Sick of the day to day drag? Need to make some extra money? Here’s a list of things to make and sell from home so you can quit your day job and get more out of your life!
Isn’t the Internet awesome?
Since its debut to the world, it has given us so many opportunities we didn’t have before and it has certainly made the world a much “smaller place”.
The World Wide Web has provided more and more people with the opportunity to work from home and has offered countless women the option of being home with their children to watch them grow and still make an income.
The number of things to make and sell from home using the internet is infinite.
If you can dream and make it, then you can sell it to someone…somewhere in the world.
You know the old saying “You could sell ice to an Eskimo”? It’s true…people all over the world are actually buying ice on the internet!
So, if you’ve been sitting around trying to think of things to make and sell from home, this post is for you!
No matter what your craft or skill level, there is something you can do to make money at home.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of things to make and sell from home so you can quit your day job and finally start doing something you love…
Good Luck!
Things To Make and Sell From Home So You Can Quit Your Day Job
Cakes
Do you enjoy baking and decorating cakes? Learn How to Start a Cake Business From Home and then open up an Etsy shop or start your own website and sell your cakes online!
Check out these delicious looking cakes and treats from Lady Sweet Cakes on Etsy!
Recommended Reading:
- The Business of Baking: The Book That Inspires, Motivates and Educates Bakers and Decorators to Achieve Sweet Business Success.
- How To Start A Cake Business From Home: How To Make Money from your Handmade Cakes, Cupcakes, Cake Pops and more!
- How To Start A Cupcake Business – 7 Strategic Steps On How To Start A Successful & Profitable Cake Business (How To Start A Cupcake Cake Business Book 1)
Create Meal Plans
People are busy and they don’t always have time to come up with easy dinner menus for themselves. Offer them the gift of time with custom made menu plans or design blank menu planners and sell them as printables on Etsy.
Recommended Reading:
Teach
There are so many options available for teachers on the Internet! And, no, you don’t need a teaching license. The only requirements are knowledge, persistence and a subject that people want to learn about.
Learn How to Make Money Teaching Without Getting a Job…
Recommended Reading:
- Launch a Teaching Business: How to Sell Information Through Affiliate Products and Your Own Online Courses via Udemy
- The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips
- Essentials of Online Course Design: A Standards-Based Guide (Essentials of Online Learning)
Graphic Design
The Internet is made up of graphic design. Why not steal a piece of that pie? If you’re good at web design, offer to design websites from the ground up for your customers.
Not so good at web design? No Worries! You can make stationery, design t-shirts, art prints, duvet covers, the list goes on and on!
Recommended Reading:
- The Business Side of Creativity: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Running a Small Graphic Design or Communications Business (Fourth Updated Edition)
- Start Your Own Graphic Design Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success (StartUp Series)
- Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market 2017 (or a newer version!)
Write
Okay, so writing might not seem like “things to make and sell from home”, but it is…
Hear me out! Yes, your words are not a tangible thing, however, you can easily create e-books and articles, blog posts and even your own magazine if you wanted to get really serious! Then, you can sell your finished products on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CreateSpace….again, the list goes on and on!
Just type “sell e-books” into google, you’ll be shocked at how many options there are online!
Recommended Reading:
- The Essential Guide to Freelance Writing: How to Write, Work, and Thrive on Your Own Terms
- The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success
- Writer’s Market Deluxe Edition 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published
Design & Sell T-Shirts
There are a zillion websites on the internet that offer you the ability to design and sell t-shirts. From Amazon Merch to Society 6 to Zazzle, you can really make a lot of money if you offer popular designs that people want to buy.
Learn more from The Work At Home Woman…
Recommended Reading:
- Launch a Kick Ass T-Shirt Brand: An Essential Guide to Building a T-Shirt Empire
- Creativity For Sale: How I Made $1,000,000 Wearing T-Shirts and How You Can Turn Your Passion Into Profit, Too
- T-shirt Black Book – The Ultimate How To Guide to Starting A Successful Clothing Line: The essential guide for startup brands wanting to create a successful clothing line.
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Sell Photos
Do you like taking pictures? Get them printed professionally and offer your photographs of landscapes, wildlife, etc. for sale!
Here’s 37 ways to do it from The Work At Home Woman.
Recommended Reading:
- Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making and Selling Images
- Photographer’s Market 2018
- Take Stock Photography That Sells: Earn a living doing what you love
Soap
People go crazy for homemade soap! Back in early 2000s, before I started designing stationery, I sold homemade soap at local craft shows and I loved it!
Making soap is not only a really fun craft, but you can make them to satisfy a ton of different skin needs and there is a HUGE market for specialized soaps on Etsy.
Check out this post from 6 Dollar Family on How to Make Homemade Soap + 33 Recipes!
Recommended Reading:
- Pure Soapmaking: How to Create Nourishing, Natural Skin Care Soaps
- Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English
- The Everything Soapmaking Book: Learn How to Make Soap at Home with Recipes, Techniques, and Step-by-Step Instructions – Purchase the right equipment … soaps, and Package and sell your creations
Candles
Just like with the soap, people get all sorts of gaga over fun candles and there are so many things you can do with them! From a standard jar candle to making hand-sculpted pillar candles, the possibilities are endless!
Head over to Crafts on Fire to see recipes for 20 Unique and Easy DIY Candles that Anyone Can Make, then check out some of these awesome candles people are selling on Etsy…
Recommended Reading:
- The Encyclopedia of Candlemaking Techniques: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide
- The Everything Candlemaking Book: Create Homemade Candles in House-Warming Colors, Interesting Shapes, and Appealing Scents (Everything®)
- Candle Making Basics: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (How To Basics)
Get started with this all in one kit from Amazon!
Homemade Dog Biscuits
Or Food…Toys…Photographs…Or even freakin’ birthday cakes, can you believe that?! People are all sorts of crazy about their pets and they are willing to pay big bucks for homemade things for Fido!
Check out this Easy 2-Ingredient Dog Treats recipe to get started…
Recommended Reading:
- The Healthy Hound Cookbook: Over 125 Easy Recipes for Healthy, Homemade Dog Food–Including Grain-Free, Paleo, and Raw Recipes!
- Pet Bakery Business Startup: How to Start, Run & Grow a Trendy Pet Bakery Business
- Start Your Own Pet Business and More: Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Training, Grooming, Food/Treats, Upscale Pet Products (StartUp Series)
Coffee Mugs
Especially those with motivational sayings, quotes or phrases on them! You can design and sell coffee mugs on a ton of different websites, without ever touching a single piece of inventory, too!
Check out the options on Zazzle, Society6, Printify or Printful…
Recommended Reading:
Pallet Crafts
There are TONS of things you can make/build using pallets and the best part is, you can usually get them free!
Head over to DecorExtra.com and check out all the awesome suggestions!
Recommended Reading:
- DIY Wood Pallet Projects: 23 Creative Wood Pallet Projects That Are Easy To Make And Sell!
- Crafting with Wood Pallets: Projects for Rustic Furniture, Decor, Art, Gifts and more
- DIY Wood Pallet Projects: 35 Rustic Modern Upcycling Ideas to Personalize Your Space
Decorative Mason Jars
Love Mason Jars? Why not make and sell decorative jars for different seasons, as suggested by What Mommy Makes? People love using jars for storage around the house, so consider different home decor styles and colors, too!
Recommended Reading:
- DIY Mason Jar Crafts
- Crafting with Mason Jars and other Glass Containers: Over 35 simple and beautiful upcycling projects
- Mason Jar Crafts: DIY Projects for Adorable and Rustic Decor, Storage, Lighting, Gifts and Much More
Christmas Ornaments
I don’t know why I’ve never thought of this one before, but holy cow – you could make a killing from handmade ornaments at Christmas time! In fact, I’ll bet you could make them for every holiday throughout the year and sell those, too!
Check out the 18 DIY Christmas Ornaments suggested from This Tiny Blue House.
Recommended Reading:
- Christmas Ornaments: Easy Christmas Ornaments Anyone Can Make!
- Christmas Ornaments: A Collection of 25 Projects to Make and Cherish
- Mother Nature Inspired Christmas Ornaments: 20 Easy Ornaments, In 5 Steps Or Less, From Found Materials Adorned With Succulents, Air Plants & A Little Bling
Crochet Baskets
Love to crochet? Check out these 10 Easy Crochet Basket Patterns from The Mummy Front. Not only could you sell this gorgeous baskets, but you could sell other crochet projects, too!
Recommended Reading:
- Crochet One-Skein Wonders®: 101 Projects from Crocheters around the World
- Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns
Sewing Projects
If you love to sew, you can make and sell ANY of your favorite sewing projects. Check out these 8 Easy and Lazy Sewing Projects from Chasing Foxes.
Recommended Reading:
- Sewing to Sell – The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Craft Business: Bonus – 16 Starter Projects • How to Sell Locally & Online
- Reap What You Sew: 8 Sewing Superstars Reveal Their Business Building Secrets That You Can Pattern for Your Own Success and Profit
- More Sewing to Sell—Take Your Handmade Business to the Next Level: 16 New Projects to Make & Sell!
Scrunchies
Oh yes, my old friends – scrunchies have made their way back on the market and they are currently HOT! So, head out to the craft store and pick up some elastic and fabric to start making and selling these today!
Get a free tutorial from Orange Bettie for these adorable Knot Bow Scrunchies here.
Recommended Reading:
- 41 How to Make Hair Bows [Babies, Teens, and You!] from TipJunkie
- How to Make Hair Bows for Babies from Involvery
- Top DIY Accessories to Style Hair from LoveThisPic
Image via Jewelry Making Journal
Jewelry
Love jewelry? Why not make and sell your own? You could start your own website, Etsy shop or even sell your dazzling jewels at local craft shows and markets! Here’s a TON of free tutorials from Jewelry Making Journal to help you get started.
Recommended Reading:
- Profiting by Design: A Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Business Success
- Sell Your Jewelry: How to Start a Jewelry Business and Make Money Selling Jewelry at Boutiques, Fairs, Trunk Shows, and Etsy.
- The Cartiers: The Untold Story of a Jewelry Dynasty
Image via Angela Marie Made
Pet Accessories
Remember above where I suggested that people will spend big bucks on dog treats? The same goes for collars, leashes, bowls, etc. People LOVE to spend money on their little fur babies, so get in on some of that action and start making your own pet accessories, like these adorable No Sew Flannel Bandanas from Angela Marie Made!
Recommended Reading:
- Start Your Own Pet Business and More: Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Training, Grooming, Food/Treats, Upscale Pet Products (StartUp Series)
- 101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers: What You Need to Know about Starting and Succeeding in a Pet Business of Your Own
Image via DIY Tutorial Ideas
Totes and Bags
Everyone needs totes and bags! With more and more towns and states banning the use of plastic bags, we’ll soon be needing even more of them. So, why not start making and selling your own line of them? You can sell them on eBay, Etsy or even at local craft shows and markets. Check out this super easy Eco-Friendly Tote Bag tutorial from DIY Tutorial Ideas to get started.
Recommended Reading:
- The Bag Boutique: 20 Bright and Beautiful Bags To Sew
- The Better Bag Maker: An Illustrated Handbook of Handbag Design • Techniques, Tips, and Tricks
- A Bag for All Reasons: 12 all-new bags and purses to sew for every occasion
Wall Decor
Are you good at doodling? Or do you enjoy hand-lettering? Maybe you like to paint? Create your own line of decorative wall art and sell it on Zazzle, Etsy, Society6 or even Amazon Handmade! Here’s a great article from Nevue Fine Art Marketing with lots of tips and tricks to get started!
Wooden Signs
You’ve seen them everywhere for the past few years, but guess what? Wooden signs are here to stay for awhile. Everyone loves them and honestly, why wouldn’t they? You can make a wooden sign for any occasion, any decor, any room in any house. And you can get started for just a few pieces of scrap wood and some paint! Read How to Make Wooden Signs that Sell from Make Cents Woodworking to get started.
Recommended Reading:
- Lettering & Sign Carving Workbook: 10 Skill-Building Projects for Carving and Painting Custom Signs
- Vintage Typography and Signage: For Designers, By Designers (Dover Pictorial Archive)
- Artist Toolbox: Surfaces & Supports: A practical guide to drawing and painting surfaces — from canvas and paper to textiles and woods
As you can see the possibilities of things to make on sell from home are literally endless! While I’ve included just a few here, there are so many more options out there!
You might also like:
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Enjoy!
Have a Spectacular Day!
~Vanessa
Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.
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