8 Income Streams for Artists & Handmade Business Owners

If you're running a handmade business, you know how easy it is to rely on just one platform—or one stream of income—to keep things going. Maybe you're starting to wonder: is this really sustainable long term? Or maybe you're just looking for ways to make your systems work smarter, not harder.

Hi! I’m Sterling, the artist behind Cactus Lady Creation, and in this post, we're diving into 8 income streams every artist or handmade business owner should consider. These aren’t just theoretical ideas—I’m sharing the streams that have actually worked for me, so I know firsthand they can help you diversify your revenue, make more money, and build a sustainable full-time living from your art.

 

Income Stream #1: Selling Physical Products

Let's start with the obvious: selling your art or handmade goods!
Whether it's crochet accessories, tapestry wall art, paintings, prints, or custom stickers, this is usually the first way artists start making money.

But here’s the thing—if you’re selling physical products, shipping can either be a dream or a total nightmare.

And let me tell you...before I found Shippo, it was definitely a nightmare for me—wasting hours comparing rates, manually entering addresses, and watching shipping costs eat into my profits.

Shippo changed all of that. It gives you access to up to 90% off shipping rates from major carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx, all in one easy-to-use platform. No more hopping from site to site trying to find the best deal. Plus, their free Starter Plan lets you print up to 30 labels per month at no cost—perfect if you’re just getting started. And when you’re ready to scale? Their Pro Plan lets you print unlimited labels and even add branding to your shipping experience.

And right now, Shippo has an awesome deal: Spend $25, get $25 in Shippo credit. Your first few labels? Basically free.

So whether you're shipping crochet pieces, stickers, paintings, or anything in between, Shippo takes the stress out of shipping so you can focus on what you love: making art—not waiting in line at the post office.

👉 Click here to sign up and grab your $25 Shippo credit today!

Thank you to Shippo for sponsoring this post.

If you want some inspiration for what physical products to create, I have a few videos on my channel you can check out too! But trust me—you definitely don’t want to rely only on physical products.

Income Stream #2: Digital Products (Passive Income!)

The second revenue stream you should have? Digital products.

Digital products are a total game-changer. If you’re a fiber artist, this could look like crochet patterns, knitting charts, embroidery templates, or even an ebook.

If you're a painter or illustrator, maybe it’s printable art, Procreate brushes, or clip art packs.

The reason I love digital products is simple: once you create it once, your work is done—and you can continue selling it forever. It’s truly passive income, and it allows you to keep earning without constantly trading your time for money.

There are so many different types of digital products you can create, so if you want more ideas, definitely check out my video: 

👉 10 DIGITAL PRODUCTS to SELL & Make MONEY as a HANDMADE BUSINESS in 2025

Income Stream #3: Content Creation (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)

If you love filming, taking photos, editing, and all things creative behind the scenes, content creation can be a seriously solid income stream.

When it comes to content creation, there are three main ways you can earn:

• Building your own platforms (and getting paid through creator funds)

• Collaborating with brands (through sponsored partnerships)

• Creating UGC (User-Generated Content) for brands to use directly—without even posting it on your own pages

If you’re growing your own platforms, you can earn through YouTube ad revenue, TikTok’s Creator Fund, or by monetizing Reels on Instagram. Also, the content you create doesn't just make you money through ads, but it can also drive traffic to your shop, your courses, or your coaching offers.

So you're earning ad revenue and bringing in new customers. It’s a double win!

 

Income Stream #4: Blogging

This next revenue stream is one that often gets overlooked—and honestly, I ignored it for the longest time too. But once I started blogging seriously, I realized what a game-changer it can be.

Blogging might seem a little old school compared to social media, but it’s still one of the most powerful income streamsyou can create.
If you’re an artist or handmade business owner, a blog can work for you long after you hit publish.

The main way you actually monetize a blog is through ads.

Personally, I recommend starting with Google AdSense. It’s free to set up—you just need an AdSense account and the ability to add a small piece of code to your website. (I have a Shopify store and it was super easy to add, but it works with most website hosts that allow custom code.)

One thing I love about AdSense is that you can control where the ads appear on your blog posts, which keeps everything feeling intentional and clean.

A lot of people love WordPress for blogging because of its flexibility, but since I already use Shopify to sell my art, I just use Shopify’s built-in blog feature. I find it really easy to use—and they’re always improving it too!

A well-written blog doesn’t just make you money through ads—it can also drive traffic to your shop, courses, or services.
Every blog post you publish—whether it’s about your creative process, behind-the-scenes stories, or product inspiration—is another opportunity for new customers to discover your work through Google search.

Plus, a blog can boost your SEO on Google and even help your YouTube channel if you’re also creating videos.

Pinterest is another huge traffic driver—you can create pins that link back to your blog posts and keep bringing visitors in over time.

✨ If you want me to make a deep-dive video all about how to set up a blog and drive traffic with Pinterest, let me know in the comments! I'd love to make that for you.

 

Income Stream #5: Teaching & Online Courses

You already know I love teaching!

If you have a skill—crochet, painting, lettering, resin art—why not create an online course? It’s an incredible way to earn passive income and share your expertise with others.

You can teach live workshops, sell PDFs, or create mini-courses that students can take at their own pace. Plus, if you genuinely enjoy helping others, this is one of the most fulfilling income streams out there.

There are so many ways you can approach online teaching:

• Create a self-paced mini-course that students can dive into anytime. (You can sell it directly from your website, or through platforms like Teachable or Thinkific.)

• Host live workshops for a real-time, interactive experience. You can even offer material kits shipped out in advance to make it extra special.

• Sell downloadable PDFs, workbooks, or pattern guides for students to follow along at their own pace.

Once your course is created, it can continue selling without you needing to be there 24/7. It's so lovely to see students grow from beginners to confident creators is one of the best feelings in the world.

 

Income Stream #6: Wholesale

If you’ve been selling handmade goods, you might be sleeping on wholesale—and trust me, it’s worth exploring.

Wholesale simply means selling your products in bulk to boutiques, gift shops, or other retailers. There are online marketplaces like Faire that make it easy to sell wholesale across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., most of Europe—and they’re still expanding.

You can also reach out to local shops directly, especially if you make items that would fit into a tourist shop, local artisan market, or a specialty gift boutique. If your products have a local flair or tell a story about your region, they can be a perfect fit.

This is an income stream I've only dabbled in so far, but it’s something I’m excited to lean into more this coming year!

Income Stream #7: Memberships

This one’s for my artists who love building community!

Memberships allow your biggest fans to support you with a small monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content.

Whether you share behind-the-scenes videos, bonus patterns, or run a private mentorship group, it’s a fantastic way to create steady, predictable income each month.

Here on YouTube, I offer a membership with different tiers and perks—if you want to check it out, just click the Join button on my channel!

Income Stream #8: Coaching & Consulting

If you’ve built a successful art business, chances are people will start asking you how you did it.
Coaching and consulting can be a fantastic way to help others while adding another income stream to your business.

You can offer:

• One-on-one coaching sessions

• Group coaching programs

• Workshops or strategy calls

You’re getting paid for your knowledge and experience, and honestly? Helping other artists level up their businesses is incredibly fulfilling.

Bonus: Two More Ways Artists Are Earning!

• Affiliate Marketing
  Affiliate marketing is simply earning a commission when someone buys through your special link. Programs like Amazon Associates, Shopify affiliates, or brand-specific partnerships make it easy.
  If you use a product you love (like that dreamy ergonomic crochet hook?), why not share the link and earn while helping your community out?

• Designing Patterns for Magazines
  If you’re a crocheter, knitter, or designer, selling patterns to magazines or companies is another great way to get paid upfront.
  Craft magazines are always looking for fresh, high-quality patterns and usually offer a one-time payment for the exclusive right to publish your work.
  It’s an awesome way to gain exposure and get compensated for your creativity.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—8 solid income streams (plus a few bonus ideas!) to help you make more money as an artist and handmade business owner.

Whether you start with just one or start stacking multiple streams together, the key is diversification.
That way, you’re not relying on just one way to get paid—and your business stays more sustainable for the long haul.

Which of these income streams are you already using? Or which one are you excited to try next? Let me know in the comments!

If you loved this post, don't forget to check out my free printable:
👉 Guide to Launching Your Online Art Business 

Until next time, happy creating! 🎨✨

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Sterling | Fiber Artist (@cactusladycreation) • Instagram photos and videos

 

@cactusladycreation