Money Making Crafts: Woodworking

 With so many people out of work because of business closures and less jobs available in the real world, it makes sense that so many are looking online. Whether looking for jobs, working for someone else, or wanting to start a business it seems that online, a hugely increasing market, is the place to be

Working from home

Being able to work from home has been shown to be pandemic proof, in the main. Some businesses suffered of course, the wedding and travel industry are the main ones that spring to mind. Those that only had one website that was totally invested in either of those would have lost their source of income virtually overnight.

Not a good place to be. The lesson there is to diversify.

Times are changing

Lots of big businesses have survived by moving online which meant a lot of job losses. Those that could work from home during lockdowns and restrictions found it was a better option. They felt safer, there was no commute and no office distractions. Another bonus was they got more done in less time, so had more family or leisure time.

Many do not want to go back into a busy office or work environment, neither do they want to be on crowded trains or buses on the commute to work.

Online businesses

These are on the increase but with over 4 billion online users there is plenty of room for all. Many crafters have upped their game and turned their hobbies into a business. Lots of others are looking at what they can do to create a viable business.

It doesn't need to cost much to start up, website provider/hosting, domain name etc. It can take time to build a business and there is more to learn about than you realise. 

You need to have good photographs from every angle with a good description. It's a good idea to have a blog on your website with articles on different aspects of your business or talking about what you make.

A good way to start off is advertising online via social media in your local area. It starts bringing in revenue quicker than waiting until your online presence has built.

What to make?

For this piece, I am going to start with woodwork. Why? Because if this is your forte there is such a variety of things you can create from large to small.

Let's start with a very popular item at the minute, a Mud Kitchen! Not heard of one? Nor me, until my granddaughter asked my husband to make one for our great-grandson's 1st birthday.

She gave him a picture for ideas and off he went.

The picture was before he added a top shelf and another underneath.

Now the reason for her asking was that so many she had seen were expensive. If they were a decent size, well made and looked good they were £300 upwards. Websites also charged extra for the accessories. 

We discovered some pound shops had stainless steel bowls for £1 and sets of wooden utensils for £1. They were just cut down to size for small hands. So it's worth looking offline as well as on for extras that you need.

You can do research and find out whatever else is popular at the minute.

More ideas

If you like making big stuff, there are sheds, log cabins as a garden room. Children's playhouses, benches, tables, desks, stools and so on. The list really is endless. 

Beds

My husband made some beds for the grandchildren. The first was a type of bunk bed over a desk though, rather than another bed. Camper van bunk beds that still look as good 10 years on. Very solid and sturdy unlike many you buy. 

He also made a toddler bed that looked like a digger. A four-poster single bed, with a pull-out bed underneath on castors.

Then of course you can make bed bases with storage underneath, either by lifting up or with drawers or cupboards underneath.

The list is endless once you start thinking. 

Shelves

Then there were shelves he made for a daughter's friends who saw the grandchildren's shelves. One person asked for a football pitch, another a sail boat and there were a few others too. 

So after making many for free, well not free to us of course, another daughter suggested he make a business of it. But this time make and sell them using eco board and eco paint.

He made a variety of children's shelves including a rainbow cloud, racing car, double decker bus, a castle, a fairy castle and a train and so many more.

They became popular, but it got too much after a while, with his full time working. So he stopped. 

You can make all sorts of shelves, not just novelty shelves, for all around the house.

Boxes

What about toy boxes or storage boxes? Be innovative and make sections to hold particular items. Paint them to match bedroom themes. Make big ones and small ones, perhaps even stackable for an office or craft room.

What about Pets?

You can make things for pets too. Kennels for dogs, hutches for rabbits and guinea pigs with or without a run, Hutches can of course be two storey to give more space to move around.

You can build aviaries for bird breeders.

Then there are beds. Cat beds and dog beds of all sizes too.

Be creative

Brainstorm ideas too. Look for something that no one or very few make. Get friends or family together and write down things that you would like to make. Then take those ideas and expand on them with 'What if's'.

What if something was a different shape? Try to be different.

If you are making to order, ensure you list the amount of time it will take to make an order up. Always take the money upfront for personalised or made-to-order items. If you have done the work you should be paid.

Conclusion

There is so much you can make from wood. If you enjoy woodworking then it's an ideal business. 

Working out costs and time is important. Don't make things for free because you feel guilty charging those you know. Once you make something free or at cost for someone they will not buy from you at full price.

Once you are a business treat it as a business, not a hobby. 

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Thank you..