How to Start a Craft Business & Sell Crafts 1-2-3
How to Start a Craft Business
If you are a crafter, you know how much fun craft-making can be. And not everyone has this talent - often
handmade items (especially one-of-a-kind) offer a higher value than their manufactured competitor, and thus
demand a higher price. If you can produce items that are both beautiful and useful to others - you may have an
income-producing "hobby" on your hands...
Meg Mateo Ilasco is a craftsperson herself. In fact, her creative talent for designing wedding invitations
turned into a full-time business. Due to customer demand, she expanded her product line to include stationary
and accessories, and the rest is history.
rated by entrepreneurs
Having turned her own hobby into a
business, Meg has lots of ideas that have helped many others start their own craft businesses.
She offers an "instruction-type" guide, which also includes success stories and mistakes made by other craft
entrepreneurs so you can be one step ahead before you ever start your business.
- Find out how to get your business license and other work-related requirements
- Advice on developing a successful income-producing product
- How to sell your product and get publicity (free advertising!)
Start Your Own Craft Business
10 Craft Businesses You Can Start Now
No matter what type of craft you want to
sell, you want to treat your business as a business. Meaning - put the time and energy into your
business that it needs to grow, be organized and make a plan. A business is more than just a
hobby.
Do market research before your launch your business. Find out who your competitors are and what your target
market wants. How can you be different and better than other craftspeople in the marketplace? Can you create a
product that is needed but doesn't yet exist? What does your market want? The Craft, Inc. Business Planner helps you make your
business a success!
Soap-Making for Fun & Profit
Work at home in your own comfortable artist
studio making soaps for almost any occasion. This craft business has really taken off since you can make
money consistently selling soaps all year round. Unique soaps are a popular gift item, and since soaps get
used up, you can easily build a stable source of residual income from satisfied customers.
These two guides give you the perfect mix of information on both the business of soap-making and
aromatherapy recipe instructions. Recommended by both beginners and experts as easy-to-understand and full of
business-building ideas that can help your business grow.
Get all of your questions answered & instructions on getting started >>
- What are the right materials, tools and equipment to use?
- Comprehensive instruction on over 40 specialty techniques like layering and marbling
- Ways to sell your creations at craft shows, shops, and other outlets
- Craft business basics, including pricing and record keeping
- Start now >> Soap-Making for Fun &
Profit
- Learn more >> Complete Book of Essential Oils &
Aromatherapy
More Craft Business Ideas & Business Plans:
Craft Business Plan Templates that you can instantly download:
Wholesale Craft Supplies
Find wholesale merchandise and suppliers through the Go Wholesale Search Engine. Search for any
wholesale items and find a variety of companies who have what you want. Compare offers to get the best price.
No membership required. Plus, learn about industry trends and the best bargain sources in their wholesale
forum. Get Wholesale Craft Supplies &
Equipment
See also: AllCraftSupplies.com
and eBay
Selling Crafts
Sell On the Internet:
Selling online is becoming easier and easier for artisans. There are marketplace-style websites that now let
you sell your items and even create your own store. This means that you don't have to go through the work of
building your own website. See Etsy.com, Artfire, HandmadeCatalog.com, Artsefest.com and SellCraftsOnline.org.
You can also try selling on eBay. Although eBay is not as popular as
the other sites mentioned above for selling craft items, Some artisans have been successful doing it - it
really depends on the particular things you are selling.
Learn how to use online auctions, Web sites, email, discussion groups, search engines, link strategies and
hundreds of other techniques for selling craftwork online: Selling Crafts on the Internet
Sell on Consignment:
When you are just starting out, it can be difficult to get retailers to buy your crafts outright to resell
in their shops. A more effective route is to sell on consignment. This gives your business exposure to the
market but the retailers take no monetary risk in displaying your items.
Contact shops, boutiques and even museums with a professional consignment agreement already prepared.
Respect the retailer's time and demonstrate that you are ready to do business, and they will be more likely to
work with you.
Sell at Craft Fairs or Markets:
Many craft items make perfect gifts, especially for the person who is hard to shop for. Advertising your
crafts at fairs or farmer's markets can be the ideal place to find gift-shopping customers. If you want to set
up a booth, contact the fair organizer to get information on procedures and requirements.
Craft Business Resources
