Starting a Craft Business

David · Site Admin Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 15

Has anyone reached the point where you have actually gone into business. I know a couple of people that go to community fairs and setup a booth to make extra money, and I also know a person who makes these reindeer dolls for Christmas and then sells a few to a local store. Have you done anything like this?

lily · Joined: 03 Nov 2004 Posts: 7 Location: New York

I thought about it and I'm still interested in the idea. I make full circle skirts to go out swing dancing as I have never found any in the shops. I'm often asked about them and I'm sure I could sell them if I wanted to.

But when I make clothes for myself, I make them to look great the way I wear them and I don't bother about bits that won't be seen (for example, I never bother with zips or waistbands on the belly dance skirts I make as I know my coin belt will cover all that!) If I made clothes to sell, the quality would have to be impeccable. I'm also worried that if I were working to a deadline, it would spoil the fun of sewing. But then again, how many people are lucky enough to get paid for what they really enjoy doing? Very Happy

Lily

giggleycraft · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 25

I've done a few craft fairs and have a website. I do most selling to friends family and coworkers, but I have sold stuff all over Atlantic Canada.

soapguy · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Chicago

One of the best ways to gain regular business is to sell to local boutiques and specialty stores. They will be happy to carry most items that are creative and make them money. They are under tremendous pressure to cover their bills every month and need good crafts to sell. Starting on consignment might be a way to get your products in the door.
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Soap artisans are always looking for cool new ideas to experience and share for their soap.

Old fashioned lye soap

mmosca1222 · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

My wife and i just started a business selling to local shops and we just opened a website also. We dont have all of our products published to the site yet but our biggest selling mirror and a couple shadow boxes are on the site for sale.

Feel free to take a look if you have time.

Mark

marapets · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

just had a look theres some nice stuff but theres not very much there?

mmosca1222 · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

piscotty · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Southeast Michigan

I've recently started a floral and home decor business. I have been selling on eBay, my website, and at craft shows. I have found it very hard to predict what people want to buy. I had early success selling fall wreaths and a few fall centerpieces. I started making items for the Christmas season and have had very few sales. I have been learning as I go but it can be very frustrating when you go to a craft show and only sell one item (it does not even cover the cost of the space at the show) while a person across or near you selling the same category of items but of lesser quality at higher prices does. I wanted to position myself to sell items that are unique and you would not find in Michaels or Joann’s, but it seems that is what people want to buy. I have a very hard time putting my name on something that I just do not think looks good. I am not saying that I do not make things that I would not personally buy for my home, but when I do, I make sure that it is of high quality and of impeccable design. Anyway, good luck to all of you. If you have any advice it is appreciated.
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Our mission at Pretty Little Things is to provide custom/upscale heirloom and high quality home décor, wreaths, and floral designs to our customers at a reasonable cost.

mmosca1222 · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

I wanted to wish you luck with your online store and to also mention that you should consider using Google Merchant for your merchant instead of Paypal. I know a few people that had a really hard time with Paypal in regards to getting the money they had in the accounts. Paypal has a bad reputation as a merchant. You can do some searches and you will see that there is countless law suits filed against them regarding funds.

If you decide to stay with paypal then go into your account and then click on profile then click on "custom check out page" and set up a check out page that has your logo on it. People feel more comfortable doing business with a company name instead of a persons paypal email address.

Mark