Do you want to start a business in the handicraft industry? Find here 50 profitable small art and craft business ideas that you can start with low investment. Additionally, most businesses allow you to start and run from home.
If you are a creative person and have a crafty mind, you can consider starting a craft business of your own. Basically, this type of business demands very small capital investment. Also, this type of business is a great opportunity for women, housewives, stay-at-home parents, and students.
Generally, making crafts requires particular skills and knowledge of skilled works. Actually, it is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. This type of business doesn’t demand any sort of machinery.
List of 50 Art & Craft Business Ideas
#1. Arts and Crafts Instruction
This type of business is only for extremely skilled and experienced personnel. Actually, there are several men and women who want to attend classes in arts and crafts instruction. Sometimes educational institutions also arrange this type of class. You can start the business from home or from a commercial location.
#2. Bamboo & Cane Handicrafts
These eco-friendly products are light in weight and have their own style and elegance. These products have a high life with minimum maintenance. You can use bamboo strips and various types of canes to produce different utility and decorative items. The list may include mats, lampshades, trays, baskets, flower vases, wall hangings, ornaments, etc.
#3. Basket Weaving
There are several eco-friendly items that you can use for producing beautiful baskets. Generally, people buy baskets as utility items. Additionally, baskets are a very useful item for making gift baskets on different occasions. The business is easy to start. And you can start the business from home.
#4. Bone & Horn Crafts
Bone and horn craft items ensure good revenue. You can use cow horns, buffalo horns, stag antlers, and tusks in horn crafts. You will need to carve the desired object out from the solid part of a horn after soaking it in water. Similar to horn crafts, making bone crafts also involves a series of elaborate procedures.
#5. Bonsai
If you love gardening, you can consider starting a bonsai business from home. Actually, bonsai is a Japanese art form. Basically, bonsai is an ornamental or show plant. However, creating beautiful bonsai demands specific skills and expertise. You can sell bonsai both from offline and online marketplaces.
#6. Bookbinding and Repairs
You can provide this particular service both from the home and from the retail store. However, you can start a home-based operation with a small investment. Bookbinding equipment is very inexpensive to purchase and there are even construction plans available that will enable you to build your own bookbinding equipment.
#7. Brassware
Brassware is often known as brass handicrafts. Actually, you can produce beautiful and decorative utility and home decor items from brass. However, you must have specific skills and knowledge for starting this business. Additionally, you will need to procure the raw materials and necessary equipment or hand tools.
#8. Cactus Arrangements
Actually, cactus comes under the segment of succulent plants. The cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Basically, growing and selling cactus arrangements are profitable businesses globally. Actually, any individual can start and operate this business by investing small capital investment. Even, if you already have a job and you are looking for a part-time opportunity, then also you can consider this business.
#9. Calligraphy
Actually, calligraphy is a visual art. And it is absolutely related to writing. Modern calligraphy ranges from functional inscriptions and designs to fine-art pieces where the letters may or may not be readable. Actually, people look for calligraphy services for different domestic and corporate functions to prepare the invitation or other instruments.
#10. Candle Making
A candle-making business from home is a very lucrative money-making option for any individual. Especially, it is a good money-making idea for housewives, moms, and even students. Definitely, you can earn some extra money or side income from this home-based business.
#11. Caricature
Actually, caricature is also known as a cartoon or funny art. Generally, business houses buy different types of caricature images. Additionally, caricature images are used on the invitation card, menu card, etc. To start this business, you don’t need to be a caricature artist. You can hire a caricature artist and market the images locally.
#12. Charcoal Portraits
If you are a professional artist, then you can consider starting this business from home. Generally, you have to create different portraits with chalk and charcoal. You can use fine lines, broad lines, and shades to create the perfect face for a person.
#13. Christmas Decorations
Christmas is the biggest festival globally. And needlessly, the festival itself ensures billion-dollar transactions in different trades and industries. Basically, people buy different types of decorative items to decorate their homes, offices, shops, etc. The list may include different lights, wreaths, pillows, Christmas trees, etc. So, you can consider providing Christmas decoration items to your customers.
#14. Craft Supply Store
This is one of the most profitable retail businesses in the art and craft industry. Craft persons often look for craft supply stores that sell a variety of items. Simply, where a craftsperson can find every item that he or she needs. The business demands moderate capital investment.
#15. Crocheting
Basically, crocheting is a special type of knitting. In crocheting, you will need to use different types of threads. You can produce different types of utility items and dresses like shrugs, scarves, caps, stoles, bags, etc. Basically, crocheting is the best way of earning money for women, moms, and housewives.
#16. Customized Mug
Customized mugs are the most popular gifts in the personalized gift industry. You can start the business in two ways. Either you can start a home-based operation or from a retail store. The business demands small capital investment and no technical skills.
#17. Customized Tshirt Making
This is also a great business you can explore from home. Basically, people buy customized t-shirts that give special messages. Globally, the customized t-shirt market is increasing very fast. You will need to procure a digital print machine and bare t-shirts for starting this business.
#18. Custom Mobile Cover Printing
The business is all about printing images on smartphone covers as per your client’s specifications. And you can operate the business entirely online from an eCommerce store. Additionally, you can operate the business from a retail location too. And in that case, the startup costs will be much higher.
#19. Dance School
Generally, dance studios provide different types of dance lessons to students. However, the very specific style depends on the local culture and demand. Additionally, it attracts all age groups of people who want professional dance lessons.
#20. Designer Bindi Making
Designer bindi is an essential beauty product for the women population. And there are various types of bindis available in the market. The women population has replaced traditional kumkum with the decorative designer bindi. Designer bindi-making business is profitable.
#21. Designer Blouse Making
A blouse is an essential readymade garment for women. Generally, this apparel was popular in the Asia Pacific region in ancient times. And women used to wear blouses as their daily wear. Nowadays, with the changing fashion style, designer blouse is increasingly popular globally. And women can drape a designer blouse with sarees, lehenga, and even with some western outfits.
#22. Designer Pillows
This is another great craft business you can start with a small capital investment. Actually, you can produce different types of designer pillows in several ways. You can use embroidery, applique, mirror work and beads work. Additionally, different types of gorgeous printed pillows are also very popular these days.
#23. Dokra
Dokra is a special type of craft business that produces decor items, utility items, and jewelry. This is brass art. And definitely, you must have specific skills and expertise for starting this business. Dokra art has huge popularity in the Asia Pacific region. However, these days it has a worldwide presence.
#24. Embroidery
Embroidery is ancient needle art. And it is one of the most popular needlework for designer garment making. Additionally, embroidery is very popular in any type of decorative bag, home decor, and home furnishing industry.
#25. Florist or Flower Arrangements
This is another craft business you can start with a small capital investment. You can start as a home-based or as a retail operation. There are numerous ways you can promote this business. However, the business demands skill. And you must be careful as you will handle perishable items.
#26. Gift Basket
Nowadays, this is a multi-million dollar industry. The demand increases, particularly in the festive seasons. Actually, there are several ways to customize gift baskets. And definitely, you will need to customize the baskets according to the client’s preference. Some of the most common options are chocolates, cookies, utilities, etc.
#27. Glass Handicrafts
Basically, glass handicrafts cater to a wide range of items. The list may include a flower vase, mirror, lampshade, photo frame, candle holder, showpiece, etc. However, the business demands innovative ideas and deep knowledge about several handcrafted items.
#28. Greeting Card Making
Even in this digital era, greeting cards are still very popular globally. Broadly, there are two different types of greeting cards you can produce. One is digitally printed cards and another is hand-painted or crafted. Both two types have huge popularity and acceptance. Depending on your skill and capacity, you can start the business from home also.
#29. Hand Painted Tshirts
This is another great craft business that you can start with a very small investment. If you are an artist, you can consider this business. For creating beautiful hand-printed t-shirts you can use different types of fabric colors and brushes.
#30. Iron Sculptures
Iron sculptures or metal sculptures are popular craft items. And you can make beautiful items out of scrap or nothing. Also, this item comes with indoor decoration and a patio too. Generally, craftspersons use casting and assembling for preparing beautiful sculptures.
#31. Jewelry Making
Handcrafted jewelry is a multi-billion dollar industry globally. And the market size is still increasing. There are numerous things that you can use for creating beautiful jewelry. Some of the most popular items are beads, jute, pearls, seashells, etc.
#32. Jute Bag Making
Basically, jute is an eco-friendly fabric. You can produce different types of jute bags with different sizes, patterns, and designs. Decorate your bags with embroidery, mirror work, or beads. Due to their higher durability, jute bags are popular among a wide range of the population.
#33. Lamp Shades
This is another great craft business you can start from home. Additionally, this business demands moderate capital investment. You will need to procure different items for producing lampshades. Generally, you can use different fabrics, wood, glass, etc for preparing lampshades.
#34. Leather Handicrafts
Basically, stuffed leather toys are the most popular items in this segment. Apart from the toys, the product range includes small furniture, home decor items, and jewelry.
#35. Mirror Art
Beautiful mirrors are the most popular home decor items. And you can produce different types of mirror art by using different small items. The list may include seashells, beads, small mirrors, stained glasses, etc. The business is highly profitable and ensures good revenue.
#36. Mobile Art Gallery
Starting a mobile art gallery demands a comparatively small capital investment than starting an art gallery in a traditional way. The business demands moderate capital investment and strategic planning. Additionally, you must have some sort of prior experience in the industry.
#37. Nursery Designing
Nursery designing or lawn care business is easy to start. Additionally, you can start offering the service initially from the home. The business demands moderate capital investment and specific knowledge and expertise. In this business, you can address both domestic and corporate clients.
#38. Online Coloring Books
Nowadays, initiating a small online shop is not very complex. Additionally, there are several options you can explore for starting and promoting an online coloring books business. Promoting a niche online business is much easier than an online store that caters to wide categories.
#39. Online Fabric Store
Starting an online fabric shop is an easier option than a retail store. However, the business demands moderate capital investment, hard work, and strategic planning. Different types of fabrics have huge demand. Additionally, you can sell other sewing items including different threads from the same store.
#40. Photo Frame
If you are a creative person, then you can consider starting this business. Actually, you can produce beautiful frames with different items. The list may include wood, metal, glass, fiber, etc. And you can use different beads, mirrors, etc to decorate them.
#41. Photography
If you are a passionate photographer, you can consider starting a photography business. There is a number of niche segments you can consider. You can offer the service either on a mobile basis at the client’s doorstep or from your own studio.
#42. Pottery
Actually, there are several items that you can use in pottery. These are earthware, porcelain, stoneware, etc. Pottery is one of the oldest human inventions. This craft business is easy to start and run. You can initiate the business from home with a small startup capital investment.
#43. Soap Making
The home-based soap-making business is very profitable. And as your business grows, you can scale up at any moment in time. With some equipment and raw materials, you can start this business. Additionally, the business demands a small amount of startup capital investment.
#44. Tortoise Shell Art
Generally, tortoise shells are used to create beautiful and decorative jewelry boxes. Also, you can produce earrings, bracelets, solid bangles, and necklaces. However, in starting this business, you will need to ensure the easy availability of tortoise shells. And definitely, you can start this business from home.
#45. Wall Hanging
Basically, wall hangings are the most popular home decor items. Also, these are great gift items too. You can produce different types of beautiful wall hangings with different types of fabric, jute, cardboard, wood, etc. The business is easy to start. Additionally, a home-based operation allows you to operate part-time.
#46. Wall Murals
Generally, wall murals are popular for both interior and exterior applications. Nowadays, 3D-printed wall murals have maximum demand. You can produce different types of wall murals at home and sell them through online marketplaces. Sometimes people prefer customized and innovative wall murals also.
#47. Wind Chimes
If you want to start a craft business where the product can produce beautiful sounds, you can consider a wind chimes-making business. Practically, you can make different types of wind chimes with several items. Some of the most popular items are cl
#48. Wine Stand
Beautifully crafted wine stands have huge demand both in developing and developed countries. You can produce different types of wine stands in different sizes, designs, and patterns. Additionally, you can use a variety of raw materials also. You can use wood, aluminum, and other metals for making wine stands.
#49. Woolen Knitting
Woolen knitting is an ancient craft business. Nowadays, there are several types of knitted garments that are very popular. Basically, people use woolen garments in the winter season. Therefore, you can start the business part-time also. Sell your products on Etsy and eBay.
#50. Woodworking
Woodworking is comparatively an easy business to start with a small startup capital investment. If you can initiate the business at home, then the only investment aspects are some hand tools and wood as raw materials. However, you may need to have some other items for decoration purposes. Any individual can start this business on a part-time or full-time basis.
Also Read: 30 Places to Sell Your Art & Craft Online
Generally, art and craft business ideas are perfect for creative artists. Nowadays, you can find a lot of online and offline opportunities to promote your craft business globally.
Hello, I’m Rupak Chakrabarty, a passionate advocate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the driving force behind MUVSI Consulting, where I serve as a dedicated small business coach. With years of experience in the entrepreneurial world and a deep-rooted commitment to helping SMEs thrive, I bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and guidance to aspiring and established business owners alike.