How to start with $42 and build a thriving handmade business
Step #1: Planning
Choose a niche category and decide on the product you want to focus on.
Choose a niche category and product that aligns with your interests and skills but also has market demand.
Examples of niche categories with specific products:
- Home Decor: Coasters, candle jars, planters, vases, etc.
- Functional Art: Molded candles, bookends, decorative trays, etc.
- Lifestyle & Utility: Soap dishes, key trays, desk organizers, etc.
- Event & Gifts: Wedding favors (e.g., personalized candles), corporate gifts (branded coasters with company logos), etc.
Decide on the material to make your product.
Different materials can be used to make a mold-based product. I selected my material based on my preferences, needs, availability, and accessibility.
Let me break down each material so you can choose which one is suitable for you:
1. Concrete
- It’s made from cement, sand, water, and aggregate.
- It’s strong and long-lasting, with a modern and industrial aesthetic.
- Can be colored with pigments or cement oxide.
- It is cheap and my preferred material.
2. Jesmonite
- It’s water-based, eco-friendly, and non-toxic.
- It looks like stone or ceramic.
- It’s made from a mix of gypsum powder and acrylic liquid.
- It’s lightweight yet strong, and easy to add color to.
3. Cement
- It’s the main part of concrete but can be used alone for lighter projects.
- It is lighter than concrete, still strong, and sets faster.
- It has a clean, minimalist look.
4. Resin
- Epoxy resin is the most popular for craft projects.
- It starts as a liquid and hardens with a curing agent.
- It is lightweight and can be hard to break
- It can be customized to crystal clear, colored, or embedded with objects (e.g., flowers).
- However it is more on the expensive side.
5. Gypsum
- It’s a light, mineral-based material often used for casting or sculpting.
- It has a smooth finish and it is easy to sand and paint
- It is also great for making slip-casting molds.
Step #2: Make the Master Model for Your Product
Make a reusable master model (prototype) of your product. A master model is the original piece from which your mold will be created. There are two ways you can do this:
Option 1: Hand-sculpting the model (not always reusable, harder to scale).
Option 2: 3D printing the model (which I 100% recommend).
Throughout this post, I will focus on Option 2 since it’s how I built my business.
To 3D print your product, you can:
- Download an already designed master model (saves time and avoids learning 3D modeling)
- Or design the master model yourself. Here’s how:
1. Sketch your design
Start with a hand-drawn sketch to visualize dimensions, details, and functionality.
Process:
- Decide on the shape, size, and style.
- Draw multiple views (top, side, front, perspective).
- Include product dimensions.
- Sketch a mold box that goes with your product (preferably detachable for easier demolding).
Note:
A mold box is a container that holds the master model while silicone or any mold-making material is poured around it.
2. Convert the sketch into a 3D model
Turn your sketch into a 3D design using 3D modeling software like Shapr3D, Fusion 360, or Blender.
Process:
- Use your sketch as a reference.
- Design a 3D model with exact dimensions.
- Include a design of the mold box (built-in or detachable).
- Save your design file in a 3D-printable format (e.g., STL).
3. 3D-Print your design model
3D print your 3D design to create a physical copy of your master model.
Process:
- Export your design file in STL format.
- Email the file to a local printing service or 3D print at home if you own a 3D printer.
- After printing, do the post-printing process (sand, prime, and seal the model).
Step #3: Use the 3D-Print to Make a Mold
Now create a mold using your 3D-printed master model.
1. Prepare your master model for mold-making
Process:
- If you have a detachable mold box, place the master model inside it at the center.
- Now place the setup on a flat, level surface to prevent leaks.
- Spray a mold release agent on the model and mold box for easier demolding.
Note:
A mold release agent prevents silicone from sticking to the master model, making demolding easier.
2. Mix and pour silicone rubber
Choose a high-quality silicone rubber for making your mold.
Process:
- Measure silicone rubber and catalyst using a kitchen scale (follow the manufacturer’s ratio).
- Mix thoroughly for 3–5 minutes.
- Slowly pour into the mold box from one corner to minimize bubbles.
- Gently tap the mold box to release trapped air.
3. Let the silicone cure and then demold
Process:
- Allow the silicone to cure (usually 24 hours).
- Check if the mold feels firm and rubbery and then gently demold:
- For detachable mold boxes, remove the mold box first then gently pull the silicone mold from the master model.
- For built-in boxes, gently pull the silicone mold from the master model without damaging it.
- Trim excess silicone with a nail cuticle trimmer or similar tool.
Step #4: Use the Mold to Make Your Product
Now, make your first product using the silicone mold you created.
1. Choose your material
Choose from concrete, jesmonite, cement, resin, or gypsum.
I chose concrete, and I’ll use it as an example here.
2. Prepare your mold
Get the mold you created ready for making your first product.
Process:
- Make sure the mold is clean and free of dust.
- Place it on a flat surface for stability.
3. Mix and pour concrete
Mix the concrete, pour the mixture into the mold and let it set in the form of your product.
Process:
- Measure dry ingredients (cement, sand, aggregate if needed).
- Add pigment or cement oxide if you want colored products.
- Gradually add water while mixing until smooth and workable.
- Slowly pour into the mold, filling all cavities.
- Tap the sides to release air bubbles (important to avoid bubbles in the final product).
4. Let the concrete cure and then demold
The poured concrete mixture changes into your product when it sets.
Process:
- Allow the concrete to set fully (about 24 hours) before removing the product from the mold.
- Gently demold the product from the silicone mold.
- Sand the edges of the product for a polished finish.
- Let the product cure for another 24–48 hours before sealing.
Step #5: Make Multiple Molds
Make your first 14 molds from the 3D-printed master model, then use them to produce your first 100 products by following The 15-Day System I Used To Make My First 100 Concrete Coasters.
Step #6: Launch!
After making your first 100 products using The 15-Day System I Used To Make My First 100 Concrete Coasters, it’s time to launch!
Where to sell:
- Etsy
- Amazon
- Facebook Marketplace
- Your own website (using Shopify or WooCommerce)
How to market:
- Open a social media account on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.
#Bonus: How Much You Will Spend
Designing your own master model, cost breakdown:
Store-bought mold
($15 to $30) × 14 molds = $210 to $420
Your own molds
$17 for 3D printing master model
$25 for 2 liters (0.5 gallon) of silicone rubber
Total = $42
Savings:
($210 to $420) – $42 = $168 to $378
That’s almost $170 to $380 saved!
Buying a pre-designed master model for around $30, cost breakdown:
Store-bought mold
($15 to $30) × 14 molds = $210 to $420
Your own molds
$30 for the master model 3D printing file
$17 for 3D printing master model
$25 for 2 liters (0.5 gallon) of silicone rubber
Total = $72
Savings:
($210 to $420) – $72 = $138 to $348
That’s almost $140 to $350 saved!
Bonus Tip:
You can make as many molds as you want using the same 3D-printed model. The more molds you make, the more you lower your total cost per mold.