How to Start a Profitable Side Hustle with Your Soap Carving Hobby 

Soap carving is an unusual yet rewarding hobby. You get to create beautiful and intricate designs using nothing but a bar of soap and a few inexpensive tools. It’s also a therapeutic activity; the repetitive motion of carving can be meditative, and the act of creating something with your hands can be a great stress reliever. Plus, you can reap one more benefit and actually make some money from soap carving. How? 

Here are tips for starting a profitable side hustle with your soap carving hobby. 

Choose your Niche 

Consider what types of soap carvings you want to specialize in, such as animals, flowers, or abstract designs. This is how you’ll establish yourself as an expert and attract customers who are specifically interested in your style.

To choose your niche in soap carving:

  • Think about the types of soap carvings that interest you the most 
  • Look at what types of soap carvings are currently popular on online marketplaces  
  • Think about who you want to sell your soap carvings to. For example, a young demographic may likely prefer flowers and animals over abstracts 
  • Consider your abilities and skill level

Source your Materials 

Next, look for high-quality soap bars with a consistent texture as well as quality carving tools. Consider using natural or organic soaps to help the environment and also better attract customers who are interested in eco-friendly or chemical-free products.

To properly source high-quality soap for carving:

  • Look for soap that is soft enough to carve, but not too crumbly or brittle such as glycerin soap
  • Look for soap that is free of additives like fragrance, colorants, or exfoliants that may affect texture 
  • Look for soap from reputable brands or suppliers that specialize in soap carving materials 
  • Check online reviews or ask other soap carvers for recommendations on where to buy soap for carving

Set your Prices

Pricing your soap carvings can be tricky, but if you start by considering a few key factors, you can come up with a fair and profitable pricing strategy for your soap carvings. 

Some factors to keep in mind include:

  • Cost of materials; soap bars, and any carving materials  
  • How much time it takes you to complete each soap carving so that more intricate designs warrant a higher price point
  • Market demand for your soap carvings and the prices that similar products are selling for
  • How much profit you want to make on each soap carving

Start Selling 

It’s time to make some money! Create an online store on platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and eBay that offer a great way to reach a large audience of potential customers. Consider selling your soap carvings at local craft fairs or farmers markets as well. You can also reach out to local businesses, such as spas, gift shops, or even senior apartment facilities, to see if they’re interested.

No matter how you choose to sell your products, you want to create high-quality photos and descriptions of your products for stores, websites, and social media, and prioritize excellent customer service.

By following these tips, you can turn your soap carving hobby into a profitable side hustle that allows you to showcase your creativity and make some extra money. 

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