1. Quiz
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  3. Your plan
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Module 1 · Is this right for you?

How woodwork: boards, decor and small furniture works

  • Lesson 1 of 19
  • 5 min read
  • Free lesson

Make cutting and serving boards, shelves, signs, toys and small furniture and sell them as gifts and homeware.

Who it suits

Practical makers with access to tools, a dust-safe workspace and patience for a good finish.

Who pays

Gift buyers, home cooks, cafes and decor shoppers.

What they get

Solid, local wooden goods that last.

Is there demand?

SA makers publish prices for handmade cutting boards: R210 to R269 (Timberoots) and R385 (Rustic Worx). Bob Shop lists free with a success fee; AYA Africa keeps 20% per sale; markets charge about R170 to R550 a day.

Real examples
  • Markets
  • Instagram and WhatsApp
  • Bob Shop and AYA Africa
  • Corporate gifts with engraving

A good sign: five sales or a gift order.

Do it now

Tick it off when it is done. Your ticks are saved on this device.

Quick check

Pick an answer to see how you did.

In a typical case, how long until the first money comes in?

Your challenge

Check it before you spend

Make three boards and cost each with your hours.

You are done when:

  • You wrote down what you found
  • You know whether to carry on or adjust

You report this yourself. Nobody checks, so it only counts if you really did it.

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