List of Small Business Ideas For Crafters

Many crafters dream of turning their hobby into a business. Craft businesses generally have low start up costs and are easy to run from home. They are a perfect choice for work at home moms and dads.

If you are interested in starting a crafts business, you probably already have the crafting skills you'll need, but how can you make your products stand out from the crowd at a craft show or on a website such as Etsy.com?

This list of small business ideas for crafters will help inspire new products and help you find a successful niche.

To get an idea of the possibilities for a small craft business, mix and match from the following lists. On the left is a list of crafts; on the right, a list of specialty niches:

• basketry
• beading
  
• bookmaking
• calligraphy
  
• candlemaking
• ceramics
  
• collage
• crochet
• cross stitch
• doll making
  
• drawing
• embroidery
• engraving
  
• fiber arts
• flower arranging
• framing
  
• furniture
• glass-blowing
  
• jewelry
• knitting
• leather working
  
• metal-working
• needlepoint
  
• origami
• painting
  
• paper cutting
  
• paper making
  
• photography
• print-making
• pottery
• quilting
• rug making
  
• scrapbooking
  
• sculpture
• sewing
  
• soap making
• stained glass
• tanning
  
• taxidermy
  
• toy making
• weaving
  
• woodworking
  

After a little mixing and matching from the lists above, you may come up with any number of creative ideas for your business, such as the following:

• homemade potpourri
• organic baby blankets
• recycled gold wedding rings
• reproduction historical fashion
• scherenschnitte
• vegan shoes
  

Another way to brainstorm products for a successful craft business is to experiment with unusual or unique supplies. At least one crafter has started a successful business spinning and weaving the hair of beloved pets into custom sweaters for their loving owners. Others make waterproof handbags out of plastic shopping bags, soap out of goat's milk, or earrings out of Lego figurines.

Another brainstorming strategy is to consider what needs you can fill. Crafters' skill and creativity gives them an edge as inventors. Consider, for example, the endless quest of bird lovers for a squirrel-proof bird feeder, or of mothers for a cloth diaper that doesn't leak - will you be the one to solve the problem?

Finally, don't forget craft-related businesses such as craft supplies and crafting lessons!