Starting Your Business (24)
Would you like to start an arts/crafts business? Find out important fundamentals for beginning craft business owners: is there a market for your craft, what it means to be self-employed, a guide to running a home-based craft business, how to estimate start up expenses and the 10 steps to follow before you start a crafts business.
Marketing and Advertising (7)
Learn about the different ways to market an arts and crafts business, find out how to develop a marketing plan, get free advertisement and product placement in national magazines. It’s also important to have and regularly update a press kit, network and place cooperative advertising with other small craft businesses
Selling at Craft Shows (6)
If you own an arts and crafts business, entering craft shows is a fantastic way to market your product. Many craft businesses pay their bills solely by what they earn at craft shows. Learn how to find the right shows, pass the jury process and set up an eye-catching booth. You'll also learn craft show etiquette and how to accept payment from customers.
Selling Online (20)
Every business should have a website. Find out about the different options available for starting and maintaining one, from doing it yourself to hiring a webmaster. It’s like a needle in a haystack in cyberspace, learn how to use search engine optimization to increase qualified traffic to your site.
Opening a Storefront (6)
Opening a craft shop takes careful planning, beginning with finding a great location and deciding how to set up window displays and stock shelves. Researching neighboring storefronts and having reliable merchandise suppliers are also essential elements of opening a shop.If negotiating a lease, it's important to understand how the landlord allocates common area maintenance.
Consignment Sales (5)
Interested in selling your crafts through consignment? It's a good way to get your business name out there without paying rent for a shop. Learn how to find the perfect consignment location, including links to places where you can sell your crafts through consignment and how to establish the terms of the consignment agreement.
Going Wholesale (5)
Ready to take your business to the next level? Going wholesale is a step many successful arts/crafts businesses eventually take. Find out about all the best craft expos and trade shows. Learn how to find a rep to handle your product line and how to set up your production line. Also important, learn how to maximize profits by buying supplies in volume.
Legal Issues (7)
Taking care of legal filings and business paperwork is a necessary part of owning any type of business – even a creative one. Find out about the important fundamentals for handling the business end of a arts/crafts business. Learn about the different types of business entities, how to select the best one for your business and the associated paperwork and legal requirements.
Business Plans (9)
A business plan is your roadmap to success for your business. It's important to research and thoroughly set up an action plan for starting your business from setting prices to establishing personnel policies. A business plan is also helpful because it addresses important facts such as break-even point, dealing with your competition and finding suppliers.
Resources (11)
Finding supplies and resources to create your arts/crafts designs is a crucial part of the design and pricing process. Learn how to find supplies and tools-of-the-trade for many different types of arts/crafts businesses. Get educated by joining organizations, reading trade publications and taking classes in your particular type of craft business.
Accounting and Pricing (16)
While decidedly separate from the creative end of an arts/crafts business keeping accounting records is just as important. Find out how to select accounting software and set up good bookkeeping practices in order to set a reasonable price for a product, depreciate assets and account for inventory. Think your business needs bookkeeping help? Find out how to hire one.
Taxes (15)
Taxes aren't pretty. They tend to be complicated and difficult to understand. However, collecting and paying taxes and filing tax returns are required aspects of running an arts/craft business. Make sure you're covering all the taxes bases and avoid being subject to penalties by filing your taxes on time.
Business Management (7)
Managing the business end of an arts and crafts enterprise is just as important as managing the creative end. Learn how to handle day-to-day business basics such as hiring and managing employees and what you can and cannot ask in a job interview. Find out what types of insurance is recommended for an arts and crafts business including how to get reasonable health insurance coverage.
Profiles (9)
It's inspiring to read about those who have achieved success in arts/crafts businesses. Many had no formal training in the arts or made it their second career. Find out more about popular artists and crafters and follow their keys to success.
Glossary of Terms (12)
Every type of business has its own language and dictionary of terms. A word or phrases meaning one thing in a particular business setting can mean something totally different in another. Here's your guide to terms that are unique to arts/crafts businesses and the special way common business terms apply arts/crafts businesses.
