Wood projects, in a nutshell, are objects crafted from wood, usually manually, to fulfill specific customer demands. If they are of high quality, they have the potential to be sold for a substantial sum.
To create products to sell, you will only need the wood, along with a saw, a drill, glue, and protective goggles and gloves for safety. While having woodworking skill is preferred, basic knowledge is sufficient for simpler wood projects.
If you intend to earn money from your wood projects (which is recommended!), you will also require a method for promoting and selling them online, such as an online store or marketplace.
Wood projects that generate profit.
1. Picture frames
It is obvious that picture frames are a popular choice for individuals who want to create and sell attractive wooden projects online, as everyone enjoys both taking pictures and reminiscing through them.
Picture frames are easy to assemble and only require a basic level of skill, making them perfect for beginner woodworkers who want to start with smaller projects before tackle more complex ones.
When it comes to picture frames, people are constantly searching for the ideal frame to display in their homes as they are universally appealing. The possibilities with picture frames are limitless, allowing you to create various sizes and designs based on your own abilities.
To sell online, these easy wood projects are ideal as they require some additional materials, like glass for the front panel, but nothing overly specialized.
2. Kitchen utensils
Kitchen utensils are a thriving market, as mentioned in our guide on the most sought-after products to sell. Moreover, with the addition of wooden materials and some craftsmanship, they can also be a lucrative wood project for sale.
Kitchen utensils provide ample opportunities for creativity and variation. The array of utensils available, such as forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, and potato mashers, allows one to experiment and enjoy in the kitchen. In addition to being timeless items, wooden kitchen utensils can also be marketed as ideal housewarming presents, presenting numerous possibilities for advertisement on social media and online platforms.
Ensure that your final products comply with all the safety standards and regulations for kitchen equipment in your state, as you wouldn’t want anyone to discover a splinter in their meal.
3. Boxes
We can confidently predict that wooden boxes will always be in demand worldwide. They are an essential item in the hospitality sector, particularly for packaging wine and food, and have an almost infinite number of potential applications.
Wooden boxes can be made in various styles, serving both decorative and practical purposes. Considering the high demand for them, selling wooden boxes should be a straightforward task. However, the key is to carefully consider their intended use before beginning the creation process. Would you like to make wooden boxes for storage purposes or to accommodate heavy items? Alternatively, you may be inclined towards crafting unique and ornamental jewelry boxes.
To ensure functionality and target the appropriate audience, it is essential to have a well-defined use case for your project when manufacturing wooden boxes.
It is important to be specific when identifying your target market. The customers who are interested in wooden storage crates for storing larger items are likely different from the customers who are searching for decorative boxes to display in their homes.
4. Children’s toys
Wood can be both functional and fun, from train sets and racetracks to giant snakes-and-ladders boards.
Wooden children’s toys provide an abundance of opportunities for creativity and individuality. Unlike other items such as picture frames, chopping boards, or boxes, the limitations of their structure do not hinder your designs. The only restrictions are what you are capable of constructing and, naturally, your imagination.
Wooden toys are growing in popularity, making them one of our favorite best-selling wood projects. They are always in demand as people consistently require toys for the youngest members of their families. Recent online trends further support this.
It should come as no surprise that November and December are the most popular months for wooden toys, as indicated by Google Trends. If you decide to pursue this path, it’s important to anticipate a surge in demand during the holiday season.
5. Planters
The reason why wooden planters are highly sought-after is that they have the ability to bring warmth and charm to an outdoor space.
Luckily, they also fall under the category of chopping boards, picture frames, and boxes as they are relatively easy to make. Nevertheless, the bigger ones can still fetch high prices, particularly if you add a sleek varnish coating and a set of wheels to enhance their portability.
When it comes to using wooden planters, it is important to clearly communicate with customers regarding the conditions in which they can be utilized. For instance, if you intend to place the planters outdoors, it is crucial to apply a rain-proof coating.
6. Wooden signs
Handmade wooden signs have various shapes and sizes, and they serve multiple purposes both indoors and outdoors. These signs can be found adorning people’s homes, serving as decorative elements. For instance, personalized signs displaying a family’s last name could be offered. Moreover, wooden signs are commonly used in events such as weddings and parties to provide welcome greetings and directions.
When considering how to make wooden signs to sell, you should employ your ingenuity. There are various methods to create wooden signs, which rely on your abilities, available resources, and imaginative goals. For instance, you may handcraft designs on wood pieces by painting them or use pieces of wood to cut out letters and shapes directly.
7. Wood pallets
Wood pallets are used by shippers and ecommerce companies for transporting large quantities of products. However, despite their wastefulness, these wooden pallets can be utilized for various woodworking projects that can generate income.
If you are looking for wooden pallet projects that can be sold, there are plenty of ideas provided on this list that you can consider. All of the following ideas can be turned into successful pallet projects.
- Planter box
- Decorative sign
- Side or coffee table
- Chair or small bench
- Mail sorter/key holder
- Bed platform
- Shelves
When considering selling these products online, it is important to think about shipping and handling. This includes protecting the products during transportation to prevent any damage and finding ways to minimize shipping costs, especially for bigger and heavier items.
8. Furniture
Furniture stores have faced significant closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it challenging for them. However, this situation presents a potential for significant growth in the online furniture selling market. With limited in-person alternatives, consumers will resort to online shopping to meet their furniture requirements.
Fyrn, an environmentally conscious brand, offers a wide selection of exquisitely made wooden furniture on its website, which includes its signature chair collection.
9. Surfboards
Despite any preconceived notions, surfing is a sport that can be enjoyed throughout the year, thus generating a relatively steady demand. Nevertheless, the majority of surfboards are constructed from materials such as foam, fiber, plastic, and other substances that don’t align with eco-friendly principles.
David Dennis of Ventana Surfboards and Supplies has come to the realization that using wood in surfboard manufacturing can contribute to sustainability. Additionally, this alternative is more cost-effective, allowing for either reduced prices or increased profit margins.
10. Birdhouses
Birdhouses can be used as both indoor and outdoor decorations. They may vary in functionality, with some serving primarily decorative roles. Additionally, birdhouses are frequently collected by individuals, making it a favorable niche to explore.
On its ecommerce website, K Squared artisan boutique has a wooden birdhouse available for purchase, similar to many other Shopify merchants who sell such products online.
11. Art
Selling your artwork online can be a lucrative approach to monetizing your creative endeavors. The use of wood as a crafting material is highly advantageous, offering limitless possibilities for creating diverse items. The outcome greatly relies on your imaginative abilities, level of expertise, and the preferences of potential buyers. Do not hesitate to explore and innovate with your creations.
A possible rephrasing could be: If you want to focus on a specific area, you can opt for a niche like Track Sculptures. This Shopify seller specializes in crafting wooden sculptures of racetrack maps from around the globe. These one-of-a-kind pieces are specifically tailored for racing enthusiasts, making them a distinctive and remarkable product.
How to sell woodworking projects
After completing your woodworking projects, the other half of the challenge lies in locating suitable homes for them.
Choose your product
You may have already acquired some woodworking projects and ideas. However, you may also be completely starting from scratch without any clue about the type of product you wish to create and sell.
When selecting a product from the list above, the first step is to begin with a trial project. It is important to ensure that you are capable of successfully completing your creation in order to satisfy both yourself and potential customers.
Identify your market
Once you have determined the product or service you wish to create and sell, the next step is to identify potential customers who are willing to purchase it. This process involves conducting market research, which should encompass a thorough examination of competitors, monitoring social media conversations, and analyzing the specific industry trends.
Build a website
If you are looking for a platform to market your woodworking projects, setting up your own ecommerce site is a highly strategic choice to consider.
You have complete control over your business, which is why you can handle everything from pricing and promotion to shipping and fulfillment. Third-party marketplaces have more restrictions, and a physical space requires more overhead costs. If you are a beginner, you can build your website with Shopify on your own without the need for coding experience.
List and price your products
It is now the moment to proceed with taking product photos, writing captivating descriptions, and listing them online for potential buyers to view and buy. It is highly recommended to include the items on your website and also contemplate utilizing third-party marketplaces. Etsy is specifically suggested as an excellent platform for selling handmade items, although there are alternative options to Etsy that are worth exploring.
When considering pricing, you aim to set prices that adequately cover your time and expenses, allowing you to make a profit. Nonetheless, pricing should not be set too high to discourage potential buyers.
Drive traffic to your website
After setting up your website and making your product pages accessible, you need to make efforts to draw visitors to your online store. This can be achieved by utilizing various strategies and tactics, such as organic and paid marketing techniques, to generate traffic.
Check analytics and improve
As time passes, you will accumulate more data, which will enhance your understanding of your business. Your Shopify analytics dashboard provides essential data on sales, orders, and online store visitors, as well as other information. As you analyze this data gradually, you will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your business and potentially discover new opportunities.
