How Does A Low-Budget Lifestyle Affect Crafting?

Have you decided to settle for a low-budget lifestyle intentionally? You may have heard about the positive effects minimalism can bring, and how it helps reduce stress, enrich existing relationships, decide what to prioritize and when, which can potentially lead to more savings in the long run.

Photo from freepik

The fact is, a lot of us are still reeling and trying to recover from the effects of COVID-19, which wreaked havoc in 2020. 

Thousands of workers lost employment, or were forced to settle for underemployment or part-time jobs, or resort to freelance work or short-term contract work. 

And yet, as a crafter, you're left wondering how cutting back on your spending can affect your hobby. 

Well, fret not! A low-budget lifestyle doesn't mean enjoying crafting less. It doesn't involve heaving a huge sigh of disappointment while looking at a display of brand new pads of scrapbook paper, more complex cross stitch patterns, or balls of high-quality yarn for crochet or knitting. 

A low-budget lifestyle, once applied to crafting, only means being more mindful of one's spending habits, knowing what to buy and when, and developing the skills needed to produce your own craft materials, like paper ephemera, instead of buying them manufactured from certain brands.

It may also extend to allowing crafting to be the focal point of social events, like incorporating accessory making into your pre-teen daughter's birthday party, hosting a craft supplies swap, or an afternoon of crafts for girls' night in instead of going out on a pricey pub crawl. 

(**DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links to relevant products have been incorporated throughout this blog post. I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

When stretched to crafting, operating on a low budget involves any of the following: 

Shifting From A Consumer Mindset to Something More Practical and Utilitarian 

Instead of regarding crafting as a recreational activity that lets you spend mindlessly on materials, take the focus away from consumerism to the long-term benefits of crafting.  

Precious Moments
3D paper tole by
lastingimpression

Sometimes, after a tiring day at work, all you need to do to relieve stress is get caught up in the repetitive motions of a craft like macrame, cross stitch, or paper tole. This is infinitely better than snacking on a huge bag of chips while binge-watching shows on Netflix.

And even if you took up crafting as an adult in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, realize that it has tremendous benefits like preventing the decline of your fine motor skills. 

From A Hobby That's Entertaining and Engaging, Crafting Becomes An Opportunity to Hone Essential Skills 

Let's take sewing, for example. You can replace missing buttons, or hooks-and-eyes, or replace a loose elastic band with a new strip of garter, in order to shop less often for garments. 

Should you resolve to be really frugal and be ecologically friendly, you can gain "brand new" outfits by learning to deconstruct worn out jeans and repurpose them into a skirt. 

Sewing an elaborate embroidery pattern onto the collar of an old blouse or breast pocket of a polo shirt can also make them look new.

Buying Pre-loved or Second-hand Stuff 

Never think twice about settling for pre-loved stuff or second-hand items as a crafter, because they're being sold at drastically reduced prices.

Arts and crafts books sale by
Sarah and Momi Book Shop

To illustrate, craft books and magazines can serve as a goldmine to a variety of creative projects, with different levels of complexity, from which you can glean ideas -- for a family night of crafts, for the women's ministry at church, for suitable DIY gifts for your Christmas potluck party, or even just to keep you preoccupied for a few hours on a weekend. 

If you have enough patience to comb through ads published at the likes of Facebook Marketplace or elsewhere on social media, you can have access to second-hand tools and equipment that would have otherwise cost a fortune when bought brand new.

Looking Online for Free Resources

Here are just some of the resources that are available for free online:

• cross stitch and crochet patterns  
• coloring pages that can be downloaded for free and printed on typewriting paper for kids and adults to enjoy
• craft tutorials uploaded on YouTube
• craft eBooks that can be downloaded

Being Willing to Buy the Basics From the Kids' Section at Bookstores 

Crayola crayons by q5jq9880gg

A lot of craft materials can be bought cheap from the kids' section: construction and art paper, non-toxic crayons, crayon-pastels, glue, poster or acrylic paint, yarn, popsicle sticks, and glitter.

Assorted comics for less
from Thousand Hobby

Choosing to Reuse, Upcycle, and Repurpose

A lot has been said about the advocacy to "turn trash into treasure," and a few perfect examples are -- 

• turning empty cans into pencil holders.
• making magazine holders out of cereal or large cardboard boxes.
• turning old greeting cards into gift boxes, bookmarks, and gift tags.
• making unique coasters by using old issues of magazines or low-grade comics to cover ceramic tiles.
• using empty jars of mayonnaise, pickle relish, and fruit preserves as containers for loose buttons, paper clips, leftover thread, ribbons, or twine.
• crafting a jar of date ideas.

For more ideas on reusing, upcycling, and repurposing, read --

Upcycled Project: 7 Ways to Reuse Cereal Boxes

Junk Journals Repurposed From Pre-loved Sesame Street Books

7 Ways to Upcycle Old Magazines

And when you look at it from a larger scale, choosing to reuse, upcycle, and repurpose junk when crafting helps the environment a lot by --

• diverting a considerable amount of waste away from landfills.
• reducing the need for raw materials. 
• reducing carbon footprint.

Crafting Some of the Stuff You Use at Home

An attractive table runner can be crocheted, and a pot of paper flowers recycled from old magazines can make an eye-catching centerpiece on a table. 

You can also cut costs on seasonal decorations like a holiday wreath by making your own.  

For more tips on saving money on craft supplies, read --

How to Save Money on Craft Supplies 

Where I Have Been Featured

I have been a writer since 2009, and my niches include --

• self-help
• parenting
• personal finance
• issues concerning singles 
• poetry
• crafts

My portfolio as a writer in the crafts niche:

How to Craft on a Budget

How to Help Your Kids Reduce
Screen Time Through Crafts

How to Plan a Crafty Bachelorette Party

How to Host a Craft Supplies Swap

Making Money From
Something Handmade:
How to Promote Responsibly
on Your Craft Blog

Handmade From the Heart: 11 DIY Gifts for Valentine's Day (Part 2)

Image from freepik

There are plenty of good reasons for giving a handmade gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend this Valentine's Day. 

While handcrafted presents can be less pricey, you need to devote much thought and block out enough time to create something appropriate and special. 

And the opportunity to customize or personalize a present doesn't come too often within the year. And your sweetheart ending up realizing that you took time and effort will help rekindle romance and strengthen your bond. 

Here are the remaining items you can DIY for Valentine's Day:

(**DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be collecting a commission each time you click on any of those links and make a purchase.)

(7.) Gift basket 

Except for a few materials like a wicker basket or cardboard box, ribbons, and paper filler, you only need to put together a bunch of consumable goodies for a gift basket.

Photo from HGTV
Click here for full tutorial.

The key to gathering and buying goodies is to adhere to a theme your sweetheart will love. 

Does she enjoy a mug of hot cocoa or coffee while cozying up with her favorite book? Make sure to include a box of sachets of her favorite brand of hot cocoa mix, a pack of miniature marshmallows, and stirrers. 

If she has invested in a coffee machine or French press, get her a bag of high-grade coffee beans. 

Or, pack a few bags of mixed nuts with dried fruits if he's the type to snack on something when binge-watching his favorite Netflix shows.

(8.) Wine bottle bag

This is another DIY craft where skills in sewing machine will come in handy. 

If your boyfriend enjoys the occasional glass of red wine with his steak, or if champagne is a staple during your anniversaries, give your sweetheart a bottle of alcohol placed inside this gift bag. 

(9.) Pet toys 

Does your boyfriend or girlfriend act as fur parent to a cute, four-legged companion like a cat or dog?

Photo from Better Homes and Gardens
Full tutorial available on Daily Paws

If your sweetheart's the type to dote on pets, why not make a bunch of dog toys out of leftover fabric and polyester fabric fill? 

Make sure to choose durable fabric like faux fur, cotton, and denim.

If cats are your sweetheart's preferred pets, the video above will serve as a tutorial to creating a scratch toy.  

(10.) Framed love poem written in calligraphy

This is the ideal DIY gift if you have a neat penmanship. Practice writing at the blank side of junk documents first so the calligraphy will come off as polished and appealing as possible.

Even if you're no poet yourself, you can look up a love poem, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning's How Do I Love Thee?, or Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare, and copy it onto high-quality parchment paper before having it framed.

(11.) Notepad holders 

If there isn't a day that your sweetheart doesn't doodle or jot down notes as reminders, then a notepad holder and pen should be staples on their desk.

While this handmade project is cost-effective because it involves upcycling, you can customize its size and designs by using scrapbook paper, pre-made die cuts, and stickers. You can even make a bunch of them instead of giving just one! 

Give a DIY notepad along with --

Flower gel pens set
by bocheng.ph

Vintage Happiness
gel pens set by
Newbe Class

Handmade From the Heart: 11 DIY Gifts for Valentine's Day (Part 1)

The day of hearts is fast approaching. While love can take on many forms, including self-love, love for family and friends, and the kind that motivates one to reach out to the needy, this 2-part blog post focuses on romance and love between couples.

Since this blog is all about crafting, DIY, and celebrating everything creative, I'll be curating a list of items one can make for a sweetheart for Valentine's Day. 

Why Give DIY Gifts for Valentine's?

A DIY gift can help maintain or regain the relationship's romantic spark.

You may have been dating for a while, and certain dates or activities may have become routine.

That's why giving your boyfriend or girlfriend something handmade might come across as a (pleasant) surprise, especially if your sweetheart were used to receiving store-bought items. 

The fact that nothing beats a present that took time and effort to prepare will make them feel special. 

A DIY gift can be customized or personalized.

While customizing a present, you don't just take the occasion into consideration. You also think about the person's hobbies or interests, as well as tastes or preferences like favorite colors, or pop culture interests like movies, music, choice of literature, etc.

Just because a gift is handmade doesn't mean it's sloppily done. 

A handmade gift doesn't to be inferior to items bought from the store. If you're not particularly crafty or exceptionally skilled and creative, you can pick some of the less complex DIY gifts among the list.

Other items can be given to complement a handmade present. 

These could be consumables, like candies or chocolates, or a bouquet of flowers.

Having cited all the good reasons to give DIY gifts for Valentine's Day, here are 11 items you can make for that special person in your life:

(**DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links have been inserted in this post. I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

(1.) Mason jar gift

Date jar

This is probably the least expensive DIY present among the items on the list.

Image from The Savvy Sparrow
Click here for full tutorial.

Coming up with different categories of date ideas, storing them inside a mason jar, and making your sweetheart choose every time you decide to meet up, will often ensure that you'll have a fantastic time.

This DIY present can also be an exercise in creativity, since you'll be motivated to think outside the box for activities to do on dates. 

To illustrate, should you decide that this month is Frugal February but wouldn't want to compromise on romance, you may wish to include "an afternoon at the thrift store," "shop for second-hand books," or "grab coffee and sandwiches at a convenience store before an early morning joyride" among your date ideas. 

Things I Love About You 

Rediscover the reasons that attracted you to your sweetheart, and, eventually, the things that made you fall in love with them, with this Things I Love About You mason jar.

Image from The Savvy Sparrow
For full tutorial, click here.

You don't need to limit yourself to 30-40, or even 50 rolled up sheets of notepaper. There could be close to 100 reasons you fell in love with your boyfriend or girlfriend. 

(2.) Scrapbook

Scrapbooks can be fun to make, especially if you've had a lot of memorable dates.

You can arrange pictures you've taken from a trip to the beach, a day at an amusement park, a picnic, a board game afternoon with friends, a cosplay convention, or a paint-and-sip session at a cafe.

Enhance your scrapbook pages by incorporating 3D effects using foam letters, or use craft punches to create dramatic edges.

Image from freepik

Aside from the usual photos and embellishments, mementos or ephemera that can be included among your scrapbook pages are --

• bookmarks
• preserved flowers
• tickets to a concert or music festival. 
• greeting cards, love notes, and letters. 
• flyer or brochure announcing an event (e.g. book launch or author signing at a nearby public library, a night of stand-up comedy or beat poetry, advanced screening of an indie film, a craft fair or bazaar, etc.).

(3.) Craft caddy 

Does your sweetheart knit or crochet while watching shows on Netflix to unwind after a long day at work?

Or maybe she prefers other crafts like diamond painting, punch needle, or needlework?

Does he design artist trading cards to trade during conventions, or make sports-themed accessories for his friends? 

Well, why not DIY a craft caddy as a gift for Valentine's Day?

Photo from U Create
Click here for full tutorial.

Since a craft caddy is portable, it's convenient and can be placed on top of a coffee table beside a sofa. Your girlfriend doesn't need to bring a lot of her supplies for knitting or crochet.

And the best thing about a DIY caddy? It doesn't have to be for craft materials only. You can tailor its contents according to your sweetheart's interests, hobbies, and preferences. 

If he enjoys puzzles and mind-bending activities, fill the caddy with crossword and Sudoku booklets. If he's into old-school games, place a deck of playing cards, Uno, a set of dominoes, Rubik's cube, and a magnetic chessboard. 

If she loves to unwind by reading during weekends, ask about her favorite authors and get her copies of the books she hasn't read yet. 

(4.) Single rose bouquet with a cheeky card 

I have yet to meet a lady who doesn't like getting flowers, whether it's a single-stem rose or an entire bouquet.

For the gents, this tutorial is simple enough for you to surprise her. Give this along with --

Valentine's card
by papeldesarapen

(5.) Book sleeves with bookmarks

This project is perfect if you're handy with a sewing machine. If you have a bookworm for a sweetheart, delight him or her with a personalized book sleeve and a set of bookmarks!

The video above shows how to sew a book sleeve for ladies. If you want to make one for a boyfriend, substitute the fabric with dainty prints or floral patterns with one of a more masculine style -- chevron, polka dots, plaid, or even a print with pop culture characters. 

With regards to bookmarks, think about the genres your sweetheart loves to read.

Image from Crazee Kids Art
Click here for full tutorial.

Try making a bunch of these Halloween bookmarks if your boyfriend is a fan of gothic or horror novels.

If romance novels and classics are a staple in your girlfriend's reading fare, giving her these shabby chic bookmarks are the best way to go.

Still, if you simply want a bunch of cool corner bookmarks that remind you how much fun reading can be, click the videos above for Sesame Street bookmarks tutorials. 

(6.) Couples' bracelets 

While dating, you don't need to settle for couples' accessories that require you to shell out a huge amount. 

The colors of a DIY macrame bracelet (tutorial above) can be modified or customized to suit the month of hearts. You can make a red-and-white or pink-and-white macrame bracelet for yourself, and a black-and-white or navy-and-white one for your sweetheart.

Frugal Gift for Valentine's Day From Shopee: Coupons With Date Ideas

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.)

RhyzDigitalCrafts'
Love coupons

Valentine's Day
customizable love coupons
by PrintKita Digital Printing

Retro love lifestyle coupons
(24 pieces/set) by MAIKAmk.ph

Love coupon book
by dari.simanis.ph

Love coupons for couples
and friends by Tala.Arawan

Ticket date coupons
from hepipolaroid

Bestie BFF 20 coupons from
Flying Tiger by hodlclub

Handmade Crafts: Key Takeaways When Starting a Small Business From Home

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.

Handmade Crafts: Small Business Ideas That Can Be Done From Home (Part 2)

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.

Costing:

Materials:

• Mason jar -- Php122 for 380ml 
• Notepaper -- Php45
• Felt-tip pen -- Php45
• Scrapbook paper -- Php45 for a set of 24 sheets (12" x 12")
• Embellishments (printed ribbons, die cuts, twine, ephemera, and lace)

How to compute selling price:

(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. 
• pad with greeting card cover 

Costing:

Materials:

• Cereal boxes -- free 
• 12" x 12" pad of scrapbook paper -- Php149 (click here and here for more designs) 
• Ream of A4 copy paper (500 sheets) -- Php 149

How to compute selling price:

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. 

Costing:

Materials:

• Crochet hooks (set of 22) -- Php149 
• DMC crochet acrylic yarn -- Php149 (click here and here for other colors)

How to compute selling price:

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.

Costing:

Materials:

• Fabric quarters -- Php100 for 8 pieces 
• Polyester fill -- Php141 for 1 kg
• Needles -- Php141 per set
• Embroidery floss -- Php141 for 50 colors
• Embellishments (buttons, ruffles, felt fabric cutouts, lace, ribbons)

Needle minders

Costing:

Materials: 

• 32mm button pin for repurposing -- Php30 (for other designs, click here, here, and here) 
• round magnets -- Php103 for 50 pieces
• pliers -- Php103 for a set
• multi-purpose glue -- Php88 for 110 ml

How to compute selling price:

(1.) You can price pin cushions per piece, or sell them by bundle or set. 

(2.) Again, this is a labor-intensive craft. A 20%-30% markup percentage is reasonable.