20 Low Cost Crafts That Sell Quickly at Local Markets and Online

20 Low Cost Crafts That Sell Quickly at Local Markets and Online

by

If you want to start selling handmade crafts but don’t want to spend much upfront, you’re in the right place. Some of the best-selling items at local markets and online are small, simple, and inexpensive to make. You don’t need fancy tools just a few affordable supplies, a bit of time, and ideas people actually want to buy.

This list covers 20 craft ideas that use low-cost materials, are beginner-friendly, and can be made in small batches. They’re practical, giftable, and easy to carry or ship.

I’ve kept the instructions clear so you can get started right away. Whether you sell from home, at weekend markets, or on platforms like Etsy, these are projects you can turn into steady sellers.

1. Soy Wax Candles

Soy wax, wicks, jars, and fragrance oils are all you need. Melt the wax, add scent, place the wick, and pour. Use small jars so people can try different scents.

Buy wax in bulk to keep costs low and reuse clean glass jars. Candles sell year-round, especially around holidays. At markets, light a few so shoppers can smell them. Online, use good photos and clear scent descriptions.

Alternative Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

2. Handmade Soap

Use a melt-and-pour base for easy soap making. Add essential oils, dried flowers, or natural color. Shape them in silicone molds for neat results. Sell in bundles for better sales. Keep scents gentle and list ingredients for people with sensitive skin.

Shape them in silicone molds for a neat finish. People often buy several bars at once, so selling in bundles can increase sales. Avoid overpowering scents and label ingredients clearly for customers with sensitive skin.

Alternative Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

  • Product: Silicone Soap Molds – 8 Cavity Rectangle Design
  • Use: Gives soaps a consistent size and shape for faster production.
  • 🛒 Check price on Amazon.com

3. Fabric Tote Bags

Sew tote bags from cotton or upcycled fabric. Keep them sturdy with reinforced handles. Offer plain and patterned designs. Tote bags are reusable, lightweight, and easy to ship.

Keep the design clean and sturdy, with reinforced handles. Offer plain options and printed ones. Shoppers like tote bags because they’re reusable and lightweight. They also fold flat, making them easy to ship if selling online.

Alternatively You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

4. Decorative Coasters

Make coasters from cork, felt, or wood. Decorate with paint, burned designs, or fabric. Sell in sets of four or six for gifting. They’re lightweight and affordable for buyers.

Cork, felt, or wooden coasters you can cut and decorated at home. Paint, burn designs into wood, or use fabric glue for patterns. Prepared Selling in sets of four or six gives them a gift appeal. They’re small, easy to carry, and don’t break the bank for buyers.

Alternative Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

5. Keychains

Use leather, beads, or polymer clay. Make simple and personalized designs. Place them near checkout at markets for impulse buys.

Use Leather, beads, or polymer clay work well for making keychains. They’re quick to make and can be sold for impulse purchases. Offer a mix of simple and personalized styles. At markets, place them in a basket near checkout so people see them while paying for other items.

Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

6. Bath Bombs

Mix baking soda, citric acid, and oils. Use natural colors and scents. Make Package simply to keep costs down. Bath bombs sell well for gifts and self-care shoppers.

Try baking soda, citric acid, and oils, bath bombs are inexpensive to produce in batches. Use natural colors and simple scents like lavender or eucalyptus. Package them in paper or small boxes to keep costs low. They make great gifts and are popular for self-care shoppers.

Alternatively You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

  • Product: Glass Bead Assortment – 5000pcs with Storage Box
  • Use: Large selection of beads for a variety of bracelet styles.
  • 🛒 Check price on Amazon.com

7. Reusable Beeswax Wraps

Coat cotton fabric squares in melted beeswax. They replace plastic wrap and appeal to eco-friendly customers. Sell in sets with care instructions.

Cotton fabric coated in beeswax makes a reusable food wrap. Cut the fabric into squares, coat with melted beeswax, and let it cool. They replace plastic wrap and appeal to eco-friendly buyers. Sell them in sets and include care instructions.

8. Cement Planters

Mix cement, pour into molds, and let set. Paint or leave plain. These planters are perfect for small plants and cost very little to make.

Mix cement and pour into molds to make small planters. These are perfect for succulents or herbs. You can paint them for a colorful finish or leave them plain for a minimalist look. They’re inexpensive but feel high-quality in hand.

  • Another Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:
  • 🛒 Check price on Amazon.com
  • Product: Terracotta Clay Pots – 10 Pack, 4-Inch
  • Use: Unpainted pots ready for customization and resale.

9. Handmade Greeting Cards

Use cardstock, stamps, and markers. Create designs for different occasions. Sell single cards or bundles tied with string.

Cardstock, stamps, and markers are all you need. Create designs for birthdays, holidays, and everyday notes. Sell single cards or bundles tied with string. Customers often pick these up as last-minute gifts at markets.

Alternative Option – You Can Make or Buy and Sell:

10. Pillow Covers

Sew covers from fabric scraps or thrifted sheets. Offer standard sizes. Paint or stencil designs for a custom look.

Sewing pillow covers from fabric scraps or thrifted sheets keeps costs down. Offer sizes that fit standard pillows so customers can easily use them at home. Painted or stenciled designs can add a personal touch.

11. Bookmarks

Make from paper, ribbon, or magnets. Decorate with flowers, lettering, or prints. Make Light to ship and easy to pair with journals.

Paper, ribbon, or magnetic styles all work. Decorate with pressed flowers, hand lettering, or printed designs. They’re light to carry and ship, making them ideal for online sales. Pairing them with journals can boost sales.

12. Upcycled Wooden Signs

Use pallet wood or scrap boards. Sand, paint, and seal with quotes or images. Small signs sell quickly and are easy to transport.

Old pallet wood or scrap boards can become rustic signs with stenciled quotes or images. Sand, paint, and seal them for durability. Larger signs sell for more, but small ones are easier to transport and sell faster.

13. Hair Accessories

Make scrunchies, headbands, or clips. Use leftover fabric or ribbons. Offer a mix of colors and patterns. Scrunchies, headbands, or hair clips are simple to sew or decorate. Use leftover fabric or ribbons to keep costs low. Offer a variety of colors and patterns to appeal to different buyers.

14. Seed Paper

Embed seeds into handmade paper. Shape into cards, tags, or bookmarks. Buyers like the eco-friendly and plantable idea.

Make paper embedded with seeds for planting flowers or herbs. Shape them into cards, tags, or bookmarks. They’re eco-friendly and unique, which makes them stand out at markets.

15. Resin Jewelry

Use small molds, resin, and pigments. Add dried flowers or charms. Resin looks polished but is low-cost to make.

Small molds, resin, and pigments are all you need. Embed dried flowers, glitter, or small charms for variety. Resin pieces look polished and can be sold at higher prices while still being cheap to make.

16. Kitchen Tea Towels

Decorate plain cotton towels with paint or embroidery. Sell in pairs or sets. Make sure designs are washable. Plain cotton towels can be stamped, painted, or embroidered. They’re practical and sell well in pairs or sets. Use washable paint or thread so the designs last.

17. Phone Stands

Make from wood or acrylic. Cut, paint, or keep plain. Like handy for desks and kitchens. Wooden or acrylic phone stands you cut and painted at home with basic tools. They’re useful for desks and kitchens. With a small, functional craft that people don’t mind buying on impulse.

18. Drawstring Bags

Sew small bags for makeup, jewelry, or gifts. Sell in sets. They double as reusable gift wrap Sew small fabric bags for makeup, jewelry, or gifts. These are great for selling in multipacks. They also work well as reusable gift wrap, which appeals to eco-conscious buyers.

19. Confetti Trays

Fill a tray with confetti or small items and seal with resin or Mod Podge. It’s colorful and quick to make. Use a small tray, add confetti or small decorations, and seal with resin or Mod Podge. These make colorful desk or vanity organizers. They’re quick to make and can be sold as affordable home décor.

20. No-Sew Denim Placemats

Cut old jeans into rectangles, glue edges, and press flat. Sell in sets for kitchens or outdoor dining then prepare old jeans into rectangles, glue the edges, and press flat. The denim is durable, washable, and has a casual look. Sell in sets for kitchens or outdoor dining.

Reasons Why I Wrote This Article

✅To Save You Time
It’s easy to waste hours searching for craft ideas that actually sell. I’ve already done that part for you and pulled together ideas that are realistic, affordable, and proven to move quickly.

✅To Keep Costs Low
Starting a craft business shouldn’t drain your savings. Every idea here uses simple materials you can find locally or already have at home, so you can start without big spending.

✅To Give You Real Steps
This isn’t just a list of pretty ideas. Each craft has a short, clear explanation of how to make it and tips for selling, so you can act on them today.

✅To Help You Sell in Different Places
Some crafts sell better in person, others online. I wanted to give you options that work in both settings so you can choose what fits your situation best.

✅Because I Know the First Step Is the Hardest
Many people have the skills to create but get stuck on what to make first. I hope this list takes away that guesswork so you can get started with confidence.

Final Thoughts

If you want to make money from crafts without spending much, start small with one or two of these ideas. Test what sells best for you, then make more of those. Keep your costs low, make items well, and sell where your audience shops whether that’s a local market, social media, or an online store.

Related Post:

James Smith
Latest posts by James Smith (see all)