You can make a good income from selling many different types of crafts. However, some crafts have the potential to be more valuable and can lead to higher profits. Below are a few examples of craft businesses that could make you very wealthy and how to get started.
Diamond Jewelry
Jewelry making is a popular craft that can be very profitable when turned into a business. However, you’re likely to make some of the biggest returns by selling diamond jewelry.
Of course, diamonds are a big investment and you’ll therefore be spending a lot to make this jewelry. However, there’s still the potential to make a profit of hundreds to thousands of dollars per item if you buy your diamonds from the right places and ensure that jewelry is crafted to a high quality.
Generally, it’s a good idea to buy wholesale diamonds from a reputable seller. This way, you know that diamonds are high quality. All this being said, it’s still worth gaining some knowledge on diamond quality grades (the 4 Cs) and diamond shapes.
If you already know how to craft earrings or necklaces, you may be able to easily incorporate diamonds into the mix. Engagement rings are the most popular form of diamond jewelry, so learning how to forge rings could be useful too. This will require forging equipment. Alternative non-precious metals could be easier to work with, plus there is a growing demand for these rings.
High-end fashion
Learning how to design and craft clothing could enable you to access the world of high-end fashion. This is a very competitive industry, but if you’re able to break through there is the potential to make a huge profit per item.
There are two main angles you can take with high-end fashion. The first is to make familiar items but produce them to the highest standard possible by mastering your craft and using the most top-quality materials. The second angle you can take involves getting as experimental and wild as your imagination will take you. This type of clothing may not need to be made from the very best materials but can attract buyers through its uniqueness and rarity.
In both cases, you do need to build a lot of experience making clothing. Taking courses may help, but it’s possible to learn the ropes yourself. Being able to make bespoke high fashion items could earn you the most amount of money – but this does involve strictly following clients’ wishes rather than getting to fully design your items.
Art
If you’re able to make a name for yourself as an artist, there is the potential to sell your artwork for a lot of money. This typically involves creating art that is bold and unique.
Art could include paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and various other mediums. By practicing heavily, you can develop your style – and then use this style to create evocative pieces.
Marketing is half the battle as an artist. You may have produced some truly breathtaking artwork, but only through marketing can you get people to notice it. Social media is a great platform for getting your name out there. You could also consider entering your artwork into local exhibitions and competitions.
Furniture
Learning to build high-quality furniture could also potentially earn you a lot of money. People pay a lot of money for handcrafted tables, chairs, sofas and beds.
There are many routes you can take within this industry, and they will all involve learning different skills. Upholstery and leatherwork could give you the skills to craft your designer sofas and armchairs. Carpentry and wood carving could be useful skills meanwhile for crafting tables, beds and benches. You could even learn some metalwork and create your outdoor furniture from cast iron or steel.
The biggest overheads are the materials and the tools. It could also be essential to have space for a workshop.
Crystalware
Making crystalware involves first learning glassmaking. To do this, you’ll need a kiln or furnace and various tools like metal tongs and gloves.
Once you’ve become a pro at crafting with glass, you can then move on to crystal. While standard glass is made using mostly silica sand, crystal incorporates other minerals to add shininess and durability.
Crystalware can come with great profits as people are willing to spend so much more for crystal. Wine glasses are some of the most popular crystal items, but you can also explore other types of products like jewelry or chandeliers.