The woodworking projects that sell best at craft fairs are small, useful and easy to carry: cutting boards, coasters, signs, ornaments, candle holders, phone stands and small shelves. Holiday markets run from November through mid-December, and many shoppers are looking for affordable gifts they can carry home in one hand. That means you can build many of them from scraps and 1x boards, in batches, with basic tools.
Below are fifteen popular project types, how to batch-build them, and how to set up a booth that sells. If you're still learning, start with our woodworking for beginners roadmap. A quick note: sales depend on your area, your market and your work, so treat this as a guide to what shoppers usually pick up, not a promise of income.
At a glance
- Market season
- November to mid-December
- Best sellers
- Small, giftable, under 2 lb
- Skill
- Beginner to intermediate
- Key tools
- Saw, drill, sander, jigsaw
- Secret
- Build in batches of 10–20
Beginner shortcut
Need measured plans you can repeat in batches? The TedsWoodworking library includes small gifts, decor and kitchen projects with cut lists, and the sales page says you're allowed to sell the projects you build from the plans.
Kitchen items
1. Cutting boards
A classic handmade item at holiday markets. Edge-grain boards in maple, cherry or walnut look premium. Finish them properly; see our guide to the best food-safe finish for cutting boards.
2. Serving and charcuterie boards
A board with a handle cut on one end. They're quick to make in batches and photograph well for social media.
3. Wooden spoons and spatulas
A good use of hardwood offcuts. A bandsaw helps, but a coping saw and rasps work too.
4. Coasters (sets of four)
Sell them as a set with a small holder. Wood-burned designs or initials make them giftable.
Home decor
5. Painted signs
Short sayings, family names and seasonal messages. Reversible Christmas and winter signs extend the season.
6. Christmas ornaments
Very low cost to make, quick to batch, and great as "add-on" purchases at the table.
7. 2x4 Christmas trees
Rustic, eye-catching and made from cheap lumber. Follow our DIY 2x4 Christmas tree plan.
8. Candle holders
Log or board candle holders with drilled holes for metal tea-light cups. Always include the cups so buyers use them safely.
9. Centerpiece boxes
Rustic boxes for table decor. Our centerpiece box plan uses one 1x4 per box.
Build a product line
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TedsWoodworking includes 16,000+ plans, from small gifts to decor and furniture. Find a few that suit your style, then build them in batches.
- Small gifts, decor, toys and kitchen projects
- Cut lists that make batch-building easy
- A bonus guide on starting a woodworking business
- One-time $67, 60-day money-back guarantee
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Practical gifts
10. Phone and tablet stands
A block with an angled slot. Quick, cheap and popular with all ages.
11. Key and coat racks
A board with hooks and a small shelf. Offer a few lengths.
12. Small wall shelves
Floating-style or bracket shelves in two or three sizes.
13. Birdhouses
A classic for garden lovers. Leave the inside unfinished and include a hook.
14. Wooden toys
Cars, trucks and puzzles. Round every edge, avoid small parts, and use a toy-safe finish or leave them bare.
15. Beer caddies and bottle openers
Great for the "gift for dad" shopper. See more ideas in our gifts for men list.
How to batch-build for a market
- Pick five to eight products, not fifteen. A focused table looks more professional.
- Cut all identical parts in one session with a stop block on your saw.
- Sand assembly-line style: every piece at 120 grit, then every piece at 180.
- Finish everything on the same day. Oils and varnishes need days to cure before you pack them.
- Make a few "hero" pieces (a large board, a tree) to draw people to the table.
Booth tips that help items sell
- Show items in use: a board with cheese and crackers, a stand holding a phone.
- Use height. Crates and small shelves lift items to eye level.
- Price clearly. Label every item or use a simple sign. Work out your costs (wood, finish, hardware, booth fee) and your time before the market, so your prices cover them.
- Offer bundles, such as a coaster set with a holder, or two ornaments for a set price.
- Take card payments with a phone card reader; many shoppers don't carry cash.
- Bring business cards so people can order custom pieces after the market.
Check the rules first
Most markets have an application deadline, a booth fee and their own rules. Depending on where you live, you may also need a sales tax permit or a local business license. Check with the market organizer and your local government before your first event.
Find your best-selling project
Browse thousands of small, giftable plans with exact cut lists inside TedsWoodworking. One payment, lifetime access and a 60-day refund.
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FAQ
What wood items sell best at craft fairs?
Small, useful, giftable pieces: cutting boards, coasters, signs, ornaments and phone stands are common best sellers.
When do holiday craft fairs happen?
Most run from early November to mid-December, and many application deadlines fall in late summer or early fall, so check dates early.
Can I sell items built from woodworking plans?
It depends on the plan's license. Some plan sellers allow it; the TedsWoodworking sales page says you may sell projects you build from its plans, but not the plans themselves.
