101 things to sell online ppt

101 Things to Sell Online -Make Money Online Selling Things You Never Dreamed People Would Buy You’ve heard the success stories of people who start selling shoelaces online and strike it

written by Jeannie Pitt

author, designer, entrepreneur Copyright © 2012 Published by Jeannie Pitt at Smashwords All rights reserved No part of this material may be sold, duplicated, distributed, used on other websites, incorporated in commercial documents or products, photocopied or used for promotional

purposes without written permission from the copyright holder.

101 Things to Sell Online

-Make Money Online Selling Things You Never Dreamed People Would Buy

You’ve heard the success stories of people who start selling shoelaces online and strike it rich You might have wondered, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

There is no magic potion for selling online A bit of marketing helps a great deal, but aside from that, you just have to offer a product, any product really, to

someone looking to buy that product

This ebook will give you 101 ideas for things that you can sell online, many of which you might never have thought of I’ve been selling online since 1997, and I’ve successfully marketed a wide range of products My focus now is offering items that reflect my own true passions I love nature and I love to make things

While there are many websites online that provide individuals a way to sell

handmade creations, gently used items and vintage collectibles, I never found a website that focused solely on my own areas of interest In early 2012, I created Driftwood Mall, a marketplace where buyers and sellers can enjoy a wide range

of natural and artistic supplies and handmade arts and crafts

As a person seeking a way to generate online income, you’ll be pleased to

discover a huge list of items which people are seeking to buy Many of these items may be found right in your hometown or even your very own backyard Likewise, if you are artistic or creative in any way, you’ll find an outlet for your unique and one-of-a-kind crafts and supplies right at Driftwood Mall

Account signup is free, as is listing your items for sale in the marketplace Check out the list of 101 Things to Sell Online and start gathering and creating Sign up for a free account and open a vendor shop in the mall I look forward to

welcoming you and gazing in awe at your lovely contributions and amazing

creations

As a related tool to Driftwood Mall, you might want to sign up at the

HouseofJunque.com blog HouseofJunque runs frequent contests offering free handmade giveaways If you’d like to feature your product on the blog or offer a donation to be given away in the contest, contact me via the site Offering a free giveaway can bring significant traffic and attention to your products and shop

Disclaimer: In this ebook, I share a lot of information about looking for, collecting and selling natural materials, as well as offering handmade or edible items There are many

rules, regulations and laws concerning this type of behavior I am not responsible for any of your choices, and I encourage you to look into any laws concerning the steps you plan to take before proceeding.

Following are 101 things to sell online These ideas range from natural supplies

to handmade arts and crafts You’ll find ideas under Supplies from the Woods, Supplies By the Water, Upcycled and Recyclables, Handmade and Art, Business and Consulting, Themed Items and Parties, Edibles and Consumables, Home Décor, Woodworking, Half-finished Projects and Miscellaneous

Supplies from the Woods

1 Pine Cones

There are all types of pine cones and spruce cones lying about on neighborhood streets, forest paths and everywhere you look If you don’t have these lovely little gifts from nature piled up in your own backyard, you probably know

someone who does People buy all manner and size of tree cones for many special crafting projects, as well as for a food source for certain types of wild or domestic animals

If you have access to any type of pine cones or spruce cones, start collecting them and put them up for sale online You’ll be surprised at the creative ways people use them

Look for tiny pine cones, rounded spruce cones, large pine cones or any types

of cones that are interesting Make sure they are clean and in good shape This will ensure more sales There are various ways to clean and dry pine cones Use Google as a research tool for discovering the best ways to do this

2 Acorns

Many people buy acorns and acorn tops for various reasons as well You will often find acorns that are still connected to their tops, and these are the most popular However, you can also sell each part of the acorn separately People buy acorn tops for use in crafting projects, and acorns without tops may be used

for other various reasons

You may also wish to take extra time to glue acorn tops on for added product integrity, but be sure to disclose this in your product listing There are various ways to clean and dry acorns Use Google as a research tools for discovering the best ways to do this

Look for patches of acorns under and around various types of oak trees Be sure the acorns are clean and free of bugs Collect single caps as well for a variety of listings in your shop

Look for sheets or sections of bark that are pleasing to the eye Please don’t ever cut bark from a live tree! This is not only disrespectful (and potentially

harmful) to the tree, but it is a serious violation to nature and Mother Earth I may sound like a tree-hugger at this point, and in fact, I guess I am I am inviting you to promote and share the beauty of nature, not to violate, exploit or damage

it in any way

In most forests or woodsy areas, especially those that are older, you’re likely to find as many down and dying trees as live and flourishing ones Look for those trees that are lying on the ground It’s generally easier to remove bark from chopped or fallen trees, and you’ll be rewarded for respecting your

surroundings

Always get permission from landowners before walking into a forest and

removing anything Trespassing can get you into a lot of trouble

4 Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are some of the most fun natural supplies to collect and sell Because fall leaves only hold their beautiful colors for a small amount of time, and only in certain parts of the country, their value is heightened As soon as leaves begin to change in the fall, get out there and start collecting In my

experience, oak and maple leaves are the most popular and beautiful, however

any brightly colored leaves are likely to bring attention.

Many brides-to-be begin ordering naturally colored leaves for their weddings, sometimes up to a year in advance Autumn-themed weddings are very popular and you might find yourself selling out of fall leaves very quickly There are many other uses for fall leaves as well

You may find the simplest way of preserving these leaves is simply by flattening and drying them out They will hold their colors for quite some time, and all you’ll need to do is dry them between two pieces of cardboard or similar material Some people enjoy coating them with resin or a decoupage type substance There are many options here and it’s up to you which one you’ll choose

Look for fall leaves that are beautifully colored with reds, oranges, golds and greens Be sure they are clean and dry (dry them out if they are wet) and are without holes or other damage Try to keep the stems, as your customers can then decide whether or not they are necessary for the project

You may find sorting them into general sizes is advantageous, or you can list them as assorted lots Try maple and oak leaves to begin with, and hunt around your area for other types of beautifully colored fall leaves

5 Green Leaves

At this point, your mind is probably beginning to open up to all sorts of new

possibilities for selling online Fall leaves are absolutely wonderful, but people also use other types of leaves for jewelry-making, crafting and art

Any types of leaves can be used for an unlimited number of possibilities If you have access to interestingly-shaped or colored leaves, start collecting them You’re likely to find it very exciting when you start to learn what wonderful items people create from leaves

Again, collect only undamaged leaves, and try to avoid pulling them from trees

in large numbers Spread your collection over many trees, selecting only the best leaves for your lot Better yet, collect only enough to take several good photos, and make note of the location for pre-orders

I’ve seen wonderful pendants made from leaves, both natural and gold-dipped There are many possibilities and the interesting leaves native to your area may not grow all over the world, therefore making them a popular selection for other locations

6 Twigs

Selling twigs has been the most surprising of discoveries for me Twigs of

various sizes and shapes can be used in all sorts of woodworking projects and crafty creations Think picture frames, dolls, wall art, tribal jewelry and the list goes on…

The best candidates for sales in this area are twigs from fallen or dead trees As mentioned earlier, I discourage bothering live trees as much as possible, and it’s nearly impossible to find saleable twigs from live trees anyway Many forest areas and chopdowns hold hundreds of thousands of dead twigs, lying on the ground, free for the taking These twigs and sticks can be sorted into lots of varying sizes and offered for sale to artists and handicrafters

Look for twigs with or without bark, dried, straight or bent Some buyers will prefer smooth twigs of a certain shade of wood, while others will be looking for some character on the twigs, such as knots, bark or other characteristics

Choose whatever types of twigs interest you and it will become an even greater adventure

7 Moss

Certain types of moss are so popular that they are even offered at many local craft stores Spanish moss, for one, is a very popular seller If you have certain types of attractive moss growing in and around your local area, offer it up for

sale (Here is a very good place to offer a reminder for checking into local, state and federal laws for collecting, selling and shipping plant materials.)

Moss makes a very good material for decorating so many different types of arrangements, wreaths and wall-hangings Moss grows from trees and on rocks

in various parts of the world, and differs depending upon location, climate and other environmental factors

8 Grasses and Buds

Many different types of grasses and tree buds are attractive and used for arranging or other crafting purposes Off the top of my head I’m thinking pussy willows, wheat, Pampas grass and Sea Oats

flower-Often, these grasses can be dyed an array of wonderful colors and can be used for interior decoration to brighten up any room There are many other uses as

It’s important to note that Florida, in particular, has laws against picking Sea Oats If you live on a private beach where these laws do not apply, this may be a wonderful way to start earning money online Likewise, other types of grasses and wheat may be legal to collect Play around with ways to color these grasses

so that you can offer your customers a wide selection

Many types of grasses are simply weeds that grow along roadsides and in

meadows These ‘weeds’ can grow already colored in beautiful hues Keep your eyes open along your travels

9 Pods and Seeds

Some types of seeds or pods are interesting, unique and often used in flower arrangements or crafts As you are walking through nature, looking for

possibilities, notice the beauty of pods and certain types of seeds

Many pods contain seeds that can be used in crafts and jewelry-making These can be colored or offered naturally There are endless possibilities with this

choice, and you’re likely to discover something interesting that may not yet be available for purchase

10 Nuts and Nutshells

Nuts and nutshells are often very unique and easy to work with Many countries have trees unique to that area The Tagua nut, for example, is a type of nut or seed used by many artisans for beading and jewelry-making They are beautiful and each one is unique

If you live in an area with interesting nuts or nutshells, start collecting them and offer them online to craftspeople and artists You may discover how to dye these items or you could let others take care of this after purchase Again, the

possibilities are limitless, and you may often make sales without ever finding out what your nuts and nutshells are used for

11 Mushroom/Artist Conks

Mushrooms are available in all sorts of species and are used for many different things Certain types of mushrooms, referred to as shelf mushrooms or artist conks are shaped in a way that makes them perfect for use as an artist’s

canvas

Shelf mushrooms usually grow outward from the sides of trees You might find them still intact on fallen trees or growing happily 5 to 8 feet up on the side of a standing tree These mushrooms are often securely connected, so removal may require some force Despite this, you can usually detach them without ruining the mushroom or the tree.

Depending upon the size and beauty of the surface, artist conks are fairly

valuable Painters, carvers and those who enjoy woodburning love to use these natural beauties as their canvases

12 Flower Petals and Dried Herbs

Flowers and herbs are equally fun for a plethora of reasons Creative and artistic naturalists will often see the beauty of colors and petal shapes of various plants and flowers

Jewelry artists use flower petals for use in making pendants, charms and other accessories Petals can be glazed with clear substances or coated with gold or silver to give them a whole new look Likewise, petals can be used for other kinds of art, such as mosaics, collages or cardmaking

Dried flowers and herbs have long been used in the crafting world There are numerous uses for these as well, and many pattern books are available for

creating art with this medium

If you are already passionate about drying flowers or herbs, you should have no trouble finding buyers If you adore beautiful flowers, why not try picking some pretty petals? You could sell them as is, or coat them with a glaze and drill a hole, etc Some people prefer to do the process themselves, and others would rather buy petals ready to be attached to jewelry and other crafts

**When flowers and plants are involved, there are all sorts of rules and

regulations Please don’t ever pick endangered plants or flowers, and check out any rules for transporting certain plant species across state and international lines before shipping.

13 Feathers

Feathers can be found in forests, in backyards and even on the beach Feathers have always been popular for crafting and making fly-fishing lures Any types of feathers can be used, but obviously the more colorful, the more popular

Some birds produce feathers that are already very colorful Please don’t harm any birds for the purposes of collecting feathers! If you happen to find interesting feathers in your travels, do pick them up You never know who might buy them and for what purposes.

You might also look into dying feathers Feathers that are easy to come by may

be enhanced with some type of coloring process Do some research using

Google to find out the safest and most productive ways to dye feathers

14 Claws, Quills and Other Interesting Things

Many of our ancestors are known for using each and every part of animals they have hunted and killed Not only was meat used for meals, but skin was used to make leather, muscles for twine and talons, teeth and other parts for jewels, talismans and amulets

This is not a job for the squeamish

If you happen across a dead porcupine, you might find the quills are valuable to someone Likewise, claws, talons, teeth, bones and other parts of many types of

animals can be collected and offered for sale (Another great place for me to remind you that I take no responsibility for your choices Make safe choices and

be reasonable Don’t hurt animals and always wear gloves!)

You might find it interesting and amusing that many different types of animal dung (yes, poop!) are used in crafting Dried out and formed into shapes, people have been known to make high-end pendants and jewelry from this potentially disgusting substance Have fun with that one, and no I’m not kidding!

Supplies by the Water

15 Rocks, Pebbles and River Stones

Rocks, pebbles and river stones are used for many types of projects The

shape, size, color and type of rocks helps to determine what they may be used for

Smooth stones and pebbles may be used for painting, while jagged rocks could

be turned into a unique mosaic design Tiny colorful stones can be used as

beads or embellishments, where gemstones, crystals and agates are collected

for various reasons.

You might find collectible and desirable rocks anywhere, really, but rivers and oceans generally produce smooth stones which require less work for the

recipient Many people tend to prefer smooth stones, and water helps this

process greatly

Jagged stones, however, can certainly be tumbled and polished, and often

certain types of stones can only be found inland You might find agates, geodes and different gemstones by digging hillsides or otherwise mining in certain

areas This type of prospecting usually requires some background knowledge, but if you’re already interested, you could easily start selling your discoveries online

16 Shells and Beachcombing

People love to collect seashells whenever they visit beaches and shorelines Many people don’t have access to the ocean, but still love to create beach-

themed projects

It’s likely that your beaches have certain types of seashells Some kinds may be plentiful and other kinds may be a special and rare find Turn your passion for beachcombing into a profitable online venture

Look for anything that you can find easily and often This may include certain types of shells, sand dollars, starfish or shark teeth Tiny, colorful shells may turn

up in piles by the millions, or you may be able to find numerous sizes of mussel shells You may live at a beach where an occasional large conch shell is

discovered, or teeth and bones may be prevalent

You might also find a market for shell pieces People love to create mosaics You might dye the shell fragments or offer them as is Sand dollars are always popular and the occasional glass or foam buoy may also be a one-of-a-kind treat

17 Seaglass

Seaglass is prevalent only on certain beaches around the world It seems that beaches on rocky coasts present the most opportunity to find seaglass If you live in one of these areas, you’ll find that your natural, original, non-

manufactured seaglass is a hot commodity

Sometimes referred to as beach glass, seaglass is made up of glass fragments, either new or very, very old, that have been in the water long enough to become smooth Seaglass comes in all colors, mostly from old bottles and jars Browns and greens are common, but indigo blue, lavender and light green can be much harder to find.

You will find that all shapes, sizes and bits of seaglass are popular Beach glass can be bought at a local craft store, but you’ll find that this is not often authentic glass Artisans generally prefer the real thing Get your bags and buckets and go hunting for seaglass

18 Driftwood

Driftwood is so much fun to find This type of wood washes up on seashores and river banks after floating in the water long enough to become smooth, twisted or otherwise formed into amazing shapes and angles

Bleached driftwood is often popular, as it has been in the sun and sand long enough to become a cool, light gray color River and ocean driftwood that is unique can often be sold for quite a bit of money

Anytime you are near water, keep an eye out for interesting pieces of wood Driftwood of all shapes and sizes, including very large all the way to very tiny, is used by many professionals and hobbyists Taxidermists often use driftwood for their projects, as do landscape artists, interior decorators and florists Likewise, reptile owners and pet stores often need large pieces for reptile habitats

Once you’ve found some eye-catching driftwood, you’ll just need some great pictures, and a way to weigh the piece for the purposes of shipping estimates Driftwood is popular and like with seaglass, people are usually more interested

in purchasing the real thing

Upcycled and Recyclables

19 Board Game Pieces

Vintage and gently used board game pieces are all the rage for cool arts and crafts People use these pieces for 3D collage, sculpture, hair accessories, wall art and more Stop by your local thrift store and search for low-priced board games

Scrabble tiles are very popular for jewelry and hair accessories People also use

these flat-tiled letters for decorating scrapbooks, creating mosaics and

personalizing many different items Vintage is always more sought after than new, so if you can find older Scrabble games, don’t pass them by!

You might also search yard sales and friends’ attics for old Monopoly games, Life games, old chess pieces and games with marbles, tokens or people

Anything colorful and interesting is sure to catch someone’s eye

In addition to the game pieces, some people also make great art with colorful boards If you discover a board game with a unique board that’s eye-catching and in good shape, you might find interest for that as well, especially if it’s

vintage

20 Other Recyclable Plastics

Any interesting plastic pieces and parts can be used for arts and crafts Yard sales, thrift stores and recycle yards are perfect places to scour for such things

to sell

Plastic rings, plastic bottles, milk caps, inner gears, old buttons, legos and other types of plastic pieces in bulk present a fantastic opportunity to make some money Even if you can’t figure out what these things might be used for, 9 times out of 10 you’ll find someone else who is looking for just that very thing

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure Keep this in mind when shopping second hand stores and eyeballing junk piles If it’s interesting, someone is willing to buy it from you

21 Wooden Parts

Just like recyclable plastics, wooden parts are used in making all types of

handmade goodies Since wood is often easier to work with, you’ll find that different kinds of artists are interested in your wooden recyclables These might include people who are already accustomed to woodworking, as well as

sculptors, interior designers and teachers Wooden parts are one of the top ingredients for many crafts for children

Look for things like clothespins, old thread spools, old blocks (plain or painted with shapes and letters), wooden beads, popsicle sticks (clean ones, of course), and the list goes one Remember, people can buy clothespins and wooden beads anywhere, but if you find a cheap stash of vintage wood that can’t be bought in stores, you’re in business

As with any supplies that you find to resell, you may choose to sell them as-is or

do a little prep work yourself People will buy raw materials with no questions asked, but there are many others who will pay a little extra to have some of the work done for them

You might drill holes, paint, dye or otherwise ‘prepare’ your wooden parts for any possible type of crafting You might also create your listings with the raw

materials and suggest to buyers that any number of these preparations can be done for an added fee

22 Glass and Ceramic Parts

Glass and ceramic pieces and parts have many uses for artists who like to

experiment with different mediums One of the most common uses for glass parts is mosaics Mosaics are pictures that are assembled by using smaller pieces of different types of materials Artists who create mosaics are often very talented and require thousands of pieces in many different colors

One of my favorite ideas for creating mosaic pieces is to buy colorful plates at thrift shops You can often find old plates with one or two chips near the edges and pay only 25 to 50 cents each Use a rubber mallet and some really good safety judgment to break up these plates and create a lovely collection of

mosaic pieces

This process can really be done with any type of china or glass, and this makes

a great case for recycling Rather than dump a chipped plate into the landfill, be

a part of the process of turning it into art, and make some cash in the process

Old ceramic tiles often make great art canvases, as well If you come across an inexpensive box of tiles, you might not want to pass them by Keep shipping costs in mind if you plan to sell them as-is, but if you are artistic yourself, you might paint or decorate them and offer your creations to those who love

interesting and upcycled art

23 Metal Parts

Take the tiny innards from any interesting mechanical device and you’ve got a potential sale With the rise of the ‘steampunk’ lifestyle, you’ll find many artists who create jewelry, wall art, accessories and even clothing from gears and other metal scraps

Look for old watches, old clocks, small pipes, ball bearings, spent bullet casings, old typewriter keys or cash register buttons, and other metal doo-dads that can

be taken apart Collect parts and sort them or offer a lot of various shapes and sizes Remember, this isn’t something that can be found at your local craft store Artists who use recyclable metals may be in need of your contribution

Again, browse thrift shops, junkyards, recycle stations and yard sales for cheap

or broken pieces that can be torn apart to make use of each piece Art comes in many forms You might not see the potential, but someone will

24 Bottle Caps

Speaking of recycled metal parts, bottle caps can be used for all sorts of arts and craft projects People make art, mosaics and accessories from bottle caps and bottle cap images

If you have (or can get) a large collection of real bottle caps, you could fashion those into an artistic picture, mosaic, mural or tabletop design Bottle cap art is unusual and fascinating

There are also companies that sell plain bottle caps for arts and crafts People like to flip them over, insert tiny 1” images in the underside and use them in craft projects, such as hair accessories, bows, pendants and bracelets Bottle cap images can be bought or printed at home, and you can theme these images any way you wish

Personalize bottle caps with names or cute sayings Create images for your favorite ball teams Fashion them into a charm bracelet or come up with your own creative design

25 Computer and Techie Parts

Much like old plastic pieces and metals, computer parts are often used in the making of jewelry or sculptures I’ve seen some really interesting necklace

pendants made from pieces of a computer motherboard There are enough

‘geeks’ in the world today who are proud of their computer savvy and intellect, and who will respond with a dropping jaw at the sight of pieces which speak to their very hearts

If you have the skills, you might locate a collection of old computer parts and fashion these into pendant size squares yourself (Carefully) do some cutting, drill a hole and package Sell these pieces as ready-made charms You can

always net more income if you offer pieces already prepared for use.

In addition to motherboards, you might have luck with scratched CDs or DVDs cut into shards, old fans, keyboard keys, floppy disks, memory sticks or printer cables Keep those obsolete computer parts out of the landfill and make some money

26 A Side Thought

As I’m writing this I’m thinking of more and more ideas and keeping notes as they come to me I’m not even sure how to categorize this latest lightbulb

experience, so I’ll throw it in right here

Old record albums have a ton of creative and artistic uses Sometimes you’ll come across highly valuable Kiss, Beatles or Elvis albums, in mint condition with documentable flaws or odd release labels For heaven’s sake get these

appraised and make yourself a fortune!

As for all the other record albums that sit and collect dust on thrift shop shelves across America, these can be had for pennies on the dollar Not only can the albums themselves be used for painting canvases, but cool album sleeves make great wall art

I once saw a headboard fashioned from album covers of the same music genre Basically a rock n roll headboard made from about 10 or 12 eye-catching covers connected together and secured to the wall above the bed That idea has never left my brain, and though I haven’t done it yet, I’m going to someday Maybe I’ll buy your fun rock and roll album covers from your shop!

With that said, there’s probably something really cool that someone does with cassette tape cases You just never know… open up your brain and allow those creative thoughts to jump right in If you aren’t creative yourself, be the visionary between the items and the people who are already that creative

One of the ways that the sewing fanatics of the world get around this is by

making new things with old fabric Since it’s often difficult to find large pieces of geometrically designed fabric, sewing geniuses know how to make do with

scraps

If you discover old fabric pieces that are nice to look at, don’t walk away empty handed Favorite patterns include anything that remotely resembles something in-your-face from the 60s or 70s, such as geometric and bold patterns, the

bigger, the better People also like pretty, dainty flowers, interesting animal

scenes or anything related to children It takes a good eye to pick out some things which will resell, but most people can spot a vintage pattern when they see it

Fabric scraps are fine, but make sure not to forget cool clothing with vintage patterns Some vintage clothing will sell for a fine penny all by itself, but you might find that other pieces can be used for scraps Since vintage designs

usually show up on older clothing, look for apparel that is well-used with holes or tears Those sewing geniuses will have a field day with the fabric

Likewise, there are a few amazingly creative people who make clothing from old neckties Ties with exciting patterns might not be available in bulk, and it takes quite a few ties to make a skirt or dress Become a supplier of awesome

neckties for bulk prices If you are one of those sewing geniuses that I keep referring to, use vintage ties to make something amazing

Remember to never pass by old sample books, either Fabric or even wallpaper samples can be used in a number of interesting ways

28 Paper and Ephemera

Speaking of wallpaper, different types of paper and ephemera are used in many very exciting upcycle projects Since these items are very lightweight and often inexpensive, you might make an entire business out of selling cool paper and variants of it in your shop In fact, if I sat here long enough, I bet I could come up with 101 ideas for recycled paper alone

With paper goods, you can either sell the paper items as they are, and let the crafters do what they may, or you can work a little crafting magic yourself

Vintage paper items are collectible, but not necessarily worth so very much Made into fun shapes, however, they become valuable little gems

Get some different shaped paper punches at your local craft store, and start hunting for old paper items Favorite shapes include hearts, circles, squares, flowers, etc

Awesome paper and ephemera items to ‘reshape’ or cut out include old sheet music, vintage books, maps and atlases, old wallpaper, obsolete calendars, old advertisements, vintage magazines, and on goes the list

29 Jewelry Findings, Gems and Beads

Repurposing jewelry can turn into a full-time job, and bring in more dollars than you dreamed were possible There are millions of amazing, one-of-a-kind

jewelry pieces created by artistic crafters using new and unique jewelry

components But if you already have an eye for awesomeness, you can find tons of old junk and costume jewelry, tear it apart and turn it into very valuable pieces

Check anywhere and everywhere for old, broken and ugly jewelry You should have no problems finding this type of thing at a very low cost; maybe even free With a good vision/imagination, you might invent a whole new line of fabulously upcycled jewelry pieces

If you’re a little less of a visionary, you might just start collecting old jewelry and taking it apart Sort the pieces into beads, findings, metals, wood, glass, plastics and more Sell the odds and ends for others who might make use of an

awesome collection of once-forgotten junk

30 Repurposed Furniture, Shelves and Other Stuff

Old furniture can be made new again with a little bit of sanding and paint An old wooden chair that has a bit of character can be sanded and painted with bright, funky colors Likewise, furniture can be recovered, redesigned or pieced

together with other parts to make something wild and entertaining

You can also use old shelving to make something new Use an old spice rack for

a craft or jewelry shelf, turn a vintage end table into a plush pet hideaway or gut out a banged up guitar to make a shelf or wall art

Use old book covers as a headboard decoration, use fancy vintage doorknobs

as cabinet pulls or dress up a bathroom decorated toilet paper rolls as garland

At this rate, you’ll never throw another thing in the garbage!

31 Recycled Art

Anything can be recycled into art If you don’t believe me, check out the

Pinterest website for inspiration You can take any number of the things listed above or whatever flips your fancy, and turn it into unique, one-of-a-kind artistic creations

For example, you can use colored or painted plastic bottles to make a garden fence You can recycle chip bags and candy wrappers into fun and colorful

purses and accessories You can use milk jugs as bird feeders, toilet paper rolls for garland and old silverware as jewelry

Recycled art has unlimited possibilities Before you throw anything away, take a look and see what kind of valuable artistic delights might be there

Handmade and Art

32 ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals)

ACEOs have become a popular way for artists of all kinds to sell and trade

creativity These tiny, collectible art pieces are done on playing card sized paper

or canvas, 2.5 x 3.5 inches

While many ACEOs are miniature paintings, mixed media artists have used all types of talent to create amazing work These mini wonders are often original and one-of-a-kind, but the more popular artists also offer prints They can be framed, or not, depending upon the value

Try your hand at miniature art by creating an ACEO Paint, sketch, draw, color, collage, 3D, graffiti… you name it It all makes for cool ACEOs

33 Digital Art

If you know how to use Photoshop, you can create some very cool digital art Play around with Photoshop, or similar programs like Gimp (which is free) to create an artist niche worthy of signing your name to

Suggestions for digital creations include fractal art, bottle cap images, ACEOs, collage, abstract, photo manipulation and more

34 Illustrations

If you can draw, whether by hand or on the computer, there are many outlets to sell your work Sell originals or prints of your drawings for wall art or save your designs to have printed on T-shirts, bags or other wearables.

The possibilities are unlimited Design clip art, sketch graphics, draw tattoo

flash Open up your mind to the vast number of ways to cash in on your talent

in your favorite music genre, or simulate a collection of sounds that are sought after for people’s online and corporate needs

36 Paintings

You don’t have to be a famous artist to paint And you don’t have to paint on canvas with an easel and palette Art, craft and hobby stores sell all manner of paint for all manner of ‘canvases’

Paint on things that people don’t expect to be painted Purchase used leather jackets at thrift shops or consignment stores, and add a touch of graffiti or tattoo flash with permanent paint pens Paint on rocks, sticks, shells or driftwood Paint

on decals with waterproof paint, and offer to add them to vehicles If you have talent, there’s an untapped niche just waiting for your skills

37 Photography

Much like with illustration or music clips, the world of photography has changed

as well The days of needing an entire studio with high-tech equipment are

gone (Well, maybe not for the really professional people, but for the rest of us looking to make a few hundred bucks a day online, we don’t have to go that far!)

If you’ve got an eye for inspiration and a halfway decent digital camera, you’ve got a market All types of photos sell online for many different reasons There will always be people who appreciate a lovely, framed photograph of a sunset or

a beautiful garden, but if you can get weird, you’ll develop a following a hundred miles long.

Ever seen that picture of different doors in New York? What about hippie bus photos or pictures of oddly-dressed people?

Take something you love and spin it in an unexpected direction Make a habit of searching out the unfamiliar or manipulating the normal to create photographed art

38 Prints

Following right along nicely after photography, you can make so much more money by having prints made of your original art or photos Whether you are a painter, photographer, mixed media or digital artist, find a way to create prints of your work

The beauty of selling prints is that you can sell more than one for having done the majority of work only once, in the beginning It’s like residual income You can even limit the number of prints, because limited-edition work creates extra perceived value

39 Sculptures

As with so many different forms of art these days, you don’t need to have titles

or art degrees to make sculptures that people will buy Sculptures can be made with many different materials and in many different ways

Some of my favorite sculptures are those that feature recyclable materials You might have seen those adorable dogs made from scrap metals for sale in craft stores around the country My dad was making those, along with cows from 50-gallon drums, way before they became mass-produced for people’s lawns

People make sculptures from watch parts, bottle caps, soda cans, matchbox cars, and again the list is only limited by your imagination

If you enjoy making sculptures, you’ve no doubt already discovered that you’re artistic Why not try to sell some of your art? People love interesting and unique things

40 Accessories

Wearable art is also all the rage right now The term ‘accessories’ includes

anything that a person would wear that isn’t considered clothing Think hats, headbands, sunglasses, belts, wearable charms, ties, gloves, etc

These items can be made in a number of different ways, depending on your talents If you’re good at sewing and have heaps of fabric in the garage, why not make some interesting accessories? You could also crochet, bead or paint these types of items, and my favorites, of course, are accessories made with upcycled clothing

Try taking old clothing and repurposing it into something else Make gloves or arm warmers, leg warmers, headbands, scarves or whatever from old jeans, old sweaters, old ties, etc

41 Bags and Purses

Women love bags and purses, especially when they are unique and colorful Purses not only hold things that are near and dear to our hearts, but they also make a fashion statement They say, ‘This is me I am colorful I am unique.’

There are hundreds of ways to make purses, too They can be sewn with

upcycled materials, like an old pair of pants, or from vintage fabric Purses can also be made from candy wrappers, chip bags, old books or plastic canvas Again there are tons of possibilities

You can get so many inspirational ideas by searching online The next time you visit your local thrift store, you’ll find so many things that can be made into a cool purse

42 Hair Accessories

While hair accessories do fall into the category of ‘accessories’, they deserve their own section for two reasons First, they have become a very popular

fashion statement lately, even more so than in recent years Secondly, there are

so many different types of hair accessories that make very good sales online

Feather extensions are HOT right now If you can discover new and unique

ways to create feather hair extensions, you’ll be sitting on a gold mine Even if you recreate an idea that’s already out there, you’ll still do well For as many people who are making feather extensions, there are more people looking to buy them