STOP Trading Time for Money: Passive Income Ideas for Artists and Handmade Business You Need to Know
If you're anything like me, you’re constantly juggling creating your art, promoting it, shipping orders, managing social media, answering emails... it’s a lot. And while I absolutely love making things with my hands—whether it’s crochet, fiber art tapestries ,or designing patterns —I also know what it’s like to feel completely burned out trying to keep up with everything.
That’s why I wanted to share all about something I wish I started focusing on way sooner in my creative business and that is passive income. Now—when I say “passive income,” I don’t mean some get-rich-quick scheme or “just make money while you sleep”. I’m talking about real, sustainable income streams that continue to generate money after the bulk of the work is done. Income that allows you to take a break, go on a trip, or start your next project—without everything grinding to a halt.
So if you’re a fellow crochet designer, or a digital illustrator, painter, photographer, or any kind of creative—there are so many ways you can start building passive income into your art practice.
And I know it can feel overwhelming.
Maybe you're thinking,
“Well, I don't have a big audience yet."
“or I’m not tech-savvy."
“Or even, I’m not sure where to begin."
Don’t worry—I’ve been there too. I'm going to walk you through several realistic, beginner-friendly passive income ideas that I’ve either personally tried or seen other artists use successfully.
I’ll also share some helpful tips, tools, and things I’ve learned along the way (including a peek into how to use Printify (which is the sponsor of this blog post).
So grab your coffee, cozy up—and let’s get into it.
Passive Income Stream #1 | Selling Digital Products
Alright, let’s start with one of the easiest and probably more well-known ways to generate passive income, which is selling digital products.
If you're new to the idea, digital products are anything you create once that can be downloaded and used again and again by your customers.
There’s no physical inventory, no shipping, and no need to remake anything—which is such a relief when you’re already busy with custom orders or new projects.
Let me give you some examples based on different types of artists:
Fiber artists:
If you crochet or knit, you can create and sell PDF patterns for your designs. These could be anything from beginner-friendly washcloths to detailed sweaters. Once you’ve written and formatted the pattern, it can live forever on Etsy, Ravelry, or your website.
Visual artists:
You can turn your illustrations, paintings or photography into printable wall art, calendars, coloring pages, or phone wallpapers. People love affordable, downloadable decor and digital goodies—especially if your aesthetic is unique or niche.
Digital creators & designers:
You can make and sell Procreate brushes, design templates, social media content packs, Notion templates, or Lightroom presets— which are all things other creatives use in their own work.
Everyone:
And no matter what medium you create in, you could make digital resources or e-books that share knowledge from your artistic journey—like how-tos or guides to getting started in your craft.
If you’ve ever answered the same question over and over, that could become a digital product. The great thing is that you don’t need a huge audience to get started with this. Start with one small, helpful, well-designed thing that your community already asks you for.
Package it beautifully. Add value through clear instructions or bonus content. And then start sharing it! Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Payhip make it super easy to upload and sell digital files. Or, if you’re ready to go to the next level with your biz, you can even host them on your own website with Shopify or Squarespace for more control. You can use eye-catching graphics or mockups to showcase your digital product use free tools like Kittl to create those visuals.
Digital products were honestly the first passive income stream I ever dipped my toes into—and I was truly blown away when I woke up to a sale from something I made weeks before. That’s when it truly clicked for me that —your art doesn’t have to only be sold one piece at a time.
You can make something once that provides value for other and let it keep supporting you over time.
Passive Income Stream #2 | Print-on-Demand Products
Okay— let’s say so you’ve got your art, your designs, or even just a really cute pun in your head that is inspired by your art or craft… but you’re not sure how to turn it into something physical without stocking inventory or spending all day making and packing orders.
Print-on-demand is exactly what it sounds like—products are only printed and shipped after someone places an order. That means no upfront inventory, no shipping stress, and no storage closet overflowing with unsold merch. It’s basically the artist’s dream when it comes to low-maintenance product-based income.
And in order to do this you can use the sponsor of this blog post which is Printify. Printify allows you to create and sell beautiful custom-products in minutes on your choice of over 1,000 different top-quality products from apparel, kitchenware, home decor, pet products, and more, so you can choose the best options fro your niche.
You just upload your artwork or design, choose from a huge catalog of products—like mugs, stickers, tote bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts—and they handle the rest. When your customers buy your merch they simply print your design, package it up, and send it anywhere in the world for you.
Fiber artists:
For fellow fiber artists, you can turn your brand, logo, or crochet phrases into t-shirts, project totes, or mugs. You can also sell stickers or pins that reflect your aesthetic.
Illustrators and painters:
If you’re an illustrator, painter or photographer, simply upload your original artwork and sell it as prints, journals, phone cases, or even canvas wall art.
Graphic designers & digital creators:
Or if you’re a graphic designer or digital creator you can design bold quote graphics, typographic art, or custom patterns for apparel and accessories.
What I love about this income stream is that it’s a natural extension of your brand—but it doesn’t require you to constantly create new physical inventory. Plus, Printify integrates with platforms like Etsy or Shopify, so once it’s set up, it runs pretty smoothly in the background.
And don’t stress about being a designer! You can use free tools like Canva, Kittl, or even draw something on paper and scan it in.
So whether you're building out a full product line or just want to test the waters with a few stickers or totes—print-on-demand is a super accessible way to add a passive income stream that reflects your creative vibe.
You can click here to use my Printify link, if you want to try it out—it’s free to start and truly one of the easiest ways to monetize your creativity without overcommitting your time or energy.
Alright, let’s talk about a super powerful way to share your skills and create lasting impact and that is through digital courses and workshops.
Passive Income Stream #3 | Digital Courses or Workshops
If you’ve ever thought “I could teach this”—this is a really great option for you. Whether you’re a crochet artist, illustrator, calligrapher, or jewelry maker—there’s someone out there right now who would love to learn your process, especially if you’ve been at your craft for a while.
And the best thing it that once it’s filmed and uploaded, it becomes a long-term, income-generating resource that works for you behind the scenes.
Now I know what you might be thinking:
"But I’m not an expert..."
"I don’t have some super fancy setup..."
"I don’t even know where to begin..."
Trust me—I felt all of that when I created my first course. But to create a course, you don’t need to be the most experienced artist in the room.
You just need to be one step ahead of someone else who’s just beginning their journey with that craft.
For fiber artists like me:
If you’re a fiber artist - You could create a course teaching beginner stitches, how to read patterns, or how to create your own designs from scratch. Even small, specific topics—like how to make your first granny square or how to block a finished piece—can be incredibly helpful and valuable.
For visual artists or illustrators:
And if you’re a visual artist or illustrator - you could teach color theory, basic drawing techniques, character design, or how to use a specific tool like Procreate or Photoshop.
For photographers or content creators:
If you’re a photographer or content creator: Mini courses on how to photograph your artwork, edit for Instagram, or set up flatlays can be incredibly helpful to other creatives.
With dipping your toes into making courses, you can even start small.
You don’t need to feel like you have to build a 10-module mega course. Start with a mini workshop first—a simple 1-hour video walking through a project, technique, or concept. Once you do one, it gets way easier to keep going.
There are so many platforms you can use to host your course, or when you’re just getting started you can even use a private YouTube link with a paid download on Etsy or their website—which super beginner-friendly.
And don’t overthink the gear! Use your phone, some natural light, and a simple voiceover or screen recording.
Teaching online has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my creative career. It builds connection, it helps others grow, and it brings in consistent income—without trading your time hour-for-hour.
And hey—if you’ve been thinking about teaching but weren’t sure if you were “ready,” take this as your sign. Someone out there is waiting to learn from you. 💫
Passive Income Stream #4 | Affiliate Marketing
Alright, this next one is not one that I’ve delved into too much, but I know it has worked for others and so it might work for you as well - and it is affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is when you recommend a product you love, and then when someone purchases it through your link, you earn a small commission—at no extra cost to them.
And here’s why I love it as a passive income stream:
You're probably already doing it without even realizing it.
Think about how often you’ve told a fellow artist or friend,
“I love this yarn brand!”
“I always use this app for my designs.”
“These are the best hooks, brushes, or camera tools.”
Affiliate marketing just means getting paid to share that info, honestly and transparently.
So how do you get started?
✨ Many companies have affiliate programs. You can sign up through platforms like Amazon Associates, or directly through brands you already love—like your favorite yarn company, art supply store, or design software.
Once you're approved, you get your own custom links. From there, you can include those links in your YouTube descriptions, blog posts, Instagram Stories, or even your email newsletters.
For example:
If someone asks me what crochet hooks I use, I can send them a direct affiliate link to that exact set—and if they order it, I make a small percentage of that sale.
And with this it’s important to focus on products you genuinely use, trust, and would share anyway. That authenticity is what builds trust with your audience.
And with this income stream, it might not be a huge payout at first—but affiliate income has the potential to add up over time.
Passive Income Stream #5 | Stock Photos, Videos, or Graphics
Alright—let’s talk about a passive income stream that’s especially for my fellow content creators and photographers - and it’s a little underrated but so worth exploring- and it is selling stock photos, videos, or graphics.
And even if you’re not a photographer but you take nice photos of your artwork, styled flatlays, work-in-progress shots, or even aesthetic studio setups—those images can become sellable digital assets.
People need visuals like this for websites, social media posts, presentations, blogs, and design projects.
And a great thing is that once you create this asset and upload it to a stock site, it can sell over and over again.
Fiber artists & crafters:
For my fellow fiber artists and crafter - you can use close-up shots of textured crochet or knit pieces, photos of yarn in baskets, or a flatlay of tools on a clean surface. These kinds of lifestyle shots are gold for creative businesses and bloggers looking for cozy visuals.
Illustrators or digital artists:
If you’re an illustrator or digital artist, you could even sell digital pattern backgrounds, hand-drawn icons, or isolated design elements people can use in their own projects.
Photographers & content creators:
And for photographers and content creators - any B-roll style video clips, moody lighting, textured backdrops, or workspace photos - they can all be uploaded and licensed to others.
There are plenty of platforms—like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Creative Market, or Etsy (for styled graphics and design kits). Some artists even sell their own curated bundles directly on Gumroad or their website.
It does take time to build up a catalog, but once it’s live, it becomes a passive library that keeps working for you—especially if you optimize your titles and tags for search.
Passive Income Stream #6 | Licensing your Artwork or Patterns
As your business grows, this next one could also be a great thing to dive into and it is licensing your artwork.
Licensing is when you give a company or brand permission to use your artwork on their products, packaging, or media—for a flat fee, a royalty percentage, or both. Your art might show up on fabrics, notebooks, phone cases, planners, clothing, wall art—even puzzles.
And the great part about this is, you still own your work. You’re just granting the rights to use it, often for a specific product, time period, or market.
Let’s say you’re an illustrator and you’ve created a collection of floral patterns. A stationery company could license that design for their next journal line. Or maybe a home decor brand wants to use your abstract paintings on their throw pillows.
You get paid upfront—or receive ongoing royalties based on sales—and you’re not responsible for production or distribution.
So if you’re a painter, illustrator, or photographer this is a great option - and even if you’re a fiber artist you can license your designs to magazines and various companies.
With this, it’s all about building a strong, cohesive body of work and putting it in front of the right eyes.
You can pitch your portfolio directly to companies, join art licensing platforms like Spoonflower, Artlicensing.com, or Patternbank, or even get an agent. As a crocheter - you could try brands such as WeCrochet Magazine or I like Crochet or I like knitting for Knitting.
If you're not ready to pitch yet, just start by building a portfolio of your best work. Group your art into collections or themes—think seasonal designs, cohesive color palettes, or repeat patterns.
Licensing is definitely something you might find yourself getting into once you’re already a bit more established, and it’s definitely worth it if you love creating and want to see your work out in the world, and helping you make an income without chasing sales.
From digital products to print-on-demand, teaching your skills, affiliate links, stock content, and licensing your art — now you have quite a few different ideas of passive income streams that can support your creative practice without burning you out.
And the great thing is that: You don’t need to launch them all at once. You don’t need a massive audience. You don’t need to be “ready.”
You just need to start.
Pick the one that feels most doable for you right now. Maybe it’s writing your first digital pattern, opening a Printify shop, or finally filming that beginner-friendly workshop you’ve been thinking about.
Start small, make it fun, and build as you go.
I’ve found that the best thing to aim for is sustainability with your art business. So you can rest when you need to rest. Say yes to projects you actually want to do and love. And so you can keep creating from a place of joy, not panic or burn out.
And overall because your art deserves to support you—and you don’t have to hustle 24/7 for that to happen.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below: Which passive income stream are you most excited to try?
Or do you already have something that’s working for you? Share it in the comments—let’s learn from each other and support each other.
👇 I’m also dropping links below for a few of my favorite tools and resources—including Printify, my freebies which include the free Guide to Launching your Art Business and Social Media Starter Checklist for Creatives. When you download those you’ll also be added to my email list where I share insight all the time.
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Well thanks so much for hanging out with me and I hope you’ll join me in the next one.
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