Arts And Crafts Business

An arts and crafts business can be a profitable home based business opportunity. Many folks have converted their hobbies into successful businesses. From quilts to seasonal items created for the holidays, arts and crafts enthusiasts can always be seen working booths and displays at city and regional craft shows. The arts and crafts business offers a flexible schedule that can be worked around family responsibilities. While nearly everyone can say that they have a business, fewer still can claim that they own a successful one. With these opportunities, it’s not a matter of hanging out a shingle and waiting for success to beat a path to your door. Like any business, arts and crafts still takes knowledge and commitment and a willingness to learn about the business side of this niche.

If you want to have a successful arts and crafts business, you must first decide upon the level of business you wish to achieve and what you’re able or willing to do to make it so. Is this for fun? If so, then it’s more hobby than business. If you’re in it to win it and money is your motivation, be ready to work, because it will take work to succeed and doing some things that you prefer not to do.

Check with your local library for source materials. Most libraries have an interlibrary loan program of some sort, where you can borrow books from other libraries in your county or adjacent counties for free. Computerized databases make searching for sources easy. Arts and crafts magazines are another good source, as are “Women’s” monthly magazines. There is a lot of how-to information in the former and profiles of successful arts and crafters in the latter. Read both and see what these people did to succeed.

While an arts and crafts may not require a degree to run, you need a foundation in business. Check the library’s collection for basic business texts and magazines. “Dummy” books by IDE Publishing offer good summaries of basic information to point you in the right direction. Borrow basic business, selling and home business marketing. Another good source is your local community college or adult school.

You can also check out the Hobby Industry Association. This association’s membership includes crafts manufacturers, publishers, distributors and retailers and the Web site contains a fair amount of useful information.

Accounting

• Open a business checking account
• Learn and maintain good record-keeping techniques
• Obtain credit card processing through your bank or credit union

Assistance

• Small Business Development Centers
• SCORE

Business name

• Make it ear-catching
• Check domain name availability if you plan to have a Web site

Insurance

• Contact your agents for additional home insurance coverage

Marketing

• Develop a promotional plan and budget for needed print materials
• Subscribe to helpful magazines
• Start a home library
• Develop fliers to promote your home business

Rules & Regulations

City

• Learn applicable zoning regulations
• Obtain required city licenses and permits
• Register the name of your crafts business

State

• Get a reseller’s license, if needed

IRS

• Study the definitions of a home business
• Get a retailer's occupation tax ID number
• Network with other crafters in your area

Tools

• Computer, printer
• Digital camera to upload pics of your items to your Web site or for a binder catalog for trade shows
• Business cards, letterhead and envelopes
• Imprinted order forms
• Samples

• Business Slogans
• Easy Steps to Starting a Business
• Demotivators In the Workplace
• The Myths Of Entrepreneurship
• Unethical Business Practices

• Sample Resume Objective
• Memo Examples
• Resume Objective Examples
• Resume Objective Statements
• Sample of Letter of Request

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