Craft Ideas to Sell

Getting Started

When searching for craft ideas to sell, it helps to first take an inventory of your skills and your reasons for wanting to start a home-based crafting business. For example:

• What types of crafts do you enjoy? Are there any crafts you wish to learn how to do?
• Do you know any other crafters who have skills that would complement yours? For example, a candle maker and a soap maker could team up to offer products in coordinating scents.
• What goals do you have for your business? Do you just want to make enough money to support your hobby or are you looking for a new career opportunity?
• How much can you afford to spend on supplies and other start-up costs?
• How will you handle the record keeping requirements associated with self employment? Even if you don’t expect to earn a large profit immediately, it’s still a good idea to speak with an accountant about the possible tax implications of selling your crafts.

Finding Craft Ideas to Sell

Generally speaking, gift baskets, personalized items, and holiday crafts are three of the most popular niches for crafters in search of a business opportunity.

Gift Baskets

People in search of unique presents for the “hard to buy” for people on their shopping lists love gift baskets filled with one-of-a-kind handmade items. Consider selling baskets filled with soaps, lotions, lip balm, and other homemade toiletries.

Personalized Crafts

Whether handmade or purchased from a boutique, personalized items are very popular. Try taking orders for jewelry that can be customized with a name and birthstone or quilts that can be monogrammed with the recipient’s initial.

Holiday Crafts

Holiday crafts are great crafts to sell! Many people love the look of homemade decorations, but lack the time or skill to complete such projects on their own. If you plan ahead, you can do quite well selling Christmas ornaments, stockings, and tree skirts. Decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, and Easter are another possibility to consider.

Ways to Sell Your Crafts

Once you’ve decided what craft ideas to sell, it’s time to find a market for your work.

Craft Shows

Many communities host craft shows throughout the year. These events provide a great way for customers who are already in search of homemade items to see your merchandise. However, many craft shows charge an admission fee and competition can be quite fierce for certain types of items.

If you’re interested in selling your work at craft shows, attend several events in your area to get a feel for what products are the most popular. You may also wish to see if you can find a few show participants to interview about their experiences.

Online Sales

If you are technologically-savvy, selling your crafts online provides a very flexible income opportunity. You can either build your own Web site or sell though eBay.

Etsy is another great alternative for online sales as well. Although not as popular as eBay, it is easy to use and devoted exclusively to handmade items.

Partnership Arrangements

If you have gift shop in your area, consider asking the owner to allow you to sell your crafts. While you’ll have to pay him or her a percentage of profits, this tactic ensures a steady supply of customers and a year-round market for your work.

Additional Information

To learn more about starting your own craft business, check out the following Web sites:

• The Artful Crafter
• Power Home Biz
• Internet Based Moms

You may also wish to pick up these reference books:

• How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business by Kenn Oberrecht
• Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco
• Start Your Own Crafts Business by Entrepreneur Press
• Start and Run a Craft Business by William G. Hynes
• How to Sell What You Make: The Business of Marketing Crafts by Paul Gerhards