Some savvy students are scoring more than just high marks these days. They are scoring bucks by using their street-smarts to sell self-made accessories and imported clothes at flea markets and on their own online stores.

A check by Urban found at least seven who are using their eye for fashion to cash in on the trend for vintage clothes and chunky accessories this way.

Some have their own websites through which they sell goods, while a few others sell at markets.

Takings range from $400 a month for someone who sells at flea markets alone, to several thousands of dollars for someone who operates an online store.

These young fashion entrepreneurs include Singapore Institute of Management student Charlotte Wong, 19, who started her own online store, candypulp.com, two years ago with friends Corrine Chow and Chen Wei Yan, also 19, because they were 'bored and broke' during their junior college days.

Wong says: 'We did research on the current trends and contacted clothes suppliers in Hong Kong. It just went from there.'

They don't import just any clothes, either. Most of the designs are inspired by high-end brands such as Chloe and Yves Saint Laurent. They are stylish but affordable enough for everyday wear, while all accessories are handmade.

Though they advertise only through word of mouth, products sell out as fast as half an hour after they are posted. 'We usually sell 20 to 30 pieces of an item, but if the response is good, we take orders of up to 50,' says Wong.

With items averaging under $40, how much do they earn?

'It depends on how many items we put up for sale, but usually we each earn a few hundred dollars a month. I buy Balenciaga bags with the earnings, but we're also saving up as we're starting to design our own collection of clothes.'

While she doesn't think the business affects her studies, she says that 'it takes up a lot of time'.

Another online seller, Charmain Chan Jingfei, 20, runs a 'one woman show' with fayfeylovesyou.com. The Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate sells accessories like charm bracelets and necklaces decked out with trinkets, both handmade and imported from countries like the United States and Japan.

'There wasn't a wide range of charm necklaces available when I started in December 2005. I made some for myself and my friends liked them, so I thought, 'Why not sell them?'.'

Her pieces usually sell out from three days to a few weeks after release.

Does running the store affect her schoolwork? 'Yes. Trying to juggle school and my business can get pretty stressful. My Mum has to stop me from doing my fayfey business sometimes. She even created a little workspace for me so I wouldn't get distracted while studying; my study table used to have tonnes of jewellery bits.'

She is considering studying fashion merchandising next year, and hopes to expand her business.

She adds: 'Online stores used to be an alternative to traditional shopping. But lately, most online stores sell similar products and it gets really boring.'

And what does she do with her earnings? 'I can finally satisfy my craving for branded bags,' she says with a laugh.

Not all students maintain a store. Jasmine Lee, 20, sells handmade accessories and knick-knacks only at flea markets such as Zouk's quarterly Flea & Easy.

'I can't commit to a full-time store because I don't want it to affect my studies,' says the student at Republic Polytechnic.

'I'm happy just to make stuff during my spare time. I prefer interacting with customers face to face anyway, so I know who they are and what they like.'

Making about $400 a time, Lee spends it shopping, 'usually all in one go'.

So is it easy money for students? 'Absolutely not, it takes a lot of patience and hard work,' says Candypulp owner Wong.

tiffanyt@sph.com.sg