Thinking about starting a creative side hustle, or maybe you've already taken the plunge? The tools you use can make or break your success!
What exactly is a craftpreneur? And are you one?
Plain and simple, a craftpreneur is a creative entrepreneur who turns their passion for crafting into a business. Sounds about right. But, every craftpreneur is different. Each craftpreneur has their own unique mix of creativity, business acumen, and hustle. For me, it's blending my artistic talent with my "let's do this" entrepreneurial spirit, turning DIY projects, handmade goods, and a love for crafting into a successful business. Craftpreneurs don't just create—they innovate, strategize, and build meaningful connections through their work. They often manage everything themselves, from product design and production to marketing, selling, and customer service.
I wear multiple hats every day. I'm not only an artist who uses tools like my laser engraver and embroidery machine to create unique, personalized items, but I'm also a business owner focused on scaling my side hustle into something sustainable. It's not just about the craft; it's about making life more beautiful and inspiring others to see the possibilities in their own creative journeys.
Here's how my work defines my craftpreneur journey:
DIY Projects: I love tackling hands-on, impactful home upgrades that anyone can try. From:
Installing a thin brick walkway to enhance our front porch
Building a wooden bench with a straightforward, step-by-step tutorial, and developing skills along the way
Transforming spaces while saving money but not sacrificing the overall look and feel
Crafting Unique, Personalized Products: With my background as a graphic designer and artist, I channel creativity into designing beautiful, one-of-a-kind items:
Woodworking and fabric creations: Transforming raw wood or fabric into one-of-a-kind pieces with the perfect blend of craftsmanship, creativity, and the tools of my trade.
Engraving and Personalization: Adding a special touch to tumblers, gifts, and keepsakes that make them unforgettable alternatives to mass-produced items.
Custom Orders: Whether for friends, family, or customers on Etsy, I bring their visions to life with skill and care.
Combining Passion with Purpose: Being a craftpreneur isn't just about the finished product—it's about the process. I've learned to:
Share what I've learned with others through my tutorials and blog.
Provide tools, tips, and resources for those who want to pursue their own creative side hustle.
Connect with creators just like me on social media, offering behind-the-scenes looks at my work to inspire and engage.
Affiliate Marketing: Sharing tools, supplies, and resources I use with others looking to start or grow their craft business. I also take time to share the items that just make life easier beyond my crafting business. This can include favorite brands, cleaning and household supplies, home decor, and more.
All while living life as a busy mom, military spouse, and dog mom. (subtle shout-out to my fam)
Why does it matter?
I believe that handmade, thoughtful creations can make life more meaningful. Whether it's teaching someone how to install a new backsplash, showing them a product that I would tell my besties about, or crafting a personalized gift that feels truly special, my work is about creating value and connection. The magic happens when we take these tools and resources, combine them with our passion, and turn it into something meaningful for ourselves and the world around us.
If this resonates with you in any way, I'm so glad you found this post. I'm going to provide you with the essential tools to elevate your crafting business and make your dream a reality.
Here are my go-to craftpreneur tools in my toolbox (feel free to click on the sections below to skip ahead to the information you want most):
Organization and Workspace Essentials
I'm constantly working on improving my workflow in my creative space, which is why this is the first thing on the list. A well-organized workspace is the foundation for efficiency and creativity. Whether I'm working on a DIY project, engraving a custom design, or sewing fabric into something beautiful, having the right tools and systems in place keeps everything running smoothly.
Here are some essentials I swear by for keeping my space and process organized:
Storage Solutions
Clear bins, labeled drawers, and pegboards help me keep my materials visible and accessible. From paintbrushes to engraving tools, everything has a home (and it's labeled). I've never had more fun with a label maker than when I set up my space. This little label maker is less than $20 and connects to your phone. It's totally worth it!
Workstation & Tool Organization
Magnetic strips and tool caddies ensure that my most-used tools are within arm’s reach—no more searching for the right screwdriver mid-project!
I purchased this workbench on Amazon and these magnetic tool strips have come in handy because not only can I keep them on my workbench, I can also attach them to the side of my OMTech laser engraver.
I good old tackle box or a craft toolbox can work wonders when it comes to the small accessories you need to organize. I have one for each large tool. One that organizes all of my laser engraver supplies; One that organizes all of my embroidery supplies; And one that organizes all of my vinyl cutter supplies.
Digital & Paper Organization Tools
Quickbooks Self-Employed should be your best friend if you want to make sure you're tracking your expenses and your income for your business. At the end of each week, I go through and make sure everything is labeled correctly and separate any personal expenses from the business expenses.
I also use apps and spreadsheets to track inventory, customer orders, and deadlines. Staying on top of the business side of things is just as important as the creative side. To do this, I get the most out of my google drive workspace. With folders for everything from design files to expense trackers, it’s like having a digital filing cabinet.
Pro tip: Use color-coded labels and shareable folders to streamline collaboration or reference important documents quickly.
Etsy is a fantastic organizational ally! Each order comes with a ship-by date that keeps me on schedule. I also use its sales reports to monitor trends and adjust inventory.
Bonus tip: Set reminders for shipping deadlines on your phone or calendar for extra peace of mind.
There's also something to be said for a classic desktop calendar. I love the feel of a pen and paper so this is always my go-to for my daily to-do lists and important dates. I even found one with a plastic protection sheet. You know as well as I do, this is a must-have. Keep that thing clean.
Creation Tools & Accessories
My journey into the crafting scene started out simple—just a few basic tools and a lot of creative ideas. Little did I know I’d expand to larger, more in-depth machines that have become the backbone of my craftpreneur business. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up your projects, having the right tools is essential.
Here are my must-haves:
OMTech CO2 Laser Engraver
This machine (I say machine because this thing is a beautiful beast of a machine) has been a game-changer for creating intricate designs on wood, acrylic, and even tumblers. I use it for everything from personalized gifts to large-scale custom pieces. It's stored in my garage due to the size and occasional fumes that can come from it.
Lightburn Software for OMTech Laser. The design software that you use to create with it, is called Lightburn. It's easy to use if you know the basics of Silhouette Studio or Cricut's software. Check out my go-to laser engraver and their many sizes and options here.
Not only can this machine make your products, you can also cut your own packaging with it! Check out the video I posted on Threads. The laser can cut cardboard and you can engrave scores into the cardboard to fold it. Talk about really getting the most out of your machine.
Melco Summit Embroidery Machine
Adding embroidery to my repertoire opened up a whole new world of fabric customization. From monogrammed towels to personalized patches, this machine helps me bring a personal touch to a whole new medium—fabric and textiles. I didn't just want any embroidery machine. I wanted to invest in my business so I went with the Melco Summit. You can explore everything Melco offers, by clicking here.
Cutting Machines
A reliable cutting machine is perfect for crafting vinyl decals, stencils, and more. It’s especially handy for DIY home upgrades like floor design stencils or home organization. I love my Silhouette Cameo 3, but they've come out with so many upgrades at Silhouette and Cricut. Explore everything they have to offer here:
Need help deciding between the two and picking the right machine for you? That's a whole other blog post that I'm working on for you! Stay tuned!
Creative Software
Before I even touch my materials, I design everything digitally. Tools like Adobe Illustrator (and the Creative Cloud) and Canva help me create mockups and templates for engraving, painting, or sewing. Then, I prepare them for the software associated with my tool I plan on using.
Hand Tools & Accessories
Even with all the advanced machines, nothing beats classic hardware store finds. From my favorite shop vac to a tent to spray paint in, I go to Lowe's for all of my tools and you can browse my favorites here.
Oh, and if you like the color pink. I made a list of pink tools just for you!
Each of these tools has helped me grow my business and take my creations to the next level. Whether you're diving into the craftpreneur world or looking to expand your capabilities, investing in the right tools can make all the difference.
Marketing & Sales Tools
Creating beautiful products is only half the battle—you also need to share them with the world and make it easy for people to buy them. Over time, I’ve refined my go-to marketing and sales tools to help grow my business and connect with my customers.
Here’s what I rely on:
Etsy Shop Tools
Etsy isn't just a marketplace; it's a built-in marketing platform. I love its analytics feature, which helps me understand which products resonate with my audience and where my traffic is coming from. The shipping tools make fulfilling orders straightforward, and the "ship by" dates keep me on schedule.
Pro Tip: Use Etsy’s promotional tools to offer discounts during holidays or drive traffic to new products. A little discount can go a long way in boosting visibility!
Etsy’s built-in analytics help me understand which products resonate with my audience, but I also make sure to optimize my listings with the right keywords to ensure they’re found.
Camera or Smartphone with Tripod or Smartphone Holder/Arm
In today’s digital age, you don’t need a fancy DSLR camera to capture stunning product photos or create engaging content. I use my iPhone for practically everything in my craftpreneur business—from taking high-quality product photos to shooting videos for social media. Honestly, my phone is my one-stop-shop for content creation. I firmly believe that in this creator world, everything is content—and with the right tools, you can create professional-looking visuals right from your smartphone.
The key to great photos is stability, so a tripod or a smartphone holder/arm is an absolute must-have in my creative toolkit. I love a good tripod because it ensures that my photos are steady and clear, whether I’m shooting flat-lays of my latest creations or capturing videos for tutorials. The flexibility of the adjustable arm allows me to easily set up the perfect angle, especially for overhead shots or when I need to get that perfect shot from a different perspective. (I also use it for my recipes that I like to share on instagram)
Why It Matters:
Consistency: Clear, high-quality photos are essential for showcasing your products online. Whether it’s Etsy, Instagram, or your website, your visuals are often the first impression customers will have of your work. Having consistency in your visuals builds your brand identity, and using a dedicated setup with your phone makes the process quicker and easier.
Efficiency: Having a dedicated setup for your phone means you can quickly snap a photo or record a video without the hassle of setting up each time. It helps speed up the content creation process, which is crucial when juggling multiple tasks in your craftpreneur business.
Flexibility: A phone tripod or holder (I love this one I found on Amazon) allows you to create a variety of content, from product demos to behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, and social media posts. Plus, with the ability to shoot both horizontally and vertically, you can optimize your content for different platforms.
Do you ever judge a product on the product photo? Yes, you do. A high-quality visual is a non-negotiable for online sales. Sometimes, a better photo makes the price not even matter to a customer. A great way to get inspiration for these photos is to just browse your niche on Etsy. See how they position their items. Check out the backgrounds. Check out the lighting. Research is key in the craftpreneur lifestyle. I'll share my Etsy Tips and Tricks with you soon. It's in the works!
Bonus tip: Use natural light or invest in a portable photo box. I even wrapped some scrap wood in peel-and-stick wallpaper to use as a photo backdrop. It’s perfect for elevating my product photos and creating a polished look! Here's a photo of my setup.
Bringing It All Together: Tools for Crafting Success
In the world of craftpreneurs, it’s not just about the talent you have—it's about the tools you use to support and amplify that creativity. Whether you're just getting started or you're looking to level up, the right tools can make all the difference in building a successful and sustainable business. From creating products to managing your finances and marketing your work, these tools help streamline your operations, boost your creativity, and keep your business running smoothly.
Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options. Start with the essentials that align with your needs and goals. As you grow, you can invest in more advanced tools that will continue to push your craft and business forward.
Remember, you’re not just creating beautiful things—you’re building a business that has the potential to inspire and impact others. And that’s what makes the craftpreneur journey so rewarding!
Do you have any of these tools in your arsenal? Let me know your favorites or ones I missed in the comments below! I'm always curious to hear what’s working for you.
And if you're looking to dive deeper into the world of craftpreneurship, be sure to explore more of my tips, resources, and tutorials here on the blog. From crafting techniques to business advice, I’ve got your back on this creative journey!
Lastly, I’ve curated a list of top products to help you organize your crafting space and make your work easier. Check out my Amazon list here to find all the must-have tools that will help elevate your business and creative process.
I'm happy to share my experience with you as you embark on this adventure. I'm always here to chat about it and help you on your journey. Don't hesitate to send me an email or a DM on social. I'm here to listen and collaborate!
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