Ana White, a self-taught designer and builder, offers a variety of DIY furniture and woodworking projects for both beginners and experienced craftspeople. With winter approaching, it’s time to improve indoor spaces with creative wood projects that add style to your home. With 25 simple and easy DIY wood projects for beginners, you can create great small wood projects without a lot of tools.
Some of the easiest woodworking projects include floating shelves, headboards, compost bins, bird feeders, garage shelves, desks, bookshelves, and plants. These projects don’t require any special tools or expertise, making them perfect for beginners.
There are also 10 simple DIY wood projects anyone can make, such as ladder shelves, house numbers, planters, modern bookshelves, wood wall planters, and kitchen storage. These projects can help you clear out your garage of sheds or scrap wood and turn them into lovely and functional pieces.
From small projects for beginner to more intermediate projects, this playlist has it all. Woodworking can be intimidating, but with the right guidance, it can be done with ease. Some of the DIY woodworking projects for home improvement include floating shelves, wooden planters, entryway benches, and coffee tables with storage.
In summary, Ana White offers a wide range of DIY furniture and woodworking projects for both beginners and experienced craftspeople. With the right guidance, you can create beautiful and functional pieces that add style to your home.
📹 Easy Beginner Woodworking projects that sell for High Profit
I show how to find woodworking Ideas to sell and where to sell your woodworking projects. If you have any questions or want …
Is woodworking as a hobby worth it?
Woodworking is a timeless craft that connects us with our ancient ancestors and has been around for thousands of years. Despite the advancements in tools, the basic sights, sounds, and smells remain the same. It can be a fascinating hobby or a fulfilling career. To start woodworking, learn the basics first, including the basics of sawing, chisel, and chiseln. This will help you understand the basics of the craft and develop a strong foundation for your project.
Do it your self wood projects?
This list of 10 DIY wood projects is a comprehensive guide to creating various functional and stylish pieces for both indoors and outdoors. The projects include ladder shelves, house number planters, modern bookcases, wood wall planters, kitchen storage racks, string light planters, wood nightstands, and pegboard organizers. These projects can be made using reclaimed materials, sourced from lumber yards, or purchased at home-improvement stores.
The ladder-style shelf, with its A-frame design and hinged top, is a great way to elevate storage and display space. The finished shelf can be painted or stained for added style. These projects offer endless opportunities to add style to your home with a few simple tools and basic woodworking skills.
Is building with wood cheap?
Steel buildings are more durable and cost-effective than wood buildings, as they are more durable and easy to construct. Wood buildings may be less expensive and easier to construct, but they have a lower longevity and maintenance cost. To determine which type is best for your needs, consider the statistics about wood buildings and steel buildings. Steel buildings offer more longevity, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them a more suitable choice for your construction needs.
How do I start woodworking with no experience?
Starting woodworking with no experience requires education, such as reading books, blogs, and instructional videos to understand fundamentals and techniques. Investing in essential tools like saws, chisels, drills, and measuring tape is crucial. Prioritizing safety by wearing protective gear like glasses and gloves and familiarizing yourself with operating tools is also essential. Start with small projects and continue to learn and grow in woodworking skills over time.
Are DIY projects cheaper?
Home improvement projects can be cost-effective, as labor is often the biggest expense in nine of the 10 most common home repairs. DIY projects can significantly reduce the average cost of renovations or kitchen remodels. However, it’s important to determine which jobs are best left to professionals and which ones fall within your skill range.
Car maintenance and repair can also be cost-effective, especially if you have basic mechanical skills. DIY tasks like changing oil, air filters, and spark plugs can save you money. A mechanic may charge more than $75 an hour for labor, but buying and installing the replacement can add up to significant savings. DIY oil changes may not be worth it, but sometimes lube shops offer promo deals that are almost as cheap as buying oil for a DIY job.
In conclusion, home improvement projects can be cost-effective and can be done by individuals with basic mechanical skills.
What is the best wood for small projects?
For beginners in woodworking, it’s best to choose the least expensive woods like soft maple, poplar, pine, and fir, as they are easy to work with and won’t quickly wear down tools. York Saw and Knife manufactures LUXITE carbide-tipped circular saw blades, which are used by contractors, artisans, and woodworkers for cutting through wood. These blades are longer-lasting and offer exceptional performance.
They offer rip saw blades, crosscut saw blades, and combination blades for table saws and miter saws. York Saw and Knife is proud to offer a wide selection of woodworking blades for personal projects. If you have any questions, please contact them.
What to build with wood for beginners?
Small wood projects are an excellent way to hone skills, test new techniques, and create beautiful and functional pieces in a short amount of time. These projects range from jewelry boxes to cutting boards to plant stands, offering a range of options that inspire creativity and experimentation with different materials and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker looking for a quick project to sell or a beginner looking to develop your skills, these small wood projects are a great way to start.
For beginners, small wood projects are an excellent way to start, as they are typically simple and require minimal materials. Examples include floating shelves, bird feeders, shoe racks, benches, plant stands, magazine racks, side tables, and wall shelves.
For those looking to turn their passion into profit, small wood projects are a great place to start, as they are easy to make, require minimal materials, and have a wide appeal. These projects are perfect for gift-giving, selling at craft fairs, or online.
What wood is used for DIY projects?
Softwoods, such as cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, larch, pine, and redwood, can be used in various projects such as cabinets, outdoor furniture, and musical instruments. The type of wood used affects the project’s appearance, durability, flexibility, strength, moisture resistance, and more. Different types of wood come in different colors and grain designs, so it’s essential to decide on the desired appearance. For example, light-colored wood may be preferred, while straight grain or unique wavy or spiraled patterns may be preferred.
What can I make at home with wood?
The DIY wood projects include the construction of planter boxes, floating shelves, wire shelf covers, candy dispensers, Plinko games, antiqued panel mirrors, wood shelving with chicken wire, and industrial coffee tables. These projects facilitate the cultivation, storage, and decoration of vegetables in a multitude of ways.
What woodworking project is most profitable?
This article explores the best-selling wood products in the woodworking industry, offering insights into high-demand projects and expert tips on turning passion into profit. The best-selling wood products include wine racks, charcuterie boards, entryway organizers, birdhouses and feeders, games, picture frames, serving trays, and cutting boards. The best-selling wood products often include versatile furniture pieces, wall décor, shelving, and storage solutions.
Wall signs, crafted from high-quality wood, are also in high demand, adding personality to any space with customizable options like inspirational quotes or personalized family names. This article provides expert tips on turning your passion into profit and elevating your woodworking venture in the coming year.
What is a simple woodwork project?
A simple wall shelf, floating shelf, or bookshelf is an ideal beginner woodworking project, requiring basic tools and skills, a few pieces of wood, and hanging hardware. It can be finished with stain or paint, and customized with added touches. A key hanger is a more complex project that requires about an hour and basic tools, and can be used for various projects like coat racks and kitchen hangers.
It can be made with any piece of wood, such as reclaimed scrap wood or pallet wood, and can be finished with various options like hooks, dowels, or knobs. The finishing options are wide, and you can even try distressing techniques or engraving.
📹 DIY Bookshelf – Simple Wood Projects | The Home Depot
Building a DIY bookshelf is a great activity for those with a flair for décor. Your bookshelf will always be a unique a reflection of …
I’m 2 years into woodworking and i do it as a part time hobby. The tools I started with were a hammer, a hand saw and 2 screwdrivers. That was some hard work for a year or so, but i got it done. I slowly bought electric tools and started taking on bigger projects that paid forbthe new tools. Now I’m purchasing bigger shop tools off of the money I’ve made from the side hustle. I’m proof that you don’t need a big shop with $10,000 in equipment. Oh, my shop is a 7 × 5 enclosed trailer. To all those whiners. Stop criticizing and just go get it done.
My husband had a stroke last year. He was blessed and it didn’t have any long-term effects. I showed these to him, and he was so excited to start working on them. You have really helped him start getting back into doing little projects. Thank you so very much. I have not seen him this excited in a long time. Bless you.
I’m a 64 year old man and I had to leave work because I was suffering from anxiety and depression, I really love the simplicity of your Ideas, I am reasonably comfortable so I’ve being buying small bits and pieces to start woodworking for about 18 months now but didn’t know what to make or really have the will to start. I also have a laser printer that I used once doing a test and wrote a simple message to my beautiful wife. Now because of what you said about personalising simple shapes I think I might start making some bits for friends at first to see if they like what I make and then hopefully expand from there. Thanks once again and I have subscribed to your website.
I remember when I did really detailed miniatures and sold them on Etsy, one day I was looking at phone cases for something different and unique-and literally stumbled on someone who used one of my incomplete miniature builds as the photo artwork on her cell phone cases 😂. Didn’t even use the completed version of the piece, she just stole an image of my half completed work off my blog and used it to decorate her phone cases for sale. That’s the moment that I knew people will literally copy ANYTHING and use it to make a dime 😂
I started my Etsy shop in April 2023. I initially added some bottle openers, balancing wine bottle holders, plant stands and such and got nothing. I added a bird feeder and squirrel feeder a few weeks later and by August, I was blowin’ and goin’. I also added some cedar jack o’ lanterns for Halloween and those did well, too. I have sold over 400 units since I started. Not quite the volume you have done but my items take a couple of days to make, plus I also have a day job. I’m averaging about 30 orders a month and that keeps me just busy enough that I don’t feel overwhelmed. The point is, it can be done. You gotta do your homework to find a good product, or set of products, to sell, but it can be done.
I started with the same Ryobi saw and upgraded to the same Dewalt! I hate the tool comments as well. I went to pawn shops and craigslist when I first started and spent about $300 total for a basic setup. My father gave me a 1980’s craftsman tablesaw which I fixed up and upgraded. That same tablesaw can be found on marketplace and Craigslist usually for $75-$200. People need to stop complaining and start doing.
Please make a more in depth article! I’ve always loved building stuff and I would love to do woodworking as a hobby. At the moment I just build some practical things like plant racks and shelves, even some cat shelves lol. I just have no idea how to sell my stuff and I don’t have much as I’m in college at the moment. A tutorial on some simple hand tool projects to sell to get started and build a foundation would be awesome too!
I had no idea there was such a market for so many simple products. Let me clarify, that I think the items you are offering look great, but how many of us make some little simple things for ourselves or friends, that we don’t realize there is an actual market for. That Solo cup and marker holder is something almost everyone who has parties, cookouts, etc. could use – genius.
My dad was an amazing wood worker. He suffered some health problems over the years and I’m going to try to get him back into it with something similar to this. Not necessarily to make major bank, but this will absolutely help him. Thanks for the ideas. Definitely won’t copy anyone — I don’t like that either.
I thought there were several excellent aspects of this article. The comedy and overall dialogue/explanation made the article itself enjoyable to watch. Most importantly I thought you commentary on copying other designs was on point. Not only is it unethical to steal someone else’s art, you are also jumping into someone who already has an established process and client base. I thought you described well the aspect how to use things for inspiration and ways to come up with one’s own ideas. More importantly, you gave a peek behind the curtain so that other people can follow in your footsteps and adapt to their situation and be successful.
hello I would like to ask a question and please don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining, putting your work down by ANY means believe me. I’m just TRULY AMAZED that anyone would even attempt to SALE such a SIMPLE object, and even more SURPRISED that ANYONE would even be INTRESTED enough to actully PAYmonry FOR such a simple thing. i am a beginner crafter at best and my friends and family are constantly telling me that I should put my stuff out there. And I’m ALWAYS thinking that it’s not good enough. And after seeing this I must say, that I am TOTALLY SURPISED! Perhaps, I really should give it a try. What ever made you think that this project would acutually sell? That you so much for your time, and for sharing your art with us. Thank you.
My husband dabbles in art with clay. We know literally nothing about Etsy but would like to sell the many things he’s made over a year. They’re just sitting in the house and we could use the extra money for bills. I guess the main questions we have are : do we have to have a tax id for business to sell? How do taxes work?
I do not understand why people get all butthurt about seeing someone with a nice shop full of tools. when you are in to woodworking you LOVE to buy tools, at least that is the case for me and everyone I knew who is in the trades, not just woodworking, any tradesman will like upgrading their tools because it makes the work easier faster and better. I am a cabinet maker /cabinet installer and finish carpenter….needless to say I probably have more tools than the average guy out there that is just tinkering around. Lately I have been upgrading all my tools to Festool….totally unessisary and super expensive but they are just SO good it makes it an absolute joy to do things that I had grown tired of before.plus I have made enough money doing what I do that I can easily afford them so why not? I think maybe these people complaining about how many tools you have are those who 1) think woodworking is just super super easy and a way they can make money with no skills at all and 2)they want to make 100k a year with a hand saw and a hammer…..not gonna happen, you do need to invest in at least SOME tools if you are going to be effective at woodworking. I got started with about $250.00 worth of tools (30 years ago so now the same would prob cost say $750 – $1000) with that you can do something, then build on it.
I used to work in the parking lot, of my apartment complex, surrounded by gangbangers. I didn’t even own a car back then, because every vehicle would get broken into, in that neighborhood, so I hauled lumber in a modified baby cart, towed behind my bicycle. I had to carry my tablesaw down three flights of stairs, and hang an extension cord from my window, but I made decent money. You’d be surprised by how much drug dealers will pay, for a simple locking wooden box. A lot of them have kids, but they don’t want their kids getting into their stash, and they always pay cash. The married ones were the best, because their wives had expensive tastes. I furnished the entire apartment of more than one of them. I made bed frames, benches, tables, chairs, cabinets, and decorative items, with less than $1000 in equipment. The amount of equipment you have, is less a factor to your success, than your willingness to succeed. I’ve rebuilt my business four times, because I tend to date crazy women. It’s my own fault, and that’s why I’m staying single this time. Only you can overcome your shortcomings, and only you can build your success.
At least these aren’t made in China by child labor slaves that you find in craft stores. 25 years ago, i bought band saw, and a scroll saw new. I cut out children’s puzzles including a US State one, Christmas ornaments and she painted them. All stained with Peanut oil. Our first craft show, I had 20 puzzles, and about 30 or so ornaments, Halloween stuff, Easter stuff, it ALL SOLD OUT in 2 hrs. We did this for a few years and enjoyed it. Soon I’ll be turning Pens to sell.
I just discovered your articles and you’ve inspired me to get back into woodworking. I’ve invested a lot of money into my tools, but I took a break from woodworking – I’m more of a hobbyist. I not only love your approach, but the humor you add in. Maybe one day I can get my shop in order and start making may own articles. Thanks for inspiration!
I think your article and project ideas are awesome. I just want to know if you already had a large following of people beforehand, or had to do anything like search engine optimization to generate sales? Or was it as simple as listing the product on Etsy and the sales just came organically from there? I’m not being facetious or anything, I’m just new to all of this.
Good info and thanks for sharing. My shop was doing well a few years back just off custom made coasters, personalized etc… I haven’t been active on there in forever and still ppl reach out. I think the best I had was two large orders for wedding gifts and not sure if I hit best seller but did have “best shop for gifts” I thought the Etsy market wasn’t doing good based off random media saying it but I guess they were wrong. Looks like I needa pick back up that side gig.
Well done. Im interested in selling home made stuff. Dont worry i wont copy your mountains lols. Question though. When you show pictures of the mountains your selling does it have to be those exact mountains? Like its hand made so no 2 sets of mountains will look the same right? Wondering if a customer would trip if the mountains you sell them look slightly different than the ones you showed in the picture. By this i mean like variations in shades of color, the look of the grain and the pattern of the snow caps.
BS. My family has been woodworking on the west coast with first pick of wood, sitting 2 feet from me is a 20 foot piece of 180 yr old walnut, and no body is making money at woodworking specially not some home diy with what i see as the cheapest tools you can buy, its a lie, if it wasn’t why would he tell you how to run him out of business. Common Sense, he made the 15k off clicks.
Great stuff, thank you. I really appreciate your sharing and breaking down the numbers. I’d love to make “side money” selling simple wood decor stuff like this but I get stuck on how much time and effort would go into VOLUME production. You sold 600 sets of mini mountains at $20 each for over $10K, awesome. But how many minutes/hours did it take you — for each set — to cut, sand, stain, paint, pack, and ship? How many sets did you ship per week? Did you make that $10K over 3 months, 6 months, 12 months? Do you have a “day job” that you have to work 8-10 hours and you do this on nights and weekends? I hope you feel like answering these questions but even if you don’t, thanks again for this great content and please — keep it coming! 🙂
❤ hi, i just started doing this ever one tell me im crazy,,,man everyday all day here it’s all free,, it’s about time I get some place where I can store my Palace so they kicked me out don’t want me there I mean it’s always something that seems like but I’ve been trying and trying and trying and I made little things and I sell them I’m a poor boy hustle what I call it.. I think you for the articles you was awesome
Hi! How did you handle the tax on this income? My husband and I are interested in starting a side job selling on Etsy and I just wonder how to handle the tax on sales (income) when the end of the year comes. Do you set aside a certain percentage from sales to pay taxes? Are you able to write anything off since you are doing this in your home?
I JUST WATCHED YOUR article I HAVE SOME IDEAS FOR YOU TURN MOUNTAINS BOOK END’S OR ROUTER THE EDGE FIT VERY LOW VOLTAGE L.E.D LIGHTS YOU CAN GET THEM WITH COLOUR CHANGING ONE’S MAKE SURE THEY ARE USA 🇺🇸 MADE NOT FROM CHINA YOU COULD EVEN GET A CHEAP LAMP AND DO A MOUTIAN RANGE AT THE BOTTOM ON BASE HOPE THIS HELPS YOU GOOD LUCK
I just made $20k in one month. Some schmuck showed me how to make mountains that people buy and I undercut him. lol, jk. It’s awesome that you’re putting this out there for people. It’s crazy to think how much people pay for decorations and how easy some of them are to make. Have you ever tried to itemize everything to figure out how much you’re making an hour on the projects? Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Run a batch of them start to finish to see total labor time per piece. Then figure out about how many you can do per can of stain, and per bottle of paint. How many can you do on one belt. Divide that all out. example Paint cost $2/100=$.02 Stain cost $10/100=$.10 Sanding belt $5/500=$.01 Wood $10/8=$1.25 Total cost $1.38 per Sale price $19- production cost $1.38 = $17.62 Labor 30 minute (.5 hours) 17.62/.5=$35.24/hour
I started woodworking by taking a class at a community college. Once the semester was over I saved up some money and bought a used ShopSmith Mark 5 off of Craigslist for about $200. Little elbow grease and lots of rereading the manual later I have a working machine. I have had zero experience with engines and machine maintenance before getting it but I’m enjoying learning!
I love the ideas! It’s very refreshing to see a “beginner” article for items you can actually build without a ton of knowledge & expensive tools. It’s amazing what I have built with less than 300 dollars worth of equipment. Harbor freight is definitely not the best it gets gets the job done on the cheap!
Amazing article and very nice of you to share all of this. Don’t lets the internet trolls get you. Its those “I would but…” people that find excuses. I’m sure even if you offer these people the tools and material to make these items, they would find more excuses. Thanks again, I will surely be making a few of these 🙂
Thank you for making this article and sharing your tips. It’s great that you are willing to help beginners navigate getting started in selling their products. There are many other craftspeople who are not always willing to help others by giving them free advice. So thank you….Your help is very much appreciated. By the way, your products look fabulous! 😊
Menards has a cheap line of decent quality electric tools. Drill, jigsaw, orbital sander, circular saw, hand rotary tool (for carving and creating designs into wood) all for $19.95 a piece. You can buy all that I just listed for $100. You can do practically everything with those basic tools. Some wood glue, screws, tape measure, square and a pencil. Later on you can upgrade to a table saw, miter saw, planer, etc.
Appreciate this man! I’m struggling a bit financially and wanted to make a few extra bucks by making something with scrap wood in my garage, however I wasn’t sure what exactly to do. I’m gonna give this a try I already have some ideas of what to paint on the triangles! Thanks so much! And I hope your sales are staying strong!
Great article and you have clever ideas. I cannot believe how many have copied your pieces. Shame on them!!! I paint on wood pieces in great detail but people hesitate paying for my work due to pricing. I have always loved working with wood but afraid to use power tools. I have had a Dremel hobbie table saw for over 20 years and have never used it. I rely on purchasing wood shapes on clearance. Love your creative ideas!!!
Thank you for explaining this to me I’m put down for enjoying working with wood and always told that I am just wasting my time but I’m alone so much and found that it helps me with my depression and anxiety and aloneness 😢being told that my interest is garbage unfortunately I am ready to give up on it all but I wanted to say thank you for letting me know that just because I enjoy it doesn’t mean I’m crazy
I supported myself and my three sons doing woodworking projects and simple crafts in the 80s ~ and I started with a basic miter box, jigsaw, and plain old sandpaper. I ended up building not only a small workshop, but all of the storage I needed, an incredible amount of shelves and furniture, but over time added the high end saws and equipment I needed to keep going. Anyone that complains because you show them basic projects but higher end tools is looking for excuses. Use your kitchen table, a scrap table in the backyard/your carport, or a spare room/attic room/the basement and do the work to get started!! This entitled attitude that you graduate high school or college and should be able to afford a million dollar home with all the furnishings is ridiculous.
Yes. Thank you for your time to teach us your awesome ideas. All people care about today is making a fast buck off of anyone they can. It shows a lot of a person who gives his secrets to strangers without being a glutton and r—-g people for money. Thank you again and God bless you and your family and your business.
My husband does woodwork, usually for when someone needs a certain item, then he tells them what it would cost and they balk and usually pay. We’re in CO and he has a friend that gets a lot of beetle kill wood so I shall show him your website and maybe he can make smaller things using that wood instead of big things. Our son does leather work on request but won’t make little items to sell, too busy in his real job. He started by going to a leather company to be mentored and his stitching is really good, the pay just wasn’t good enough. they both weld and have made some pretty cool things. I like the little book holder and mountains are cute.
Tho You do have a nice workshop ! nice and tight… I started with a dinner table I found on the street being throw away, my old grandpa’s drill machine and his sander, some cheap ass drills, speed drills some holes in that dinner table bought some wood clamps… There ya go!! What does a cheap handsaw cost in the USA? like 10 / 15$? You worked for the stuff you own now, people don’t understand with just with basic tools you can upgrade fast. And there is always a neighbour or a friend around that you probably can borrow a table saw… or let him cut the wood for it… And google YouTube if ya want some nice circle saw hacks….
I started from zero after emigrating. Did some small things to sell like house numbers and other silly adornments with a japanese saw, a coping saw, square and sand paper. Eventually I made my and my wife’s bed using only joinery with a handsaw, a jack plane, a square and some chisels. It’s very hard work but any of the things seen online can be done with cheap hand tools and skill. Like people have done for millenia
Just curious…. Did you have to purchase any additional software or ad boosters for your Etsy shop to help boost your sales? Or did you just go through the normal process to open your shop and add items to it? I know there are so many ad boosters and “systems” that help some sellers get more action than others. Thanks in advance! ☺️
Maybe one day the phrase, “if I can do it, you can, too,” will come true for me. There’s a lot that enters into making money with woodworking. I have a fair assortment of tools but I’m a little shy on larger clamps. I have some tools that I haven’t used due to a shortage of shop space. I can make the stuff to reflect the same quality as the items in the articles I watch, but no sales. Like I said, “maybe someday,” but at my age, I’m running out of “somedays.”