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Irish-Crafts
Tel: +44 (0)773 328 4443

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Here is your chance to start your own craft business and earn some extra money without any hassle!

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

Losing out on business?

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

insurance for individualsIf 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.

insurance for groups and clubs 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.

www.irish-crafts.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0) 7773 328 4443
Copyright 2009 Irish - Crafts.  All Rights Reserved.  If you wish to copy, duplicate any of the material please contact me.
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