20 Crafts That Look Cheap, But Sell Like Crazy Online

You know that feeling when you see crafts sell online and think, “I could totally make that!”, only to discover it’s selling for $50+ and has hundreds of happy reviews?

Turns out, some of the simplest crafts, the kind made from dollar-store supplies or stuff you’d normally toss, sell insanely well online.

After helping hundreds of sellers grow their handmade businesses, I’ve noticed a pattern: The crafts that look easiest to DIY often have the best profit margins. (Because let’s be real, most buyers would rather buy than make.)

So if you’ve ever thought, “My crafts aren’t fancy enough to sell,” think again. Here are 20 surprisingly profitable ideas that cost pennies to make but sell for big bucks.

Why “Simple” Crafts Sell So Well

Before we explore deeper, let’s bust a myth:

❌ “My crafts need to be complicated to be valuable.”
✅ TRUTH: Buyers pay for convenience, aesthetics, and storytelling, not difficulty.

A few reasons these “cheap-looking” crafts work:
✔ Low material cost = Higher profits
✔ Quick to make = More inventory faster
✔ Beginner-friendly = No advanced skills needed
✔ Trend-driven = Easy to hop on viral styles

Now, let’s get to the good stuff.

20 Simple Crafts That Sell Like Crazy

1. Pressed Flower Bookmarks

Materials: Dried flowers + cardstock + laminate sheets
Why It Sells: Aesthetic, giftable, and every book lover buys them
Price Point: $8–$15

2. Beaded Keychains

Materials: Bulk beads + key rings
Secret: Custom initials or zodiac signs double sales
Where to Sell: TikTok Shop & Etsy

3. Glitter Wine Corks

Materials: Saved corks + glitter glue
Upsell Hack: Market as “bridesmaid proposal gifts”
Profit Margin: 90%+

4. Yarn-Wrapped Bottles

Materials: Dollar-store bottles + leftover yarn
Big Seller: Boho-style vases
Time to Make: 10 minutes

5. Sharpie Mugs

Materials: Plain mugs + oil-based markers
Pro Tip: Offer custom names/inside jokes
Avg. Selling Price: $22

6. Painted Rock Paperweights

Materials: Smooth rocks + acrylic paint
Genius Angle: Pet memorial rocks
Etsy Search Volume: 10k+/month

7. Fabric Scrap Hair Bows

Materials: Old clothes + clip bases
Hot Niche: “Toddler-sized” bows
Packaging Tip: Use cereal box cardboard for backing

8. Twine-Wrapped Candles

Materials: Dollar-store candles + jute twine
Marketing Hook: “Farmhouse-chic decor”
Sells Best: Fall/winter seasons

9. Photo Transfer Coasters

Materials: Tiles + Mod Podge + printed photos
Big Demand: Wedding/anniversary gifts
Time Investment: 5 mins each

10. Pom-Pom Garland

Materials: Yarn + string
Viral Potential: Perfect for Instagrammable nurseries
Price Range: $18–$35

11. Stenciled Tote Bags

Materials: Canvas bags + fabric paint
Best Sellers: Funny quotes/local city designs
Etsy Stats: 50k+ listings (proof of demand!)

12. Seashell Candles

Materials: Collected shells + soy wax
Selling Point: “Beach vacation memories”
Summer Sales: $500+/month easily

13. Washi Tape Notebooks

Materials: Dollar-store notebooks + decorative tape
Target Market: Students & bullet journalists
Upsell Idea: Matching sticky note sets

14. Clay Ring Dishes

Materials: Air-dry clay + paint
Customer Favorite: “Ring holder by the sink” angle
Avg. Price: $12–$25

15. Confetti-Filled Ornaments

Materials: Clear bulbs + hole-punched paper
Seasonal Goldmine: Christmas markets
Bonus: Use leftover wrapping paper

16. Chalkboard Mason Jars

Materials: Jars + chalk paint
Smart Use: Kitchen storage (label contents)
Wholesale Potential: Sell to cafes

17. Felt Coffee Sleeves

Materials: Felt sheets + velcro dots
Eco-Angle: “Save trees, skip the cardboard sleeve”
Bulk Orders: Local coffee shops

18. Scrabble Tile Magnets

Materials: Thrifted Scrabble pieces + magnets
Personalization: Family names/favorite words
Avg. Order: 10+ magnets

19. Painted Clothespins

Materials: Wooden pins + acrylics
Creative Twist: Photo displays for weddings
Sold in Sets: 12 for $15

20. Ribbon-Wrapped Headbands

Materials: Plastic headbands + grosgrain ribbon
Mom Hack: Non-slip grip for babies
5-Minute Craft: Seriously, that’s it

How to Sell Crafts Without the Overwhelm

Now that you’re inspired, here’s how to actually make money (without getting stuck in “crafting for fun but not profit” mode):

1. Start Small, Test Fast
– Make 5 samples of 1–2 crafts
– Post on Instagram/Facebook: “Would you buy this for $X?”
– Only scale up if you get interest

2. Price Like a Pro
Basic Formula:
(Materials + Labor) x 2 = Your Price

Example:
– Materials: $0.50 (yarn scraps)
– Time: 10 minutes ($15/hour = $2.50)
– Price: ($0.50 + $2.50) x 2 = $6 (sell for $12–$15)

3. Sell Where Buyers Already Are
– Etsy: Best for beginners
– Facebook Marketplace: Great for local sales
– Craft Fairs: Instant cash + customer feedback
– TikTok Shop: Viral potential

The Truth About Selling Simple Crafts
Let’s get real for a sec:
✅ You don’t need perfection —buyers love handmade quirks
✅ Repetition = Speed—your 10th mug will take half the time of your first
✅ Packaging sells—a $1 craft in cute wrapping feels worth $15

Which one of the crafts to sell online that you will try first?
Here’s your challenge:
1. Pick one craft from this list
2. Make it this weekend
3. Post it online by Monday
That’s it—your first sale could be days away. Put your comment on which crafts to sell online you prefer.

If you’re on a journey finding a way to make money online, you can also read Apps and Platforms review.