Whether you have decided that the 9-to-5 office life is not for you or you want to earn additional income on the side, turning your hobby into a successful business is easier than ever. Through sites like Etsy and Instagram, making a living from your artistic endeavors is a possibility for anyone who is willing to invest time and effort.
If you are bursting with creative energy that you want to channel into a business opportunity, here are a few suggestions for you.
Greeting Cards
In the age of Facebook and Twitter, selling greeting cards is still (surprisingly) a big business. However, nowadays, when people want a greeting card, they no longer have to go to a supermarket to buy one. Online, there are many artists that sell unique greeting cards for any occasion.
If paper is your prefered medium, perhaps designing your own greeting cards is the path you should pursue. Get yourself a punch board and special papers if you plan to create handmade and one-of-a-kind cards. Having your cards professionally printed is also an option.
T-Shirts
For graphic designers, selling T-shirts online is an easy and effective way to earn money. You have two options if you want to venture into this business. Your first option is to submit your own design to a site like Redbubble which will take care of the printing and shipping for you.
Another option is to do it all yourself. You need to not only create a unique design that potential customers will not find anywhere else, but also find a partner that will supply high-quality T-shirts and print your graphics in a way that will not fade or crack quickly. You will also take care of shipping your product to individual customers.
Although it is a lot more work, the advantage of doing it on your own is you have greater control over your design and the quality of your T-shirts.
Gift Baskets
Do you pride yourself with your gift-giving skills? Then starting a gift basket business may be the right one for you.
A gift basket is perfect for any occasion because it can be altered and customized based on the event or the personality of the person who will receive it. You also will not be limited to just arranging stuff in a basket; you can use a bag and fill it up with school supplies or even a bucket filled with snacks. Whatever theme you choose, you can create a gift basket around it.
Soaps and Shampoo Bars
Handmade soaps and shampoo bars are popular, especially among those who want to reduce the amount of trash they generate. You can experiment with different ingredients (essential oils, butter, botanicals) to create a soap or shampoo bar that moisturizes and softens the skin and hair.
Calligrapher
Calligraphers are very much in demand right now. You can either offer your services to design invitations and cards or share your expertise with others who are also interested in the craft through workshops. You can also create your own prints and sell them online.
Turning your hobby into a business will be fun, but it will not be easy. Like a regular shop, you would need to market your site and produce products that your customers would want to buy. In the end, if you put enough time and hard work into any venture, you will have a chance to succeed.
