• Author Calvin /
• 1 comment /
• December 5, 2025

Welcome to a practical guide for using your local maker space to transform raw materials and creative ideas into something truly your own. Whether you’re a woodworker hoping to offset material costs or curious about turning a hobby into a rewarding side venture, this series was created for you. Together, we’ll walk through the process from an early concept sparked by AI brainstorming to a finished item ready for sale.

1. Idea Generation & AI: How to use Large Language Models (LLMs) to brainstorm, vet, and select a commercially viable product idea.
2. Digital Design: A step-by-step walkthrough of CNC design using VCarve Pro.
3. Safe Production: Operating the Legacy Maverick CNC router available at KMS, focusing on safety, machine setup, and job execution.
4. Finishing: Transforming a rough-cut part into a professional, finished product through cutting, sanding, and applying finishes.
5. Pricing & Sales Strategy: Detailed instruction on calculating costs, setting profitable prices, and choosing the best sales channels (Etsy, craft shows, wholesale).

Idea Generation and AI Brainstorming

The first and hardest step is often just finding a good idea. A “good” idea must be marketable, machine-friendly (optimized for CNC), and cost-effective. We don’t want to rely on luck, we want to use the power of AI to generate a targeted short list of ideas to choose from.

The Use of AI for Creative Brainstorming

The difference between a great AI session and a useless one lies entirely in the quality of your prompt. You need to give the AI the constraints of your maker space, your skills, and your business goals. Think of AI as the next level of ‘Googleing it.’ When you use Google to search a topic, you then need to click on the links it generates for you to find the information you are looking for. AI takes this to the next step. Your AI agent can be thought of as someone who does all the Google searches for you, looks through the links, and then gives you the most pertinent information based on your constraints. For our discussion, I will be using Gemini Thinking with 3.0 Pro. Free models will still work, you just may need to use a few more iterations of your prompt to find results that work for you.

The Flawed Prompt (Too Broad):

“Give me 10 projects I can make with a CNC.“

The result: You’ll get generic answers like “Custom Wall Clock” or “Joinery Jig Set” that don’t account for cost, carving time, or market demand. They may be fun projects, they may even be something that you sell eventually, but the list will be generic and not very helpful if you want to target sales and profitability.

The Optimized Prompt (The Smart Way):

We use the AI to act as a product consultant, forcing it to consider the manufacturing process. A successful prompt includes:

1. Role/Persona: “Act as a market research analyst specializing in small-batch manufacturing.”
2. Constraints: “The item must be produced on a 3-axis CNC router with a bed that can accommodate material up to 36” x 48”.”
3. Theme/Target: “The target should be items that are uncommon at craft shows but would be popular sellers.”
4. Hard Limits: “Material cost per unit must be under $10. Production time (milling only) must be under 20 minutes.”
5. Output Format: “Provide the item, suggested material (be specific on wood species if wood is the best material), and a justification.”

If you are using a free model, the AI will use it’s training data to make an educated guess at what products might be good options. Gemini Pro will return with a research plan that outlines what actions it will take based on your prompt. Go through the plan and make sure everything the AI is telling you is accurate to your constraints and nothing it is going to research conflicts with your business or goals for this product. Here is my prompt, and Gemini’s research plan:

Prompt:

“Act as a market research analyst specializing in small-batch manufacturing. The item must be produced on a 3-axis CNC router with a bed that can accommodate material up to 36” x 48”. The target should be items that that are uncommon at craft shows but would be popular sellers. Material cost per unit must be under $10. Production time (milling only) must be under 20 minutes with minimal time needed for finishing and assembly. Provide the item, suggested material (be specific on wood species if wood is the best material), and a justification.”

Gemini Response:

CNC Manufacturing Opportunity Analysis

Here’s a research plan for that topic. If you need to update it, let me know!

1. Analyze current market trends for craft shows and online marketplaces to identify saturated CNC product categories (e.g., basic cutting boards, rustic flags) to avoid.
2. Identify high-potential, underserved niches for CNC products, focusing on categories like modern desk organization, educational Montessori-style tools, or geometric wall decor.
3. Filter potential product ideas based on manufacturing constraints:
   • Design complexity: Must rely on fast 2D profile cuts or drilling rather than time-consuming 3D relief carving to meet the 20-minute limit.
   • Size/Nesting: Must fit efficiently on a 36×48 bed to maximize yield.
4. Calculate specific material costs for candidates, calculating the cost per unit based on current prices for 4’x8′ sheets of Baltic Birch plywood, MDF, or economical hardwoods like Poplar or Soft Maple.
5. Evaluate post-processing requirements for the top candidates, prioritizing designs that are ‘ready-to-sell’ with simple sanding or snap-fit assembly.
6. Select the single best product opportunity that balances uniqueness, consumer demand, and strict production limits.
7. Synthesize the findings to present the recommended item, the specific material choice, and a comprehensive justification covering production efficiency and market viability.

Analyze Results

Create Report

Ready in a few mins

Next, we let Gemini do its thing. Gemini will perform a Google search, go through the results, evaluate what it finds, and return with a list of potential products for you to consider. As it does so, Gemini will display a lot of information about its process. You will see things like ‘Establishing Research Priorities’ and ‘Defining Product Constraints’ as it works. It will also show you what websites it is researching, along with links if you want to verify what it found. Then it will use that information to assess the product ideas to see which ones fit the constraints you provided, and once finished it will be ready to generate the list. This research step is essentially training the instance of AI you are using to be able to create your brainstorming lists. Finally, we need to tell Gemini to create a list. This time, we need to focus on our business goals and targets.

Prompt:

“Generate a list of 25 potential products I can make and sell that would fit well into most households. We will target kitchen products, lifestyle products, and impulse buys.”

Gemini Response:

25 Curated Product Ideas

Based on your manufacturing constraints (36” x 48” bed, <$10 cost, <20 min milling) and the target demographics, here is a curated list of 25 products divided into Kitchen, Lifestyle, and Impulse categories.

All items listed rely primarily on 2D profile cuts (cutting shapes out of a sheet) rather than complex 3D carving, which ensures the <20 minute production time.

Category 1: Kitchen & Barware

Targeting the “Home Chef” and “Gift Giver” demographics.

1. 1. The “Leaf-Lock” Herb Stripper: A small handheld tool with graduated holes to strip rosemary, thyme, and kale stems.
   • Material: Solid Hardwood Scraps (Walnut/Maple).
   • Why: Uses tiny scrap offcuts (zero cost), high utility, and sells well as a $10–$15 stocking stuffer.
2. 2. Toaster Tongs: Simple, springy wooden tongs for retrieving hot toast/bagels safely.
   • Material: Beech or Maple (Flexible, food-safe, tasteless).
   • Why: Solves a common pain point (burnt fingers). The design is a single profile cut.
3. 3. The “Taco-Lock” Serving Rail (Flat-Pack)
   • Material: 1/2″ Baltic Birch Plywood or Solid Maple (sealed with food-safe oil).
   • Why: A modular, interlocking system that holds tacos upright. It solves a specific “dinner friction” with architectural style, uses minimal material (nesting 4–6 units per sheet), and offers a high-end alternative to cheap wire holders found in stores.
4. 4. Spaghetti Measure: A flat gauge with holes of varying sizes to measure 1, 2, 3, or 4 servings of pasta.
   • Material: 1/4″ Plywood or Acrylic.
   • Why: Profile cut only (fast). Solves the “how much pasta to cook” problem.
5. 5. Geometric Trivet: A honeycomb or geometric lattice pattern cut from sheet goods to protect tables from hot pans.
   • Material: 1/2″ Baltic Birch Plywood or Felt/Cork composite.
   • Why: Modern aesthetic; easy to nest multiple units on one sheet.
6. 6. Sourdough Lame Handle: A wooden handle designed to hold a standard safety razor for scoring bread.
   • Material: Walnut or Cherry scraps.
   • Why: Sourdough baking remains a strong niche. High margin on tiny material usage.
7. 7. Wine Bottle Balancer: A single plank with a specifically angled hole that holds a wine bottle horizontally using gravity.
   • Material: Exotic scrap (Purpleheart/Padauk) or Stained Oak.
   • Why: “Magic” physics appeal at craft shows; excellent upsell with wine purchases.
8. 8. The “Aero” Coffee Filter Caddy
   • Material: 1/4″ or 1/2″ Walnut Plywood (for contrast against white filters).
   • Why: A wall-mounted or magnetic “holster” for cone or disk coffee filters. It targets the high-spending “home barista” demographic, turns ugly cardboard filter boxes into display pieces, and can be milled in under 3 minutes using scrap offcuts.
9. 9. Magnetic Knife Strip (Face Only): A wooden slat with pockets on the back for magnets (user adds magnets/glue).
   • Material: Live Edge or Figured Walnut.
   • Why: High-end look, very fast milling (just a back pocket and perimeter).

Category 2: Lifestyle & Home Organization

Targeting the “Work From Home” and “Minimalist” demographics.

10. 10. The Flat-Pack Laptop Stand (MVDD): (As detailed in the previous report).
    • Material: 1/2″ Baltic Birch.
    • Why: High functional value, ergonomic necessity.
11. 11. Two-Piece Phone Stand: Two small interlocking rectangles that cradle a phone.
    • Material: 1/4″ or 1/2″ Plywood/MDF (Valchromat).
    • Why: Perfect impulse buy near the register ($10–$15). Fits in an envelope for shipping.
12. 12. Tablet / Cookbook Easel: A larger version of the phone stand, sturdy enough for an iPad Pro or heavy cookbook.
    • Material: 1/2″ Plywood.
    • Why: Kitchen utility that crosses over into tech.
13. 13. Headphone Stand: A profile-cut upright that interlocks with a base to hold over-ear headphones.
    • Material: 1/2″ Baltic Birch or Walnut Plywood.
    • Why: Gamers and audiophiles pay premiums for desk aesthetics.
14. 14. Eyeglasses/Sunglasses Holder: A “nose” or face profile silhouette that holds glasses on a desk.
    • Material: 3/4″ Softwood or Plywood layers glued up.
    • Why: Fun, quirky gift for people who lose their glasses.
15. 15. Minimalist Incense Holder: A long, thin strip with a curved groove (fluting toolpath) and a small hole.
    • Material: Exotic offcuts (Teak, Rosewood, Walnut).
    • Why: Wellness/Yoga trend. extremely fast cycle time (seconds).
16. 16. Modular Desk Catch-All Tray: A simple shallow pocket tray for keys/wallet, perhaps with a phone slot.
    • Material: Hardwood or Valchromat.
    • Why: “Everyday Carry” (EDC) organization is a massive market for men.
17. 17. Mid-Century Plant Stand (Mini): Four legs and a cross-brace (flat pack) to hold a 4″ or 6″ potted plant.
    • Material: 1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood.
    • Why: Houseplant hobbyists are avid buyers of decor.
18. 18. Jewelry Tree: A 2D silhouette of a tree or geometric shape with holes for earrings.
    • Material: 1/8″ or 1/4″ Plywood/Acrylic.
    • Why: High margin; intricate looking but fast to cut with small bits.

Category 3: Impulse Buys, Gifts & Niche

Targeting “Craft Show Browsers” and “Specific Hobbyists.”

19. 19. Montessori Tracing Board: A board with engraved alphabet letters for toddlers to trace with a stylus.
    • Material: Beech or Maple (smooth, splinter-free).
    • Why: Educational toys command high prices ($30+) for low production cost.
20. 20. Geometric Coasters (Set of 4): Hexagonal or diamond shapes with simple V-carved lines.
    • Material: Cork, Felt, or 1/4″ Plywood.
    • Why: Classic impulse buy; easy to bundle.
21. 21. Wooden Beard Comb: A wide-tooth comb profile cut.
    • Material: Hard Maple or Fruitwood (must be strong).
    • Why: Grooming product for men; pairs well with whiskey smoker.
22. 22. Sock Blockers: A foot-shaped template used by knitters to dry socks.
    • Material: 1/4″ Water-resistant Plywood or Acrylic.
    • Why: Extremely underserved niche. Knitters struggle to find these locally.
23. 23. Custom Keychains / Bag Tags: Simple shapes (mountains, states, initials) with a hole.
    • Material: Scrap wood or leather.
    • Why: The ultimate $5 bin item. Uses waste material.
24. 24. Wooden Bookmarks: Ultra-thin (1/16″) veneer or wood strips with cut-out designs.
    • Material: Veneer or thin Birch.
    • Why: Great for book lovers; mails for the price of a stamp.
25. 25. Wall Hooks (Decorative): Animal shapes or geometric blobs with a center hole for a screw.
    • Material: 3/4″ Plywood or MDF (painted).
    • Why: Functional decor for nurseries or entryways.

Production Strategy for 25 Items

To keep milling under 20 minutes, nest these items. For example, cut Toaster Tongs or Phone Stands in the empty waste spaces of your larger Laptop Stand sheets. This makes the material cost for the smaller items effectively zero.

Great! Now we have a list of ideas to work from, and we can look at each one to make sure it actually makes sense to create in the real world. AI is extremely efficient and great at doing most base-level activities, but you ALWAYS need to leave room for hallucinations, inaccuracies, and outright idiotic suggestions. AI is NOT perfect, so use it responsibly. If your first list of items doesn’t really do it for you, feel free to ask it to make another attempt, just make sure you tell it not to suggest anything it has already suggested, and you want all new items. You will likely still get repeated items, but if you just say ‘try that again,’ it may interpret your prompt as the list needing reformatting or extra information. The key to using AI effectively is making sure everything you say is as specific as possible. Think of AI as a toddler. It is willing to do whatever it can to make you happy, and it will take everything you say way too literally! The more specific you are, the more accurate it will be.

Looking at this list, I see a few ideas that sound like they would be a fitting addition to the things I make. Since Gemini conveniently listed each item with a number, we can use those numbers instead of typing everything out in our next prompt. Going back to our toddler example, giving AI encouragement is a good idea. By telling it ‘good job,’ you are further training it on how you expect it to respond in the future. Likewise, telling it when it makes a mistake trains it to try avoiding that mistake in the future.

Prompt:

“Great work on the list, a lot of these look like products we need to look at a bit more. I want to look closer at numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 19. Create a new list using these items. With our new list, I want to focus on profits. We need to estimate the costs of producing the item, how popular the item currently is on a scale from 1-10, and estimate the margin, assuming we are selling them at a craft show.”

Gemini Response:

Strategic Profitability Analysis: Q4 2025 Product Portfolio

Executive Summary

This analysis evaluates ten selected products for small-batch CNC manufacturing. The data assumes a “Craft Show” retail environment (specifically the Michigan Q4 market) where impulse purchases and tactile quality drive sales.

Costing Assumptions:

• Shop Rate: $60/hour ($1.00/minute) covering machine wear, electricity, and overhead.
• Labor Rate: $30/hour ($0.50/minute) for sanding, finishing, and assembly.
• Material: Based on Q4 2025 pricing (e.g., Walnut ~$12/bf, Maple ~$7/bf, Baltic Birch ~$55/5×5 sheet).
• Retail Pricing: Based on competitor analysis at high-traffic artisan markets.

1. The “Leaf-Lock” Herb Stripper

• Category: Kitchen Utility / Impulse Buy
• Popularity: 8/10 (Strong appeal to gardeners and home cooks).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Scrap Hardwood): $0.25 (Nominal waste recovery)
  • Milling (2 mins): $2.00
  • Finishing (2 mins): $1.00
  • Total Cost: $3.25
• Target Retail: $14.00
• Estimated Margin: $10.75 (76%)
• Analyst Note: This is your volume driver. It uses material that would otherwise be thrown away. At a show, place these in a basket near the checkout to encourage “add-on” purchases.

2. The “Taco-Lock” Serving Rail

• Category: Dining / Hosting
• Popularity: 7/10 (Niche, but high visual impact).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (1/2″ Baltic Birch or Maple): $2.50
  • Milling (4 mins – nested): $4.00
  • Finishing (3 mins – food safe oil): $1.50
  • Total Cost: $8.00
• Target Retail: $35.00 (Sold as a set or individual premium rails)
• Estimated Margin: $27.00 (77%)
• Analyst Note: The margin is high because the perceived value of “solving the taco problem” is high. Display this with taco shells to make the function instantly recognizable.

3. Spaghetti Measure

• Category: Kitchen Gadget
• Popularity: 5/10 (Lower demand, seen as a novelty).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (1/4″ Plywood/Acrylic): $1.50
  • Milling (3 mins): $3.00
  • Finishing (1 min): $0.50
  • Total Cost: $5.00
• Target Retail: $12.00
• Estimated Margin: $7.00 (58%)
• Analyst Note: This item has the lowest popularity score. It is best used as part of a “Kitchen Gift Bundle” (bundled with the Herb Stripper and Taco Rail) rather than a standalone focus.

4. Sourdough Lame Handle

• Category: Specialist Hobby
• Popularity: 9/10 (Sourdough baking is a permanent lifestyle trend).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Exotic Scrap): $1.00
  • Hardware (Blade + Thumb Screw): $1.50
  • Milling (5 mins – high precision): $5.00
  • Finishing (5 mins – detailed sanding): $2.50
  • Total Cost: $10.00
• Target Retail: $35.00
• Estimated Margin: $25.00 (71%)
• Analyst Note: High-profit potential. Bakers love collecting tools. If you use exotic woods (Padauk, Purpleheart) for the handle, you can command a premium price for a tiny amount of material.

5. Tablet / Cookbook Easel

• Category: Home Office / Kitchen
• Popularity: 9/10 (Universal utility for WFH and cooking).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (1/2″ Baltic Birch): $4.50
  • Milling (6 mins): $6.00
  • Finishing (3 mins): $1.50
  • Total Cost: $12.00
• Target Retail: $45.00
• Estimated Margin: $33.00 (73%)
• Analyst Note: This is likely your best seller. It bridges two markets (tech and cooking). The flat-pack design means customers can easily carry it home, increasing conversion rates.

6. Headphone Stand

• Category: Tech Accessory / Gamer Gift
• Popularity: 8/10 (High demand for desk aesthetics).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Walnut Plywood/Solid): $6.00
  • Milling (8 mins): $8.00
  • Finishing (4 mins): $2.00
  • Total Cost: $16.00
• Target Retail: $60.00
• Estimated Margin: $44.00 (73%)
• Analyst Note: Target the “Gamer” or “Audiophile” demographic. The perceived value of a wooden stand vs. a plastic one is massive.

7. Eyeglasses/Sunglasses Holder (“The Nose”)

• Category: Novelty / Gift
• Popularity: 6/10 (Specific to glasses wearers, but a classic gift).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Thick Block / Glue-up): $3.50
  • Milling (15 mins – 3D surfacing required): $15.00
  • Finishing (5 mins – hand sanding curves): $2.50
  • Total Cost: $21.00
• Target Retail: $40.00
• Estimated Margin: $19.00 (47%)
• Analyst Note: Lower margin due to long milling times (3D carving). However, it is a “stopper” item—people stop to look at it, which brings them into your booth.

8. Modular Desk Catch-All Tray

• Category: Organization / EDC (Everyday Carry)
• Popularity: 9/10 (Huge trend for men’s organization).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Walnut/Oak): $8.00
  • Milling (12 mins – pocketing takes time): $12.00
  • Finishing (5 mins): $2.50
  • Total Cost: $22.50
• Target Retail: $65.00
• Estimated Margin: $42.50 (65%)
• Analyst Note: Men are often difficult to buy for; this product solves that problem for spouses attending the show. If you can offer on-site personalization (laser engraving initials), you can charge $10-$15 more.

9. Jewelry Tree

• Category: Decor / Organization
• Popularity: 6/10 (Saturated market, design must be unique).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (1/4″ Plywood/Valchromat): $3.00
  • Milling (5 mins – delicate profile cuts): $5.00
  • Finishing (2 mins): $1.00
  • Total Cost: $9.00
• Target Retail: $30.00
• Estimated Margin: $21.00 (70%)
• Analyst Note: To compete, avoid generic shapes. Use modern, geometric, or “celestial” designs.

10. Montessori Tracing Board

• Category: Educational / Kids
• Popularity: 8/10 (Parents/Grandparents pay premiums for educational toys).
• Cost Breakdown:
  • Material (Solid Maple/Beech – must be splinter-free): $6.00
  • Milling (18 mins – lots of V-carving): $18.00
  • Finishing (5 mins – oiling grooves): $2.50
  • Total Cost: $26.50
• Target Retail: $60.00 – $75.00
• Estimated Margin: $33.50 – $48.50 (55-65%)
• Analyst Note: While milling time is high, the retail price is resilient. People associate “wood” + “education” with high value. It is a fantastic item for the holiday gift season.

Summary of Top Performers

Item	Est. Margin ($)	Popularity	Strategy
Headphone Stand	$44.00	8/10	High ticket item, targets men/gamers.
Catch-All Tray	$42.50	9/10	Excellent “Gift for Him,” high perceived value.
Montessori Board	$33.50+	8/10	High trusted value for parents/grandparents.
Tablet Easel	$33.00	9/10	Best balance of speed, cost, and universal appeal.
Taco Rail	$27.00	7/10	High visual interest, solves a specific problem.

This round, Gemini decided to go a step further, and not only did it give us the list of our top 10 items for consideration, but it also gave us the best 5 performers based on its research. This is a good point to leave AI behind and head to Google ourselves. Research each of the suggested items and make sure the AI evaluation was correct. Congratulations! Now you have a new item, or several, which you can design your own version of.

Our Winning Idea: The “Leaf-Lock” Herb Stripper

After reviewing the AI’s results and comparing them to what I can find in my own searching, I’ve decided to move forward with the “Leaf-Lock” Herb Stripper. It has lower margins, but it also has a much lower production time, less material used, and with the lower price it will be more apt to make impulse sales. In addition, smaller projects fill out unused wood and scraps, so it’s nicie having a few in your portfolio. Most importantly, it is a fantastic candidate as a CNC product, which is good for the future of this series.

• Marketable: This item is an excellent impulse buy for gardeners, home cooks, and people buying kitchen gadgets as gifts. It has a high volume potential.
• Machine-Friendly (CNC Optimized): This project requires only simple profile cuts and drilled holes, making the milling time exceptionally fast (estimated at 2 minutes).
• Cost-Effective (Zero Waste): With a total production cost of $3.25 and an estimated margin of 76%, this product demonstrates strong financial viability. The AI’s suggested retail price of $14 is conservative; market research indicates that an appealing or unique design could command prices up to $20, particularly at certain events or when using exotic woods (for exotic woods, make sure they are food safe for this product or any product that touches food!). The compact size allows for production from scrap hardwood offcuts or unused areas in larger CNC projects, effectively reducing material costs to zero.

The Leaf-Lock Herb Stripper is proof that strategic AI brainstorming, combined with practical judgment, can identify profitable opportunities for hobbyists. Beginning with smaller designs enables the gradual development of a diverse product library for optimizing material utilization.