Whether you\u2019re a pottery pro or a sewing savant, crafting and selling your creations could be a great business opportunity for those equally artistically and entrepreneurially minded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, starting a craft stall was one of the fastest growing small businesses<\/a> identified in recent research from Simply Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Selling crafts online is a great way of joining an exciting industry \u2013 it gives you the opportunity to get your unique products in front of customers quickly and easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you don\u2019t have to just sell online \u2013 you can also take your products on the road with a craft stall, and approach retailers about selling your crafts too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you have a passion for getting creative with your hands, setting up a crafting business can be a great way to make your hobby pay \u2013 whether as a side hustle<\/a> or a potential full-time business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get started in the world of crafting, learn how to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be starting your own craft business because you\u2019ve got an existing hobby or skill you\u2019d like to make money from. And while the creative side is important, running your business will involve a wide range of different tasks, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our whole guide to starting a business<\/a> in nine steps for more of the skills you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting a craft business doesn\u2019t need to be expensive, especially if you\u2019re making a small number of products to begin with. However, there are some startup costs involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First is the cost of your materials. Finding the right suppliers and negotiating the right prices are crucial for a small business. You might also need to pay fees to run a craft stall \u2013 but you should be hoping to recoup these through sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may want to set aside some cash for marketing, but remember that some of it can be done without spending much at all. Take a look at our complete small business marketing guide<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you ready to get going? Read our step-by-step guide to starting a craft business in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re starting a craft business, it\u2019s likely you already have a hobby \u2013 it could be anything from needlework to pottery or dressmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Craft and \u2018artisanal\u2019 goods are popular in the UK and abroad, but competition in the market is high. Think about how you can make sure your products stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is it that you can bring to the craft market that\u2019s truly unique? Do you have a special skill, unique style, or materials that nobody else is using? Try to work out your niche before you begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you still need some inspiration, here are a few products you can try making before settling on your niche:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want more ideas, social media is the place to look. Lots of creatives share craft ideas on Pinterest and Instagram \u2013 and these are great places for you to promote your business too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI started my business with less than \u00a320. I was buying necklaces and bracelets from charity shops and then repurposing them into new earrings. I had so little money, my friends and family were donating their old jewellery to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leah<\/strong> When deciding on the type of crafts you want to sell, it\u2019s important to consider their profitability. Products that are low-cost and easy to make with a high profit margin<\/a> and wide target audience are likely to be more profitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the most profitable types of craft product, according to Made Urban<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of choosing the product first, you could focus on a popular industry such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the most popular trends for craft products are gender neutral, eco-friendly, home decor, outdoors, pet, and wellness items, according to Pinterest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your business plan is one of the most important documents when starting your craft business. It’ll act as a guide when starting out, but you should also go back to it regularly to see whether you\u2019re hitting your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your business plan should be as unique as your craft business, clearly laying out your niche, audience, and how you\u2019re going to sell your products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But most business plans do generally follow the same format and there are tried and tested ways of structuring it. For more, read our guide to writing a business plan for a new company<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When starting any business, you should get the legal side sorted straight away. One of the first questions to answer is around legal structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many craft businesses in the UK are run by sole traders, but other craft entrepreneurs choose to set up limited companies<\/a>. Learn about the differences of a sole trader vs limited company<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both have advantages and disadvantages, and you should think about speaking to an accountant or company registrar before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a new business owner, you\u2019ll also need to deal with HMRC. It’s important that you register as self-employed<\/a> so you can pay your taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you\u2019ll need to keep up with tax deadlines for your business<\/a>, filing your tax return<\/a>, and paying your bill on time (including corporation tax if you establish a limited company).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Craft business owners should consider a range of different covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply Business offers tailored insurance for craft businesses, letting you combine all the covers you need into a single policy. Compare insurance quotes for crafters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Crafters rely on great suppliers. The quality of your materials could be one of your major selling points, plus you need to make sure you\u2019re getting the right supplies at the right price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember that when you’re starting out, you’re likely to need your suppliers more than they need you. Similarly, many suppliers will be unwilling to offer credit to brand new businesses, so you should be prepared to front the cash for your first orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, as your business grows, check with your suppliers regularly to make sure you\u2019re getting the best deal. You might be able to reduce your costs just by asking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your craft items might be beautiful, but marketing and selling your products creatively is perhaps the most important part of running your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few different channels that craft makers can explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are lots of craft selling sites that you can use to promote your items. Etsy<\/a> is the best-known craft \u2018marketplace\u2019, and lets you put yourself in front of customers who are already interested in crafts. But you can also set up your own online shop, which can be done very cheaply \u2013 or even for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you\u2019re not just limited to Etsy \u2013 we have a whole guide to starting an online shop<\/a> with everything you need to know about choosing the right shopping platform for your business. You could also read our rundown of the top free tools for building a business website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What to know about starting your own craft business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How much does it cost to start a crafts business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Starting a craft business \u2013 step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Find your niche<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Small craft business ideas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Owner of Ethereal Jewellery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nMost profitable crafts to sell in the UK<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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2. Craft a business plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Work out what legal structure to choose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Think about insurance for your craft business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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4. Find your suppliers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Think about where to sell handmade items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Selling crafts online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n