Free Craft Fair » blog http://freecraftfair.com FREE Craft Resources to assist all crafters in building craft businesses and websites. Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:33:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Advice on Taking the Leap into Selling Your Crafts http://freecraftfair.com/2009/10/advice-on-taking-the-leap-into-selling-your-crafts/ http://freecraftfair.com/2009/10/advice-on-taking-the-leap-into-selling-your-crafts/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:45:50 +0000 Dawn http://freecraftfair.com/?p=881 entrelac_scarfTo many of us, crafting is a hobby. A very interesting one, but still a hobby. We like making cute little things and sometimes we gift them to our friends. The most talented of us even may sell our work and it is very nice to get some money for it.

I am not going to give you a magical equation for getting richer, if I knew it – I would use it, but there are things we can do more efficiently and still have good time. So, it depends on how much time you are willing to invest in this.

Sell on Etsy
Etsy is a nice idea to get those first customers. Make sure you write as much as you can about the product, promote it as a gift for Halloween/Christmas/Thanksgiving/etc. and take nice photographs that will appeal to your customers. Encourage your customers to leave feedback and put the feedback in your store, website, and blog.
Etsy is also a great place to find out what other people are creating and how they are selling their work. Take time to search and you will find valuable tips.

Create a website/blog
website_hostingIt looks like an easy thing to do, just write something and millions of people all over the world will go there and buy your things. Well, think again. To make people even just read what you are writing is quite a hassle so expecting them to dig into their pocket, even if it is not expensive, definitely takes time. It is not impossible; people do it. But it is not a simple formula.
So, for those of you who just started their business I would absolutely recommend to create a simple website. It does look professional to give your website address to customers that are interested through other marketing strategies.

Offline selling
This is actually very good for people who’s crafts are not that expensive because most of us will not buy things that cost under $5 because it’s a hassle and there are shipment costs. On the other hand when you are selling at a craft fair, people could like your creation and buy it on the spot without planning and searching for crafts online.

Business Cards
It is not that expensive to print a couple of thousands of business cards where you give info about your crafts and where do you sell them. This is a great place to promote your website. The people who will enter your site through your business cards will go there to look and even buy your crafts. Make sure your business cards are simple and understandable, do not load them with text.

Don’t give up
Most of all, don’t give up. It takes time, a lot of time, but if you like crafting you won’t mind. Make sure you spend more time on crafting then on promoting.
Good luck!

Written by Jessica Whittenberg. You can find Jessica at her blog, kitchentandt.blogspot.com.

]]> http://freecraftfair.com/2009/10/advice-on-taking-the-leap-into-selling-your-crafts/feed/ 1 Featured Crafter: CJ from CircleLineStudio http://freecraftfair.com/2009/08/featured-crafter-cj-from-circlelinestudio/ http://freecraftfair.com/2009/08/featured-crafter-cj-from-circlelinestudio/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:04:31 +0000 Dawn http://freecraftfair.com/?p=776 circlelinestudio_tree

In this Featured Crafter, we talk to CJ from the CircleLineStudio. Read on to learn about how this stay at home mom began crafting to add to her family’s income.


Tell me a little bit about yourself. My name is Connie, I go by CJ. I am a wife, a mom, a crafter, a designer. I love to create all types of things.

circlelinestudio_loveWhere can we find you?
I have my decals available for sale on etsy. Circlelinestudio.etsy.com
I also have a blog located at Circlelinestudio.blogspot.com.
And I have a facebook page here.

What first got you interested in your art?
I’ve been a stay at home mom since my son was born 14 years ago, we have 3 great kids and I’ve loved being able to be home with them. In 2008 my youngest daughter started first grade and I found myself alone for the entire day, it was then I knew I needed to find an outlet for my time and energy. My husband and I talked about a few idea’s and when I presented this business idea to him, he said buy what you need and to and see what you can do. Since then I’ve worked really hard with the help of my family. My kids don’t get near the credit they deserve, they are my box makers, paper folders, vinyl sorters.

circlelinestudio_robotPlease describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I have an assortment of vinyl colors to choose from, so each decal is cut to order. There are so many ways that decal designs become a part of our store. Designs idea’s come from books, art, magazines, customer suggestions, etc. We use a removable vinyl, which makes decorating with vinyl decals quick and easily.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Apart from my art I pretty much am your typical Stay at Home Mom, which means I take of care of EVERYTHING having to do with raising my kids, running my household, and taking care of all my families needs! (isn’t it amazing how MUCH us woman take on in life!!!)

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I truly LOVE my job, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to start circlelinestudio. It’s given me the freedom to be the wife and mom I want to be, while still allowing for me to add to our family income. It’s alot of work but when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel much like work.

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