Craft a Business That Works For You

Think back to your childhood and teens. What did you enjoy making? If your passion is growing flowers, how can you turn this into an income generating craft product? How do these fit with a specific craft? Write down your interests and talents. Take a look at popular trends. Magazines, specialty cable channels and local exhibits may inspire you to pursue something totally different!

Giving Heirlooms New Life

Since recycling and practical crafting have become popular, a whole new field of "repurposing" has opened up! There's a whole lot of room for creativity using the time honored principles of reuse and recycle. What do you do with broken earring bits, jewelry that is bent, missing stones or paint? NotJustPartz came out with an e-book Making Pins or Pendants from Broken Jewelry Don't toss away your mismatched earrings. Learn a variety of techniques to "finish off" broken bits, mask stained finishes, disguise missing stones with our Altering Broken Jewelry Guide will given them new life!

There's plenty of inspiration to help you choose your crafting career. Look through craft magazines, go online and use keywords associated with your interest to search on and watch craft shows on TV. Visit your local craft shop and take some classes. What was it about flowers that you liked? The scents? Then maybe something with potpourri, making soaps or lotions from natural herbs. The colors? Maybe collaging photos of flowers on to trays and boxes is a good idea. The natural beauty of flowers? Maybe making wreaths is your goal. Figure out what it is about that particular interest that makes it special and you’ll soon be able to turn it into a revenue generator. Review books about specific crafts written by the artists. Below we've listed just a few ebooks:

Ebook, How To Create Your Own Fabulous Fascinators and Creative Cocktail Hats! Written for the creative, passionate milliner, as well as anyone, who has had the desire to use their hidden creative talents to produce a millinery masterpiece!!

Make Gourmet Scented Candles. start making your own richly scented candles. The beautiful crystal patterns of the wax were so unique, something not seen in plain old paraffin or soy candles.

Learn How to Make Soap Like an Expert . The Super Soap Making Book. Everything You've Always Wanted And Needed To Know About How To Make Soap And Soap Products Easily. Includes Soap Recipes And How To Make Your Own Soap Recipes, As Well As Tips For Setting Up a Soap Business.

How To Start Your Own Perfume Oil Business and Make Your Own Personal & Custom Perfumes The Sweet Smell Of Success. Make Your Own Fragrances For Fun And Profit!

Learn How To Embroider The Easy Way With A Series Of Videos Demonstrating Ten Common Embroidery Stitches. Discover The Secrets To Making Money From Jewelry And Beading. Start Your Own Business Today.

One Stop Macrame Book. Macrame Ebook That Offers Easy To Follow Instructions, Knot Examples, Patterns, Materials Needed, Suppliers - All In One Book.

Making Fork Bracelets - How to Make Amazingly Unique Fork Jewelry. Learn the incredible art of taking ordinary silverware and molding it into beautiful bracelets and necklaces. Get the Dvd from professional jewelry maker Maryann Cherubino.

The Secrets Of Flower Pressing. How To Press Flowers & Make Greeting Cards For Fun And Profit. A Creative & Inspiring Course With Instant Access.

Bead Patterns for Everyone, that teaches you How To Make Beaded Creatures. This Complete Guide Teaches You How To Make Different Beaded Creatures With Very Detailed Step By Step Instructions And Pictures.

Books like Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love, or The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line will also give you some idea of what you are getting into.

Next, research the costs that are associated with making these crafts. Let’s say you have a great interest in making wreaths. After doing your research, you may find that the inventory of so many different ribbons, bows, forms, dried and silk stems are too expensive for you and the learning process frustrating. Slow down. Limit the type of product you are going to create and take classes or find a club locally that has crafters working in that field. Many craft supppliers have have sections that give you project instructions like Beginner Jewelry Projects. Free HowTo's at Delphi Glass. Check out our free projects on this site, like Paper Bead Jewelry or get some ideas from Recycle with Style.

Take a serious look at your finances and decide how much money you have to invest. Some investment is always necessary. If your budget is tight, choose products that fit within this budget.

Look at the Business Side of Your Craft

• What are your start up costs? (make sure you don’t spend more than 1/3 of your budget on materials, you'll need the rest for expenses... see Craft Show Expenses)
• Is there already too much of this type of craft in your area?
• Is it unique? Can you explain it to someone so they understand it?
• Can you find something similar at a major retailer?
• Do you have a large enough car to get your craft products from show to show?
• How much time will it take to produce your craft and how much time do you have available to spend on it?
• Is it a product that needs an explanation, or will it sell itself? Does it answer a need or a want?
• Do you have any health problem that might prevent you from making the craft or exhibiting it?
• What is the cost of the supplies needed to make your craft products? Are they easy to obtain? Are they seasonal? And after you've pruchased them, does that leave you with a reasonable profit?