Five side hustles for crafty mums

Business

Looking for ways you can earn money around your baby or child? here are five side hustles for crafty mums to inspire you.

Having a baby can be expensive, especially when you’re down to relying on one salary for your household income. And for many mums, if they’re not ready yet to return to work, the idea of a side hustle is very attractive. Especially if you can find a way of earning money from something you love.

There are a number of different types of flexible working arrangements, including:

If you’ve got a crafty side then you already have a head start, as you’ll have skills, or can make products that, if marketed properly, people will be happy to pay for.

So to inspire you, we’ve picked five crafty ideas that could make a handy side hustle if you want to earn some extra cash while the kids are napping or busy watching CBeebies.

1) Card and invitation making 

Many people planning a wedding look for personalised stationery for their big day, so if you’re a dab hand when it comes to papercrafts, offering a card or invitation making service could see you enjoy some lucrative income.

You can work with the couple to create a design they love, then have fun making each invitation or card at home for them to share with their friends and family. 

2) Jewellery making 

There are so many options when it comes to making jewellery. You can pick up kits that guide you through the process or pick and choose everything – from the beads to the cord you thread your decorative elements on – via a specialist craft website.

If you’re skilled at sculpting, you could also put that talent to use and sculpt pendants out of clay or try out mould making and pouring with resin. 

3) Pottery making 

You can create everything from decorative cups and plates to delicate wall plaques that people can enjoy in their home.

Clay is easy to find and there are a range of types to choose from, such as clay that needs to be baked in the oven at home and glazed to self-hardening varieties that require very little prep and effort. For those deeply involved in pottery making and looking for quality equipment, try Kilnfrog kilns for pottery and crafts.

4) Embroidery 

This seemingly forgotten skill is gaining popularity again and offering those who are skilled at sewing the opportunity to make some additional income.

You can embroider empowering messages onto materials for people to feature in their homes, embroider cushions and keepsakes with kid’s names for a bespoke gift or embroider designs onto clothing for unique pieces that are artworks in their own right.

All you need is a needle, thread and some material to work with to get started with this craft. 

5) Soap making 

Pretty soaps are always well received as a gift, so why not try making your own at home to sell? You can be truly unique when it comes to your soap design. Look for inspiration on the likes of Pinterest where you’ll find incredible soaps that look like delicious, edible cakes or designs inspired by film and gaming franchises. The Spruce Crafts website has a great guide on how to make your own soap, featuring everything you need to consider and how to get started. 

Where to sell the crafts you’ve made 

There are a few options when it comes to selling your crafts, here are some to consider: 

  • Etsy –This website was created for artists and crafters to sell their wares. Simply set up an account and list your items – there is a dedicated guide here to help you get started. Etsy will take a small cut but you’ll enjoy the rest. 
  • Facebook Marketplace –Sell your crafts to local customers on Facebook Marketplace, you can list for free and even have people come and collect the items so you don’t need to worry about postage. 
  • A dedicated website – You can create your own website and set up a shop function on this to sell your items. 
  • Local craft fairs –Invest in a stall at a local craft fair and showcase your products in person, it’s a great excuse to get you out of the house for the weekend and you can work to a deadline to create a build-up of stock to sell.
  • eBay –You can list your items on eBay and sell them through this, bear in mind that you’ll need to factor in the cost of postage too and eBay’s sellers fees so you aren’t losing any money. 

Photo by Rebecca Grant