Creative Hobbies That Can Make Money And Make You Happy

It’s always interesting (and sometimes daunting) to explore different creative hobbies that make money.

It’s not just about making money, but being able to do something you love doing while earning side money from it.

This can lead to opening doors to many opportunities and experiences you never thought of before. Check out the list below for some creative hobbies that make extra money.

List Of Creative Hobbies That Make Money

The thing is, you don’t have to be an artist, photographer, designer, or writer, you just have to cultivate your creativity in a way that can be monetized.

I’ve come up with a list of some of the best creative hobbies that make money, so you can get started making some dough off your favorite hobby right away!

Making DIY Projects / Making Handmade Gifts

If you love to make things, then you may be able to turn your hobby into a money-making project.

The best part is that it doesn’t require much more than some spare time and supplies that you probably already have lying around the house.

You can sell your crafts online, at craft fairs, or on Etsy. This is a great way to make some extra cash on the side!

Sewing Clothing

If you are new to sewing, try searching online for tutorials on how to make specific items such as skirts or dresses.

Once you are comfortable with sewing basics, start creating one-of-a-kind pieces that will set your store apart from others. You can make shirts, pants, dresses… anything you want!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing clothing, so get creative and see what comes out of your sewing machine!

Pottery

Pottery is an art form that’s been around for thousands of years, and for good reason. It’s relaxing, it’s rewarding, and it can also be profitable!

If you have access to an old kiln (or even just a small oven), then why not try making pots and selling them?

You’ll find out that there are lots of people out there who love handmade pottery pieces and will pay top dollar for them!

Ceramics

If you have a knack for making things with clay and glaze, you could turn your hobby into a business by selling your wares online or at local craft fairs.

You’ll need to invest in some equipment, like a kiln and molds, but once those are covered, all you have to do is make sure your pieces are up to snuff, and then wait for the orders to roll in!

Candle Making

Candle-making is another popular creative hobby that can be turned into a money-making project. If you enjoy candles, why not try making some of your own?

To get started, all you need is some wax, a container, and a wick. If you want to make candles with scents or colors, you’ll also need fragrance oils and dye (or colorant).

Once you master your candle-making skills, you can sell your DIY candles at craft fairs or online through sites like eBay and Etsy.

Scrapbooking

With scrapbooking, you can create personalized albums with photos and mementos of special events like weddings or holidays.

The best part is that there’s a large market for scrapbooking products, so if you have an eye for design and love organizing things, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make money through your hobby.

Crafts

If you enjoy crafting but aren’t sure where to start or what type of crafts sell well on Etsy or other platforms like eBay, consider taking an online course about how to make money with crafts before getting started.

You’ll learn about which types of crafts sell well and how much money other people are making off their hobbies before deciding which ones will be good for you

Graphic Design/Logo Design

Graphic design and logo design are both ways to use your creativity and earn money at the same time!

If you have experience in either of these fields, then consider starting up a hobby or a freelance business where clients can hire you to design logos or websites for them, you’ll get paid per project!

Computer Repair

If you’re interested in computers and technology, computer repair is a great option for you. You can start by learning how to fix your own computer and then move on to fixing other people’s computers.

Not only does computer repair make a decent side hustle, but it’s also something that people will always need.

From fixing computers and laptops to building them from the ground up, there’s always a demand for tech-savvy folks who know how to fix computers.

Photography

Photography is one of those creative hobbies that can make money in so many different ways: from taking pictures of your friends and family to shooting weddings or other events, or even just snapping photos of your favorite spots around town and selling prints.

There’s no limit to how creative you can get with photography.

Writing

If writing is one of your hobbies, consider writing articles online or offline! There are many ways you can do this: freelance writing gigs, blogging, writing books or articles, ghostwriting…

There are endless options for you to make money writing, so if this is something you enjoy doing, take the time to explore them!

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is a great hobby to start if you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash. You can start by teaching people in your area how to fly fish, or you can travel around and teach others.

The best part about teaching fly fishing is that it doesn’t require a lot of equipment or materials. All you really need is a rod, line, and reel!

If you have enough time on your hands, this could become an actual career!

Golf Lessons

If you love golf and have some experience with the sport, teaching other people how to play might be a great option for you! You can find tons of opportunities online and get paid pretty well for your time!

One of the best ways to get started with teaching golf is by signing up with websites like GolfNow or TeeOff.com. These sites allow you to advertise yourself as an instructor and set up your own schedule.

Modeling

Modeling is one of the most popular creative hobbies that make money because it’s so versatile. You could do runway modeling, print modeling, or even freelance work.

In fact, there are a lot of different types of modeling to try out and see which ones you enjoy the most. Do some research on models and what they’ve done in the past to help guide your decision about which type is best for you.

Software Development

Software development is one of the most lucrative creative hobbies around. It’s never been easier to learn how to code than it is right now: there are tons of free resources available online, including YouTube tutorials and TED talks.

After you have learned the basics start selling your services on sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

Selling Old Stuff

Selling old stuff is a great way to make some extra cash on the side and it’s fun! If you like thrifting or eBay, this could be a great option for earning some extra cash without having to do much work.

It doesn’t take much time or effort to sell old stuff online, either; just snap some photos and get ready for customers!

Blogging

Blogging is actually one of the most popular ways to make money online, and it’s pretty easy to get started.

You can even set up a free blog on WordPress.com or Blogger.com if you’re not ready to invest in hosting yet.

Whether you’re looking for extra income or just a way to share your knowledge with others, blogging is definitely worth trying out!

Vlogging

If you love sharing your life with the world on social media and have a talent for talking or making videos, then vlogging might be for you. You can use your own equipment and account on a platform like YouTube.

All you need is a camera (or phone), some editing software, and an audience. If you already have a YouTube channel, all you’ll need is some new content that appeals to your followers.

Making YouTube Videos

While vlogging is a great way to make money with your creativity, making YouTube videos is another option as well! You can create original content and upload it directly to YouTube.

You can also use other platforms like Facebook Live or Instagram Stories, but those platforms don’t pay creators like YouTube does (at least not yet).

Calligraphy & Hand Lettering

If you love writing letters and sending them out, why not use your skills as an artist? You could turn those letters into artwork that others would love receiving in the mail or even sell them on Etsy for extra cash!

Woodworking

Woodworking is a great hobby that can also earn you some cash. You can sell your creations or even offer them as gifts.

You can make things like chairs, tables, cabinets, and even shelves with just a few basic tools and some wood.

The only downside is that this hobby requires a lot of space, so it might not be ideal if you live in an apartment or condo.

Nail Art

Nail art is a fun and creative hobby that can also be profitable if you have an Instagram following. Lots of people love seeing nail art and will pay top dollar for it!

There are lots of tutorials online, so all you have to do is get started and practice until you get good enough to sell your creations on Etsy or at local craft fairs.

Jewelry Making

You can make jewelry from old scrap metal and sell it at flea markets, or even open up a shop on Etsy where people from all over the world will buy your handmade jewelry.

People love having custom pieces of jewelry made just for them, whether it’s their birthstone or anniversary date engraved on it.

Making Music

Whether it’s writing songs or playing instruments, there are plenty of ways to make money doing what you love.

You can sell your work on iTunes or Spotify, and even get paid for providing music for video games or movies.

If you’re an artist, you might even be able to sell your art online if you have a website where people can visit and buy prints of your work.

Painting

Start by learning how to mix paint colors together until they look good enough for others to want them hanging up in their house (or office).

There are plenty of places online where you can sell your work, like Etsy or Amazon Handmade.

Web Design

If you love designing websites, then why not start building them as a side hustle? You’ll need some training first, but there are tons of resources out there (like Udemy) that will teach you how to do everything from coding to SEO optimization.

Petsitting/ Dog Walking

Petsitting and dog walking are great ways to make money while enjoying the company of animals.

You can make money walking dogs, taking care of other people’s pets, or sitting on the couch with them while their owners are out of town.

Tutoring

Tutoring can be done face-to-face or online, depending on what you prefer. If you’re an expert on a particular subject, tutoring can be a great way to make money while staying in the area of your expertise.

There are plenty of sites online where you can find students looking for tutors, start by signing up on one of these sites and posting an ad describing what subjects you specialize in and how much money you charge per hour.

Affiliate Marketing

If you have a blog or website and are looking for ways to monetize it, affiliate marketing is a great option.

You could get paid by signing up for an affiliate network like Amazon or ClickBank, and then whenever someone clicks on your link and buys something, you get a commission (usually about 10%).

Some people make good money this way.

Book Reviewing

Book reviewing is another path towards making money with your creativity. This can be as simple as reading a book and writing a review on Amazon (or some other site),

or as complex as writing an entire book yourself, then selling it online through various sites.

Either way, book reviewing is a great way to make extra cash if you like books—and who doesn’t?

Mowing The Lawn

Yep… mowing the lawn is actually one of the most popular ways people make extra cash around their house. If you have lawns around your home or apartment building where people live or work (like businesses), then mowing those lawns could be an easy way to make some extra cash while also getting exercise at the same time.

Cooking

You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment or specialized tools to get started, all you need are some basic kitchen supplies and ingredients.

If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then all you need are some recipes and a little creativity. You could also start making YouTube videos for tips on how to cook specific dishes.

Illustrating

Illustrating is another great way to make money from your hobbies. There are lots of sites that offer an easy way for artists to sell their work.

Etsy is one of the most popular options for this type of work, but there are also other sites like Redbubble or Society6 where you can sell prints or other types of artwork like posters and t-shirts.

Wood Carving And Whittling

Wood carving and whittling are both very traditional hobbies that have been around for centuries! You can use these skills in many different ways, from making furniture pieces for your home to selling them at local craft fairs or even online shops like Etsy!

What If Nothing On This List Interests You?

First of all, don’t worry. You’re not alone in feeling like you’ve hit a wall when it comes to finding a creative hobby that makes money. And that’s okay! It’s totally normal to feel this way sometimes.

In fact, one of the most important things you can do when you’re struggling to find your next hobby is to keep looking for new ones.

Even if it feels like nothing on this list interests you right now, my goal is to let you know that there are tons of hobbies out there for you, no matter what kind of person you are.

Think about hobbies you already have and see if any of them might be fun to try in a new way. For example, maybe you love to write but never thought about selling your writing services online.