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Turn Macrame Into Money: 7 Proven Ways to Sell Crafts for Real Income

From hobby to hustle—discover simple craft ideas that actually pay.

Author

Ark
August 15, 2025

Making Money with Macrame and Crafts: A Comprehensive Guide

Hi everyone, I’m Anna, a macrame artist and teacher. Today, I’m excited to share insights on how you can turn your passion for macrame and other crafts into a sustainable income. Being an artist can absolutely be a viable career, and I’ve compiled a list of ideas—some I’ve tried myself, others I’ve seen work for fellow creators—to inspire you to find your path to a dream job. I’ve organized these ideas into four categories: selling, renting, teaching and entertainment, and Patreon. Let’s explore each category, including their pros, cons, and possibilities, to give you a clear overview. This list isn’t exhaustive, so if you have additional ideas, feel free to share them in the comments!

Selling Your Craft

Selling your macrame or other handmade products is often the first business model that comes to mind, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. To succeed, you need to answer three key questions:

  1. What are you making? Define your unique style. For me, I specialize in large macrame wall hangings and chandeliers—pieces that stand out as original. Other artists might focus on smaller items like keychains, earrings, handbags, or even clothing. Your niche sets you apart.

  2. Who is your audience? Are you selling to individuals like you and me, or targeting businesses such as cafes, hotels, or event venues that need bold, statement pieces?

  3. How and where will you sell? Options include physical stores, online shops, social media platforms like Instagram, or seasonal markets and festivals. You could also sell supplies like macrame cords, dowels, or rings alongside your art. Another choice is whether to create ready-made pieces or focus on custom orders tailored to each client.

Examples of Selling Models

  • Mass-Produced Small Items: One artist might sell macrame earrings online, producing them in bulk for quick sales.

  • Custom Large Pieces: Another might create bespoke chandeliers for local cafes, focusing on high-value, custom orders.

Pros and Cons of Selling

  • Pros: There’s immense satisfaction in knowing people value your work enough to display it in their homes, yoga studios, or businesses. It’s a tangible validation of your creativity.

  • Cons: Selling is time-intensive. Each piece requires significant effort, and once sold, it generates no further income. There’s also a price ceiling based on market demand, even as your reputation grows. Additionally, marketing is crucial—mastering platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest is almost a prerequisite, which can be daunting if social media isn’t your strength.

Renting Your Craft

Renting macrame pieces, particularly for events, is a less common but intriguing option. This model may apply more to macrame than some other crafts, but it’s worth considering for any large, reusable creations.

How It Works

You can rent out macrame wall hangings or installations for events like weddings, birthday parties, photo shoots, or even award ceremonies. For example, a macrame backdrop that sells for $100 could be rented for $50 per event. After three rentals, you’ve earned more than the sale price, with the potential for additional rentals.

Pros and Cons of Renting

  • Pros: Renting allows you to generate recurring income from a single piece, reducing the need to constantly create new products. The initial effort can yield long-term returns.

  • Cons: Logistics can be challenging. Renting is often local due to shipping complexities, requiring you to deliver and retrieve pieces or arrange pickups. Pieces may also get damaged or dirty over time, limiting their rental lifespan.

Teaching and Entertainment

Teaching others your craft is my favorite category because it combines education with creativity and offers significant potential for passive income. Here are some ways to approach it:

  • Online Platforms: Create tutorials on platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, or Creative Fabrica. These can generate income through ad revenue, subscriptions, or course sales.

  • In-Person or Virtual Workshops: Host macrame classes, either face-to-face or online, for groups or one-on-one coaching sessions.

  • Speaking Engagements: Get paid to speak about your craft at events or lead team-building workshops for companies.

  • Digital Patterns: Sell written instructions or digital patterns for your designs, allowing others to recreate your work.

  • Entertainment: Some people watch craft tutorials for enjoyment, not to replicate them. Your content can entertain as much as it educates, attracting a broader audience.

Pros and Cons of Teaching

  • Pros: Teaching can create passive income streams. For example, a YouTube video or online course can generate revenue indefinitely with the right promotion. There’s no cap on earnings, unlike selling physical pieces, and you can reach a global audience.

  • Cons: Creating content or courses requires significant upfront effort, and building a monetizable audience (e.g., on YouTube) takes time and consistency.

Patreon

Patreon deserves its own category because it’s versatile and can encompass elements of the other models or stand alone. Patreon allows fans to support you through monthly subscriptions in exchange for exclusive benefits.

How It Works

You might offer patrons access to exclusive tutorials, vlogs, or one-on-one calls (teaching/entertainment), or even send physical products like pins or postcards (selling). Alternatively, some creators use Patreon simply to let fans support their existing work on other platforms, like YouTube or Instagram.

Pros and Cons of Patreon

  • Pros: Patreon can become a significant income source, especially if you offer unique, high-value rewards. It fosters a closer connection with your most dedicated supporters.

  • Cons: Success on Patreon typically requires an established following on another platform. It’s less effective for new creators without an engaged audience.

Combining Income Streams

Don’t limit yourself to one category—combining multiple streams can maximize your income and resilience. For example, you could sell macrame pieces in an online store, offer digital patterns, and teach workshops. Experimenting with different approaches might uncover unexpected passions, like writing patterns that could lead to a book deal. Diversifying also mitigates risk if one stream underperforms.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide inspires you to explore the many ways to monetize your macrame or other crafts. Whether you choose selling, renting, teaching, Patreon, or a mix of these, the key is to find what aligns with your skills and passions. Don’t be afraid to experiment—you might discover a new favorite way to share your creativity with the world. Have questions or additional ideas? Drop them in the comments below, and check out my Patreon for more in-depth content on macrame and small business tips. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!