written by Jeannie Pitt author, designer, entrepreneur Copyright © 2012 Published by Jeannie Pitt at Smashwords All rights reserved. No part of this material may be sold, duplicated, distributed, used on other websites, incorporated in commercial documents or products, photocopied or used for promotional purposes without written permission from the copyright holder. 101 Things to Sell Online - Make Money Online Selling Things You Never Dreamed People Would Buy You’ve heard the success stories of people who start selling shoelaces online and strike it rich. You might have wondered, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ There is no magic potion for selling online. A bit of marketing helps a great deal, but aside from that, you just have to offer a product, any product really, to someone looking to buy that product. This ebook will give you 101 ideas for things that you can sell online, many of which you might never have thought of. I’ve been selling online since 1997, and I’ve successfully marketed a wide range of products. My focus now is offering items that reflect my own true passions. I love nature and I love to make things. While there are many websites online that provide individuals a way to sell handmade creations, gently used items and vintage collectibles, I never found a website that focused solely on my own areas of interest. In early 2012, I created Driftwood Mall, a marketplace where buyers and sellers can enjoy a wide range of natural and artistic supplies and handmade arts and crafts. As a person seeking a way to generate online income, you’ll be pleased to discover a huge list of items which people are seeking to buy. Many of these items may be found right in your hometown or even your very own backyard. Likewise, if you are artistic or creative in any way, you’ll find an outlet for your unique and one-of-a-kind crafts and supplies right at Driftwood Mall. Account signup is free, as is listing your items for sale in the marketplace. Check out the list of 101 Things to Sell Online and start gathering and creating. Sign up for a free account and open a vendor shop in the mall. I look forward to welcoming you and gazing in awe at your lovely contributions and amazing creations. As a related tool to Driftwood Mall, you might want to sign up at the HouseofJunque.com blog. HouseofJunque runs frequent contests offering free handmade giveaways. If you’d like to feature your product on the blog or offer a donation to be given away in the contest, contact me via the site. Offering a free giveaway can bring significant traffic and attention to your products and shop. Disclaimer: In this ebook, I share a lot of information about looking for, collecting and selling natural materials, as well as offering handmade or edible items. There are many rules, regulations and laws concerning this type of behavior. I am not responsible for any of your choices, and I encourage you to look into any laws concerning the steps you plan to take before proceeding. Best Regards, Jeannie Pitt http://www. driftwoodmall.com http://www.houseofjunque.com ________________________________________ Following are 101 things to sell online. These ideas range from natural supplies to handmade arts and crafts. You’ll find ideas under Supplies from the Woods, Supplies By the Water, Upcycled and Recyclables, Handmade and Art, Business and Consulting, Themed Items and Parties, Edibles and Consumables, Home Décor, Woodworking, Half-finished Projects and Miscellaneous. Supplies from the Woods 1. Pine Cones There are all types of pine cones and spruce cones lying about on neighborhood streets, forest paths and everywhere you look. If you don’t have these lovely little gifts from nature piled up in your own backyard, you probably know someone who does. People buy all manner and size of tree cones for many special crafting projects, as well as for a food source for certain types of wild or domestic animals. If you have access to any type of pine cones or spruce cones, start collecting them and put them up for sale online. You’ll be surprised at the creative ways people use them. Look for tiny pine cones, rounded spruce cones, large pine cones or any types of cones that are interesting. Make sure they are clean and in good shape. This will ensure more sales. There are various ways to clean and dry pine cones. Use Google as a research tool for discovering the best ways to do this. 2. Acorns Many people buy acorns and acorn tops for various reasons as well. You will often find acorns that are still connected to their tops, and these are the most popular. However, you can also sell each part of the acorn separately. People buy acorn tops for use in crafting projects, and acorns without tops may be used for other various reasons. You may also wish to take extra time to glue acorn tops on for added product integrity, but be sure to disclose this in your product listing. There are various ways to clean and dry acorns. Use Google as a research tools for discovering the best ways to do this. Look for patches of acorns under and around various types of oak trees. Be sure the acorns are clean and free of bugs. Collect single caps as well for a variety of listings in your shop. 3. Tree Bark Many different types of trees produce bark that is unique and eye-catching. The birch tree is just one type of tree that is lovely to look at and produces bark that is used for many crafting and decorating purposes. Native American people make many things from birch bark, including canoes, baskets, birdhouses and ornaments. Other bark pieces can also be used for various creations. Look for sheets or sections of bark that are pleasing to the eye. Please don’t ever cut bark from a live tree! This is not only disrespectful (and potentially harmful) to the tree, but it is a serious violation to nature and Mother Earth. I may sound like a tree-hugger at this point, and in fact, I guess I am. I am inviting you to promote and share the beauty of nature, not to violate, exploit or damage it in any way. In most forests or woodsy areas, especially those that are older, you’re likely to find as many down and dying trees as live and flourishing ones. Look for those trees that are lying on the ground. It’s generally easier to remove bark from chopped or fallen trees, and you’ll be rewarded for respecting your surroundings. Always get permission from landowners before walking into a forest and removing anything. Trespassing can get you into a lot of trouble. 4. Autumn Leaves Autumn leaves are some of the most fun natural supplies to collect and sell. Because fall leaves only hold their beautiful colors for a small amount of time, and only in certain parts of the country, their value is heightened. As soon as leaves begin to change in the fall, get out there and start collecting. In my experience, oak and maple leaves are the most popular and beautiful, however any brightly colored leaves are likely to bring attention. Many brides-to-be begin ordering naturally colored leaves for their weddings, sometimes up to a year in advance. Autumn-themed weddings are very popular and you might find yourself selling out of fall leaves very quickly. There are many other uses for fall leaves as well. You may find the simplest way of preserving these leaves is simply by flattening and drying them out. They will hold their colors for quite some time, and all you’ll need to do is dry them between two pieces of cardboard or similar material. Some people enjoy coating them with resin or a decoupage type substance. There are many options here and it’s up to you which one you’ll choose. Look for fall leaves that are beautifully colored with reds, oranges, golds and greens. Be sure they are clean and dry (dry them out if they are wet) and are without holes or other damage. Try to keep the stems, as your customers can then decide whether or not they are necessary for the project. You may find sorting them into general sizes is advantageous, or you can list them as assorted lots. Try maple and oak leaves to begin with, and hunt around your area for other types of beautifully colored fall leaves. 5. Green Leaves At this point, your mind is probably beginning to open up to all sorts of new possibilities for selling online. Fall leaves are absolutely wonderful, but people also use other types of leaves for jewelry-making, crafting and art. Any types of leaves can be used for an unlimited number of possibilities. If you have access to interestingly-shaped or colored leaves, start collecting them. You’re likely to find it very exciting when you start to learn what wonderful items people create from leaves. Again, collect only undamaged leaves, and try to avoid pulling them from trees in large numbers. Spread your collection over many trees, selecting only the best leaves for your lot. Better yet, collect only enough to take several good photos, and make note of the location for pre-orders. I’ve seen wonderful pendants made from leaves, both natural and gold-dipped. There are many possibilities and the interesting leaves native to your area may not grow all over the world, therefore making them a popular selection for other locations. 6. Twigs Selling twigs has been the most surprising of discoveries for me. Twigs of various sizes and shapes can be used in all sorts of woodworking projects and crafty creations. Think picture frames, dolls, wall art, tribal jewelry and the list goes on… The best candidates for sales in this area are twigs from fallen or dead trees. As mentioned earlier, I discourage bothering live trees as much as possible, and it’s nearly impossible to find saleable twigs from live trees anyway. Many forest areas and chopdowns hold hundreds of thousands of dead twigs, lying on the ground, free for the taking. These twigs and sticks can be sorted into lots of varying sizes and offered for sale to artists and handicrafters. Look for twigs with or without bark, dried, straight or bent. Some buyers will prefer smooth twigs of a certain shade of wood, while others will be looking for some character on the twigs, such as knots, bark or other characteristics. Choose whatever types of twigs interest you and it will become an even greater adventure. 7. Moss Certain types of moss are so popular that they are even offered at many local craft stores. Spanish moss, for one, is a very popular seller. If you have certain types of attractive moss growing in and around your local area, offer it up for sale. (Here is a very good place to offer a reminder for checking into local, state and federal laws for collecting, selling and shipping plant materials.) Moss makes a very good material for decorating so many different types of arrangements, wreaths and wall-hangings. Moss grows from trees and on rocks in various parts of the world, and differs depending upon location, climate and other environmental factors. 8. Grasses and Buds Many different types of grasses and tree buds are attractive and used for flower- arranging or other crafting purposes. Off the top of my head I’m thinking pussy willows, wheat, Pampas grass and Sea Oats. Often, these grasses can be dyed an array of wonderful colors and can be used for interior decoration to brighten up any room. There are many other uses as well. It’s important to note that Florida, in particular, has laws against picking Sea Oats. If you live on a private beach where these laws do not apply, this may be a wonderful way to start earning money online. Likewise, other types of grasses and wheat may be legal to collect. Play around with ways to color these grasses so that you can offer your customers a wide selection. Many types of grasses are simply weeds that grow along roadsides and in meadows. These ‘weeds’ can grow already colored in beautiful hues. Keep your eyes open along your travels. 9. Pods and Seeds Some types of seeds or pods are interesting, unique and often used in flower arrangements or crafts. As you are walking through nature, looking for possibilities, notice the beauty of pods and certain types of seeds. Many pods contain seeds that can be used in crafts and jewelry-making. These can be colored or offered naturally. There are endless possibilities with this choice, and you’re likely to discover something interesting that may not yet be available for purchase. 10. Nuts and Nutshells Nuts and nutshells are often very unique and easy to work with. Many countries have trees unique to that area. The Tagua nut, for example, is a type of nut or seed used by many artisans for beading and jewelry-making. They are beautiful and each one is unique. If you live in an area with interesting nuts or nutshells, start collecting them and offer them online to craftspeople and artists. You may discover how to dye these items or you could let others take care of this after purchase. Again, the possibilities are limitless, and you may often make sales without ever finding out what your nuts and nutshells are used for. 11. Mushroom/Artist Conks Mushrooms are available in all sorts of species and are used for many different things. Certain types of mushrooms, referred to as shelf mushrooms or artist conks are shaped in a way that makes them perfect for use as an artist’s canvas. Shelf mushrooms usually grow outward from the sides of trees. You might find them still intact on fallen trees or growing happily 5 to 8 feet up on the side of a standing tree. These mushrooms are often securely connected, so removal may require some force. Despite this, you can usually detach them without ruining the mushroom or the tree. Depending upon the size and beauty of the surface, artist conks are fairly valuable. Painters, carvers and those who enjoy woodburning love to use these natural beauties as their canvases. 12. Flower Petals and Dried Herbs Flowers and herbs are equally fun for a plethora of reasons. Creative and artistic naturalists will often see the beauty of colors and petal shapes of various plants and flowers. Jewelry artists use flower petals for use in making pendants, charms and other accessories. Petals can be glazed with clear substances or coated with gold or silver to give them a whole new look. Likewise, petals can be used for other kinds of art, such as mosaics, collages or cardmaking. Dried flowers and herbs have long been used in the crafting world. There are numerous uses for these as well, and many pattern books are available for creating art with this medium. If you are already passionate about drying flowers or herbs, you should have no trouble finding buyers. If you adore beautiful flowers, why not try picking some pretty petals? You could sell them as is, or coat them with a glaze and drill a hole, etc. Some people prefer to do the process themselves, and others would rather buy petals ready to be attached to jewelry and other crafts. **When flowers and plants are involved, there are all sorts of rules and regulations. Please don’t ever pick endangered plants or flowers, and check out any rules for transporting certain plant species across state and international lines before shipping. 13. Feathers Feathers can be found in forests, in backyards and even on the beach. Feathers have always been popular for crafting and making fly-fishing lures. Any types of feathers can be used, but obviously the more colorful, the more popular. Some birds produce feathers that are already very colorful. Please don’t harm any birds for the purposes of collecting feathers! If you happen to find interesting feathers in your travels, do pick them up. You never know who might buy them and for what purposes. You might also look into dying feathers. Feathers that are easy to come by may be enhanced with some type of coloring process. Do some research using Google to find out the safest and most productive ways to dye feathers. 14. Claws, Quills and Other Interesting Things Many of our ancestors are known for using each and every part of animals they have hunted and killed. Not only was meat used for meals, but skin was used to make leather, muscles for twine and talons, teeth and other parts for jewels, talismans and amulets. This is not a job for the squeamish. If you happen across a dead porcupine, you might find the quills are valuable to someone. Likewise, claws, talons, teeth, bones and other parts of many types of animals can be collected and offered for sale. (Another great place for me to remind you that I take no responsibility for your choices. Make safe choices and be reasonable. Don’t hurt animals and always wear gloves!) You might find it interesting and amusing that many different types of animal dung (yes, poop!) are used in crafting. Dried out and formed into shapes, people have been known to make high-end pendants and jewelry from this potentially disgusting substance. Have fun with that one, and no I’m not kidding! Supplies by the Water 15. Rocks, Pebbles and River Stones Rocks, pebbles and river stones are used for many types of projects. The shape, size, color and type of rocks helps to determine what they may be used for. Smooth stones and pebbles may be used for painting, while jagged rocks could be turned into a unique mosaic design. Tiny colorful stones can be used as beads or embellishments, where gemstones, crystals and agates are collected for various reasons. You might find collectible and desirable rocks anywhere, really, but rivers and oceans generally produce smooth stones which require less work for the recipient. Many people tend to prefer smooth stones, and water helps this process greatly. Jagged stones, however, can certainly be tumbled and polished, and often certain types of stones can only be found inland. You might find agates, geodes and different gemstones by digging hillsides or otherwise mining in certain areas. This type of prospecting usually requires some background knowledge, but if you’re already interested, you could easily start selling your discoveries online. 16. Shells and Beachcombing People love to collect seashells whenever they visit beaches and shorelines. Many people don’t have access to the ocean, but still love to create beach- themed projects. It’s likely that your beaches have certain types of seashells. Some kinds may be plentiful and other kinds may be a special and rare find. Turn your passion for beachcombing into a profitable online venture. Look for anything that you can find easily and often. This may include certain types of shells, sand dollars, starfish or shark teeth. Tiny, colorful shells may turn up in piles by the millions, or you may be able to find numerous sizes of mussel shells. You may live at a beach where an occasional large conch shell is discovered, or teeth and bones may be prevalent. You might also find a market for shell pieces. People love to create mosaics. You might dye the shell fragments or offer them as is. Sand dollars are always popular and the occasional glass or foam buoy may also be a one-of-a-kind treat. 17. Seaglass Seaglass is prevalent only on certain beaches around the world. It seems that beaches on rocky coasts present the most opportunity to find seaglass. If you live in one of these areas, you’ll find that your natural, original, non- manufactured seaglass is a hot commodity. [...]... difficult to explain on paper You can create tutorials for any manner of things Figure out something you know how to do well and create a how -to video, set of CDs or collection of documents Offer it on a website or link it into an email once a purchase is made The biggest thing to keep in mind here is that you don’t have to have secret knowledge that no one else knows about to successfully sell a tutorial... Offer to create websites for people and watch the payments come flying into your account 61 Online Sales Consulting If you’ve experienced success at online selling, you have an opportunity to package up what you know and sell that information Share tips, tricks and secrets to a booming online business and people will flock to buy that treasure Information is big business anyway, and when you can sell. .. exciting ways Decide whether you’d like to sell baby toys, kids’ toys or toys that appeal to adults, collectible toys for display or durable toys that can be safely thrown around the house or yard These are all ideas for your next venture Narrow it down, pull out the scrap bin and get to work If you’re good with papier mache, you might find a huge market for recreating toys that are nearly long-forgotten... which you can gain rights to resell If you find a lot of amazing vintage patterns that people can no longer find, you’ve got a goldmine 55 Tutorials Very much like patterns, tutorials are a hot commodity A tutorial is a more indepth explanation of a process; more like a how -to Tutorials are often done in video format, giving the viewer a visual of how to complete the task at hand Tutorials are popular for... people will, too 49 Toys Toys are great because they, too, can be loved by kids and adults alike Here again there are a million possibilities, so look around and get inspired Choose the type of crafting you are most passionate about and figure out how to make some toys You can make original toys or reproduce popular toys in a new way You can also repurpose old, vintage or gently used toys and use them... Art, craft and hobby stores sell all manner of paint for all manner of ‘canvases’ Paint on things that people don’t expect to be painted Purchase used leather jackets at thrift shops or consignment stores, and add a touch of graffiti or tattoo flash with permanent paint pens Paint on rocks, sticks, shells or driftwood Paint on decals with waterproof paint, and offer to add them to vehicles If you have... unfamiliar or manipulating the normal to create photographed art 38 Prints Following right along nicely after photography, you can make so much more money by having prints made of your original art or photos Whether you are a painter, photographer, mixed media or digital artist, find a way to create prints of your work The beauty of selling prints is that you can sell more than one for having done the... outlets to sell your work Sell originals or prints of your drawings for wall art or save your designs to have printed on T-shirts, bags or other wearables The possibilities are unlimited Design clip art, sketch graphics, draw tattoo flash Open up your mind to the vast number of ways to cash in on your talent 35 Music With copyright laws securely in place, many people are searching high and low for music to. .. parts can be used for arts and crafts Yard sales, thrift stores and recycle yards are perfect places to scour for such things to sell Plastic rings, plastic bottles, milk caps, inner gears, old buttons, legos and other types of plastic pieces in bulk present a fantastic opportunity to make some money Even if you can’t figure out what these things might be used for, 9 times out of 10 you’ll find someone... products or to start exciting and unusual plants If you have access to natural and organic seeds for any purpose, you’ll probably find quite a bit of luck making money online 80 Recipes For those kitchen nuts out there who have been using family secrets in recipes for years, you’ve got a unique opportunity to make some money online Create recipes for sale online The best way to go about this is to make . documents or products, photocopied or used for promotional purposes without written permission from the copyright holder. 101 Things to Sell Online - Make Money Online Selling Things You Never Dreamed. from that, you just have to offer a product, any product really, to someone looking to buy that product. This ebook will give you 101 ideas for things that you can sell online, many of which. marketplace. Check out the list of 101 Things to Sell Online and start gathering and creating. Sign up for a free account and open a vendor shop in the mall. I look forward to welcoming you and gazing