21 Woodworking Projects That Sell, With Real Costs and Prices

Read this first: nothing on this page is a promise of income. The costs, times and prices below are approximate observations from public listings and maker forums checked on October 9, 2026. Your materials, local prices, skill, fees and demand will differ, and many handmade sellers break even or lose money in their first season. Results vary.

What makes a woodworking project sell

Woodworking projects that sell tend to be small, useful, giftable and quick to repeat. Cutting boards, serving trays, coasters, planters and simple shelves show up again and again at craft fairs and in Etsy search results because buyers understand them instantly, they fit a gift budget, and a maker can build several in one session. Large furniture can sell too, but it ties up more lumber, shop time and transport, and it usually needs local buyers who can pick it up.

If you are still learning, start with the beginner projects guide first. Selling a piece adds pressure: buyers expect clean edges, even finish and consistent sizes.

21 woodworking projects that sell, with approximate costs

The table lists rough material cost per piece (lumber, glue, finish and hardware, not tools), a realistic build time per piece once you are set up, and the range of asking prices we observed on Etsy listings and craft market posts. Asking prices are not the same as sold prices; one eBay comparison we saw showed sold prices well below typical asking prices for a similar board.

Ranges are broad on purpose. Wood species alone can double the material cost, and personalization such as laser engraving often appears at higher prices but needs extra equipment.

Picking what to sell

The best product is one your local buyers already want and that you can make well and repeatedly. Before building inventory, check three things:

• Local demand. Walk a few craft fairs and farmers markets. Note what other woodworkers bring, what is priced where, and what is gone by mid-afternoon. A market full of cutting boards may reward you more for planters or toys.
• Seasonality. Holiday markets from late October through December are the busiest stretch for gift items like boards, coasters, ornaments and boxes. Planters, birdhouses and outdoor furniture tend to move in spring and early summer. Plan your build schedule a month or two ahead of each season.
• Repeatability. If a piece takes you a full day every time, it is hard to price for buyers. Choose items where jigs, templates and stop blocks can cut your time on the second, third and tenth copy.

Some plan collections allow selling what you build from their plans; check the license terms of any plan you use. For example, the Ted's Woodworking sales page states that buyers can sell the projects they build. See our Ted's Woodworking review for what that package includes, or compare it with free sources in Ted's Woodworking vs free plans.

How to price handmade wood items

A simple, common method is to add materials, your time and overhead, then compare the result with what similar items actually sell for nearby. A basic formula:

Price = materials + (hours x hourly rate) + overhead share + selling fees

Here is a worked example using made-up round numbers for an edge-grain board. These numbers illustrate the method only; they are not a prediction of what you will earn.

If the calculated price lands far above what similar boards sell for in your area, the answer is usually to cut build time, use a cheaper species, or pick a different product, not to work for less than your materials. Track actual hours with a timer for your first few batches; most people underestimate sanding and finishing time.

Where to sell, and the fees to expect

Each channel has different costs. Fee figures below are general and change often, so confirm them on each platform before pricing.

Many makers combine channels: craft fairs to learn what people pick up, then Etsy or local shops for the items that proved themselves.

Batching tips that save time

• Build in runs of 5-20. Mill all the stock at once, then cut, then sand, then finish. Changing setups is where time disappears.
• Use stop blocks and templates. A stop block on a miter saw gives identical lengths; a hardboard template plus a flush-trim router bit gives identical board shapes and handle cutouts.
• Sand in stages across the whole batch. Do every piece at 80 grit, then every piece at 120, and so on.
• Turn offcuts into products. Cutting board scraps become coasters, spoon blanks and phone stands.
• Set up a finishing station. Drying racks and a dedicated corner keep dust off wet finish. A tidy layout helps; see our small woodworking shop setup guide.

Safety and food-safe finishes for cutting boards

Anything that touches food needs extra care. Use closed-grain hardwoods such as hard maple, walnut and cherry for cutting boards. Open-grain woods like red oak can trap moisture and food, and some exotic species cause skin or respiratory reactions, so research any species before you sell it for kitchen use.

• Common food-contact finishes: food-grade mineral oil, a mineral oil and beeswax blend ("board butter"), or pure tung oil that has fully cured. Many makers include care instructions telling buyers to re-oil periodically.
• Avoid: film finishes on cutting surfaces, since knives cut through them, and any product whose label does not say it is suitable for food contact once cured.
• Glue: for edge-glued boards, makers commonly use a water-resistant wood glue rated for indirect food contact; check the manufacturer's label.
• Shop safety: production runs mean more repetitive cuts, which is when attention slips. Wear eye and hearing protection, use push sticks, keep guards in place and control fine dust with collection and a respirator.
• Children's products: toys for young children fall under federal consumer product safety rules in the US, including testing and labeling requirements. Check CPSC guidance before you sell toys.

Legal basics: sales tax, permits and records

Rules vary by state, county and city, so check locally before your first sale. In general:

• Sales tax. Most states require a sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods in person, including at craft fairs. Marketplaces such as Etsy collect and remit sales tax for orders in many states, but in-person sales are usually your responsibility.
• Business license. Some cities and counties require a general business license or a home occupation permit, even for small side sales.
• Income tax. Selling items for profit is generally reportable income. Keep receipts for lumber, finishes, booth fees and platform fees, and talk to a tax professional about your situation.
• Liability. Some craft fairs require vendor liability insurance. Furniture, step stools and toys carry more risk than coasters.

Where to find plans for products

Free plans from sources such as Ana White, Instructables and tool makers cover many items in the table. Paid collections bundle more designs in one place. According to the vendor, Ted's Woodworking includes a "How to Start a Woodworking Business" bonus guide along with its plan library; we have not evaluated that guide's content, and it is not a substitute for checking your local rules.

See what's inside →

Whichever plans you use, start small: build a batch of one or two products, sell at one event or list a few items online, track your real hours and costs, and decide from your own numbers whether to continue. No plan, product or channel guarantees sales.