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Are you interested in woodworking but don’t have a lot of tools or experience? Jasco Goods has a solution for you. In a recent video, JASCOgoods shares how they made over $15,000 by selling simple wooden triangles on Etsy.
With minimal tools and a little creativity, he shows how anyone can start making and selling their own woodworking products. In this article, we will explore his woodworking journey, their minimal tool requirements, and their tips for creating and selling successful products.
Key Takeaways
- Minimal tools are needed to start making and selling woodworking products.
- Personalization is key to standing out in a competitive market.
- Etsy is a great platform for selling handmade woodworking products.
My Woodworking Journey
Starting Small with Triangles
The woodworker started their woodworking journey by making small triangles out of a 1×4 board. They cut the triangles at a 31.6 degree angle, but mentioned that the angle was not important. At first, they used an old Ryobi saw and had to hand sand each triangle. Later, they upgraded to a belt sander which allowed them to batch out the triangles more quickly. The woodworker stained the triangles and then put masking tape on them. They painted the top with white paint in a certain shape and then peeled off the tape to reveal a mountain shape. The woodworker made sets of three mountains, with two of them being the same size and one being slightly larger. They eventually started making bigger sizes and even made other shapes like candy corns.
Expanding the Product Line
As the woodworker’s triangles became popular, they expanded their product line. They made ladders, a Solo cup holder, wood hearts, and coasters. They also made bigger items like towel ladders and pumpkins. However, their biggest selling items were their Christmas trees and mountains, which sold all year round. The woodworker made the mountains in different sizes and colors, and clear coated them. They took pictures of their products using their cell phone and listed them on their Etsy page. The woodworker emphasized the importance of personalization on Etsy and suggested that sellers should put their own spin on popular themes. They also warned against copying other sellers’ products exactly.
Minimal Tool Requirements
Affordable Tool Suggestions
Woodworking can be a profitable hobby or business, even with minimal tools. According to a woodworker at Jasco Goods, one can set up a whole workshop for less than $1,000 or spend a couple of hundred bucks to buy affordable tools. Some affordable tool options include those found at Harbor Freight, Walmart, and Facebook Marketplace.
Upgrading Tools Over Time
As one starts to make a profit from woodworking, it is possible to upgrade tools. The woodworker at Jasco Goods started by cutting triangles with an old Ryobi saw and hand-sanding each one. With the money made from selling triangles, the woodworker was able to upgrade to a belt sander and eventually a miter saw. Upgrading tools can help increase productivity and profits.
Creating the Triangles
Cutting and Sanding
The Woodworker began by cutting 1x4s into 3.5-inch triangles using a miter saw. The angle used was 31.6 degrees, but it was not significant. The Woodworker upgraded the saw later with the profits made from selling the triangles. Initially, the triangles were hand-sanded, but the Woodworker eventually bought a belt sander, which made the process faster.
Staining and Painting
After sanding, the triangles were stained. The Woodworker then applied masking tape to the top of the triangles and painted them white in a specific shape. Once the tape was peeled off, the triangles were transformed into mountains. The Woodworker also painted triangles like candy corn and made other items, such as ladders, cup holders, pumpkins, hearts, and coasters.
Assembling Sets
The Woodworker assembled the triangles into sets of three, with two of them being the same size and the third being slightly larger. The Woodworker started with smaller sets made from 1x4s and sold them for $18 per set of three. The Woodworker eventually added larger sizes, such as 1x6s and 1x8s, to the product line. The Woodworker also made towel ladders and Christmas trees, which were the best-selling items. To mail the sets, the Woodworker used bubble envelopes and put a thank-you sticker on them. The Woodworker found ideas for wood decor on Etsy and personalized the products to stand out from the competition.
Marketing and Sales
Photography with a Cell Phone
The Woodworker was able to sell his products by taking photos of them with his cell phone. He listed the products on Etsy and eventually got a sale within a few days. He took pictures of his products and listed them on his Etsy page. He used his cell phone to take the pictures and the photos turned out great.
Listing on Etsy
The Woodworker listed his products on Etsy and found success. He was able to sell his products and make a profit. He found that personalized items were the best selling items on Etsy. He also found that popular themes such as pets and butterflies sold well.
Understanding Customer Preferences
The Woodworker found that understanding customer preferences was important to selling his products. He found that personalized items sold well on Etsy. He also found that popular themes such as pets and butterflies sold well. He was able to find inspiration for his products by looking at what was popular on Etsy. However, he made sure to put his own unique twist on his products to differentiate them from others.
Product Personalization
JASCOgoods shared their experience of making a profit by selling personalized wooden products. They started with making triangles, which were easy to make with minimal tools. He used a miter saw to cut a 1×4 into 3.5 inch triangles with a 31.6-degree angle. They then sanded and stained the triangles, and added masking tape and white paint to create a mountain design. He also made candy corns, ladders, Solo cup holders, pumpkins, wood hearts, Christmas trees, and coasters, all with a similar design. He sold these products on Etsy, where personalized items are popular. They also emphasized the importance of putting one’s own twist on a design to avoid copying others. He suggested looking at best sellers on Etsy for inspiration, but not copying them exactly. Finally, he warned of the problem of others copying their designs, but still found success in selling their personalized wooden products.
Dealing with Competition and Copycats
When selling products on Etsy, it is important to be aware of competition and the possibility of copycats. As he explains, when his wood mountains became a best seller on Etsy, other sellers began copying his design.
To avoid copycats, it is important to put your own spin on popular themes and not directly copy other sellers’ designs. Personalization is also a key factor in successful Etsy sales, as customers often seek unique and personalized items that cannot be found in larger stores.
To stay ahead of the competition, sellers can browse through popular themes and best sellers on Etsy to get ideas for their own products. However, it is important to not directly copy other sellers’ designs and instead put a unique twist on them.
Overall, while competition and copycats can be a challenge for Etsy sellers, putting a personal touch on products and staying creative can help set them apart and attract customers.
Ideas for New Woodworking Projects
Jasco Goods, a successful woodworking business, has shown that it is possible to make a profit from woodworking with minimal tools and investment. The owner of Jasco Goods started by making triangles with a 1 by 4 and 3.5-inch wood and then cutting them at a 31.6-degree angle. These triangles were then sanded and stained, and masking tape was added to create a mountain shape with white paint. The triangles were then sold in sets of three, and the owner was able to make a profit of $115,000.
The owner of Jasco Goods recommends that woodworkers can start with minimal tools and investment. They suggest buying used tools from Harbor Freight, Walmart, or Facebook Marketplace, which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. The owner also recommends looking for inspiration on Etsy, where wood decor is a popular category. However, copying other sellers’ work is not recommended. Instead, woodworkers can get ideas and put their own spin on them to create unique products.
Some popular woodworking projects that the owner of Jasco Goods has sold include:
- Mountains: These were the biggest selling items and could be made in different sizes and colors. The owner recommends personalizing products as it is a popular category on Etsy.
- Candy Corns: These were made using the same process as the mountains but painted like candy corns.
- Ladders: These were made using wood and could be used to hold towels or blankets.
- Solo Cup Holder: This was made using wood and had a slot for a Sharpie marker to mark cups at parties.
- Coasters: These were simple and cheap to make using a stick of 1×4 wood, which could be sold in sets.
The owner of Jasco Goods suggests that woodworkers can use their cell phone to take pictures of their products and list them on Etsy. They also recommend using bubble envelopes to mail the products, which cost around $2-3 per set. Personalization is a popular category on Etsy, and woodworkers can put their own spin on popular themes such as pets, butterflies, and crosses.
In conclusion, woodworking can be a profitable business with minimal tools and investment. Woodworkers can get inspiration from Etsy but should avoid copying other sellers’ work. Personalization is a popular category on Etsy, and woodworkers can put their own spin on popular themes to create unique products.
Tips for Using Etsy
Finding Best Sellers
When searching for product ideas on Etsy, it’s important to look for popular themes and best sellers. However, it’s crucial to avoid direct imitation of other sellers’ products. Instead, use their products as inspiration and put your own unique twist on it. Personalizing your products is a great way to stand out from the competition and attract more customers.
Avoiding Direct Imitation
Copying other sellers’ products is a common problem on Etsy. To avoid this, it’s important to be creative and come up with your own unique ideas. Look for popular themes and trends, but make sure to add your own personal touch to your products. Additionally, it’s important to respect other sellers’ intellectual property rights and avoid infringing on their copyrights or trademarks.
Remember, starting a successful Etsy shop doesn’t require expensive tools. With minimal tools and a little creativity, anyone can start making and selling their own products on Etsy.