Have you ever wondered how to start a craft business? This post is for you – it’s packed full of tips and tricks to help you start a craft business today!

Do you love to make crafts?

Could you spend hours upon hours covered in glue and glitter?

Are you interested in learning how to start a craft business of your own?

Welcome, you’re in the right place!

I’ve been a crafter since the beginning of time (well, my time anyway) and I have a wide variety of crafting skills from applique to scrapbooking.

I’m a “jane of all trades” when it comes to crafts, and I’m happy to say that I love working with all mediums (at least those I’ve tried!).

Crafting is so much fun, why stick with just one thing?

As you know, I’ve been running my own business for ten years, and throughout those years I’ve mostly stuck with stationery and paper goods.

What can I say? I’ve got a love of paper.

However, I’ve also dipped my toes into some other craft businesses including soap making, candy making, and even some woodworking.

I’ve sold artwork, photographs and once, I tried to sell a few sewing projects…but I’ve not very good at it!

I’ve tried out a lot of things over the years and even though some of my businesses have “floated down the river,” I’ve learned A LOT about how to start a craft business.

So, today I’m taking you from idea to bank account, and I’m going to teach you how to start a craft business that you will love! I’m sharing my best tips and tricks for creating a company that you can be proud of sharing with the world.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

How to Start a Craft Business

What Will You Sell?

This is by far the hardest question of them all to answer when you are starting a craft business. What can you sell that people will want to buy?

It’s a tough one, and unfortunately, there is no straight answer. People buy strange things. What might seem unusual to you might seem totally off the wall to me.

So, the real question isn’t what will people buy, but what are YOU good at making?

What do you enjoy creating that you can see yourself doing over and over and over and over and over again?

When you have the answer to that question, you’ll know what to sell. Because if you can show passion in your work, no matter what it is, then, people will buy it. You have to prove to people that your product is so special to you, that it has to be unique to them, too. And then, they’ll not only buy it, but they’ll also beg for it.

Don’t create a hodgepodge of crafts! Take the time to figure out where you want to fit in the craft world. I’m not saying you need to choose a single product and stick to it forever, but consider starting with a specific category.

For example, my business is stationery and paper goods, but that doesn’t mean I’m limited to just paper products. It just says that I should stick with products for the home and office. My customer base would think I’m crazy if I started selling underwear.

Take some time and think about what you want to make and what you want to sell.

Where Will You Buy Materials?

Once you’ve considered what you will sell, it’s time to make a list of materials. Don’t go rushing to your local craft store and buy a bunch of junk!

Take the time, sit down and write out a list of all the materials you need to start a craft business in the field you’ve chosen.

For example, if you’ve chosen to make t-shirts, you’ll need:

t-shirts

design software

printer

heat press

After you’ve written out your list of materials, start looking for discounts and coupons from your favorite craft stores.

Don’t rush out and buy wholesale, but buy smart! Start small and work your way up to buying your materials in bulk quantities.

Where Will You Sell Your Crafts?

Do you plan to start a craft business online or will you be selling your wares locally?

If you are going to sell online, I highly recommend you get your start with Etsy. I’ve been selling there for over ten years, and I love every minute of it.

Of course, you could always sell your crafts on eBay or Craigslist, as well, but I think Etsy is the better choice.

Call me bias, but I make a decent income there every month, and I’m terrible at marketing. If it weren’t for the Etsy search, I wouldn’t have half the sales.

If selling your wares locally is your thing, then start researching craft shows, flea markets, farmers markets and fairs and festivals in your area.

Most of these events will have a website or at the least a Facebook page. Find the contact info for vendors and sign up to start selling.

What Licenses Does Your Type of Business Require?

I can’t help you much here, but most states require you to have at least a peddler’s license and a sales tax id number of selling your goods.

Go to your state’s website and research what licenses and permits are required for your type of business.

What Type of Marketing Will You use to Tell People About Your Craft Business?

There are so many ways to market your business, why limit yourself to just one! But, when you’re just starting, it’s understandable that your marketing budget will be small – very small – probably zero.

You might also like:

7 Ways to Promote Your Etsy Shop and Get More Sales
How to Get More Sales on Etsy + Free Printable Checklist

Instead of blowing all your money on some crazy marketing scheme, get the word out by word of mouth, create a press release for your local paper, start a blog and tell the world on social media.

When your craft business takes off, then you can consider spending a little bit of money on Facebook ads, Pinterest Ads and a crazy television commercial. But, for now, save your money.

Through this, you’ll have a basic understanding of how to start a craft business, regardless of your specialty. It’s a lot of work, my friends.

Some of it isn’t fun, there are days when you’ll want to run, screaming, toward the mountains or something, but in the end, it’s all worth it.

Honestly, working for yourself, watching something that you create come to fruition? There is no better feeling.

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