Putting Your Artistic Talent to Work in Retirement

​One of the many perks of retirement is the free time that comes along with it, but if you're easily bored, that same free time can be less of a blessing and more of a curse. For retirees with artistic talent, finding a profitable way to fill that time has never been easier. Websites like Etsy streamline the selling process of crafts and handmade goods, making online selling possible for creators who wouldn't previously have had access to a larger market.

If you're primarily a crafter, setting up shop on Etsy is fairly straightforward. Find a few different items that you can get done quickly, make them in a few different colors or options for samples of what you can do, and post them to Etsy. You can also take commissions on different pieces once you've gotten your samples up, a service you can charge more for based on complexity. An online storefront also allows you to keep a smaller stock of items, as you wouldn't have to fill up space in a physical store. If there are larger or more complex pieces that you would be willing to do on a commission basis, you can also set up sections for those.

​Another option that works for some creators is painting. Many people sell original art on Etsy, but if you're still learning the ropes, or you're not sure what you want to paint, there are companies that turn photographs into gorgeous paintings. As long as you can paint pictures out of photos, that's a viable option for you, and if you prefer coming up with your own art, there's definitely a market for that too.

​An added benefit to this route is that turning photographs into a custom painting can lead to commissions. Those you do painting for through a third-party may be so impressed with your work they insist on hiring you to do another.

If none of this seems to apply to you, consider taking the opportunity to learn a new skill! Have you always been curious about knitting? What about woodworking, weaving, or ceramics? Taking the time and effort to learn something new when you have the free time and effort to can keep your mind sharp and your hands busy. If you know you get bored quickly, or that you've already tried most "standard" crafty things, you can always try out a few things at once instead of focusing in on one. Look into beginner versions crafts you've heard of, or find ones that you've always been envious of the skills it took to do. Underwater basket weaving might not be a real thing but basket weaving definitely is, and if you've always wondered about glassblowing, retirement is a good time to learn.

​When you've spent your whole life working, the first thing on your mind is relaxation and the last thing on it is getting paid to do something you love. A hobby might not be something you've ever considered to be a moneymaker, but people sell original art on Etsy for a reason! Even if it's not a get rich quick kind of thing, selling handcrafted items has gotten popular enough that online stores cater to the needs of smaller producers. Don't let your own self-doubt get in the way of a brand new opportunity for you. If there's something you've wanted to do, go do it. If there's a dream you've had, dream it bigger, then work to fulfill it. If you have the time, the drive, and the artistic talent, why not give it a go? You might learn something new about yourself.