From the crazy to the cool, the serious to the silly, there are tons of ways to make money that you might never have heard of. Some people have forgone the most common career routes and have decided on something a little more abstract, like being a greeting card artist, jewelry designer, or cruise line employee. Curious? Read about some of the weirdest and most interesting jobs out there.

Ayurveda

is a type of traditional Indian medicine that is thousands of years old. Ayurveda practice aims for a balance of one’s body system, and incorporates many natural or plant-based remedies.
Ayurveda has since gained popularity in Western cultures. As a result, there has been an uprising of “natural wellness” schools in the United States, such as the Kripalu School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which offer certification for Western students.

Bike couriers,

or bike messengers, provide a valuable service in cities where traffic poses a transportation hassle. Because bike couriers are not deterred by traffic jams or parking problems, they can often get across a city faster than if they were driving a car.
While the digital age has somewhat displaced the need for bike couriers to deliver paper mail and other hard-copy documents, cyclists are still used for errand-running by various industries, such as the food and fashion industries.

Body painters

usually work at fairs, festivals or other events that draw large numbers of people. Some specialize in face painting, which is especially popular among families with children. Other body painters may work at concerts or music festivals, offering their services to adults.
Body painters might also be employed on a photo or video shoot that requires clothing to be painted on, as part of the designers’ artistic concept. Most body painters work on a freelance basis.
According to Colorcom, a “color expert” organization, a color consultant combines color psychology, current trends and style, demographic statistics, and color design theories in order to best incorporate color into a project, whether it be designing the layout of a room or the logo of a company. The International Association of Color Consultants (IACC) offers both training and membership for color consultants.

Feng Shui

is an ancient Chinese art and science based on Taoist principles. Feng Shui focuses on the flow of energy, or “Chi,” in order to insure the health, wellness and ultimate good fortunate of an area’s inhabitants.
Feng Shui can be used in any space – home, office, garden, store, etc. Accordingly, a Feng Shui decorator will account for color, lighting, and organization in a room. Feng Shui consultants can be self-taught, but may also have formal certification or training.

Fragrance chemists

Flavorists are chemists who formulate both natural and artificial flavors. Flavorists often have a PhD in biochemistry or chemistry, but many take apprenticeships with flavor companies, known as “flavor houses,” in addition to their formal schooling.

Fragrance chemists are scientists who specialize in the study of odor molecules and how such molecules can be used for perfumes. Fragrance chemists may develop and test scents for women’s and men’s perfume, soap, lotion and other toiletries. They often have backgrounds in chemistry and biochemistry, and often have high-level degrees, such as a Master’s or PhD.

Horticulture therapy

Originating from the Latin word “hippo,” or horse, hippotherapy refers to therapy that uses the natural movement of a horse as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Because a horse’s pelvis has a three-dimensional movement that mirrors the physiology of the human walk, horseback riding can be highly beneficial for patients with both physical and neurological disabilities.
Hippotherapy may be used in physical, occupational, psychological, or even speech therapy, and is becoming a popular option for children with multiple sclerosis, autism, Downs’s syndrome, and other conditions.
Horticulture therapy, also called ecopsychology, is the use of plants, and the process of planting, in psychological or physical therapy.
Horticultural therapists may use the act of gardening as either a treatment strategy for troubled mental patients, or as a physical strengthening tactic for patients in occupational therapy.
Horticultural therapy may be used in rehabilitation clinics, prisons, schools, hospitals or psychology offices.
Any woman who paints her nails has probably wondered where those unique – and sometimes silly – nail polish names come from.
As it turns out, there’s no one answer. Some companies leave it all up to the higher-ups – Essie Weingarten of the famous “Essie” brand christens all of the polishes, for example – while others employ creative professionals in the advertising or marketing departments to do the job.
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using needles to stimulate different parts of the body. The needle placement depends on what the aim of the acupuncture is – for example, it can be used to treat chronic pain, fertility issues, allergies, and other syndromes.
Interestingly, acupuncture can also be used to treat ailments in animals. Veterinary acupuncture is most often used on dogs, cats, cows and horses, but can also be used on smaller animals like birds, ferrets and rabbits.