Painted Terra Cotta Pots

• Farmers' markets are held during the spring and summer. Consider painted clay pots to sell at these events. Terra cotta clay pots are inexpensive to purchase; you'll also need a variety of acrylic paints and a clear polyurethane sealer. After painting, seal the pots inside and out completely so that moisture does not bubble up under the paint when soil and water are put into it.
  
  With painted clay pots as the basis of your crafting, you can make a variety of finished items, such as potted plants. A mixture of flowering plants in a painted pot is spectacular and will be a hit. Create gift 'baskets' by enclosing seeds, potting soil, small hand tools and garden gloves in a painted pot--you may be surprised by what great things you can find at the dollar store. Use clear cellophane to encase the gift and tie it with raffia at the top.
  
  Painted pots are also popular as candle holders. Fill the pot half full with polished rocks, florist marbles or sand and place a pillar candle in the center. You can place clear glass hurricanes over the candle, inside the painted pot, for outdoor use. In this way you will remain within your garden theme, yet the candles can be used for indoor or outdoor use. The glass hurricanes can be purchased inexpensively at discount stores.
  
  

Dogs

• You've surely noticed the way that owners love their dogs. You can inexpensively make dog treats from items in your kitchen cupboard. All purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, oats and sunflower seeds are all good ingredients for dog treat recipes. They are made by rolling out the dough the same way as you would with sugar cookies. Buy some cute dog bone shaped cookie cutters in various sizes. You can also use heart and star shapes.
  
  Fill inexpensive clear plastic containers (from a discount store) with the treats. Make sure you purchase some labels in the office supply section at your local discount store, to place on the front of the container. Print them on your computer. These labels will make your dog treat craft business shine with professionalism.
  
  Consider making and selling other dog related crafts, such as dog collars (out of bright and flowery fabric), dog neckerchiefs or dog treat jars (painted pots, using the water tray for a lid with a wood ball glued on the top). If you knit or crochet, make dog sweaters.
  
  

Personalized Ornaments

• Christmas is a busy time for making and buying gifts. Ornaments are always popular, but personalized ornaments are especially sought after. Make ornaments from inexpensive salt dough, made of salt, flour and water, or polymer clay found at craft stores. Leave an area where you can use a thin-tipped, permanent marker to write the name. You could make a Santa hat and use the white part to write the name. A name could be written on the pot that holds a Christmas tree. You could sell these at holiday shows or on the Internet.