A lot of people have found happiness in building and creating their stuff. While some have a penchant for crafting, some have converted their passion into an income-generating hobby.
Crafting is nothing new. People have been working on their crafts--and perfecting them--for thousands of years. However, not all crafts are created the same. Some require little to no experience, but some require innate ability and creativity.
If you're reading this article because you want to learn the most popular things to make and sell, you won't be disappointed. We listed 10 DIY business ideas that you can start today right in the comfort of your own home.
10 Most Popular Things to Make and Sell Online
COVID 19 has taught us that you can learn to make things. Millions of videos on TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest propelled people to DIY stuff inside their homes during the lockdown. Some DIY tutorials also went viral and became great DIY business ideas.
To inspire your creativity, here are some DIY business ideas that made our top 10:
1. Resin and polymer clay jewelry
Resin and polymer clays, while not the easiest to work with, are very versatile. You can make them into different things and get really creative. You can shape it into anything you want, and its colors are unlimited.
The most popular resin jewelry pieces include dried flowers preserved in a clear substance. On the other hand, polymer clay jewelry is often used to build geometric sizes in several bold colors.
Pros:
- Using polymer clay and resin requires a low learning curve.
- several online tutorials teach how to build jewelry pieces using these materials.
- You can produce several pieces in one batch.
- If done correctly, your items will look gorgeous!
Cons:
- Working with resin can be complicated because it requires mixing chemicals and trial and error.
Resin and polymer clay is a great DIY business ideas. Here's a tip when using polymer clay: Use mini cookie cutters, rolling pins, and a few jump rings to create and build your DIY jewelry.
2. Bath bombs and soap
These two items are perfect if you want to start with a low-barrier entry to your DIY business. There are several commercial molds that you can purchase online to help you with assembly, and online tutorials abound to help you get started.
Pros:
- You can start with simple recipes and move to more complex formulations when you're ready.
- They're really easy to sell--people use them every day!
Cons:
- This DIY business ideas might also require you to work with a few chemicals with precise measurements.
Always ensure that your supplier only provides beauty-grade and safe-for-skin ingredients. Not doing so might cause skin irritation for your clients.
3. Printed merch like t-shirts, caps, mugs, etc.
If you're looking for an almost hands-off DIY business idea, you can go this route. You can create digital designs, have them printed onto various merch--t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, dog bandanas--and shipped to your customers.
Pros:
- You can tie up with existing businesses to supplement their current products. For instance, gyms, musicians, and charities would need branded products for their promotions.
Cons:
- You need to buy printing materials to start your DIY business; they're not cheap.
4. Woven and knotted home decor
Think nordic, bohemian, and boho. These are all the trends these days when it comes to interior design and home decor. Note, however, that this particular craft will require you to learn a particular skill set.
Pros:
- Macrame ropes are cheap. You can start a project for as little as $30.
- There are several online tutorials online on how to build different items like belts, hanging planters, and textile art
Cons:
- Creating one piece may take some time when you're just beginning.
Of course, you can still use a loom or other equipment to increase your production.
5. Furniture upcycling
For this DIY business ideas, you might need to scour garage sales and junk yards to look for broken furniture that you can upcycle. You can bring new life to old and broken furniture with your woodworking skills and creative vision.
Pros:
- People love upcycled materials, especially those that create bold statements.
- If you create a really nice piece, you might entice collectors.
Cons:
- Shipping costs might be expensive.
- You might need to spend a lot of time looking for old and broken furniture.
6. Curated gift box sets
A gift or subscription box is one of the trending DIY business ideas because it includes several items in one box. If you want, you can even offer this as a subscription business which will make your shipping process easier.
Pros:
- Subscription box is one of the most popular things to make and sell these days.
- Handmade items make perfect gifts, especially if they are personalized.
Cons:
- You might need a big space to store your inventory.
7. Sweets!
Yep, people love anything sweets--cookies, baked goods, jams, chocolates, candies--the list is endless. If you love baking, you can start building your DIY business by selling cakes.
Image taken from Strikingly
Pros:
- You have a lot of room to be creative.
- You can choose a niche and focus--for example, you can only focus on building novelty cakes and candies.
Cons:
- You need to consult with a food inspection agency to ensure that your packaging and labeling meet local requirements.
- Food is perishable.
8. Sauces and condiments
Do you have a family recipe for chili oil? You can tap on it and start cooking and selling your own family-branded spice.
Pros:
- Unlike sweets, sauces and condiments have a longer shelf life.
- You can kickstart your restaurant business by selling non-perishable food items.
Cons:
- There are strict local and national regulations regarding the production and packaging of food items.
9. Home fragrances
One of the easiest DIY business ideas to make and sell online is home fragrances. You can purchase candle-making kits online and experiment by adding different essential oils.
Pros:
- Candles can be molded into anything you want. The possibilities are endless!
Cons:
- You must consider that candles are susceptible to breakage and melting. You have to think about these when you outline your packing and shipping tactic.
10. Crocheted items
This is one of the most popular things to make and sell online. Just like candles, the possibilities are endless! You can build sweaters, coasters, amigurumi dolls, laptop covers, table runners, and more.
Pros:
- To start this DIY business ideas is cost efficient.
- You can take your projects anywhere, like in your dentist's office, and work on it while you're waiting.
Cons:
- Blankets, depending on your proficiency, can take a lot of time.
Turn Your DIY Business Ideas Into Reality with Strikingly
You need an excellent and reliable platform to sell your DIY items. If you're not proficient at website building, don't fret. Strikingly is here.
Here are five easy steps to set up your online store with Strikingly:
1. Sign up with Strikingly. Start with a free plan and build your website. If you want more features, go for the Pro Yearly plan.
2. Choose your template. Strikingly has over 200+ templates that you can choose from. To make selection easier, choose "Store" from the categories.
Image taken from Strikingly
3. Add a Simple Store section. Adding a store section only takes two clicks: (1) Click the green "Add a new section" button, and (2) select Simple Store from the list.
4. Add and price your products. Click "Add products" to start your journey. Don't forget to write enticing product names and descriptions to entice your customers into purchasing. You can also add variations if your specific product comes in different colors or sizes.
5. Publish and go online. When you're done, click the "Publish" button, and you're live. Congratulations!
Obviously, you don't stop at adding your products and publishing your eCommerce store. Your website will not promote itself. Here are a few Strikingly features that will help you promote and market your newly started DIY business ideas:
- Website Pop-ups. These are great for announcing promotions and sales or redirecting your customers to your blog post.
Image taken from Strikingly
- Newsletter. Newsletters are great for your email marketing strategy. You can engage your customers via email and send them updates and product launch announcements.
- Website Analytics and Funnel. You should never ignore your site's analytics because it gives you a better idea of who your customers are.
You can also get a glimpse of how many people are adding your products to their carts, entering the checkout page, and buying your DIY business products. Depending on what stage the funnels get tighter, you can add strategies to push people down your sales funnel.
- Social feeds section. This section showcases your Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram pages. Other than adding dynamic content to your website, it also serves as an invitation for your website visitor to follow you.
Creating something using your hands is therapeutic. It offers several health benefits, especially for people who work a regular 9-5 hour job. You get to recharge, do something you love, and earn from your DIY business at the same time. Of course, the sense of accomplishment after creating something significantly improves your mood.
What's your creative calling? Choose from our list of DIY things to make and sell online and start earning today.
