Creative products, crafts and making
Making things with your hands, then using the internet to find buyers, is one of the oldest ways to earn, now with a much bigger market. These methods combine a craft skill with online marketing.
What these methods share
- Quality and consistency build repeat customers.
- Good photos and stories sell handmade products online.
- Pricing must cover materials, time, packaging and delivery (pricing).
- Safety and regulation for products like food, cosmetics and children's items.
265. Beadwork and jewellery making
What it is: Making beaded jewellery, accessories and decor. How it works: Design → make → photograph → sell locally, online and to tourists.
| Skills | Craft skill, design, colour sense |
| Cost & equipment | Beads, wire, tools |
| Where to find work | Markets, social media, tourist shops, international buyers |
| Payment | M-Pesa, cash, platform payouts |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Develop a signature style; sell to friends, then markets and online. Pros: Low start-up cost. Cons & risks: Competition; tourist seasonality. Scam warning: Bulk "export orders" that require you to pay fees first. Kenya notes: Respect cultural designs and work fairly with community artisans.
266. Candle and soap making
What it is: Making scented candles, natural soaps and gift sets. How it works: Recipes → production → packaging → sales.
| Skills | Recipes, safety, packaging |
| Cost & equipment | Wax/oils, moulds, fragrances, safety gear |
| Where to find work | Gift shops, social media, events |
| Payment | M-Pesa |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Learn safe processes (soap uses caustic soda: handle carefully). Pros: Gifting demand. Cons & risks: Product standards and labelling. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Check KEBS standards requirements for soaps and cosmetics if selling widely.
267. Fashion design and tailoring
What it is: Designing and sewing clothes, alterations, school uniforms and African print fashion. How it works: Orders → measurements → sewing → fittings.
| Skills | Sewing, pattern making, design |
| Cost & equipment | Sewing machine, materials |
| Where to find work | Local clients, social media, schools, weddings |
| Payment | Per garment, deposits |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days to weeks |
How to start: Build a portfolio on Instagram/TikTok. Pros: Constant demand. Cons & risks: Deadlines for events. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Kitenge/Ankara outfits for weddings and events sell well.
268. Shoe making and repair
What it is: Making sandals and leather shoes, or repairing footwear. How it works: Workshop production and walk-in repairs; online orders for handmade sandals.
| Skills | Leatherwork, craftsmanship |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, leather, workspace |
| Where to find work | Local customers, online, tourists |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Apprentice; create a signature sandal design. Pros: Kenyan leather sandals have markets. Cons & risks: Skill takes time. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Handmade leather sandals sell to locals and tourists.
269. Furniture and woodwork
What it is: Making furniture, décor and custom woodwork. How it works: Orders → production → delivery; online portfolio for marketing.
| Skills | Carpentry, design |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, workshop, timber |
| Where to find work | Homeowners, offices, schools, online |
| Payment | Deposits and balances |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Photograph your work professionally; use social media. Pros: High-value items. Cons & risks: Timber sourcing regulations. Scam warning: Customers who never collect; take deposits. Kenya notes: Use legally sourced timber.
270. Art and painting sales (and commissions)
What it is: Selling original paintings, portraits and murals. How it works: Exhibitions, social media, commissions, prints.
| Skills | Artistic skill, marketing |
| Cost & equipment | Art supplies |
| Where to find work | Galleries, collectors, homes, businesses (murals), online |
| Payment | Per piece |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to high |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Build a body of work; sell prints for wider reach. Pros: Creative freedom. Cons & risks: Irregular income. Scam warning: "International collectors" sending overpayments (a common art scam). Kenya notes: Murals for cafés, schools and offices are a growing niche.
271. Portrait drawing and pencil art commissions
What it is: Drawing portraits from photos for gifts. How it works: Customer sends photo → drawing → framing → delivery.
| Skills | Drawing skill |
| Cost & equipment | Pencils, paper, frames |
| Where to find work | Social media, events |
| Payment | Per portrait |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Post time-lapse videos of your drawings. Pros: Gifting demand. Cons & risks: Time per piece. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Popular for birthdays, weddings and memorials.
272. Basket weaving and natural fibre crafts
What it is: Making baskets (e.g. kiondo), mats and décor from sisal and natural fibres. How it works: Handcraft → sell locally, to shops and exporters.
| Skills | Weaving |
| Cost & equipment | Fibres, dyes |
| Where to find work | Markets, craft shops, exporters, online |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Join or form artisan groups for bulk orders. Pros: International interest. Cons & risks: Middlemen take large margins. Scam warning: Verify exporters before shipping goods on credit. Kenya notes: Kiondo baskets are internationally recognised.
273. Pottery and ceramics
What it is: Making pots, mugs, plates and décor. How it works: Clay → shaping → firing → glazing → sales.
| Skills | Pottery technique |
| Cost & equipment | Clay, wheel, kiln access |
| Where to find work | Cafés, homes, craft markets |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Take classes; share kiln access with others. Pros: Unique products. Cons & risks: Equipment cost. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Handmade tableware appeals to restaurants and gift buyers.
274. Upcycling and recycled products
What it is: Turning waste (tyres, bottles, fabric scraps, flip-flops) into products. How it works: Collect materials → design → sell.
| Skills | Creativity, craft skills |
| Cost & equipment | Low; tools |
| Where to find work | Eco-conscious buyers, hotels, tourists |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Pick one material and product line. Pros: Environmental impact. Cons & risks: Consistent supply. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Flip-flop art and recycled glass products have international markets.
275. Cake decorating and custom cakes
What it is: Making custom celebration cakes. How it works: Orders → designs → baking → delivery.
| Skills | Baking, decorating |
| Cost & equipment | Oven, tools, ingredients |
| Where to find work | Social media, events |
| Payment | Deposits |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Build an Instagram portfolio. Pros: High demand for events. Cons & risks: Food safety rules. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Check county food-handling requirements.
276. Hair braiding and styling (with online booking)
What it is: Hair braiding, styling and wigs, marketed online. How it works: Social media portfolio → bookings → salon or home service.
| Skills | Hairdressing |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, products |
| Where to find work | Social media, referrals |
| Payment | Per service |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Days |
How to start: Post before/after videos; take bookings via WhatsApp. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Physically demanding. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Wig making and installation is a popular niche.
277. Makeup artistry
What it is: Professional makeup for weddings, events, photo shoots. How it works: Bookings → trials → event day.
| Skills | Makeup techniques, hygiene |
| Cost & equipment | Professional kit |
| Where to find work | Brides, events, photographers |
| Payment | Per client |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Build portfolio with photographers. Pros: Creative. Cons & risks: Weekend work. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Wedding season peaks.
278. Event décor and balloon art
What it is: Decorating events with balloons, flowers, backdrops. How it works: Consultation → setup → teardown.
| Skills | Design, setup |
| Cost & equipment | Décor materials, transport |
| Where to find work | Parties, weddings, corporate events |
| Payment | Package fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Showcase setups on Instagram. Pros: Fun work. Cons & risks: Transport and labour. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Baby showers, birthdays and ruracio events drive demand.
279. Gift hampers and packaging services
What it is: Creating gift hampers for holidays, corporate gifting and events. How it works: Curate → package → deliver.
| Skills | Curation, presentation |
| Cost & equipment | Products, packaging |
| Where to find work | Corporates, individuals |
| Payment | Per hamper |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium (seasonal) |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Prepare holiday catalogues early. Pros: Seasonal peaks. Cons & risks: Seasonality. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: December and Valentine's peaks.
280. 3D printing products
What it is: Printing custom parts, models, figurines and prototypes. How it works: 3D design → printing → finishing.
| Skills | 3D modelling, printer operation |
| Cost & equipment | 3D printer, filament |
| Where to find work | Engineers, students, hobbyists, businesses |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Offer prototyping to students and engineers. Pros: Growing niche. Cons & risks: Equipment cost. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Engineering and architecture students need models.
Summary
- Creative and craft methods include beadwork, candles and soap, tailoring, shoes, furniture, art, portraits, basketry, pottery, upcycling, cakes, hair, makeup, event décor, hampers and 3D printing.
- Use social media for portfolios and orders; take deposits; follow product safety rules.
Check yourself
Which Kenyan body sets product standards for soaps and cosmetics? (abbreviation)
Show answer
KEBS
What should you take before starting a custom order? (one word)
Show answer
deposit
Kenyan woven sisal baskets are commonly called what?
Show answer
kiondo