Not everyone has access to specialized wholesalers or special connections with a manufacturer that can provide them with goods to sell online. Surprisingly, some people actually make more money selling handcrafted goods on ebay or etsy.com than those with fancy connections to well known goods. Here are five of the best handmade items you too can sell online for a profit.
Bath Products. Bath items; shower gels, soaps, lotions, and bath salts are notoriously popular handmade items. These items are extremely easy to learn how to make and extremely easy to sell once made. You can look online for recipes and tutorials showing you step by step instructions on creating these types of items. You can also visit any craft store and pick up a soap, lotion, and bath salt making kit. This will allow you to try your hand at this craft for a reasonable price. Once you have confirmed that you enjoy making these items and are successful in your end product at that point you can look into online wholesalers that can provide you with large quantities of packaging supplies that you can purchase as your business grows.
Candles. Candles are another booming item found on these sites. The secret, I find, is to try to stay away from conventional pillar or taper candles in traditional scents and let your creativity loose. A bright green soy candle crafted in an unusual shape that is cherry cola scented is much more likely to sell than a traditional lavender pillar candle. Why? Because you can get a traditional lavender scented pillar candle everywhere! One of a kind candles that come in scents and shapes that are not mass produced are extremely good sellers. To learn how to make candles you can do some research online, take a class at a local craft shop, or purchase a “do it yourself” kit. I suggest the kit, just to be certain that you like and are able to successfully make these items.
“Kitchy” items. Believe it or not, items like old style potholders, casserole cozies and decorative toilet paper covers are very popular in these marketplaces. These items are so popular because although they appeal to the older generations, they are no longer readily available in stores. These items will be very good to sell around the holidays and mothers day. If you cannot knit, try taking a class or better yet, if at all possible, spend some time with an older relative and learn!
Rag dolls and doll clothes. There is a huge market for these items and the craft itself is one of the easiest to learn. I took a class on rag doll making at my local crafts store, and 45 min later, you would have thought I had been a doll maker all my life. In addition to being a simple craft to master, you can complete one whole doll in less than an hour with less than $3.00 in materials.
Baby items. Knit baby blankets, booties, bibs, and bonnets are all very popular items. Most people who buy them, are those who want to give a thoughtful and heartfelt gift without the effort of making it themselves. I have seen pairs of personalized knit booties sold on etsy for 80.00 or better a pair. Considering that the item probably only took about a few hours and cost less than $1.00 to make, the seller made out like a bandit! To learn this craft pay a visit to your local craft or fabric store.
