Art & Craft Business Tips for Entrepreneurs

Author: Alan Roberta

Today craft supplies are the heart of any arts and crafts business. Without supplies and good suppliers, your business will be in jeopardy. Search the right supplies at the right price and your business will have a much better chance of grow successfully.

Starting and running a craft business can sometimes be as confusing as it is rewarding. Here are 5 things to know before starting your venture into the world of professional crafting.

1. Shop Around

Always comparison-shop for supplies. Prices can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Once you find a low-cost supplier, don’t stop there! Over time, prices do change. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for another distributor.

2. Buy at Wholesale Cost

Many suppliers offer discounts to qualified buyers. Qualifications differ, but usually a Retail Tax ID number will suffice. Call your local courthouse to find out whom to contact to obtain a retail tax permit in your area. (If you are selling crafts, you should already have one.) Once you have your tax identification, ask individual suppliers if they offer wholesale discounts and how to qualify.

3. Buy in Quantity

Often, buying supplies in bulk can save money. When comparison-shopping for materials, ask each vendor if quantity discounts apply and if so, what the percentages off will be.

4. Use Recycled Materials

Be creative with your raw materials! You may be able to save quite a bit by using recycled wood, textiles, plastic, metal and anything else you may use. Of course all of your supplies cannot be obtained through recycled materials, but you might be surprised at where you can cut costs if you give it some thought.

5. Shop at Discount Stores

Many large chains offer comparable prices on certain upon art and craft supplies. If you intend to resell the finished product that you make and have a Tax ID number, you can avoid paying sales tax. Ask the store manager for details on tax exemption status.

Marketing is the another key ingredient to any successful business! You must have ways to get the word out about your products. Whether you will be attending craft shows, placing mail order ads, or selling your crafts online.

Selling crafts online involves more than simply publishing a Web site. Successful online marketing requires time, dedication and a basic understanding of marketing in general. Your online craft shop is merely an extension of your real-world business and all forms of marketing should compliment each other to work efficiently and effectively.

This article is not only intended to give crafts people ideas on how to market an arts and crafts supply wholesale Web site, but also to help crafters become aware of the importance of real-world marketing of a cyber-world storefront.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/art-craft-business-tips-for-entrepreneurs-359203.html

About the Author:

Johnson Hardy is famous researcher of wholesale art supply craft. He publishes book upon custom craft industries.

 Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this article.

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Art and Craft Business Tips for Entrepreneurs

Why Start a Craft Business

Author: Anna Gooz

Craft business is a lucrative business is a growing industry. Craft business gives you an opportunity to make a full-time or a part time income from home. It is very easy start and run. You can get away from 9-5 and make money doing something you love to do.

Craft industry

Craft industry is almost $14 billion according to 2001 CODA survey and is growing. There is a growing demand for craft items. These items are often appreciated for their uniqueness and aesthetic value. Today everything is mass-produced and looks the same. Crafts enable people enhance their personal style, personalize their surrounding, and make a statement about them. Crafts bring a smile to people’s faces. If you have a craft that can bring out the uniqueness in a person or is pleasing, you can be a part of this industry.

Craft business

Craft business is an excellent income generating opportunity. Medium income of a household of a professional crafter is higher than the medium income of an average family according to the 2001 CODA survey. You can make money selling crafts and support your family.

Craft business can be easily done from home. You can make your item in your home and sell them online or at craft shows. You do not need a retail space. You do not need to hire employee initially. Working at home gives you a flexible schedule and you are your own boss. This is ideal if you have young children and do not want to send them off to daycare 10-11 hours a day.

Craft business requires very little upfront investment. Since you are already practicing the craft, you may have most the equipment needed to make your items. If you going to be working from home, there are virtually no startup cost except for the cost of setting up the business and cost of initial supplies to make products.

Craft business may be done part-time or full time. You may always start part-time and move to a full-time status as your business grows. It may also be done on a seasonal basis. I know many crafters, who sell only during the holiday season i.e. between October and December. Crafts make excellent gifts for family and friends. Craft business is flexible and can fit your schedule.

Craft business is almost recession proof, especially if you make low-end items i.e. under $100 that make excellent gifts. Even during down times, people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. They have weddings and parties. Your inexpensive craft items can be given as a unique personalized gift.

Craft business is personally rewarding. You are creating craft items with your skill and creativity. When the customers appreciate your products, it is cultivates a great sense of pride within you. Your craft can bring smiles on people’s faces and you have unlimited job satisfaction.

However, remember that craft business is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It will require an investment of time and effort on your side. You would not only be making craft items but also running a small business. This is hard work but is ultimately rewarding with a potential for huge growth.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/why-start-a-craft-business-821419.html

About the Author:

Anna Gooz, Craft and Small Business Consultant and publisher of Craft Business Package available at Craftsells.com

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Why Start a Craft Business

21 Survival Tips for Your Craft Business

by: James Dillehay

1) Organize yourself: Write your creative ideas down on paper when they first occur to you.

If you delay, you will probably forget. Make frequent notes. Create files for ideas, receipts, customer addresses, and supplier information. Stay informed about crafts business news: Publications for home businesses can help you gain insights into your crafts business. Here are some of the online craft magazines:

2) Craft Marketer News – Get the free email newsletter that brings you articles and tips for craft selling, pricing, funding and more: subscribe to Craft Marketer Newsletter by email. You will receive a confirmation message in a few minutes with a copy of a recent issue. Newsletters go out around twice a month.

3) Arts Crafts Show Business – Magazine and website for the craft artisan who sells. Includes show listings, articles, links and more: http://www.artscraftsshowbusiness.com/

4) The Crafts Report – Online version of print magazine discussing all aspects of crafts business.

5) SAC News Monthly – Articles on craft business and promotions and reviews of craft shows: http://www.sacnewsmonthly.com/

6) Sunshine Artist – Online version of print magazine discussing art and crafts business. Also links to craft show locators. http://www.sunshineartist.com/

7) Take classes: The more you know, the more you can do. Increase your technical skills and gain competitive advantages in the marketplace. Craft shops and schools usually offer courses in craft and art techniques. This is a good way to pick up tips for faster production methods.

8- Work at home: Make products at home. Since you are already paying utilities, rent, or house payments, you won’t increase your expenses and you can still spend time with your family.

9) Use what you got: Before spending money for equipment and supplies, honestly assess whether you need them. Be creative with materials that have gone unused for awhile. Once, I took some ghastly colored yarns, indisputably useless, and over-dyed them with great results.

10) Cut costs by sharing expenses: I share studio space with three other crafts persons, saving on rent and utilities. As a group, we also help generate enthusiasm for each others work and business. We sometimes make large materials orders together to receive bigger discounts. Sometimes we share booth space at craft shows. More ways to cut costs of doing a business in The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork.

11) Prepare for hot sales times: Be ready for the good selling seasons, like the months before Christmas, with plenty of inventory. Once the season is past, its several months before sales pick up. Use a production quota to insure you have the goods. Order your materials far enough ahead of the production time so that you arent ruined by out-of-stock problems with suppliers. Budget so that youll have the money to buy what is needed.

12) Get phone service in your own name: The phone company will charge you a higher rate for a business phone than for service in your name.

13) Save on travel expenses: Lower your travel costs by doing shows in cities where you have friends and relatives. If you do many shows, chances are you will make good friends with other craftspeople. When your show schedules coincide, why not share motel costs?

 14) Do your own building and maintenance: Cut down auto expenses. Learn how to do easy repairs on your car like changing your oil and tune-ups. Build, or find a friend to help you construct your display booths, inventory shelves or tables for your studio.

15) Make mistakes pay: If your project doesnt turn out for some reason, write it down and think of other ways to use what youve made. Can a piece be taken apart and rebuilt?

16) Get payments for orders in advance: Whenever a customer wants something special made, ask for payment in advance. When a new store account places an order, require them to prepay or accept the shipment C.O.D.

17) Contract the drudgery: If detail and finishing work drive you crazy, hire someone to do it for you. You can pay them by the hour or by the piece; this gives you more time to design and sell.

18) Think BIG: Save time and increase profits by “ganging up” your production. For example, work from several piles of assembled raw materials. This cuts down production time per piece, increasing profits.

 19) Avoid undercutting your wholesale store accounts: If you do a craft show in the same town where you have a store account, be sure to charge the same retail price that they are asking for similar products.

20) Use contracts in all business arrangements: When working with galleries, designers, or large exhibitions, draw up agreements clearly defining liability, how pieces will be shipped, who pays for the shipping, and who’s liable if something goes wrong. Require purchase orders from stores. Clarifying these things in advance can save you hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars in the event of confusion or unexpected misfortune. Source of business and legal forms for crafts.

21) Keep your eyes open for new opportunities: If you come across a store that sells handcrafted items, but not your craft, approach them about carrying your work. Adding a new product line will increase sales for both of you.

 22) Use suppliers that offer credit terms of 30 days to pay for purchases: Many suppliers will extend you a month if you can come up with a couple of references. Approach the major suppliers as a retail supplier if you want to receive wholesale discounts. If you set up a retail business to other crafts persons, you can buy supplies for about 50% of the average retail price. If you teach classes, resell these supplies to students at the full price.

23) Hire the physically disadvantaged: The government has a grant program for businesses that offer training that leads to employment for individuals with handicaps. Contact: Office of Program Operations, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Dept. of Education, Washington, DC 20202.

24) Save money on your long distance phone bill. Through a network cooperative plan, Ive cut my long distance phone costs by 50% and more. Interstate rates through this program anytime of the day are only 5.9 cents per minute billed in six second increments. I get the same 5.9 cent rate for a toll free number I provide my customers to order through. Since ATT, MCI and Sprint bill you in 1-minute increments, you are paying for time you aren’t using. This program is a must for cutting phone costs. See http://www.tollfreenumbers.bigstep.com/.

25) Networking with a group who shares your interests opens doors to new opportunities. Many resources exist to help increase contacts, expand marketing efforts, provide information about funding, insurance, and legal advice.

This article is copyrighted and excerpted from the book The Basic Guide to Selling Arts & Crafts by James Dillehay.

Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this article. I think I’ll get the book! These tips are great.

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21 survival tips for your Craft business