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When it comes to the actual products behind your business, the opportunities are almost endless. Here is a list of 49 different handmade products that you can sell in the following categories. Have an idea that’s not listed? Please share it with us in the comments below this post!
Bath & Body
- soap
- bath bombs
- bubble bars
- shampoo bars
- candles
- wax melts
- reed diffusers
- room sprays
- lip balm
Vinyl (ex. Cricut)
- vinyl tumblers
- t-shirts
- Christmas stockings
- pillowcases
- wine bags
- vinyl decals
- jewellery cases
- infant bodysuits
Sublimation
- photo puzzles
- phone cases
- printed mugs
- Christmas ornaments
- tote bags
- face masks
Textiles
- fabric coasters
- macrame wall hangings
- crochet scarves
- cross-stitch art
- scrunchies
- kimonos
- knit blankets
Woodworking
- 3D nursery signs
- desktop organizer
- clocks
- blanket ladders
- painted wood signs
Jewellery
- leather earrings
- resin pendant necklaces
- metal bracelets
- beaded jewellery
Ceramics
- ring dishes
- planters
- mugs
- knitting bowls
- serving dishes
Paper
- greeting cards
- wedding invitations
- stickers
- wine labels
- business cards
Which handmade products should you sell in YOUR business?
While you can sell a variety of products, it is best to focus on one niche (aka category). This will minimize the start up costs and learning curve, while allowing you to better identify your business’ brand and target the right audience.
For example, selling both candles and wax melts makes perfect sense as they will use a lot of the same materials, tools, and knowledge. Whereas selling candles and t-shirts can be a lot harder as you will need different equipment, supplies, and must learn how to make both products.
Here are a few steps to help you choose which products are right for you
- Consider knowledge & equipment you already have
- You can significantly cut down on start up costs and time if you sell a product you already know how to make and/or have the equipment for. Did you make your own candles as wedding favours and loved the process? Or took up knitting as a hobby? Received a Cricut for Christmas and are intrigued by all of the possibilities of what you can make with it?
- Explore your interests
- You are going to be spending a lot of time making the products you choose. Be honest with yourself about what interests you. If you hate working with computers, don’t choose printables or products that will require a lot of digital design. If you are sensitive to scents, working on bath & body products will likely cause aggravation.
- Learn how to make the product
- Before committing to making a specific product, do some research and learn what is required to make it. Watch video tutorials on Youtube and read step-by-step instructional blog posts to get a feel for the process. Consider the space that will be needed, supplies, equipment, level of difficulty.
- Research equipment & supplies
- Before purchasing any equipment or materials, you will want to spend time researching the various options and suppliers to be sure you’re getting the tools that are right for your business. Consider cost vs quality, reviews from other customers & makers, the capabilities of the equipment vs. what you need, what tools are necessary for beginners and what can wait until you grow your business.
- Find other makers who sell your product
- Where are they selling? What are their price points? What stands out to you about their business? Don’t just copy what they are doing. Use your research to decide how you will set your products and your business apart from others in the industry.
Where Can I Sell my Handmade Products?
You can choose to sell in one or more locations. Each has different costs, time involved, rules to follow, and advantages as a new seller. Here are a few popular spots to advertise and sell your handmade products:
- local markets & events
- Etsy
- your own website (ex. Shopify, Wix)
- artisan/consignment stores
- your own brick & mortar retail store
I will go into more detail about the pros and cons of the options above in another post. My recommendation when first starting out is to open up an Etsy shop and create pages on Facebook & Instagram to begin growing your own following.
Next Steps
Once you’ve selected which product(s) you’re going to be making, you will need to choose a business name and follow the proper steps to setting up your business. We will discuss all of that in a new post.
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