You’ve got glue on your fingers, a half-finished project on the table, and three compliments from friends telling you, “You could totally sell these.”
But can you?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your love for crafting could become a legitimate source of extra income—without quitting your day job or sacrificing family time—the answer is yes. And no, it doesn’t require becoming a full-time Etsy influencer or running a warehouse from your living room.
You just need to learn how to turn your creative hobby into a sustainable side hustle, and the right books can walk you through it.
This post covers the best books that help moms go from crafting in the margins of the day to earning money from what they already love doing. These aren’t vague “follow your passion” books—they’re step-by-step guides, real business resources, and inspiring stories of women who’ve done it.
Why Crafting Is a Perfect Side Hustle for Moms
Crafting is already something many moms do to unwind, connect, or create beauty in a chaotic world. But here’s why it also works as a money-maker:
- ✅ You can do it on your own schedule
- ✅ You already have some materials and skills
- ✅ It’s scalable: start with one product, expand when ready
- ✅ You can sell online or locally, with low startup costs
- ✅ It’s emotionally rewarding, not just profitable
Whether your passion is crocheting, sewing, painting, vinyl decals, or DIY home decor, the books below show you how to move from hobbyist to side-hustler with confidence.
📚 1. Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft’s Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz by Kelly Rand
Best for: Moms who want a full-picture view of selling crafts professionally
This book is packed with real-world advice, from branding and pricing to shipping and taxes. It breaks down how to:
- Create products people actually want to buy
- Understand craft show culture and online selling platforms
- Build a brand that feels authentic, not pushy
- Manage time when you’re already overbooked
Why it works for moms:
It respects your time and gives you practical advice without assuming you’re already a business expert.
📚 2. The Etsy Seller’s Simple Guide to Taxes by Sarah Korhnak
Best for: Moms who want to sell on Etsy but are intimidated by the business side
Let’s be honest—nobody wants to deal with taxes. But this short, straightforward guide demystifies all the scary parts, especially if you’re starting small.
What it covers:
- What’s deductible
- How to track income and expenses
- When and how to report sales tax
- What to do if you use Venmo, PayPal, or other platforms
Mom-friendly detail:
It’s written by a former Etsy seller who understands small-scale selling—not a CPA speaking in corporate jargon.
📚 3. Craft a Creative Business by Fiona Pullen
Best for: Moms who want to blend creativity with real marketing
This beautifully designed book teaches moms how to build a business around creativity without selling their soul—or turning their hobby into a job they hate.
You’ll learn:
- How to create a product range
- Pricing with confidence
- Building an online presence without being glued to social media
- How to promote your crafts in a non-cringey way
Bonus: Gorgeous photos and creative prompts that keep it inspiring.
📚 4. Etsy Empire: Proven Tactics for Your Etsy Business Success and Selling Crafts Online by Eric Michael
Best for: Moms who want Etsy-specific strategies that work today
This book goes deep into:
- SEO for Etsy listings
- Using product photography to stand out
- How to handle customer service without burning out
- Automating orders and optimizing your store
If your crafting hobby has Etsy potential, this book helps you skip the trial-and-error and start with strategies that actually work.
📚 5. The Handmade Entrepreneur by Dani Marie
Best for: Moms looking to start small but scale intentionally
Dani Marie covers every stage of the journey—from choosing what to sell to developing packaging and streamlining production.
What makes this book special:
She talks about balancing motherhood while building a handmade business, without pretending it’s easy. Her tips are gentle, honest, and super actionable.
📚 6. How to Price Crafts and Things You Make to Sell by James Dillehay
Best for: Moms who seriously undercharge or feel weird pricing their work
Let’s face it—pricing is the #1 thing most moms struggle with when trying to sell their crafts. This book breaks it down with formulas, examples, and mindset shifts.
Learn how to:
- Set prices based on time and materials
- Factor in emotional value and target market
- Avoid burnout from underpricing
- Justify your worth, even when friends say “That’s expensive”
If you’ve ever heard, “Can I just pay you for materials?”—this book is for you.
📚 7. Little Book of Etsy: Start and Grow a Successful Etsy Business from Scratch by Jade G
Best for: Moms who want a quick, clear roadmap
If you’re short on time (hello, all moms), this book is brief, punchy, and practical. It’s especially useful if you’re starting from scratch with no business background.
It walks you through:
- Choosing the right product categories
- How to write listings that convert
- Etsy ads (when to use and when to skip)
- Building repeat customer habits
It’s like having a friend explain Etsy over coffee—instead of getting lost in YouTube rabbit holes.
👩🎨 Real Talk: Why Selling Crafts Feels So Personal (And How Books Help)
Turning your craft into a source of income isn’t just a technical shift—it’s an emotional one.
Moms often struggle with:
- Charging for what they used to give away
- Feeling like they’re “taking time from the kids”
- Comparing their beginner work to polished Instagram shops
- Being afraid of failure… or worse, success
The books in this list aren’t just business manuals. They give you confidence, validation, and tools to grow without losing the joy that made you love crafting in the first place.
🧵 How to Use These Books to Build a Real Side Hustle (Even with Zero Time)
✅ 1. Choose one book to start—based on where you’re at:
- Total beginner? → Craft a Creative Business
- Focused on Etsy? → Etsy Empire or Little Book of Etsy
- Struggling with pricing? → How to Price Crafts
✅ 2. Set a 20-minute reading block once a week
Read during a nap, waiting in the pickup line, or while the kids are watching TV. Use the notes app on your phone to jot down ideas.
✅ 3. Take one tiny action per chapter
Don’t wait to finish the book before acting. If you learn how to improve a listing or adjust pricing—do it right away. Build momentum by doing, not just planning.
🛒 Affiliate Book Bundle: Crafting Side Hustle Guides for Moms
Curated list of all the best picks from this post:
- 📚 Books That Turn Your Crafts into Income
- 📚 Beginner Etsy Business Book Bundle for Moms
- 📚 Side Hustle Books for Creative Moms with Limited Time
(Insert Amazon affiliate links as needed. Consider grouping by theme or goal.)
💬 Real Stories from Crafty Moms Who Made It Work
“I started out making scrunchies during my daughter’s naptime. After reading Etsy Empire, I launched my shop and made my first sale in 2 days.”
— Chelsea, 34, mom of 2
“Pricing was the hardest thing for me. How to Price Crafts helped me stop undercharging and finally start profiting.”
— Tasha, 39, single mom
“I bought The Handmade Entrepreneur on a whim—and it changed everything. Dani’s approach made me feel like I wasn’t crazy for trying to build something slow and small.”
— Melanie, 41, homeschooling mom
Final Word: You’re Already Creating. Now Let It Create For You.
Your crafting hobby has already brought beauty into your home. It’s already been your therapy, your creative release, your stress relief.
Now it can be your income stream.
You don’t need a warehouse.
You don’t need a marketing degree.
You don’t even need everything figured out.
You just need:
- A little bit of structure
- A little bit of courage
- And the right book to show you how
Pick one. Start small. Sell one item. Learn what works.
Repeat.
You’re not just making things—you’re building something.
And that’s worth more than any price tag.
