How to Turn Your Creative Skill into a Side Hustle (Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start)

Have you ever looked at your creative hobby and thought, "Could I actually make money doing this?" Spoiler alert: you absolutely can. Whether it's textured art, candles, macramé, or jewellery making, your creative skills have real value. And turning your passion into a side hustle doesn’t have to mean investing hundreds into a market stall or a flashy website right away.

If you admire what I’ve built with Tipsy Textures and want to follow a similar path, this blog is your starting point. I’ll show you how to start a creative business from home, without the overwhelm or big upfront costs. Let’s explore how you can sell handmade art locally and online with ease.

Forget the Market Stall (For Now)

Selling at local markets can be exciting, but it also requires a lot of time, energy, and money upfront. Between signage, stall fees, tables, displays, and stock, the setup alone can cost hundreds. So before you go all in, start small and test the waters with other low-cost options to start your creative side hustle.

1. Sell Handmade Art Online (Etsy or Your Own Website)

Platforms like Etsy are a fantastic way to start selling your handmade art online. With minimal setup costs and access to a global audience searching for unique, handcrafted items, it’s a smart and scalable place to begin your textured art journey.

Alternatively, you can create your own artist website using platforms like Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. Having your own site gives you full control over your branding and pricing, and it can grow alongside your creative business.

2. Use Facebook Marketplace and Local Buy Swap Sell Groups

Want to sell art locally without paying platform fees? Try Facebook Marketplace or community buy-swap-sell groups. These are great spaces to showcase your textured wall art, connect with buyers in your area, and receive feedback.

Start by posting clear photos, a short story about your process, and your pricing. Engaging with your local community online is a powerful way to begin building your art side hustle organically.

3. Showcase Your Art in Local Cafés, hairdressers and Boutique Stores

This is one of the most underutilised but powerful ways to grow your creative business. Local cafés, hairdressers, and boutique stores are often eager to support small creators and add a unique, handmade vibe to their walls or retail spaces. Your textured art can offer just that.

Here’s how to get started: curate a small collection of your best work (or even just bring printed photos), and pop into some of your favourite local businesses. Be friendly, authentic, and let them know you’re a local artist looking to showcase and sell handmade artwork. Many store owners are happy to display your pieces in exchange for a small commission or to simply support the local creative scene.

You can even go one step further and offer to refresh the artwork regularly or collaborate on in-store promotions. Not only do you get foot traffic and visibility, but you also build relationships and credibility as a local artist.

This method of selling textured art is low cost, high impact, and builds long-term connections that can evolve into more consistent opportunities. So don’t be afraid to ask, you never know who’s been waiting to discover exactly what you create.

4. Spread the Word Through Friends and Family

Sometimes your first customers are closer than you think. Telling your friends and family about your new creative venture is one of the easiest ways to build momentum. Share your pieces on your personal social media, gift art for special occasions, and encourage loved ones to spread the word.

Word-of-mouth remains one of the most effective ways to promote handmade art and establish your presence in your local community. Confidence is key. Own your passion and let others be part of your journey.

Conclusion

You don’t need a massive budget, a market stall, or a business degree to start a successful creative side hustle. With tools like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, and especially by partnering with local businesses, you can begin selling textured art in ways that are low-risk and high-reward.

Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small, it means building something strong and sustainable. Whether you’re dreaming of a full-blown business or just want to make a little extra from your hobby, the first step is simply sharing your art.

Want more guidance? Subscribe to my newsletter, join my Facebook Group, The Texture Life Journey  or join a Tipsy Textures workshop to connect with other aspiring artists. Your skills are valuable, and your creative journey is worth starting, right now.