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How to Gain the Confidence to Sell Your Crafts

How to Sell Your Crafts

Hi,

I have only just come across your website and it’s really great.

I was wondering how you found the confidence in your work to sell it, this is something that I am really lacking and I hate the thought of someone not liking my work or even worse - criticizing it!

I would love to give up my full time job to become a crafter with a decent income, do you have any words of encouragement?

Thank you.

Kim

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Confidence in my work was an issue for me too. I was very fortunate to have a close circle of friends who encouraged me, bought my first efforts and recommended my work to their friends.

It was a real confidence booster when new customers came to me because they were referred or because they saw items someone else had bought.

Even so, I too find it hard to have potential customers pick over my work or, worse yet, walk right by. That just comes with the territory; your work won’t be to everyone’s liking.

But if you can change your focus, you can glean valuable information even from rejection. Instead of thinking about how to sell my work; my investment; my efforts, think about the customers; their budgets; their needs.

With the customer in mind, listen very carefully and ask questions. “What did you have in mind? If you don’t see what you want, please ask. I do custom orders.” Let people know you are there to meet their needs.

I don’t recommend you quit your day job just yet. In fact, I suggest you use your current workplace to test the waters.

Sell to your co-workers and, if you’re lucky they’ll send you new customers and may even come back themselves. Try a few weekend craft fairs.

A gradual transition is usually best. You need to learn about your market; develop designs to meet it; have money to invest in supplies; and save enough to risk going out on your own. If you haven’t yet, you can read my story.

I also recommend you read the For Profit section of The Artful Crafter from start to finish.

If you need more inspiration, read Barbara Brabec’s story. Barbara is a dynamic and delightful woman who has written several books on making a living from crafting. We have an excerpt from one of her books that is right on target: Overcoming Your Fear of the Unknown.

We’ve both done what you want to do – left full time unrelated jobs and followed our muse, so we speak from experience. Hopefully we can give you the confidence boost you need. Best of luck! I would love to hear a progress report in six months or so.

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