Selling Crafts - Overview

This post is aimed to briefly outline the main possibilities for selling crafts. More detailed articles are coming soon.

Craft fairs

You normally go there with a craft show canopy, tables, boxes full of cables, lamps, covers, etc., and - of course - your products. Being a short-term and usually well-advertised event, craft shows attract many visitors. The weather could play an important role, and rainy days have the potential of spoiling the event. There are also hall markets, where you are less dependent on the weather and do not need a tent, but the fees are normally higher.

I know people who live on the income of craft fairs and markets. However, it is a good idea to consider if your products are suitable for the craft show in question. At the same pre-Christmas market, where many (including me) sold a lot, a fellow seller couldn't close a single deal. The reason? She was a goldsmith, and her prices were starting from 700 Euro. I advised her to include a wider range of products and prices in her assortment - and also try contacting specialized jewelry shops.

Retailers

Many crafters work with relevant shops or boutiques. While some of them might buy your products, others would prefer to pay when something sells. Usually you agree to lower your price with up to 50%. It is important to carefully calculate your prices and leave room for offering discounts without selling at a loss.

The Internet

You can either sell on third-party sites (sites owned by someone else) or on your own craft website. One major advantage of third-party sites, is that you can build a shop without any knowledge of web design and HTML. In addition to that, the popularity of the site itself could drive traffic to your page, and even generate some sells. However, if you are serious about your business, you need to promote it.

Nowadays there are many online selling venues for handmade products, which will be discussed more thoroughly in further posts.

Building an online shop of your own is another opportunity. Knowing HTML is not necessarily a must anymore, because most Internet providers, as well as some independent companies, offer website building tools. Generally, it takes longer time to build an online store than a shop hosted on a third-party site, and once you are ready, you have the full responsibility for driving traffic to it and making it work. Selling on a third-party site is great for a start, but it still feels better to promote and advertise one's own business, and not the business of someone else, doesn't it?

Your Own Shop

Opening a real shop is something many crafty people dream about. However, this is a rather costly and risky venture, so think twice, and consult a marketing specialist to help you design a proper business plan. As a shop owner you are going to pay monthly rent, invest in advertisement, and spend some 8 hours a day welcoming and consulting clients (unless you hire someone else to do it). Can you meet these costs and responsibilities? Can you still produce enough items to sell?

You might also want to think what further products and services could be offered. A jewelry designer could sell beads and teach DIY classes. A fashion designer could accept custom orders. Another possibility is joining forces with a fellow crafter and co-owning a shop.