Handicrafts are the traditional products in India. It caters to a wide range of items like clothes, jewelry, home decor items, and utility items. The object of crafting this article is to provide chosen handicrafts business ideas one can start by investing little money.
Handicrafts commonly refer to handmade crafts or artisanry. Generally, skilled people create different types of items with paper, wood, clay, shells, stones, metals, etc. And as the name refers, handicraft items are absolutely handmade items without the use of any type of machine.
The handicraft industry is very promising and is expected to grow in the coming years. And there are thousands of products that are very popular. In fact, in every region across the globe, you will find specific handicraft items with specific designs and patterns. In addition, the industry has a good export potential also. Different types of textile items, bags, jewelry, and home decor items are very popular in the international market.
List of 28 Handicrafts Business Ideas
#1. Bamboo Crafts
This is a highly popular eco-friendly craft. A wide range of products includes baskets, dolls, toys, chalani, furniture, mats, wall hangings, umbrella handles, crossbows, Khorahi, kula, Ddukula, Kathi, jewelry boxes, and much more. However, bamboo crafts are mostly made in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. Using simple hand tools and equipment any individual can start a bamboo craft-making business from home.
#2. Baluchari Saree
Baluchari saree is the product of Bengal. However, it has created its own global identity due to its unique designs and craftsmanship of weavers of Bengal. The fabric of the Baluchari saree is very fine and transparent. However, it takes a long time the process. Generally, an experienced weaver almost takes 20-25 days to complete weaving a Baluchari Saree with exquisite design. However, the business is very profitable. And these sarees fetch inspiring revenue.
#3. Bandhni
The Bandhani and Tie-and-Dye culture are popular in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. This pattern is followed by intricate designs made by the womenfolk of the states. The Bandhani work is highly acclaimed in centers like Kutch, Mandvi, and Bhuj. Moreover, the Khatri community of Gujarat is known for its fine-quality dyeing.
#4. Bone & Horn Crafts
The origin of bone and horn crafts in Odisha in India. The most popular items are different types of birds and animals figure. However. it also caters to a wide range of home decor items, gift items, and utility products. Any individual having the skill and creative mind can start this business.
#5. Brassware
The brassware items are highly durable. This makes it hugely popular. Different types of statues, vases, tabletops, perforated lamps, ornament boxes, toys, wine glasses, plates, and fruit bowls are popular products in the brassware industry. Nowadays, you will find a lot of improved equipment and hand tools. And there are making brassware becomes easier these days.
#6. Chikankari
Chikankari is a traditional embroidery style from Lucknow. However, right from sarees, kurta, and any chikan karri dress materials are very popular in the country. Often the embroiderer creates mesh-like sections by using a needle to separate threads in the ground fabric and then working around the spaces.
#7. Crochet
There are several different types of crochet items that are very popular. A wide range of products includes dress materials, upholstery, bags, etc. The stitching process is simple. And attractive products fetch better margins. Nowadays, you can find a lot of crochet stitching machines in the market. Generally, the machine price starts at Rupees 100000.
#8. Dhokra
Dhokra is one of the oldest crafts in India. The origin of the craft is in the state of Chattisgarh in India. However, you can find Dhokra products in Odisha, Bengal, and Bihar. Generally, Dhokra caters to a wide range of jewelry and home decor items. And these items are popular not only in India but also in the international markets. The manufacturing process is simple.
#9. Door Garland
Artificial and colorful door garlands are very popular crafts items. High-quality door garland making is a lucrative handicrafts business. However, the quality of the product hugely depends on the quality of raw materials. So you will need to procure different types of quality materials. Even this type of product comes with a specialty for different occasions. Such as for Diwali, Navaratri, etc.
#10. Embroidery Garments
Embroidery garments have the highest market share in the designer garment industry. In addition, you will find different types of embroidery stitching machines in the market. However, still, handcrafted products have a great demand in the upmarket population.
#11. Enamel Handicrafts
Enameling is the process of firing a vitreous, glass-like coating on a metallic base. In India, this is a traditional industry. And still, this type of product is hugely popular. A wide product range caters to home decor and utility items. There are different types of manufacturing processes you can opt for.
#12. Glass Handicrafts
The glass handicraft industry is a traditional industry in India. A wide range of product categories includes blown glass, flower vases, glass jars, glass trays, glass jugs, glass bowls, perfume bottles, photo frames, glass votives, handpainted glass, lanterns, hurricanes, wine accessories, etc.
#13. Handmade Bags
Different types of handmade bags are very popular in our country. Generally, bags made with clothes are the most popular. And they come with designer embroidery, beads work, mirror work, Katha stitch work, crochet work, cross-stitch work – and you name it. Additionally, this is a perfect business for housewives and moms.
#14. Handpainted Casuals
In this digital era, handpainted dresses are still very popular among every age group. Generally, handpainted t-shirts, kurtas, sarees, and churidars are the most popular items. Any artist and art professional can start this business from home. However, you must procure quality fabric and color to create a quality item.
#15. Make Handicrafted-Jewelry Items
There are a thousand different types of handicraft jewelry you can find in India. And also this is a traditional industry of our country. Dhokara, different stones, beads, mirrors, woods, bones, clay, threads, and shells are the most popular ingredients in this industry.
#16. Jute Handicrafts
According to the production capacity, the Indian jute industry is the largest in the world. There are thousands of popular items you can make with jute. However, some of the most popular items are jute fashion accessories, home decor items, designer bags, upholstery items, etc.
#17. Kalamkari
The origin of this saree is in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The manufacturing process is simple but you must have that skill. Generally, the saree comes in organic colors. Cotton and silk fabrics are both used for making kalamkari sarees.
#18. Katha Stitch
Katha stitch is an ancient art of our country. Generally, sarees, lady’s tops, and Kurtas are the popular items that come with Katha stitch. Even this specialty product has good export potential. Any individual can start this business from home. Cotton and silk both are very popular fabrics in the Katha stitch industry.
#19. Leather Handicrafts
Leather toys, jewelry, bags, and footwear are the main products in this industry. However, it is advisable to start with a single product. Additionally, you must have artistic skills and knowledge about designing and crafting the product.
#20. Madhubani Painting
Madhubani art has five distinctive styles, namely, Bharni, Kitchen, Tantrik, godna, and gobar. This painting originated in Nepal and Bihar. Generally, artists use their fingers, twigs, brushes, nib pens, and matchsticks for painting. And they use natural dyes. Different types of dress materials and home decor items are very popular in this segment.
#21. Marble Handicrafts
Generally, marble handicrafts come with semi-precious stones. A design, be it a floral or geometrical motif is cut out on a brass sheet. This is then placed on marble, drawn and then the marble is carved out. And it caters to a wide range of products in decor items.
#22. Paper Handicrafts
The papercraft industry is mainly located in Delhi, Rajgir, Patna, Gaya, Awadh, Ahmedabad, and Allahabad. Besides that, you can find paper crafters on the outskirts of almost every major town. This business is comparatively easy to start.
#23. Make Pottery Items
Besides its world-famous Terracotta form, you will find different forms like redware, grey ware, and blackware. Uttar Pradesh is popular for its painted black wares. Besides, Krishnanagar in West Bengal, Bikaner, Lucknow, Pune, and Himachal Pradesh even prepare clayware. Items like clay pots, decorative items, jewelry, etc. are very popular items all over the country.
#24. Rakhi & Latkan
Handcrafted rakhis are seasonal products. However, this business is easy to start. Additionally, the rakhi-making business demands a small startup capital investment. With rakhi, you can start designer latkan making also. This is another very popular item in the garment industry.
#25. Shells Handicrafts
Shell handicrafts are one of the most traditional and demandable crafts in India. You can make shell craft items out of three types of shells the conch shell, tortoiseshell, and seashell. Different kinds of goods like bangles, forks, decorative bowls, lockets, spoons, jewelry, buttons, curtains, chandeliers, mirror frames, table mats, etc. are the popular products of shell crafting.
#26. Weaving & Dyeing Crafts
The weaving and dying craft is the process of making cloth which is made by crossing two sets of threads over and under each other. The two sets of threads are called warp and weft. Sarees, Kurta, lehenga, and designer blouses are popular products in the industry
#28. Wood Carving
Woodworking and wood carvings are the early age industry in India and one of the fastest-growing industries in the Indian economy. Product planning according to the quality specification is the most crucial aspect of this business.
Besides this list, you can find other numerous items in the handicraft industry. However, starting a craft-making business demands passion and a keen interest in the product.
Editorial Staff at NextWhatBusiness is a team of Business Consultants having years of experience in small and medium scale businesses.