Children love wooden pull toys.
Primitive or rustic wood crafts are popular in the city as well as the country. Making and selling them is one way to learn a craft and earn extra money doing it. Whether you do it part-time, or want to create a full-time business, there are endless possibilities for you to explore.
Twig Crafts
Once considered leftovers, or scrap, twigs are an abundant resource that you can collect for free. Twigs may be gathered and used to create picture frames, a potted plant trellis, baskets, miniature furniture and even birdhouses. Make sure the twigs are fresh when you gather them, and cut them slightly longer then the needed length. You can use wood glue, wire, or thin rope to hold the twigs together in whatever shape you need.
Easy Toys
Simple wood toys such as pull toys in the shapes of various animals are popular with small children. They may be painted in bright colors, in a lifelike pattern, or left natural with a coat of varnish. Rocking horses are also popular and can be as simple or elaborate as you like to make them. Building blocks are the simplest wood toy to make as all you need to do is cut a wood board such as a 4x4 to various sizes and sand off rough edges then paint or varnish. A wooden toy chest will bring back fond memories, but remember to use safety hinges, or even rope hinges to attach the top for safety reasons.
Household Crafts
Rustic picture frames, and frames for mirrors can be made from scrap wood, or barn boards. Primitive heart shapes can be cut and painted, then add a poem or quote to create a cherished wall plaque. Scroll saws can also be used to create wooden patterns and letters that can be used for plaques, wall hangings and yard ornaments. Benches and birdhouses are also easy rustic wood crafts to make and sell.
Making Wood Crafts
Gather all the necessary tools and supplies you will need to make your rustic wood crafts ahead of time, and store them together. Make sure your tools are in good working order with all blades sharpened and all cords intact. Keep an assortment of sandpaper on hand, as well as extra saw blades and craft glue. All paint should be non-toxic, especially if used for children's toys. Work in a well lit area, and clean up as you go. If you are crafting multiples of the same item, do them in steps to make the process faster, for example: cut all parts out at the same time instead of individually. Make sure you do your best work, and that wood is smoothly cut and sanded with no sharp edges or splinters.
Selling
There are many venues for selling your rustic wood crafts. If you don't mind traveling, flea markets, fairs, festivals and craft shows are held all over the country and in all seasons. Most require registering beforehand and a small table or vendor fee. Some require you to have a business license, or at least a sales tax license.
Thanks to the Internet, you have many options for selling online. Online auctions may be your thing, or set up your own website. A quick search will list websites that will let you sell your items without having to create your own site; just upload pictures, descriptions and prices. The Internet will also yield the contact information of businesses that will buy your rustic wood crafts and add them to their own inventory.
One additional option for selling your wood crafts, is to ask local stores and shops to sell them on consignment. Whichever method of selling you choose, price your items carefully. Consider the time it takes to make them, the cost of the materials, any advertising fees, shipping fees and mark them up enough to cover costs plus show a profit. Don't mark them too high though, or they won't sell.
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