There are several ways to learn how people sell crafts, like going to craft shows and scanning the listings at Etsy. But those markets don't tell you what crafts sell. They only reveal what other crafters are making and showing.

There are other places where crafts sell that you can research and learn what the best selling crafts are and how much people are willing to pay for them.

Before you start snatching ideas for crafts to make and sell from the sources described here, understand that it is illegal to copy and sell other peoples designs. If you get caught at copyright infringement, it can cost you legal fines and worse. Use the craft ideas you find through your research to stimulate your own creativity.

The first place to research best selling crafts to make and sell is online at QVCs website. Use the "search" box to enter terms like quilt, or ornament, or birdhouse, or lamp, or just even the word handmade.

QVC will then display items they are selling on TV. Unless you specifically search for handmade items, the results will not be for items made by hand. See anything you could make into a craft and sell? Use your imagination and think about everyday items that could be made by hand.

While you are looking at crafts to make, jot down the prices the QVC items sell for. Determine if you could make the craft for 50% or less of the selling price. If the answer is yes, then you can probably make and sell these crafts for a profit.

QVC is a great place to start your research. They purchase items in large quantity at wholesale prices to list and sell on TV and on their website. QVC has been broadcasting on TV since 1986 so they have come to have good judgment about what sells and what doesn't.

Another place to research crafts to make and sell is ebay.com. Go to their home page and scroll through the "categories" and click on "crafts." Now drill down and click on "handcrafted & finished pieces".

The next step is to go further down the left hand sidebar links and select "preferences." From there, choose "completed listings." At the time of this writing, eBay showed me more than 17,000 listings of handcrafted and finished pieces; all of them a source of ideas for crafts to make and sell.

eBay lets you sort the listings by price, so you can learn even more. What you are looking for is ideas for crafts to make and sell that are already selling and to ask yourself if this is a craft you would want to spend time making.

You also want to note the number of bids for each craft listing because this tells you if there is a demand.

And finally, look at the closing price to discover how much people are willing to pay for crafts like those you want to make and sell. Write down the closing prices these craft items sell for. Can you make and sell the crafts for 50% or less of the closing auction price. If so, you will most likely be able to make and sell these crafts for a profit.

The market doesn't lie. But aside from eBay and QVC, it's a challenge learning what crafts are actually selling. By researching at the sites above, you will discover what craft items people buy and how much they are willing to pay.

Be aware that the season or time of year you do your research will affect the results you get. For example, throughout the months of October, November and December you may find more craft items selling because shoppers are seeking unique handmade crafts for Christmas gifts.

Here are some examples of common home items that can be crafts to make and sell: potpourri, place mats, napkins, curtains, towels, potholders, coasters, baskets, pillows, quilts, room dividers, throws, wall hangings, floor rugs, lamps, chairs, porch swings, stained glass, birdhouses, wind chimes, clocks, mirrors, candles, cutting boards, pottery, plant holders, window boxes.

Remember that copying others designs is against the law. So be creative and come up with your own crafts to make and sell.

If you are looking for something different to make, and also want to recycle, then why not try some vintage crafts?.. using vintage fabrics.

Look at home through that trunk of old clothes, or bedspreads, or even tablecloths, and get that imagination going!

Clean the fabric gently, or have it dry cleaned if you prefer. Take apart the seams of the old clothes and then match the amount of fabric to a pattern you may have for a doll, stuffed animal, pillows or other accessories, your imagination is your limit!. If there is not enough for a project, then match it up with some other contrasting or similar fabrics..

This is a great way to display or show off some of that fabric from old clothes you remember on yourself, or even your grandma!.. If the material is delicate, but you want to still show it off, then make it into doll clothes for a "display doll".. what a great way to remember old times... Vintage fabrics do not need to be reserved for quilts only! try other ideas!.

If you don't have a trunk of old clothes or fabrics, then why not check the local antique stores, or at rummage and garage sales. You quite often find things like old chenille bed spreads that are worn in spots, and just end up in a corner somewhere, these make great soft stuffies for that special child, and with the bright colors from the 70's they look very cool and retro!

If you sell crafts at craft shows, this is a great way to advertise that you recycle, and there are some great patterned fabrics from years ago, that you just don't see now. So, don't let those old clothes disintegrate in some trunk somewhere, if you can't wear them again, then turn them into something special!

Reduce, reuse, recycle, this is a great motto for crafters too! Try using old denim jeans for your projects, and make some usable crafts. This pocket is very simple and yet useful to make.

Cut out the back pocket of a old pair of clean jeans, making sure to cut right through the seat of the jeans, so that you form a pocket within a pocket. (another words, don't just pick the pocket off the jeans, you need a backing to create the pocket).

If you would like your pouch pocket to have a fringe, then leave a 4 inch piece of denim fabric attached to the bottom of the pocket. Cut the fringe 1/4" wide strips up to the pocket, then wash your pocket, it will trigger the fraying.

Cut a piece of inseam from the jeans, or use decorative cording, and attach to the back of the pocket, this is your hanger. Hang the denim pouch pocket on the wall securely and you have a great storage pouch!,

This is great for beanie babies, small toys, stuffies, anything you can think of!. This is a great gift for a young teen, as they can decorate it themselves. Try using fabric paints, beads, more fabric, appliqu

Tags: Young Teen