More Ways to Minimize Your Cost

Searching for Low Cost Craft Supplies

My question involves the cost of doing business.

I am considering starting my own craft business and sell supplies but I am not finding out where to purchase my materials at a cheaper cost. Any and all advice would be GREAT

thanx......

Vicki

It is hard for a small business to get the same wholesale prices as the big stores and chains do. However, like all industries, crafts have a selection of suppliers who sell to small stores and individuals.

First please read Minimize Your Cost. This is a good introduction into how a work at home business can control costs.

Subscribe to the Crafts Report Magazine. This is a magazine for those in the craft business and may contain ads of vendors willing to sell the type of product you need for your small home business.

Also read

• Wholesale Resources for Crafters;
• Looking for Wholesale Craft Resources;
• Another Wholesale Question; and
• Top 10 Wholesale Free Online Wholesale Resources.

Visit Wholesale Central, which I know represents some craft wholesalers.

Go to eBay. eBay has both stores and individuals selling all sorts of products both at fixed price and on auction.

Search the hundreds of vendors of craft supplies. You might find a bargain price on what you need.

World Wide Brands is a reputable source for drop shippers and light bulk shippers. They might list wholesalers of the product you need.

Read the article Crafts Shows, Fairs & Events. This gives you some resources to check out trade shows. You might be able to attend some of them.

Ask some of your local craft stores who their suppliers are. You might be able to get the names of distributors more willing to deal with a small home business. Many small local craft stores deal with jobbers - distributors used to selling in smaller quantities.

Finally check the yellow pages of your nearest big city (you can do this on line now) and find wholesalers of craft related goods. You will not find too many real wholesalers advertising on the Internet.

You must understand that most wholesalers only want to do business with legitimate retailers. Have your home business properly set up with tax IDs and licenses, as required by your local jurisdiction. Have proper letterheads and business cards and act as a serious professional.

Good Luck in your new venture. Let me know how it turns out.

Recommended Reading

If you're still not sure you know how to quantify costs, here are two books specifically for crafters containing detailed sections on determining all-in cost:

The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork

and

Pricing Guidelines for Arts & Crafts: Successful, Professional Crafters Share Their Pricing Strategies to Help You Set Profitable Prices for Your Arts & Crafts.

Both contain a wealth of material on how to take your costs into account when setting your price.