7 'Grandma Hobbies' That Gen Z and Millennials Can Turn Into Extra Money
Knitting, quilting and other so-called “grandma hobbies” are finding a new audience among Gen Z and millennials, as reported by The New York Times.
For some crafters, that interest could also create an opportunity to earn extra money. The key is choosing something people will buy, accounting for the time and materials involved and starting small.
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Here are seven “grandma hobbies” that could become profitable side hustles.
1. Knitting
Knitting can generate income through finished pieces or custom orders.
Katherine Tozduman, founder and CEO of The Crafty Kit, said there is still a strong market for handmade products, particularly when sellers create something distinctive.
“Etsy, Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups are great places to start online,” Tozduman said. “Locally, craft fairs are one of the best ways to get your products in front of people and build a customer base.”
2. Quilting
Quilters can sell finished pieces or take custom orders based on a buyer’s preferred colors, patterns or size.
Since the work can require considerable time, pricing should cover more than fabric and other materials.
“It's easy to look at the cost of the materials, but your time is the most important part of the price,” Tozduman said. “Make sure you're covering your materials, selling expenses and labor while still leaving room for profit.”
3. Embroidery
Embroidery offers several ways to make a product feel personal, from finished decorative pieces to custom orders.
Tozduman included embroidery among the traditional hobbies with realistic income potential. However, she cautioned against copying what other sellers already offer.
“Create your own product, focus on what you're building and remember that you have to have the grit to be in business,” she added.
4. Candle-Making
Candle-making offers several potential products, including individual candles, custom scent sets and seasonal gift bundles.
Justin Brown, founder of Timber Shelves, sells handmade timber products directly to consumers. His work involves the full cycle of running a craft business, including purchasing raw materials, calculating production costs, packaging products, setting prices and attracting customers online.
Drawing on that experience, he considers candle-making one of the hobbies with the clearest paths to income.
“The cost of the supplies (wax, wicks, fragrance oils and basic molds) is about $50 to $100 and the basic kraft packaging is an additional $20 to $30,” Brown said.
Before listing a candle, he recommended calculating materials, overhead, restocking costs and labor.
“That math needs to work before you list anything,” Brown said.
5. Baking
Home baking can become a cottage-food business without the expense of opening a commercial bakery.
StandScout, a local food marketplace, estimated that a home-based cake business can cost as little as $400 to start and potentially earn up to $5,000 per month at farmers markets.
Before selling, bakers should check their state’s cottage-food laws, which may restrict the ingredients they can use, where they can sell and how products must be labeled.
6. Gardening
Gardeners can turn what they grow into extra money by selling plants, seedlings, herbs or cut flowers.
Rather than purchasing supplies and building inventory for several products at once, Tozduman recommended starting with only what is needed, testing the concept and reinvesting as the business grows.
“You can start with a relatively modest investment, but I’ve also seen (craft) businesses invest well into six figures as they grow,” Tozduman said. “Your costs will depend on your supplies, equipment, packaging, inventory, selling fees and how much you’re investing upfront.”
7. Leatherwork
Chris Loverseed, founder of PK9 Gear, started with a DIY collar pattern after becoming frustrated with the dog gear available. His handmade leather business now ships internationally.
“Leatherwork is a traditional craft with real income potential if you focus on the right products,” Loverseed said. “You can make leather dog collars, leads, belts, key rings, bag straps or small leather goods.”
Beginners need only a knife, leather, a pattern, stitching chisels, needles, thread, basic edge tools, hardware and packaging, though they should also budget for selling fees. Loverseed recommended starting small instead of buying every available tool before making the first sale.
“The most common trap is making random stuff and just hoping people care,” Loverseed said. “You have to understand your customer and prove you can make the exact same thing consistently.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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