Smalls That Sell – Minimal Materials, Maximum Profit


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In today’s economy, side hustles and small-scale entrepreneurship are more valuable than ever—and few niches offer better margins than affordable, handmade woodworking projects. In a recent episode of Smalls That Sell, the host walks viewers through a series of wildly profitable woodworking ideas using inexpensive materials like fence pickets and pallet wood. The premise? Turn as little as $4 into as much as $120—or more—with projects that are easy to build, highly desirable, and proven sellers online.

These “smalls” aren’t just quick weekend builds—they’re high-margin products that tap into popular trends, lifestyle decor, and functional design. Whether it’s a rustic Scrabble tile wall set, a reclaimed wood end table, or a farmhouse-style quote sign, each of these creations offers a realistic opportunity to generate income from a hobby or small shop.


🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Low-cost materials like fence pickets or pallet wood can yield huge returns.
  • Trending products such as Scrabble tiles and farmhouse signs are proven sellers on Etsy and social media.
  • Presentation and product staging matter just as much as the build itself.
  • Offer customizations or bundles to boost order value and repeat sales.
  • Even simple builds can generate hundreds of thousands in revenue if marketed well.
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💸 1. Scrabble Tile Wall Art – 12 Blocks from One Picket

Giant Scrabble-style tiles are dominating the wall decor scene. These blocks (5.5″ x 5.5″) can be cut from a single $4 cedar fence picket—yielding up to 12 tiles. Painted white with stenciled black letters, each tile sells for around $10–$15 apiece. Multiply that by 12, and you’re looking at $120–$180 in revenue from a $4 investment. Offer personalized names or phrases and watch your orders stack up.

🪑 2. Rustic End Tables – $100 for a Few Boards

Built with basic 2x4s and 1x4s, these simple end tables are listed online for $100 each and have received over 500 reviews—suggesting thousands of units sold. The design is crude and rustic (on purpose), assembled with wood glue and brad nails. Perfect for pallet wood or distressed finishes, these builds prove that simplicity sells when styled right.

👜 3. “Wooden Handbag” Flower Carriers – Creative and Customizable

Big box stores are marketing these angled wooden crates as rustic handbags for gathering flowers. Using 5° angled cuts and fence picket materials, you can batch-produce these in multiple sizes and finishes. The result? A charming home decor piece that sells for $25–$50 apiece and takes less than 10 minutes to make once the process is streamlined.

🏠 4. House-Shaped Wall Herb Boxes – Perfect for Kitchen Decor

Designed to look like mini houses, these herb or flower holders double as wall decor. Built from scrap 1x4s and a bit of plywood, the fast and simple design is held together with glue and brad nails. Hang them in clusters or offer personalization options. Ideal for farmhouse kitchens or as gifts.

🪧 5. Fence Picket Quote Signs – $1.8 Million in Sales Can’t Be Wrong

With over 4,300 reviews (likely indicating 40,000+ units sold), these decorative signs prove that simple products can become cash cows. Each sign uses fence pickets, paint or stencils, and a catchy quote. Variations in size and color allow sellers to customize and test what resonates with buyers—while maintaining a rustic, on-trend farmhouse look. At $43 each, the math speaks for itself.


📸 Marketing Matters: Why Staging Sells

Across all these projects, one principle holds true—how you present the product can make or break the sale. Taking a photo in your garage won’t cut it. Stage the item in a natural, attractive setting: a porch, a living room, a styled kitchen counter. Good visuals help buyers imagine the product in their own homes—and that’s what drives clicks and conversions.


Final Thoughts

These woodworking projects prove that it doesn’t take expensive tools or complicated designs to make serious money. With a few fence pickets, some creative angles, and a little marketing know-how, anyone can launch a profitable woodworking side hustle. Keep it simple, stay on trend, and don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed Scrabble tile or rustic quote sign.

Kevin Nelson

I will always have a special place in my heart for woodworking. I have such fond memories working on projects with my parents on the weekends in the garage growing up. We built tables, shelves, a backyard shed, 10' base for a water slide into the pool, 2 story fort playhouse with a fire pole, and so much more. This woodworking blog allows me to write helpful articles so others can enjoy woodworking as much as we have.

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