Examples of Arts and Crafts Product Descriptions

It's hard to please all your customers but you can increase customer satisfaction and decrease returns by including a complete product description for every item you sell. This is especially true for items you sell on the internet since your customer won't be able to see the art or craft product in person prior to purchase.

In addition to including multiple images of the items, include size, weight, dimensions, and materials used to handcraft the product.

To follow are some suggestions to give you a starting point for your own handcrafted products.

Handcrafted Furniture

Furniture maker. Howard Grey / Getty Images

For handcrafted piece of furniture include information about the materials used, for example: oak, cherry, maple etc. If the furniture has a fabric or leather component make sure you describe that as well. Offer to send potential customers fabric swatches. Charge a $5 fee that you back off from any future purchase price to discourages the non-serious lookers from wasting your time.

Dimensions are very important. Provide the chair’s overall size, seat size and armrest size. In addition, it’s important to include info on how you construct the furniture. For example, are the furniture pieces glued and screwed together? Do you incorporate tenon and mortised construction. What type of stain, sealer or finish coats do you use?

Oil Painting

The description for this abstract oil painting should include the size of the canvas, any information about framing, including glass or mat if these are included with purchase.

For example:

Framed size: 22" x 29.25"
Painting size : 16.25" x 23.25"
Mat size: 2” width
Frame dimensions: Width: 0.875 " and Height: 1.125 "

Additionally, a few close-up images of the oil painting should be included so potential customers can evaluate color. This is especially true if the painting has texture.

Handcrafted Jewelry

Fire Opal and Turquoise Necklace. Image courtesy of Ritual Jewelry

Turquoise and Fire Opal Necklace

The product image is sharp and clearly shows the necklace. Please note that multiple views of the necklace are included on the website showing the clasp and reverse side of the turquoise pendant. Also good is the fact that the vendor includes complete size and material descriptions for all the gemstones used to make the necklace.

16 inch in length 5mm x 3mm faceted fire opal buttons in graduated color tones from clear to deep red-orange. These gemstones are untreated. Their origin is Mexico.
Turquoise tumbled crystal wrapped with gold filled wire. Untreated turquoise crystal approximately 1 inch in length and 3/4 inch wide. Origin of the turquoise is Arizona.
Gold filled hook and eye clasp.

Handcrafted Beauty Products

Handcrafted Goats Milk Soap for Oily Skin

Make sure you include all ingredients you use to make the soap. The product description for this goats milk soap includes ground lemon peel, eucalyptus, and a few drops of lemon essential oils, the weight and dimensions of the bar of soap. It also gives important product information such as lemon and eucalyptus both have antifungal and antiviral properties - good for controlling surface bacteria.

The product website shows the wrapped and unwrapped versions of the product. This is a useful marketing tool if you include in your product description that the product arrives suitable for gift giving.

Women's Garments

Target really shines with the description and images on their website for this Jean Paul Gaultier halter dress. There are six images of the dress, from every angle, including a close-up of the fabric. Short of going to the time and expense of mailing fabric swatches to your potential customers, this is the best way to make sure your customer realizes what the fabric looks like prior to purchasing.

For handcrafted clothing, it is very important to clearly state the garment styling, fit, material and care instructions. Additionally, for dresses and skirts, it is very helpful to give length measurements such as 'garment measures 33 inches from the neckline'. Include any special construction details. Pricey garments - offer fabric swatches.