I Earned ₹150 From My Art. Two Months Later, It Led to Something Bigger.

I had almost forgotten about an idea I'd tried during the EYFI Challenge when, nearly two months later, my drawing teacher called me with an unexpected opportunity.

She asked if I could come and tutor some of her students and collaborate with her.

I'd actually approached her about teaching during EYFI, but she'd said no at the time. So when she called me back in the first week of August, I wasn't expecting it at all.

I'm now tutoring students, and I've received my first payment.

But this story started much earlier, with two small art projects and a simple question: could I earn money from something I already loved doing?

Going Back to My Art

For the EYFI Challenge, I wanted to find a way to earn without spending too much money on materials.

I had wool, crochet supplies, and other materials at home. Instead of buying everything from scratch, I decided to work with what I already had.

My first opportunity came during a conversation with a senior from my college. We were talking during a lab session when I learned that she loved Krishna. I asked her if she'd like me to make an embroidered artwork of Krishna for her, and she agreed.

I bought a handkerchief for ₹20 and borrowed an embroidery hoop from my neighbour. With the threads I already had, I got to work.

The project took patience, but I completed it and earned ₹100.

It was a small sale, but it was my first step towards turning my art into something people would pay for.

From Wool and Crochet to a Heart-Shaped Gift

For my second project, I wanted to use the wool and crochet materials I already had at home.

I asked my friends if they wanted any handmade woollen work, using Instagram references to give them ideas. One of my friends was looking for a gift for her boyfriend, something that could symbolise love.

I suggested a heart-shaped keychain.

She liked the idea, and I made it for her. Since I already had the materials, I didn't need to spend anything extra on the project. I earned ₹80.

Together, the two projects brought in ₹180 in revenue. After accounting for my ₹30 investment, I made ₹150 in net income.

More than the money, I was happy that I had found a way to earn from my art without making a big upfront investment.

The Hardest Part Wasn't Making the Art

Embroidery and crochet both require patience. I had to spend time working on each piece, and I couldn't rush the process.

I managed it by working for around an hour a day over 15 to 20 days. Completing my second project within four days made me especially happy.

But finding more customers was difficult. I managed to sell two pieces, but I didn't get as many orders as I'd hoped.

I also realised that I wasn't always confident about putting a price on my work and asking people to pay for it. The challenge helped me see that being good at something and being able to sell it are two different skills.

One thing that worked in my favour was not spending much on materials. I could experiment with my work without worrying about recovering a large investment.

The Opportunity That Came Later

During the challenge, I had also thought about teaching painting. I approached my drawing teacher to ask if I could tutor some of her students, but she said no at the time.

I moved on and focused on my other projects.

Then, almost two months later, she called me again. This time, she asked me to come and tutor the students and collaborate with her.

I started teaching, and last Saturday, I received my first payment.

I was genuinely happy. I'd taken that first step during EYFI without knowing whether anything would come of it. Now, an opportunity I had once thought was closed had come back around.

For me, this was an important reminder that not every effort leads to an immediate result. Sometimes, putting yourself out there is valuable even when the answer is no. You may not know what will come of it, but at least you've started the conversation.

What I'd Tell Another Student

Before EYFI, I didn't think enough about how I could earn from the things I already knew how to do. The challenge pushed me to explore my options, return to my art, and become more confident about asking people to pay for my work.

I learned that patience matters, that you can start with the materials you already have, and that trying something small is better than waiting until you feel completely ready.

I'd tell any student joining YouStart to start with what they have. You don't need a perfect idea or a big investment. Look at your skills, your hobbies, and the people around you. Find one small thing you can offer, and take the first step.

You never know where it might lead.

I'm Preksha AP, a Cohort 2 fellow at GSSSIETW, Mysuru. EYFI began as a challenge to earn my first income. It also gave me the confidence to explore opportunities I might not have pursued otherwise.

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This story was adapted from Preksha AP's original EYFI Challenge report and her subsequent personal update, and edited by the YouStart team.