Hobby Income Ideas

Are you looking for some hobby income ideas?

• Perhaps you have recently retired, have time on your hands and a need for some extra money?
• Maybe your partner is still under the age of retirement and you want to earn enough "pocket money" so you don't have to ask them for it?

Most of us have indulged in hobbies during our working life, and may have built up an expertise in one or two. If they are unusual, or need special knowledge or equipment, there may well be a market for selling your own products or teaching others your skills.

So what hobbies can you make an income from?

The list below could easily be twice the length as, if you think outside the box, there are numerous hobbies that can make you money.

• Photography - pets, weddings, family portraits, stock photography
• Photograph restoration - repairing old photos, correcting colour shifts
• Scrapbooking - creating memory books
• Carpentry - wooden toys, rabbit hutches, lace bobbins, marquetry
• Painting - watercolour, oil or pastel portraits, landscapes, pets
• Picture framing - photographs, stitched samplers, certificates
• Candle making
• Computer repair - fixing or upgrading hardware
• Jewelry - beaded, lapidary,
• Fly fishing - teaching others how to do it
• Flower arrangement - for weddings, teaching others
• Cake decorating - again for weddings, birthdays, retirement
• Sewing - mending, curtain making, teaching embroidery, soft toy making
• Weaving
• Basketry
• Knitting - by machine or hand
• Interior design
• Glass - stained, engraved, blown
• Calligraphy
• Sculpting - pottery, polymer clay, salt dough, cold porcelain
• Doll's houses - the house, furniture or miniature textiles
• Soap making

What other skills do you need?

As well as knowledge and expertise in the craft itself, there are certain other skills that you will require if you want to make some hobby income.

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First you will need people skills.

Even if your hobby is one that you do at home by yourself if you are thinking of making things to sell then you will need to get on well with others. You might make the most gorgeous products but if you sit behind a table at a craft fair, glowering at all who walk past, then that is exactly what they will do! Walk right on past, without stopping to talk to you or buy anything.

If, on the other hand, you are selling on a one-to-one basis a good telephone manner will be important.

Money management skills

In order to sell at a profit you will need to keep a record of your costs. Buying in bulk may save you money but may not be the best use of your cash at the beginning of your endeavours. It is important to ensure there is a market for your wares before spending too much!

You may already have all the tools and equipment you need, having done this as a hobby for years, but have you remembered to put some of your earnings to one side in case something breaks down or needs replacing?

Time management skills

If you are retired then you might think you have all the time you need to earn a hobby income. However, it is still necessary to ensure that you can stick to deadlines, by planning your time. It is no good delivering a wedding cake a day late!

The pitfalls of hobby income

Yes, there are some things to keep in mind when thinking of making your hobby pay.

Make sure you take the time to do some market research. Find out if people are happy to buy what you are producing, or wish to learn a new skill from you, before you start.

Many craftspeople make the mistake of not charging enough for their products. If you set your prices too low firstly you risk not covering your costs, but you also devalue your work.

Believe it or not, if your endeavours prove too successful, then you run the risk of no longer actually enjoying your hobby.