Revealing the most lucrative handmade ventures
Looking to get creative and <a <a t fully factor in costs like labour or packaging.
Some crafts in this round-up require more time and effort than others, which can quickly eat into profits. Once those are included, the real profit margins typically fall to between 45% and 55%.
That might sound like a steep drop, but it’s still exceptionally strong. In fact, these numbers are on par with the world’s most profitable large companies, such as Nvidia and Visa, which operate at margins of around 50%.
15. Hand-stamped metal jewellery: 86% gross margin
Unlike simpler arty projects like candle-making and flower-pressing, crafting a piece of jewellery calls for time, practice and a certain level of skill to get a clean, professional finish.
The upside is that raw materials are relatively inexpensive, which helps keep costs low and markups high. For a fairly basic hand-stamped metal piece, materials come in at only $2.50 (£1.85) typically, yet the average sale price stands at $18 (£13.30), a margin of 86%.
14. Sugar/salt body scrubs: 86% gross margin
When it comes to money-making crafts, this is about as easy and quick as it gets. You don’t need specialist skills or training to make a sugar or salt body scrub. And mixing and jarring a batch can be done in next to no time.
Bought in bulk, the base ingredients for a standard jar that sells for $14 (£10.35) cost only $1.90 (£1.40), a tidy 86% margin. And that includes the jar itself and lid.
13. Scented candles: 87% gross margin
This go-to Etsy side hustle is actually among the most profitable. Perennially popular, scented candles are cheap to make yet they can sell for big bucks, with a typical gross material margin of 87%.
Relatively little skill is required. That said, creating unique aroma combos, getting the scent/wax ratio spot on, and nailing a distinctive brand identity and packaging are key to standing out in a crowded market and commanding premium prices.
