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The only restriction to crafts is your own
imagination!
Beginning
a craft business is relatively easy to most other business's and what's
more you can work the hours to suit; Most Craft workers have full time
jobs and fit their craft around their main job.
Anyone
can get into crafts! Our youngest member is 14 - our oldest
is 94!
For established crafters click here
For
craft insurance click here
For
craft courses / tuition click here
For
craft projects / plans click here
To
support Irish artists and craft makers click here
Step
by step
1.
The first step is to find a craft. If you already have a craft which you
do as a hobby or make things for friends and families then skip this step.
There are hundreds of different crafts out there, although I would advise
to refrain from card making and jewellery as the market is already
flooded. For ideas click here, or
visit our on-line shop for inspiration.
Ideally find a craft that you genuinely enjoy doing - you may
find it hard to sell your crafts if you loathe every minute of producing
it! Everyone has an artistic streak - think back to your school days - did
you enjoy painting? Or perhaps sculpting? There are also lots of college
courses and part time private courses advertised in local newspapers that
you could perhaps attend. Try your hand at several different crafts until
you find one that you enjoy. If you enjoy different crafts then even
better - there are no rules that say you have to stick to one craft! Over the
years I myself have had several different types of crafts for sale, even
now that I have an established business, I still try other things.
2.
Now that you have chosen your craft - make it! Make lots and give them to
friends and family - get their honest opinion and feedback. If you are
making children's clothes or toys then give them to children and let them
run about and roll on the ground. If your craft can withstand what it is
designed for and more then your one more step forward. Craft Plans /
projects are available by clicking here.
3.
If you are happy with your craft then now is the time to contact your
local 'Trading Standards' via your local council. Do not be daunted by
this aspect as they are there to help and advise. You may find that your
craft does not need regulated, but there is no harm in finding out. Make
an appointment for them to examine your work, in some cases items may need
to be sent away for tests or to check if they are flammable, child
friendly etc. In most cases you will be given a simple check list to make
sure that your items are safe - this mainly applies to items that are for
children or electrical etc.
(Please click here for a summary of
standard regulations)
4. When you have the all clear from Trading Standards then skip this step. If
you have had to change aspects due to recommendations from the trading
standards then go back to step 2 with your altered design.
5.
Now that you have your craft, you must now collect all the paperwork with
regards to the making / designing of it. Work out how much it costs to
produce each item, include time taken to make and any other expenses. If
you are using paints / varnishes etc then it is advisable to write to the
manufacturers and ask them for a detailed list of their product. (This is
mainly to help for your insurance and for trading standards if they know
that the paints are toxic / flammable etc.). Label all your goods with
your contact details not just for repeat orders but incase there is a
fault or problem. You must also work out how
much you are pricing your items. Although you have the advantage of not
having a shop's overheads you still have fees for craft fairs, advertising
etc. Ensure that you take everything into account.
6.
Once you have all your paperwork in place then it is advised at this point
to make an appointment with your bank for advice. It's free and worth
taking advantage of - ensure that they realise you are a small part time
craft business, banks are business's too so do not let them try to sway
you into opening accounts etc that will not benefit you.
7.
Register your business name. If you have a business name and are a sole
trader then technically you do not need to register it, unless it would
ultimately affect you if someone were to use the same name, then there
isn't really any point. You should however, get insurance, not just for
your workshop, home, premises but also for craft fairs (i.e. public
liability insurance). If you shop around you will find an insurance
company that will give you a good package not just for your premises and
goods but also to cover you if someone should hurt themselves, either at your
craft stall or by your product.
8.
Contact inland revenue - make an appointment with your local office and
they will discuss all your options and help you fill out forms, set up and register
everything properly. There are also small business centres throughout the
U.K. that can offer free help and advice.
9.
Now that you have set up you can now start selling! Of course there is
this web site where you can advertise and sell your products online, click
here for details, you can also join craft associations and sell
at craft fairs click here for craft
associations, alternatively, sell direct to shop outlets. Trade fairs
are ideal for targeting the larger companies, however this is not
recommended until you have established yourself and are able to supply,
(i.e. you could get hit with an order of 10,000! Which sounds fantastic,
but if it is just you making the craft then obviously you would not be
able to supply.) Don't run before you can walk... for craft insurance click
here
10.
Enjoy your craft, if you get bored try a different craft. As with most
business's you will have quiet times and busy times. This is why most
crafters keep their full time job or work another part time job for
security. You could also set up other craft business's which would bring
in profits all year round i.e. garden furniture for summer, knitted
jumpers for winter and something mutual for all year round.
If
you have any questions or queries then please get in touch and one of our
crafters will be happy to advise.
Good
Luck
Emma
Brown
Most of you will already have professional business cards for
your displays etc. But do you use them properly? I have been to so many
craft fairs or bought items on-line that do not have tags or business
information attached! So how do I re-order or recommend to friends? – I
don’t!
It seems a simple solution to enclose business cards /
catalogues / headed receipt or fliers with every sale. And you don’t
need to break the bank to advertise. The majority of my business cards /
stationary etc that I use are done on my laptop. So Ok it won’t win
awards for quality but to be honest unless you sell items for £100’s of
pounds then it doesn’t reflect on your products. At the end of the day
customers are just looking for contact details.
If
you need any help designing
business cards / letterheads etc then get in touch.
Support
Irish Artists and craft
workers
We are a non funded, non profit
organisation and we need your help.
We will not ask for financial support, instead we are asking you to help us by spreading the word out about our
services.
If you can take the time to give us a mention in chat rooms / forums, or
add our banner, link to your or a friends
web site, or even write to one or two editors of your preferred local newspaper, radio post, or TV show about our services, you will help us greatly as they might pick up your suggestion and release
a useful article or story about us, and it will result in new customers
and members for our website - supporting Irish artists and craftmakers.
Nevertheless, if you have suggestions of how we can improve our service, please let us know. We
would love to hear from you!
Kind Regards
Emma Brown
For established crafters click here
For
craft insurance click here
For
craft courses / tuition click here
For
craft projects / plans click here
To
support Irish artists and craft makers click here
Craft Insurance
Ian W. Wallace Ltd"
commenced trading in 1979 to provide insurance facilities to both
Individuals and Business throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Our Craftsman scheme has been available since 1986.
Since 2004, we have
specialised solely on the provision of the Craftsman Scheme. Our expertise
in being able to understand the insurance needs of Craftspeople is well
known within the craft world. The day to day administration is handled by
us and we are able to normally confirm cover and produce documentation by
return. Any claims are speedily handled through us, by NORWICH UNION.
Insurance for
individuals
 If
you work from home, workshop or small craft unit then we can offer
insurance specifically with you in mind.
Insurance for Groups
If
you are a Craft club or group who meet on a regular basis and require
Public Liability cover for your meetings etc. we can help.
The CRAFT INSURANCE
SCHEME is specifically for Crafts People who manufacture / sell their
product from home, studio, workshop or small craft unit or via craft
shows, exhibitions, galleries etc.
You must be normally resident in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the
Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.
Cover applies anywhere within Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of
Ireland & the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Cover also extends
to include member countries of the European Community. We do not impose a
limit on the number of shows etc. attended.
We can also include cover for demonstration,
teaching and workshops specifically related to your craft if
requested, at NO ADDITIONAL COST
As optional extensions to
the cover, we can add All Risks cover for your saleable stock, Equipment
at your workplace employers Liability and Loss of Expenses for cancelled
exhibitions etc.
 The premiums are very
reasonable, so why not take a look at our web site (click banner on left)
to see more complete details. It shows premiums, cover available and the
facility to complete an On Line application.
We like to speak to our
customers, so we will phone when an application is received, to discuss as
necessary, confirm acceptance hopefully, and request payment of the
premium.
Our aim is to offer a same
day service, so that means the policy documentation is issued by us and
sent via email immediately. No lengthy postal delays!
Look at our web site, send
an email, ask questions, it is what we are here for. We have been dealing
with crafts people for over 20 years, so we like to think we know what we
are talking about.
Ask for Ian or Naomi
(father and daughter). We look forward to hearing from you.
E-mail via the web site or Telephone: 0800 919359
Please mention Crafts from
Wales when contacting us.
"Ian W. Wallace
Ltd" acts as Independent General Insurance Intermediaries for the
selling of the CRAFTSMAN INSURANCE SCHEME. Authorised and Regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
Registered under the Data
Protection Act 1988 and Consumer Credit Act 1974.
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Crafts
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Crafts
Crafts
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