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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
Tips
for attending craft fairs click here
Alternatively,
if you would like to make a donation towards the upkeep of this web site
then that would be greatly appreciated. Click below to make a minimum 99p
donation.
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.
Going
to Craft Fairs
Craft
Fairs are an excellent way to sell your crafts and also to pick up tips
from fellow crafters! You can find a list of craft events by visiting our event
page or on other online sites or in your local paper.
You can also join a craft association
and attend their fairs. Of course choosing the right fair is very hit and
miss - what may be a great financial earner one year may be dismal the
next. Unfortunately, there are no set rules although try to attend fairs
where your craft will fit in i.e. if you make tiaras try a wedding fayre
or if you make organic foods then opt for a farmers market. Try a variety
of events throughout the year to get a feel for them. Craft fairs are not
the only place to sell crafts!
Another common query is how much stuff to take? It depends on whether you
are doing a one day event or longer - if you have the opportunity to
attend on more than one day then take a variety on the first day and judge
what to take the next day depending on sales. Some crafters like the
minimalist approach, taking a small selection and concentrating on the
display of their stand, whereas others like to pack as much into every crevasse
as they possibly can! Take a look at your craft and decide how it would be
best displayed.
Speaking of your display - this is just as important as what you produce!
Your stand should coordinate with your craft i.e. if you are displaying
jewellery then velvet or silk draped over boxes and stands and jewellery
draped over driftwood can look beautiful, whilst bright coloured display
boxes and lots of sparkle can be a great display for toys and children's
items. Play around at home with various ideas, set up different dispalys,
take photos and get friends and family to help you decide on a set up.
Regards to what to take to an event depends on whether you are inside or
outside. Check what the organisers will be supplying you with i.e table,
chairs, electricity supply etc.
Fold up wallpaper pasting tables from your local diy store are ideal and
lightweight as are camping chairs. If outside you may need a garden gazebo
or waterproof electricity cables, fire extinguisher. Remember your
insurance and any safety certificates (i.e. electric appliance test
certificates)
As well as your display and products you will also need the following:
scissors, selotape, sticky labels, pen and notepad, business cards or
fliers (it's amazing how many attend craft fairs and don't advertise their
business!)
As for the event organisers - ALWAYS - ensure that you know who you are
dealing with! Phone the organisers or if you don't have a phone number
send an email requesting that they telephone you. Make sure you can easily
speak to a human being and that you send booking payments to a bonafide
address i.e. not a p.o. box and unless you are happy to take the risk
NEVER pay for an event online via paypal or credit card!
By law all event organisers have to provide you with sufficient contact
details - If they are reluctant to do this then imagine how reluctant they
will be should a problem arise!
If you need any more help or advice then please 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
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. If
you work from home, workshop or small craft unit then we can offer
insurance specifically with you in mind.
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.
We can also include cover for demonstration,
teaching and workshops specifically related to your craft if
requested, at NO ADDITIONAL COST
Ask for Ian or Naomi
(father and daughter). We look forward to hearing from you.
E-mail: ian@craftinsurance.co.uk
or Telephone: 0800 919359
Please mention Irish Crafts
when contacting us.
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
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