The month of hearts and romance has finally arrived! And what better ways are there to keep the spark alive and your relationship strong than continue going out on dates with your sweetheart?
But wait! Do you ever feel that you've already exhausted, or checked off, every possible date idea? Then why not surprise your boyfriend or girlfriend with a bunch of coupons of date activities?
Why Give Coupons?
You'll never run out of date ideas again.
Sometimes, the problem lies not in not being able to make time for dates. Too often, couples grow tired with the same old activities.
Dates must be varied, since they should serve as a form of escape and a way to recharge one's mental, emotional, and physical batteries.
And regardless of how frugal dates can be sometimes, stretching your imagination and injecting creativity help to keep yourselves curious, adventurous, and youthful.
People of various love languages will highly appreciate coupons.
Regardless of someone's love language (words of affirmation, giving/receiving gifts, physical touch, quality time, and acts of service), having a bunch of coupons with date ideas that appeal to that love language will help strengthen the relationship.
Couples can agree to compromise on dates.
Love and romance come with a fact that has remained timeless: couples don't always enjoy similar activities. That's why it's crucial to know how and when to compromise during dates.
Coupons with date ideas can help couples take turns in choosing what each one wants to do. They can also select an activity they mutually enjoy.
You can also use coupons with your closest friends.
Who says only couples will get to enjoy during love month? Maybe you and a bunch of your other friends are still enjoying singleness. You want to make the most of your single years by coming up with fun ideas that you can enjoy with friends.
Having cited all the excellent reasons to give coupons of date ideas, here's where to order them online:
(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, from which I'll collect a commission every time you click on any of those links and make a purchase.)
As stated in my previous blog posts, there are numerous advantages to starting a handmade crafts business at the comfort of one's own home.
Operating a business, albeit a small one at first, can even yield benefits for various sectors of society -- stay-at-home parents, former employees who have been laid off or made redundant at the workplace, or even individuals with disabilities.
You can start off by playing to your strengths as well. If you're aware that you're more of a maker and crafter, team up with someone who has business smarts.
If, on the other hand, you have the capacity to shell out a substantial amount as upfront capital but is all thumbs with crafts, you can hire a team of crafters (around 2-3) to discuss your vision for handmade products.
And don't regard yourself as unfit to run a small business if your expertise lies in other areas, like logistics, bookkeeping, invoicing, copywriting, or SEO.
You can always join a team comprised of creatives and business-savvy individuals, and pitch what you have to offer.
Having cited examples of handmade crafts to get you started on your small business, here are other things to consider:
Packaging Materials and Branding Should Be Included Among Overhead Expenses
You don't need to spend a lot to design a logo for your business or brand that looks sleek and professional. You can utilize the free features of the design software Canva for this.
If you want to come up with a flyer or even brochure, you can use Microsoft Publisher and a color printer.
Decide On A Brand Name
Your brand name must succinctly sum up what your business is all about and everything you have to offer. Here are a few guidelines:
Combine a brand name with a memorable tag line.
Here are just a few samples:
Crafted by Hookers -- Crocheted Gifts for Special Occasions
Lather Up -- Handmade Organic Soaps
Hang Time -- Jazz Up Plain Bags With Our Bag Charms
Marketing Your Products
Harness the power of social media platforms.
Sign up on social media platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Recognize what each platform can contribute in marketing your handmade crafts.
You can upload a wide array of photos of your DIY products on Instagram and Facebook, and then provide a link to your online store.
Ask for testimonials from satisfied customers. Word-of-mouth is the best, and most cost-effective, marketing strategy.
TikTok focuses more on short-form videos. You can increase brand awareness and engagement by --
shooting and uploading "A day in the life of a crafter/business owner" type videos. Give your followers a glimpse of you creating a bunch of your products and packing them.
using visuals and graphics for progress reports or earnings.
scheduling videos of handmade crafts that are seasonal. They will help you garner more views and increase engagement during special occasions and holidays.
showing your own take on a trend (e.g. crocheted capybaras).
Offer Freebies, But Do It Strategically and Sparingly
Donate your surplus to have it raffled off.
Act as a sponsor and get in touch with organizers of community events. They may need lovely items to raffle off during Christmas parties.
As an exchange, you can give away a bunch of your business cards and flyers with information about your handmade crafts, as well as contact numbers, website URL, and social media handles.
Sell Your Handmade Crafts by Bulk
Accept requests to customize/personalize items.
Offices with a small workforce or limited staff may wish for unique souvenirs or keepsakes during team building events or company parties.
Join bazaars, craft conventions, and flea markets by responding to calls for merchants.
By doing this, you'll need to set up an attractive booth by putting up a table or two inside the venue.
Watch the video above for a tutorial, filled with suggestions on how to appeal to customers and display your handmade merchandise.
Keep a stack of business cards neatly arranged on a business card holder by your table workshop.
Hype Up Your Business the Organic Way
This is where effective writing skills will come in handy.
Craft pitches to bloggers/journalists/SEO writers.
Identify blogs, newsletter publishers, and industry experts in your craft niche.
Keep in mind that it's better to trade value for value instead of sounding like asking for a favor. Instead of a sales pitch, offer a how-to tutorial in the form of a list-icle, a photo essay about your small business' creative journey, or how you managed to thrive through cost-effective strategies.
Make sure to study the blog or newsletter ahead of time. What are the readers' usual concerns, interests, and challenges? Does it publish a good balance of evergreen and seasonal content?
Consider repurposing and pitching some of your social media content if they fit into the blog or newsletter's overall vibe. Submit photos of good quality.
Collaborate with other crafters, makers, and small business owners.
Maybe you've heard of skilled sewers who can deconstruct jeans and turn them into tote bags. Or maybe they can sew ladies' handbags out of leather or fun backpacks for teens from printed fabric.
Talk about how their bags would look better should there be keychains or bag charms hanging from zippers.
In the 1st part of my blog post, I have cited plenty of good reasons to start a handmade crafts business at the comfort of one's home.
Photo from freepik
Another huge advantage of a home-based business is, most handmade crafts can be done by individuals from nearly all demographics -- stay-at-home parents, people with disabilities, anyone wishing for a livelihood that's location-independent, or even just a way to augment a regular salary.
Even those with a higher level of entrepreneurial savviness than creativity can team up with a small group of workers and explain her vision for a possible business or brand.
Others can use whatever expertise they may have -- bookkeeping, invoicing, sourcing materials, logistics, social media management, etc.
Here are the remaining types of handmade crafts that can be turned into a small business:
(3.) Journal jar
Image from Make and Takes Click here for complete procedure.
What makes this an ideal handmade craft?
You'll only need a minimal amount to be able to put together a set of journal jars, and most will go to mason jars.
You can gather materials according to different themes or color templates. If you prefer simple, clean, and minimalist, write your prompts on white sheets of notepaper. Embellishments might be a gift tag attached through a plain ribbon or twine, and a wide strip of scrapbook paper wrapped around the mason jar.
If you like whimsical or shabby chic, take a sheet of scrapbook paper, cut it into the size of sticky notes, and scribble your prompts on the back side. And then, decorate the outside of the jar with a strip of lace or ribbon and add paper flowers.
Why this will sell:
You can appeal to different demographics and serve different purposes. There exists multiple reasons to start and maintain the habit of journaling. You can customize journal jars for youth groups or Bible study groups.
There are therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals that advise journaling.
Journal jars make excellent Valentine's and anniversary gifts for couples. They can strengthen their bond by reflecting on the triumphs, milestones, as well as challenges they've had in their marriage or long-term relationship. And along the lines of selling DIY jars, why not offer a package deal by including a date ideas in a jar?
Children and teens will especially benefit from journal jars. Getting them started in the habit of journaling will help improve their thought process and communication skills.
(1.) Come up with at least 30 journal prompts for a 30-day challenge.
(2.) Larger sizes of mason jars can be prized higher as they can hold more prompts (50 or more).
(3.) Markup percentage should be around 20%-30%. For customized journal jars, 40% is reasonable.
(4.) Upcycled notebooks
Cereal box notebook
What makes this an ideal handmade craft?
Cereal boxes are sturdy, making them good enough for notebook covers.
You can make various sizes of notebooks.
You can apply a lot of techniques to decorate the cover of your notebooks -- color blocking, papier mache, flicking or dabbing paint, melted crayon and string art, mosaic made of paper or eggshell, or wrapping it with fabric, scrapbook or wrapping paper.
Why this will sell:
Cereal box notebooks make unique gifts for stationery lovers.
With the wealth of craft materials being made available, you can accept requests to personalize or customize notebooks, and charge more.
This is a handmade craft that's cost-effective when it comes to materials, but heavily reliant on labor. It's best to compute a 40%-50% markup percentage.
Upcycled magazine cover notebook
Photo from Instructables Click here for a complete tutorial.
What makes this an ideal handmade craft?
It's cost-effective to make. You can use old magazines that have accumulated in your home.
Ruled paper is inexpensive.
There are digest periodicals and magazines that are slightly larger in size, so you can craft a good variety.
Why this will sell:
These upcycled notebooks can be used for school, office, journaling, budget-tracking, calorie counting, etc.
If you want boys and men to buy your upcycled notebooks, look for old issues of comic books, car, basketball, motorcycle, music, or technology magazines.
How to compute selling price:
There are 2 ways to work around this:
Compute a 40%-50% markup percentage, since it's a labor-intensive craft.
Instead of a markup percentage, determine a markup price that will compensate for your labor, a part of your overhead expenses, and other extras like packaging material. Add the markup price to the cost it took you to make a single notebook.
(5.) Crochet products
What makes them ideal as handmade crafts?
All you need are a couple of hooks to get started.
There are brands of crochet yarn of good quality that are relatively inexpensive.
Why these will sell:
You can appeal to enthusiasts of the kawaii culture.
Animals aren't the only ones you can crochet. There are flowers, vegetables, and fruits, caricatures of pop culture icons, food (milk tea, coffee, onigiri, etc.)...the possibilities are endless!
Amigurumi
Photo from DIY Fluffies Click here for amigurumi patterns.
Coasters
Image from Repeat Crafter Me For complete procedure, click here.
Scrunchies
Photo from Repeat Crafter Me Click here for a tutorial.
Bookmarks
Avid readers, regardless of genre, will appreciate crochet bookmarks. You can sell these by pairs, or by a set of 3, 5, 6, 10, or market them as cheaper by the dozen.
While you may be able to acquire patterns for free, crochet is another labor-reliant textile craft. So it's best to compute a 40%-50% markup percentage after totaling the cost.
(6.) Sewing essentials
What makes them ideal as handmade crafts?
You can adopt the assembly-line way when making sewing essentials, which are small items. You can easily finish a dozen or 2 within a day.
You can customize sewing essentials and place them inside a sewing box, and gift them to sewing enthusiasts.
Why these will sell:
There will always be crafters who are enthusiastic about sewing...as a recreation, a way to make extra income, as well as something they do full-time to earn.
Some individuals trained themselves minor repairs like mending, darning, replacing missing buttons, sewing on a hook and eye, etc. They'll appreciate sewing essentials.
Pin cushions
Photo from A Pumpkin Princess For a full tutorial, click here.
With the start of a new year, some people are left wondering if they can really leave their dead-end jobs in the office behind, or finally stop settling for a paltry sum due to underemployment.
Image from freepik
Crafters who has repeatedly honed their skills by creating and innovating stuff, or improving existing products, are now thinking if they can truly appeal to a niche out there that would be willing to pay them for what they can make.
So should you start a handmade crafts business at the comfort of your own home?
(**DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains affiliate links. I'll be collecting a commission each time you click on any of those links and make a purchase.)
Why Start A Handmade Crafts Business From Home?
Financial Advantages
Low overhead expenses
While expenses for utility may rise up a bit due to you staying at home most of the time, you can still cut costs due to the fact that you won't be paying rent or won't be commuting 5-6 days a week.
You can also start grocery shopping and doing a weekly prep so you can eat most of your meals at home.
Reduced startup risk
There's no need to borrow money or take out a loan to start a handmade crafts business from home. Paying upfront for your 1st set of craft materials doesn't need to be expensive.
Craft materials can be sourced from online sellers
With nearly everything being adopted digitally, you can source craft materials from online sellers from Marketplaces like Shopee, TikTok, and Lazada.
Higher profit potential
With low overhead expenses and elimination of the need to commute, as well as doing meal preps to cut back further, profits made from your handmade crafts business at home can be reinvested, ensuring faster ROI in the long term.
Tax benefits
Business use of a home office or workspace might qualify the business owner for tax deductibles.
Sales and Distribution Advantages
Elimination of the need to maintain a physical store
A handmade crafts business operated from home omits the need for a physical storefront.
Direct-to-Customer (D2C) model
Customers can have direct access to the products by ordering through a website or social media platforms. This omits the need for intermediaries, or "middle men."
Lifestyle and Flexibility Advantages
Freedom from office politics
You don't need to get entangled in the mentally and psychologically taxing cycle of kissing up to your superiors just to gain their favor.
Freedom from daily commute
With commute to and from the workplace becoming more and more of an arduous task, eliminating this daily necessity can easily free up 2-4 hours a day, 5-6 days a week for you.
Imagine devoting even an hour of that to get a head start in your routine. You can check emails or DMs for orders in your social media accounts.
Work-life balance is more attainable now, because you can also enjoy unhurried meals and bond more with your family members.
Productivity Advantages
You can get rid, minimize, or manage distractions.
If you're paying for multiple online subscriptions, now is the perfect time to cancel a couple of them.
Also, cutting back on your binge-watching time by 20-30 minutes a day is a good start. You can substitute that with quality development, market research, or social media management.
You can customize a quiet and safe functional workspace.
You don't need to convert an entire basement or room into a workspace. Determine what the essential tools and equipment are, and the bulk of craft materials you'll need.
You can get more things done around the house.
You can easily finish a household chore such as putting away groceries or taking trash to the bin during downtimes or a lull in your routine.
Opportunities for Growth
You can be your own boss.
You have direct control over decisions, direction, and goals.
You can create equity.
You can develop skills that will benefit you and your family directly. You can then mentor other family members or former colleagues.
Or, you can invest a portion of your profits into other assets that can potentially earn for you in the long-term. This is crucial if you don't see yourself managing the business for a prolonged period, and wish to depend on passive income in the future.
You can seek out mentorship and resources on your own.
Unlike the required participation in seminars or office team building activities, you can look for resources like webinars, online courses, or pay for mentorship in the form of coaching or short courses in entrepreneurship.
You have the option to scale and expand your business.
You may be operating from a small craft room right now, or you converted an attic bedroom or den into your workspace. Or you may have rearranged a corner in your bedroom to accommodate all your craft supplies and tools.
Think Globally, Act Locally
During recent years, the strong digital adoption as well as growing consumer base in the Philippines have made running a small business from home very ideal.
Filipinos can easily set up a payment scheme and establish a cash flow by downloading payment apps like GCash, Maya, or even PayPal if they plan to cater to customers overseas.
Having mentioned all of these advantages, here are 13 types of handmade crafts that can be done from home that have potential for profitability and scalability:
(1.) Self-care essentials
Mani-pedi in a jar
What makes this ideal as a homemade craft?
Low startup costs
Materials are easy to source and can be bought in bulk.
Can be done by a newbie or beginner
Why this will sell:
Beauty gurus will appreciate its uniqueness.
Because it's quite an eye candy, a mani-pedi in a jar can be gifted to a college roommate, female colleagues at work, a sister, cousin, or aunt.
You can customize a bunch of these to be given away as stocking stuffers, as an inexpensive gift for a Secret Santa, or souvenirs from a hen do or bachelorette party, or a girl's Sweet 16 or 18th birthday party.
Image from Lovely Greens For complete procedure, click here.
Photo from Mom Makes Joy Click here for a complete tutorial.
Photo from The Soap Kitchen Click here for complete procedure.
Photo from Lovely Greens Click here for complete procedure.
What makes this ideal as a homemade craft?
With plenty of scents that can be made available, you can appeal to more and more customers.
Why this will sell:
Organic soaps make ideal gifts for special occasions.
Customers who are aware of the harsh elements and ingredients of commercial soaps will appreciate organic soaps.
(2.) Accessories
What makes them ideal as homemade crafts?
Low upfront capital. Craft materials used for accessory making can be bought in bulk at cheaper prices.
No need for advanced skills or certain level of mastery of crafting techniques.
Why these will sell:
The desire to customize and personalize one's belongings, as well as express one's individuality, cuts across various demographics (children, teens, adults, male and female).
A variety of resin charms and alloy pendants can be readily sourced.
Keychains
Image from DIY Handmade Jewelry - PH
Image from DIY Handmade Jewelry - PH
Costing:
Materials:
Lobster clasps -- Php107 for 10 pieces (other sizes are available)
(1.) Add up the costs of coming up with a single keychain.
(2.) Your markup price might depend on the number of keychains you can create within an hour or 2.
(3.) If you can make 10-12 (or more keychains) within an hour with relative ease, that means you're not adhering to a complex process. A markup percentage of 20% is reasonable.
(4.) Therefore if a keychain costs you Php75 to make, and markup percentage is 20%, then --
Markup amount: Php75 (cost) x 20% (markup percentage) = Php15
For today's post, I'll be introducing a frugal papier mache project that can be made out of free materials: an old cardboard box and the browned pages of a battered paperback edition of a dictionary.
(**DISCLAIMER: I have inserted affiliate links in this blog post, which means I'll be collecting a commission each time you click on any of those links and make a purchase.)
The finished product
Materials:
Old cardboard box
Old dictionary or book (paperback copy with browned pages)
Wax paper (I used one with floral prints)
Pink cardstock
Glue
Procedure:
(1.) Papier mache was the technique I used for this frugal craft, so I tore the browned pages of the old dictionary into strips first.
(2.) I then spread glue all over the cover and underside of the cardboard box and arranged the strips of browned paper.
Printed wax paper/ food grade wrapper by ShopHere18
(3.) Once everything was covered, I prepared the floral-printed wax paper and covered the areas with the strips of brown paper.
(4.) I needed to cover the rest of my cardboard box, so I used my paper cutter to cut 2 strips of pink cardstock to cover the sides.
In the 1st part of my blog article, I have cited 4 ways to integrate crafts into social events.
Here are the remaining 5 events to round up my post:
(**DISCLAIMER: I have included affiliated links in this blog post, which means I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)
(5.) Entrepreneurs and small business owners can join events to promote their brand.
Instead of merely advertising on social media, get proactive in hyping up your small business or brand.
Creating buzz without substance will immediately cause the dust to settle. To improve brand engagement that can lead to potential sales, do the following instead:
Set up a personalized keepsakes/souvenirs booth/kiosk/station in school or craft fairs.
Regardless of age, students will appreciate the choice to personalize something they can use.
With craft or community fairs, or weekend markets or bazaars, start with locations that aren't too far off where you live. Make sure you have boxes or containers that are sturdy, and spacious enough to hold all your materials.
Set up a hallyu celebrities' merchandise booth at cupsleeve events.
A business or brand that caters to fan-made merchandise related to hallyu celebrities has the potential to earn more by getting in touch with organizers and sponsoring cupsleeve events.
Fans who sign up for cupsleeve events can customize an item like a bracelet or necklace, or a bag or phone charm. They can also paint their own tote bags.
In order to appeal to a particular fandom, think of the idol group's official color (e.g. purple for BTS) or logo when coming up with materials like beads, acrylic paint, etc.
Make birthday parties more fun.
Instead of children taking home loot bags or adults bringing home "white elephants," the party's host can hire a craft brand to provide a booth where guests can create a souvenir item.
Regardless of the event, make sure to invest in a collapsible booth and other materials that will attractively showcase your brand.
Bring enough marketing materials with you like business cards or flyers.
Take photos from the events, ask for testimonials from satisfied clients, and upload them onto your social media accounts.
For content that you can post on TikTok, you can record highlights of the events on video and attach relevant hashtags.
(6.) Incorporate crafts into book club meetings
Yes! Even bookworms can enjoy reading-related crafts! They can be incorporated into a weekly or monthly book club meeting.
Photo from Tombow USA Click here for complete procedure.
Participants can come up with DIY bookmarks and a Kindle holder.
(7.) Instead of signing up for pricey scrapbook retreats, get together with other crafters and host neighborhood scrapbook crops.
If you're a crafter with a passion for scrapbooking, you may have wanted to join scrapbook workshops or crops, or even week-long retreats, but realized how pricey they can get.
Why not get together with other scrapbookers and take turns hosting one-day crops in each other's homes? A spacious garage or backyard during a sunny day might be all you need.
Set up a long table, or a row of desks and chairs. You may wish to assign a theme for uniformity, or just let it be a free-for-all event that friends can enjoy.
For more details about hosting a scrapbook crop, read --
If you want to go all-out and turn scrapbook crops into a fun, grand annual event, why not get in touch with community organizations or event planners?
To accommodate more participants, you can rent a function room at a multi-purpose hall or library wing. You can invite guests to sign up and charge a minimal fee for refreshments. Guests can then bring their materials and tools.
Try Sizzix for your all your scrapbooking needs (locally distributed online by lastingimpression).
Also, the owner of a cafe or coffee shop owner might be interested to rent out the store. Participants can be given a cup of coffee plus a pastry of their choice as items included in the admission fee. They can spend more should they wish to order anything else on the menu.
(8.) Host (or join) a craft supplies swap.
A craft supplies swap can be a good way for crafters to get rid of their excess supplies while getting "new" supplies.
At some point during the swap, crafters can even schedule a creative activity to keep participants entertained. Needless to say, food and refreshments can be simple and fuss-free.
(9.) Turn sporting events/weekends to get husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and sons crafting.
Think you can't get boys and men crafting? Think again!
The entire year is peppered with sporting events -- the Superbowl weekend, NBA All-Star weekend, as well as Finals and championship series for the MLB and NHL.
And let's not disregard tennis, volleyball, and soccer fans. Why not make these sporting events more festive by scheduling a session of crafts as a bunch with male (and even female) family members who live and breathe sports?
Acrylic sports-themed beads for accessory making from Caroline DIY Accessories store
Alloy drip oil pendants for DIY accessories by pulongys.ph
With inexpensive acrylic beads and alloy pendants like the ones above being sold in packs, you can .
Alloy pendants of Super Mario Brothers characters by DIY Handmade Model - PH
Mickey and Minnie Mouse alloy pendants from DIY Handmade Jewelry - PH
The Avengers alloy pendants by DIY Handmade Jewelry - PH
And why limit masculine crafts to sporting events? Materials related to pop culture icons like cartoon and video game characters can be turned into keychains and necklaces as well.
Do you often think of crafting as a solitary activity, and crafters as "lone wolves," creatives and artisans who spend most, or a fraction, of their time, alone while engaged in their hobby?
Image from freepik
Or maybe you think about crafts as a mere preoccupation of elderly grandmothers and doting aunts, sewing, knitting away or crocheting apparel?
What if I tell you that crafting can be integrated into various social events and situations to serve different purposes?
Why Integrate Crafts Into Social Events?
As an activity, working on a craft side by side creates an amiable and non-competitive ambience.
Due to its non-discriminatory nature, people of all ages, gender, and level of skill and creativity can engage in crafts.
Through crafts, participants or guests can freely explore and express their tastes and preferences, and hone their creativity.
And think about a group of women or even men who get together and quilt? Quilting with a group is proof that crafting can be cooperative rather than competitive.
Crafting helps strengthen family ties.
Crafts can also help family members bond with each other. Couples can alternate a creative activity with music lessons, movie nights, an afternoon of reading or boardgames.
And as long as parents make an effort to look for resources, stretch their imaginations, and think outside the box, the possibilities and opportunities can be endless.
Staying connected to people or a community is crucial for overall well-being.
Being with like-minded people is important for one's mental, psychological, and social well-being. Crafting with others can serve as a recreation or even a much-needed diversion.
You may be pressured to meet responsibilities at work or with your family. Engaging in something creative in a welcoming and non-competitive atmosphere can provide a welcome change.
Crafting can be frugal.
Talk about a definite advantage! Craft materials can be bought in bulk from hobby stores or smaller, specialized stores at cheaper prices.
A pub crawl with friends or ladies' lunch can occasionally be replaced with an afternoon or evening of crafts. It can be lighter on the pocket since guests can pool their resources for craft materials.
To top it off, food and refreshments can be simple and fuss-free. If you and your friends have set a goal to taper off on the alcohol consumption, sober activities like crafting is a good way.
Crafting can be turned into a virtual event.
The aftermath of the 2020 pandemic has brought a few positive innovations, with virtual events being one of them.
You can schedule a creative session through Zoom with a bunch of friends, or even have fun with nieces and nephews who live far away from you.
Having said all of the above, here are 9 ways crafts can be integrated into social events:
(**DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be collecting a commission every time you make a purchase after clicking on those links.)
(1.) Entrepreneurs and small business owners can make additional profit by facilitating a series of workshops.
There are a variety of independent artists, crafters, and other creatives who weren't only able to monetize their passion by turning it into a small business of handmade products, they were even able to charge tuition by training others.
Facilitating a series of crafts-centered workshops or classes can be done while keeping in mind whether they want participants to learn creative as well as entrepreneurial skills to start businesses of their own, or as a side gig to augment their regular salaries, or merely to derive pleasure out of creative endeavors.
(2.) Art therapists can give classes to special needs children and adults.
Regardless of developmental delay or type of disability, special needs children and adults must be able to freely express their individuality while being accepted within a community.
And kids and adults with special needs can find a number of crafts to which their skills are suitable. Everyone needs a safe space or outlet to explore and hone their creativity.
Art therapists are highly qualified to teach classes focused on creative activities. Usually, participants are being required to be more mindful with the procedure rather than the results.
(3.) Crafts can be the focal point of parties and celebrations.
Skip rented venues, catering services, and paid entertainment, and think more towards hosting intimate events and parties at home.
Craft parties will be appreciated by people from nearly all demographics, as there are endless ways to incorporate creative projects into nearly every occasion.
The following is not an exhaustive list, but just a few ideas to get you started:
To make it less complex for your guests, choose a couple of inclusive crafts. You can paint tote bags, ceramic pots, or onesies, try calligraphy, or make accessories from beads.
Tie the nature or theme of the crafts to the occasion. For Easter, use poster paint to decorate eggs of different sizes cut with a craft knife from styrofoam or cardboard. Recycle toilet paper tubes into Frankenstein's monster, Count Dracula, or a mummy for Halloween, or make a Christmas wreathe out of old magazines or scraps of ribbons.
For Christmas parties, guests can exchange a handmade or DIY item like a snow globe or decoupaged tissue holder for Secret Santa instead of giving store-bought stuff.
Substitute a ladies' lunch or a night out with an afternoon of crafts.
Host a crafts-centered hen do or bachelorette party for an engaged gal pal.
Throw a crafty baby shower if you're a soon-to-be parent, aunt, or grandmother.
Instead of the usual round of parlor games, make crafts the focal point of children's birthday parties.
For guys, consider doing masculine crafts. Gather any old issues of sports, car, technology, guitar, or magazines and turn them into coasters.
(4.) Volunteers can craft for a cause.
Whoever thought that one can reach out to the less fortunate and make her community a better place by doing crafts?
Image from freepik
To start off, there are organizations that welcome donations like home-sewn blankets, hats, bonnets, or crocheted plushies for children undergoing cancer treatment.
And even something as simple as cardmaking can help brighten the days of the elderly at nursing homes, patients getting treatment for a chronic illness, rehabilitation or therapy, deployed troops, inmates, and children at orphanages.
For more ideas for volunteer activities for crafters, read --
