innovative product that will find its niche. You can enjoy the tips in the final part. Again, maybe you have better promotional solutions. It all starts with an idea. A money-making idea.