Advice on home craft business?

Question

recently i was finally inspired to go foward with the idea of starting a craft business. i have always been artistictly inclined, and i also recently noticed that i cannot go on forever working a regular 9-5 job as i do now. i need to be able to be creative. right now im researching like crazy ,reading every article on it that i can find.

simply put tho. im kinda scared. of failing,or not being able to get ppl to buy from me ect.

what i am asking is for you to give me any advice you can on starting a home craft business.

i havent narrowed down which crafts ill actually sell. i do all kinds just for fun

Answer 1

You are doing the most important thing right now...research.  Be sure to research any of the home craft business web sites that you see, a lot are just junk.  Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobel and Borders have good books on home businesses; be sure to get a current one.  You need to narrow down the craft that you will make, each one has different requirements for tools, supplies, space and money.  I make gold and silver jewelry and the start-up costs are high; however beading, wire, and fiber jewelry are a lot less expensive.  The biggest problem I had was not the creative side of the business, but the paperwork.  I could make a darn nice ring but my marketing (where and how to sell it) was weak and keeping track of all the expenses was a pain.  To make the business grow, I had to spend time with the business part.  A business plan will help; you don't need a 25 page plan, but you do need a plan.  There are a lot of books/websites on the business plan, go to the library.  I found the link Save-On-Crafts which seems to have a good story.

Answer 2

There are several books that will help.

            Here is just a quick sample of what you’ll discover:

                         i.      Know what sells!

                        ii.      Start a business on your own!

                        iii.      Have a flexible work schedule!

                        iv.      Make unique projects!

                         v.      Know where to sell your products!

                        vi.      And much, much more!

Check out my website and learn where to obtain the best in the information that is of interest you.

www.deannoffsingerservices.com

Answer 3

I can't offer much advice, as I am having the same problem! I love making things for others to enjoy, what ever the craft. One thing I did is get a website, and signed up at etsy to be able to show people and sell things. Now I just need that extra push to tell myself I can do it. I'm scared too, but if other people can do it it is worth a try. A lot of people think they can't knit, crochet etc, and we learned that!

Answer 4

There are some good links and some good info on all aspects of doing crafts as a business on these pages at my website:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/business.h...

ALSO perhaps:

http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/start_...

http://glassattic.com/polymer/shows.htm

http://glassattic.com/polymer/teaching.h...

http://glassattic.com/polymer/demos.htm

http://glassattic.com/polymer/photograph...

(my site is primarily about polymer clay, but these pages of it could as easily apply to other crafts as well)

You might also want to look for 9-5 jobs or even part-time ones that utilize your creativity in some kind of way though ... there are loads of them!   Going back to school to get some kind of degree or formal training may be necessary, or you could find jobs without it too depending on your skills and skill at marketing yourself.

It's deadly hard to make much of a living from just art/crafts, especially in the beginning.

Good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 5

1st thing 1st, don't quit your job yet---NOT JUST YET. you have to hold on to your job until u r 100% ready. meanwhile, keep reading/researching/gathering info and necessary materials.

2nd, start doing/creating something u really love and show them off to friends/co-workers/neighbors ( to see how much they admire/dislike/like/love) then take it from there to modify and/or make more if u could afford. even if u are teaming up w/someone  or could afford to run something bigger now - still be patience - don't rush and spend big right away. "brainwash" people with your ideas/crafts/items--meaning, make people fall in love with your creative skills through your creations. of course, u can't make everybody happy. nonetheless, u need to start small to test the water 1st. to make it easy, remember: rich people don't like to spend --- well, not exactly when it comes to business, but u get the idea, right?

3rd, once u have made enough crafts/stuffs to sell, run a small classified ad (local newspapers has the cheapest fees). take lots of pictures, type something up, such as DIY flyers/ postcards/ business cards, etc. then print them out (don't rush or u'll waste tons of ink & papers!) And mail it to certain people u know/ go door to door 'round your neighbor and slide it into their doors/ have samples ready in hand if needed to. post your service online, craiglist, Yahoo! Local, etc. whatever mean u can afford to post/display your ad.

as u already know, it's lots of dedicated of 'sweat & tears' and hardworks to build, maintain, and stabilize your business. u really have to love and grow old with it. otherwise, it would be just another 'mid-life crisis' that u gotta deal with.

best of luck my friend!!!

Answer 6

Go to the local stores in your area that sell craft supplies, check out what kind of books are in your library, and check out what kind of crafts sell at craft fairs in your area. Talk to people in malls, churches, restaurants, doctor offices, and anywhere else you can to see what kind of crafts they are interested in. Check out local clubs, organizations, and groups that do crafts in your area to see what is marketable in your area. In my area quilting is hot but knitting is not. In Dallas where my sister lived knitting is the thing. Know your market, know your region, and be prepared to invest most of your earnings back into the business. Have fun with your new career but realize that is exactly what it is . . . a career.