Crafting is an untapped Market

What is Crafting?

Crafting includes a whole host of activities associated with skillful attempts at making useful things with your hands. These crafts were created using skills passed down from generation to generation, and were motivated by necessity. There is an amazing redemptive power and pride that comes from the ability to make your own things.

Crafting is putting ideas into action and then holding them together with an inexpensive adhesive. But where do the ideas come from? Is it okay to wonder? Usually, the best ideas come from other people's good ideas, which then, after a short gestation period, become your ideas

Today, virtually anyone of sound mind can join the elite society of crafters.

Is Crafting right for me?
Anybody can craft! There are an exhausting amount of crafts requiring a wide array of skills, so that regardless of age or artistic ability there is a project that is perfect for you.

Many people look at crafters with respect. Not everybody feels talented enough to make a living by performing a craft. Though, it is important to keep in mind that there are countless different crafts. Items that are being produced differ a lot in appearance and function. The process of creating those items also differs. So, there is no reason for you to give up the idea of becoming a crafter. All you need to do is learn how to do so.

Right mindset
The most important step is to get in the right mindset. That involves finding the much needed motivation. Thought that you want to become a crafter is not enough. You will need to look further for motivation. Monetary gain can provide such a motivation.
Desire to create useful things and works of art is even better motivation. Crafts enable you to immortalize a piece of your soul. The things you create will be unique. In some cases, they might last centuries or even millennia.
Anyway, the motivation is just a part of the process of getting into the right mindset for becoming a crafter.

Find the right craft
It is very important to find the craft that fits you the best. You need to look for a craft that you can enjoy. Otherwise the lack of motivation and love for that particular craft will cost you dearly. The quality of items made by you will suffer greatly. Also, you are very likely to lose interest in the venture.
Focusing on one’s hobbies and interests is a good path to follow. This way, it will be easier for you to stick to the plan. After all, you will not be a crafter if you abandon your efforts after few days.

Knowledge and insight
The next step is to broaden your knowledge of the chosen craft. There are many brochures and books devoted to certain crafts. Though, not everything is covered in the printed form. However, the internet is a great source of information too. Information on every craft can be found on the internet. Search for this information so that you can make use of it in your crafting efforts.
Other crafters are even better source of information. They already have a lot of experience. Ask them politely whether they are willing to share it. Most of the time, they will be delighted that you show interest in their craft.

Tools and materials
The last step before you can make anything is to obtain the right tools and materials. This might be a bit hard. However, do not give up! That would be a pity. All the time you have already spent preparing would be wasted. So, search the market for those tools and materials. If they are not available, try to make them by yourself.

Keep working
No one is considered a crafter unless he does something. You found motivation, picked a craft and obtained all the needed knowledge, tools and materials. Giving up now would be very unwise. Initial failures should never set you astray. They are bound to occur until you gain enough experience.
To conclude, you can easily become a crafter. Though, it is vital to get in the right mindset and choose the right craft. Not everybody is fit for every craft. After you chose the particular craft, search for valid information and gather insight from other crafters. Finally, invest into the tools and materials needed. Now, the only thing that can set you astray is the lack of persistence.

Can I make money from my crafting? YES!!! Absolutely!!!

Making a commitment

Once the decision to go into business has been made, time needs to be allotted not only for making what is going to be sold, but also for pricing, packaging, promoting and selling. "Sometimes a crafter doesn't realize how much actual work is involved. Talk to others who are successful, and also to those who have failed. Learn from their experiences, so you won't have to make all the mistakes yourself. "

Finding an outlet

Where is the best place to sell? Craft malls, consignment stores, seasonal boutiques, craft shows -- the list goes on. "There are lots of opportunities to sell crafts these days. Especially with computers," "Every day a new on-line crafters' marketplace surfaces out there beckoning for people to sell their wares on the web. It's a great place for crafters to test the waters with their products. If you shop around you can rent a booth for as little as $10 a month. There's usually a set-up fee for scanning the images and a percentage goes to the store when an item is sold." So, what will it be?

THE SIX P'S OF
PROFESSIONAL CRAFTING

There are many things to consider when deciding to turn your crafting hobby into a business.

PURCHASING

Even if you plan to sell your items through a craft mall or blended boutique where the store owner collects the sales taxes, you should obtain a Resale Certificate and order your supplies in bulk. The money you save by purchasing materials wholesale will increase your profit margins considerably.

PREPARATION

Plan to make at least six to twelve items at a time and work in assembly line fashion doing repetitive tasks all at once. This will increase your overall profit by decreasing the time it takes you to make an item and you can therefore make more inventory in less time.

PACKAGING

Consider purchasing professional looking price tags or labels with your name imprinted on them, or use your computer to make some sort of hang tag that creates an "image" for your line of products. It will encourage customers to contact you for special orders and they will be taking home your advertisement each time they buy one of your products.

PRICING

Comparison shopping helps you keep your prices within a fair market value for the area you are selling in. You need to be competitive, but do not undervalue your time and talent. People do appreciate quality, so if your goods are exceptional, don’t be afraid to ask a better price for them than mass produced imports.

PROMOTING

Advertising pays, and you pay for advertising. But in some cases, a small ad on facebook gets plenty of exposure.

PROFESSIONALISM

Always do what you say you will do. If you promise to deliver a special order this week, do it. And don't promise what you cannot deliver. Taking an order for 100 stuffed animals for a department store that you have doubts you can complete is not only foolhardy, it is unprofessional. Don't be afraid to say, "no thank you" or "I'm sorry. I can't do that." People will appreciate your honesty and they will be back another time with a different request, maybe one you can fulfill.

Misty McEwen