Do you have a creative streak? Maybe you’re an aspiring artist or a talented writer. Or perhaps you have a knack for creating amazing digital graphics on your laptop. Sometimes, society doesn’t seem to value creative skills as much as other talents, leading to the stereotype of the “starving artist.” But there’s no reason why you can’t turn your artistic abilities into a source of income. Here are some creative ways to make money.
Whether you’re looking for a new career or just some extra cash on the side, I hope this list inspires you. You might find a way to monetize a hobby you already love or discover a whole new avenue to explore.
Etsy Printables Store
Selling printables online is a fantastic idea. Printables are products that customers can download and print themselves. You can create printable wall art, planners, journal pages, games, activity sheets, teaching worksheets, invitations, and recipe cards. The beauty of printables is that once you’ve made them and uploaded them to your Etsy store, they generate passive income. There’s no need to manage inventory or shipping.
Make Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a big business. These are the little gifts guests find at their place settings during a wedding meal. Couples often want personalized items with their names or wedding date. You could start a small home business making these personalized wedding favors, like bags of sweets or jars of jam with custom labels.
Sell at Craft Fairs
If you have a creative hobby, like making jewelry, toys, or clothes, consider selling your creations at local craft fairs. This is a quick way to start making money from your talent. You can also sell your items online, but craft fairs offer the advantage of direct interaction with customers and other creatives.
Make Costumes
If you can sew, you could make money creating custom costumes. While ready-made costumes are easy to find, many people want unique outfits for cosplay, themed events, or professional performances. You could also make lower-cost items like masks and props.
Sell Digital Assets Online
If you can create digital design elements like backgrounds, textures, or clip art, you can sell these on sites like Creative Market. Like printables, digital assets can be sold repeatedly, providing a source of passive income.
Wedding Stationery
The wedding industry is huge, and there’s always a demand for printed items like invitations, place cards, and table plans. You could create and sell wedding stationery, offering both ready-made printables and custom designs.
Greetings Cards
Creating and selling greeting cards is another artistic way to make money. You can draw them by hand and digitize the designs or create them on the computer. Sell them as printables online or as physical products at craft fairs or local gift shops.
Print-on-Demand Sites
With print-on-demand (POD) sites, you create a digital design and upload it. The site lets you see your design on various products, and if a customer buys it, the POD company prints and ships the item, paying you a commission. This is a hands-off business model perfect for those with creative design skills.
Sell Coloring Books
Adult coloring books are still popular due to their therapeutic benefits. If you have illustration skills, you can create unique designs. Even if you’re not an artist, you can buy coloring pages with Private Label Rights (PLR) and compile them into a book.
Logo Design
If you can use basic image editing software, consider offering logo design services. Many new blogs, websites, and businesses need custom logos. You can offer your services on freelancer sites like Fiverr or People Per Hour.
Make Gift Baskets
Creating gift baskets is a simple home business idea. They make popular presents for various occasions and can be sold at a significant markup. You’ll need packaging materials and items to fill the baskets, which you can buy in bulk.
Run Craft Workshops
If you love crafting and have good people skills, consider running craft workshops. You could teach a skill or make an item together, selling tickets to attendees. Alternatively, offer craft parties for children’s birthdays or hen parties.
Blogger
Blogging is a creative way to make extra money and can eventually become a full-time career. It involves more than just writing; many bloggers use skills like graphic design, photography, and social media marketing.
Calligrapher
If you have calligraphy skills, use them to create wedding invitations, wall art, or hand-addressed envelopes. You can also make stickers or printable inserts for bullet journals.
Ebook Writer
If you’re more into writing, consider writing and selling ebooks. You can publish your books on Amazon with Kindle Direct Publishing or sell them in PDF format from your website. Short, practical how-to guides often sell well online.
Sell Stock Photos
Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, you can make money by selling stock photos. This can be a source of passive income, as you get paid every time your photo sells. There are even apps that let you upload photos directly from your phone.