From Hobby to Craft Business

From Fun to Profit - Starting a Craft Business

I enjoy making crafts and would like to do so as a business in the future.

I make things for my friends all the time, but I never charge them any money.

I was looking into renting a booth to sell from in my town, but it all seems so overwhelming.

What should I do?

Kayla

I wish you had asked this question before the winter holidays. That would have been the best time to test the waters. I guess the good thing is you’ll have plenty of time to get set up for next year.

You don’t mention what type of items you make or how much inventory you have.

Do you have enough to fill a booth? Do you have enough variety that people will stay and browse for a while?

It seems a big leap to me for you to go from giving craft gifts to your friends to renting space to sell from.

Have you gotten positive feedback from the friends who received your handmade gifts? Have you asked them how much they would expect to pay for such an item?

Personally I would do a whole lot of market research before investing in a booth or fair. Start with your circle of friends. Ask them for suggestions on your products, as well as on price.

Let them know you would like to start crafting for profit. If someone takes the bait and places an order, you’re on your way.

I too started by making gifts for friends. Then they started ordering and referring their friends.

Once I had a healthy clientèle and knew my market, I starting crafting on spec and doing craft fairs. Finally I opened a little shop and then launched The Artful Crafter to share what I had learned.

For more detailed advice on how to build your own craft business, please read the For Profit section of my website.