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Has your woodworking hobby got you hooked? If you’re ready to turn your woodworking hobby into a profitable woodworking business, this guide will help you do just that. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I’ve got ideas for every skill level. I’ll also share tips for building your online store, boosting your sales online, and revealing hidden profit gems in the woodworking business.
In this section, we’ll explore easy wood projects that sell online that anyone can tackle, providing a stepping stone into the most profitable woodworking projects.
Profitable Woodworking Projects that Sell Online
1. Simple Puzzles
Simple puzzles are profitable woodworking projects that sell. They are a fantastic introduction to woodworking for beginners. These projects typically involve cutting wooden pieces into various shapes that fit together to form a puzzle. With straightforward designs and basic tools, such as a saw and sandpaper, you can create engaging puzzles that challenge and entertain children and adults. Crafted from sturdy wood and finished with non-toxic paints or stains, these puzzles are not only fun but also safe for little ones to enjoy.
When you sell online, highlight the educational and developmental benefits of these puzzles, emphasizing their durability and craftsmanship.
2. Wooden Blocks
Blocks are timeless wooden toys loved by generations for their simplicity and versatility. These small woodworking projects involve cutting uniform pieces of wood and sanding them smoothly to create building blocks of various shapes and sizes. Whether stacked, sorted, or used in imaginative play, wooden blocks encourage creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills in children.
When selling wooden children’s toys online, emphasize the durability and natural beauty of wooden blocks, appealing to parents seeking sustainable alternatives to plastic toys.
3. Pull Toys
Wooden toys are a profitable woodworking project. Another winner for wooden toys is the pull toy. They are charming creations that delight both children and adults with their whimsical designs and playful functionality. These wooden toys typically involve crafting a wooden base or body, attaching wheels, and adding a pull string for easy maneuverability. From animals to vehicles, pull toys come in a variety of designs limited only by your imagination.
When selling online wooden toys, highlight the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each pull toy, making them unique and cherished gifts for special occasions.
4. Wooden Cutting Boards
Crafting cutting boards is a gratifying woodworking skill endeavor that blends functionality with aesthetics. These essential kitchen tools are typically made from high-quality wood, carefully selected for its durability and beauty. A wooden cutting board can range from classic rectangular designs to more intricate shapes, wooden cutting board boards can be customized to suit any style or preference.
When selling online, highlight the craftsmanship and attention to detail that go into each cutting board, emphasizing its practicality and longevity.
5. Picture Frames
Handcrafted wooden picture frames can add a touch of elegance and personality to any space, showcasing cherished memories and artwork in style. These projects offer ample room for creativity, allowing you to experiment with different wood species, finishes, and designs. Whether rustic or modern, ornate or minimalist, picture frames can be tailored to complement any decor.
When selling online, highlight the versatility and customizable nature of these frames, positioning them as thoughtful gifts or statement pieces for the home.
6. Wooden Coasters
Wooden coasters are woodworking projects that sell. They are both practical and decorative, protecting surfaces from moisture while adding a touch of natural beauty to any tabletop. These small woodworking projects offer endless possibilities for creativity, from simple geometric designs to intricate patterns and inlays. Crafted from durable wood and finished with protective coatings, coasters are not only functional but also stylish accents for any home.
When you list and sell these online, highlight the versatility and durability of wooden coasters, positioning them as must-have accessories for entertaining or everyday use.
7. Wooden Shelves
Wooden shelves are versatile additions to any living space, providing storage and display opportunities in compact areas. These wood projects can range from simple floating shelves, wall shelves, and bookcases, to more elaborate designs with decorative elements. Crafted from sturdy wood and mounted securely to the wall, small shelves offer a practical solution for organizing books, plants, or decorative objects.
They are woodworking projects that sell; make sure you highlight the functionality and versatility of small shelves, showcasing them as space-saving solutions for apartments, dorm rooms, or small homes.
8. Wooden Boxes
Crafting wooden storage boxes offers a delightful fusion of craftsmanship and practicality, providing versatile storage solutions and decorative accents for any home. Wooden boxes can range from delicate wooden jewelry boxes to spacious keepsake boxes and functional storage containers; each piece is meticulously crafted to showcase the natural beauty of wood while serving a specific purpose.
When selling jewelry boxes or wooden boxes online, highlight the artisanal quality and customizable nature of wooden storage boxes, positioning them as thoughtful gifts or cherished additions to one’s living space. They are wooden projects that sell.
9. Wooden Signs
Handcrafted wooden signs are timeless expressions of personal style and sentiment, adding warmth and character to any room. Whether they are personalized signs with personalized messages, wall signs adorned with inspirational quotes, or intricate designs, each sign is crafted with care and attention to detail.
Handmade wood items sell online when you highlight their rustic charm, quality, and craftsmanship. Highlight the versatility and durability of wooden signs or personalized signs, positioning them as charming accents for homes, weddings, or special events.
10. Wooden Candle Holders
Wooden candle holders provide a cozy and inviting ambiance, enhancing the atmosphere of any room with their natural beauty and warmth. Crafted in various styles and finishes, from rustic to modern, each candle holder is designed to complement different decor themes and candle sizes.
In the above image, Fred O’Mahony Woodturning has started his own ecommerce store. He emphasizes the craftsmanship and functionality of wooden candle holders, positioning them as essential accessories for creating a relaxing and intimate atmosphere at home.
11. Wooden Utensils
Handcrafted wooden utensils are not only functional kitchen essentials but also elegant additions to any culinary collection. From timeless spoons and forks to classic rolling pins, each utensil is expertly crafted from high-quality wood, ensuring durability and longevity.
When selling wood products online, highlight the natural beauty and tactile appeal of wooden utensils, positioning them as eco-friendly alternatives to their plastic or metal counterparts.
12. Wooden Birdhouses
Crafting wooden birdhouses is a delightful way to invite feathered friends into your outdoor space while adding a touch of charm to your garden or backyard. Whether featuring an easy wood project with basic designs with feeders or perches, each wooden birdhouse is crafted with care and attention to detail to provide a cozy retreat for birds.
When selling a small wood project online, emphasize the functionality and aesthetic appeal of birdhouses, positioning them as thoughtful gifts for bird lovers or charming additions to any outdoor environment.
13. Wooden Serving Trays
Handcrafted serving trays are elegant and versatile additions to any dining or entertaining space, providing a stylish platform for presenting meals, drinks, or appetizers. These functional yet decorative pieces are crafted from premium wood and finished with attention to detail to enhance their aesthetic appeal and durability. From simple designs to more elaborate patterns and finishes, each serving tray is designed to elevate any dining experience.
When identifying wood projects that sell like a wooden serving tray, emphasize the craftsmanship and versatility of serving trays, positioning them as essential accessories for entertaining or everyday use.
14. Wooden Planters
Crafting wooden planters allows you to bring nature indoors or enhance your outdoor space with style and functionality. These versatile containers are expertly crafted from durable wood and designed to accommodate a variety of plants, from herbs and flowers to small trees and shrubs. Whether featuring simple designs using wood pallets or scrap wood, or more intricate details, each planter is finished to withstand the elements and complement any decor.
When you sell online, highlight the versatility and durability of wooden planters, positioning them as essential accessories for gardening enthusiasts or stylish accents for home or office spaces.
15. Wine Racks
Crafting Wine Racks is a sophisticated yet easy woodworking project that combines functionality with elegance, providing stylish storage solutions for wine enthusiasts. These versatile racks are meticulously crafted from premium wood and designed to securely hold and display wine bottles in style. From sleek and modern designs to rustic and traditional styles, each wine rack is finished to enhance its natural beauty and complement any decor.
Wood projects that sell emphasize the craftsmanship and versatility of wine racks, positioning them as essential accessories for wine connoisseurs or stylish accents for dining or entertaining spaces.
16. Wooden Lamps
Crafting wooden lamps is a captivating woodworking endeavor that combines functionality with artistic flair, offering both illumination and aesthetic appeal in each handcrafted piece. Every wooden lamp begins with selecting the right wood species and shaping it into elegant forms that enhance any space. From minimalist designs to intricate patterns, wooden lamps come in various styles to suit different preferences and decor themes. Each lamp is meticulously crafted to showcase the natural beauty of the wood while providing warm and inviting lighting.
Focus attention on the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and versatility of your wooden lamps, positioning them as essential accessories for adding ambiance and style to any room.
17. Coffee Tables
Crafting coffee tables is a rewarding woodworking project and an excellent niche to get into. It combines functionality with style, providing a centerpiece for living rooms and gathering spaces. These versatile tables come in various designs, from sleek and modern to rustic and farmhouse-inspired. Crafted from high-quality wood and finished with attention to detail, each coffee table is designed to withstand daily use while adding warmth and character to your space.
When selling wood projects online, highlight the durability and versatility of your coffee tables, positioning them as essential pieces of furniture for cozy conversations and gatherings.
18. Surfboards
Crafting surfboards is a highly rewarding endeavor within the woodworking industry, offering both artistic expression and functional performance for surf enthusiasts. Each surfboard is meticulously shaped and crafted to meet the specific needs and preferences of the rider, whether they seek high-speed thrills, smooth maneuvers, or stylish glides on the waves. From classic longboards to agile shortboards and everything in between, surfboards are wood projects designed to embody the essence of surfing culture.
Woodworking projects that sell, highlight the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and performance-driven design of your surfboards, positioning them as essential equipment for riders seeking quality, style, and reliability in their surfing adventures.
19. Wooden Chessboards
Crafting chess boards is a captivating woodworking endeavor that seamlessly blends artistry with functionality, appealing to both chess enthusiasts and admirers of fine craftsmanship. Each chessboard is meticulously crafted from high-quality wood, showcasing intricate patterns, elegant finishes, and attention to detail. Whether it’s a traditional wooden chessboard with classic square patterns or a modern design featuring unique wood combinations and decorative inlays, each board is a testament to the artisan’s skill and creativity. Crafted to withstand hours of intense gameplay, these boards provide a luxurious playing surface for players to strategize and compete, and are woodworking projects that sell.
When listing them online, highlight the exquisite craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and durability of your chessboards, positioning them as cherished heirlooms and essential accessories for chess aficionados.
20. Wooden Ornaments
Crafting wooden ornaments provides a unique opportunity to combine artistry with nature, creating timeless decorations that appeal to a wide audience. These ornaments can range from intricate holiday themes to personalized designs, offering something special for every occasion. Use fine wood and precise craftsmanship; each ornament can be a miniature work of art, perfect for enhancing home décor or as thoughtful gifts.
You can create ornaments specific to holidays or customize them by engraving names, dates, or special messages.
Basic Woodworking Tools
Each woodworking project requires different tools, materials, and woodworking skills. Depending on your small wood projects project here are some of the basic woodworking tools and skills you should have:
Woodworking Tools
- Saws
- Drills
- Sanders
- Clamps
Quality Wood
- Pine
- Hardwoods (Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut)
- Reclaimed Wood (Use recycled materials or scrap wood for cost-effective projects)
Wood Glue
There are different types of wood glue for different wood products and applications.
- PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) Glue. Suitable for general woodworking projects, dries clear and bonds wood effectively.
- Polyurethane Glue. Provides strong, waterproof bonds, ideal for outdoor projects or wood projects requiring water resistance.
- Cyanoacrylate (CA) Glue. Also known as super glue, it offers quick bonding for small projects or repairs.
- Epoxy Resin. Offers excellent strength and durability, suitable for bonding wood to other materials or filling gaps and voids in wood.
Basic Woodworking Skills
- Measuring
- Cutting
- Joining
- Finishing
Woodturning
Woodturning is an easy woodworking project technique that requires mounting a piece of wood onto a spinning axis and then sculpting it into a symmetrical shape by employing handheld tools, such as a lathe. Mastery of this skill opens up a wide range of specialized crafting opportunities, including the creation of wine stoppers, bowls, stair balusters, newel posts, spindles, and other related items.
How to Sell Your Wood Projects Online
Now that you have your profitable woodworking project inspiration and the necessary tools and skills you need. You probably want to know how you can start selling your wood projects online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin to sell woodworking projects:
- Decide where to sell: Determine whether you want to sell wood projects through online marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon (Amazon Handmade) or exclusively on your own e-commerce Shopify store. You can also sell on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, or Facebook.
- Choose your products: Select the woodworking projects you want to sell based on your skills, resources, and market demand. Consider factors such as profitability, production time, and customer preferences when deciding which items to offer in your online store. Whether it’s cutting boards, picture frames, coasters, or custom furniture, focus on products that align with your expertise and appeal to your target audience.
- Identify your target market: Conduct market research to identify your target audience and understand their preferences, needs, and purchasing behavior. Determine who is most likely to buy your woodworking products based on factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and lifestyle. By understanding your target market, you can tailor your product offerings, marketing strategies, and messaging to effectively reach and engage potential customers.
- Set up your online store: If you want more control over selling your woodworking projects, setting up your own e-commerce store on Shopify will give you the freedom to manage branding and sales of your woodworking projects on your own terms. To market your projects, you can start a blog or vlog to attract buyers actively seeking handmade goods.
- Add products to your store: Take high-quality photos of your woodworking projects and write detailed product descriptions to showcase your craftsmanship and attract potential buyers.
- Price your products: Assess the time, effort, and materials required to create each wood project and set prices that reflect their value. Consider market demand and competition when determining your pricing strategy.
- Promote your products: Utilize social media platforms, your website, email newsletters, and content marketing to promote your woodworking projects. Consider investing in search engine marketing (SEM) if it fits within your budget to increase your online visibility and attract more customers.
- Optimize for search engines: Optimize your online store and product listings for search engines to improve visibility and attract organic traffic from potential customers looking for woodworking projects. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your woodworking products, including product names, descriptions, and categories. Incorporate these keywords strategically into your website content, meta tags, headings, and image alt text to improve your search engine rankings and drive more qualified traffic to your online store.
- Provide excellent customer service: Deliver exceptional customer service to enhance the buying experience and build trust with your customers. Respond promptly to inquiries, address customer concerns or complaints professionally, and provide accurate and helpful information about your woodworking products. Offer flexible payment options, transparent shipping policies, and hassle-free returns to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases.
Additional Resources for Woodworkers Looking to Improve their Skills and Woodworking Business
Woodworking Tutorials and Guides
Explore woodworking project demonstrations and tutorials on dedicated YouTube channels. Find valuable tips, techniques, and inspiration from online articles, blogs, and downloadable eBooks covering a wide range of woodworking topics, including joinery, finishing techniques, and tool usage.
Woodworking Forums and Communities:
Join popular woodworking forums like SawdustZone, WoodNet Forums, or Lumberjocks to ask questions, share advice, and showcase projects. Engage with like-minded woodworkers in online communities on platforms such as Facebook or Reddit, where you can find discussions about wood projects and advice about wood crafts.
Online Courses and Workshops:
Explore online woodworking courses on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera, led by experienced instructors. Attend virtual workshops or webinars hosted by woodworking experts, focusing on topics like furniture making or hand tool techniques. Access a wealth of tutorials, plans, and resources through sites like Fine Woodworking or The Wood Whisperer Guild.
Woodworking Software and Tools for a woodworking business:
- Digital design software for planning and visualizing woodworking projects, such as SketchUp or Fusion 360.
- Online calculators or apps for estimating material quantities, calculating dimensions, or determining project costs. An example of an online calculator for woodworking projects is the “Woodworking Calculator” app available on both iOS and Android platforms. This app allows users to quickly estimate the material quantities needed for their projects based on dimensions and project type.
Other Resources
If you enjoyed reading this post, you may also enjoy reading:
How to create an Amazon Storefront
Go From Wantrepreneur to Successful Entrepreneur
How to Start a Blog and Make Money for Beginners
FAQ’s
Q: What are some effective marketing strategies for selling woodworking projects online?
A: Utilize social media platforms for your woodworking business, such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest, to showcase your woodworking projects and engage with potential customers. Create visually appealing content to sell wood projects, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of beautiful wood projects and your creative process, and interact with your audience to build brand awareness and foster customer loyalty. Additionally, collaborate with influencers, participate in online communities and forums, and optimize your product listings with relevant keywords and tags to enhance visibility and attract potential buyers.
Q: How can I price my woodworking projects effectively?
A: Calculate the cost of materials, labor, and overhead expenses to determine your project’s total cost. Then, factor in your desired profit margin and compare prices with similar products in the market. Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract customers while maintaining profitability for your woodworking business.
Q: How can I optimize my online store for increased sales and conversions?
A: Optimize your product listings with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and relevant keywords to improve search visibility and attract potential buyers. Streamline the checkout process, offer multiple payment options, and provide clear shipping and return policies to enhance the customer experience and reduce cart abandonment rates. Implement email marketing campaigns, retargeting ads, and promotional offers to encourage repeat purchases and maximize customer lifetime value. Continuously monitor and analyze website analytics and sales data to identify areas for improvement and refine your marketing strategies for optimal results.
What are wood projects that sell?
- Simple Puzzles
- Wooden Blocks
- Pull Toys
- Wooden Cutting Boards
- Picture Frames
- Wooden Coasters
- Wooden Shelves
- Wooden Boxes
- Wooden Signs
- Wooden Candle Holders
- Wooden Utensils
- Wooden Birdhouses
- Wooden Serving Trays
- Wooden Planters
- Wine Racks
- Wooden Lamps
- Coffee Tables
- Surfboards
- Wooden Chessboards
- Wooden Ornaments
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