Arts / Crafts Business: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Getting Craft Business Started
A list of the steps to take before starting a craft business and quick tips about each step.
A list of the steps to take before starting a craft business and quick tips about each step.
Types of Crafts
All crafts can be broken down into four major headings: textile, paper, decorative and fashion. . Check out the list below and you may have an ‘aha!’ moment. Sometimes we’re just so busy doing the everyday tasks that make up our business that we forget there are other complimentary craft areas we can expand into.
All crafts can be broken down into four major headings: textile, paper, decorative and fashion. . Check out the list below and you may have an ‘aha!’ moment. Sometimes we’re just so busy doing the everyday tasks that make up our business that we forget there are other complimentary craft areas we can expand into.
Protect Your Craft Ideas
Every arts or craft product starts with a basic idea. Designing a product is hard work. Learn the difference between copyrights, trademarks, patents and licensing - four ways you can protect your intellectual property from theft by your competitors.
Every arts or craft product starts with a basic idea. Designing a product is hard work. Learn the difference between copyrights, trademarks, patents and licensing - four ways you can protect your intellectual property from theft by your competitors.
Artfire.com
ArtFire.com is a new online marketplace for artists and crafters. They have two plans available to sellers - a free basic plan and a verified plan that costs $12/month with no listing fees. Find out more about ArtFire in a question and answer session with ArtFire's Member Engagement.
ArtFire.com is a new online marketplace for artists and crafters. They have two plans available to sellers - a free basic plan and a verified plan that costs $12/month with no listing fees. Find out more about ArtFire in a question and answer session with ArtFire's Member Engagement.
Elements of a Business Plan
Information on the eight different parts of a standard business plan, why writing a business plan is important and what type of information is contained in the appendix.
Information on the eight different parts of a standard business plan, why writing a business plan is important and what type of information is contained in the appendix.
Three Financial Statements
There are three types of financial statements: income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. Each one serves a different purpose and contains different information. You should regularly review each one.
There are three types of financial statements: income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. Each one serves a different purpose and contains different information. You should regularly review each one.
Websites for Craft Businesses
These tips will help you get started with web design. Once you understand the basics you're on your way to having your own business or ecommerce website.
These tips will help you get started with web design. Once you understand the basics you're on your way to having your own business or ecommerce website.
Plan to Start a Craft Business
Before you start a crafts business, carefully consider why you want to do it. Being a self-employed owner of any type of business is not a direct pipeline to financial success. Going into a crafts business with this type of mindset can set you up for failure.
Before you start a crafts business, carefully consider why you want to do it. Being a self-employed owner of any type of business is not a direct pipeline to financial success. Going into a crafts business with this type of mindset can set you up for failure.
Compare Business Entities
When choosing a form of business entity, compare the tax, liability and management impacts of a sole proprietorship, corporation or flow through.
When choosing a form of business entity, compare the tax, liability and management impacts of a sole proprietorship, corporation or flow through.
Registering a Copyright
This article walks you through the procedure to electronically register a copyright on an original piece of work. Any original piece of work is automatically copyrighted regardless if it is published. However, registration is required to seek legal action against violators of your copyright.
This article walks you through the procedure to electronically register a copyright on an original piece of work. Any original piece of work is automatically copyrighted regardless if it is published. However, registration is required to seek legal action against violators of your copyright.
Cooperative Crafts Show
If the art or craft show jury process seems a little intimidating, a good way to exhibit in craft shows is to form a cooperative and hold your own. Organizing a cooperative craft show is a lot of work but the money you can make and the experience you get out of the process can more than offset the set-up work involved.
If the art or craft show jury process seems a little intimidating, a good way to exhibit in craft shows is to form a cooperative and hold your own. Organizing a cooperative craft show is a lot of work but the money you can make and the experience you get out of the process can more than offset the set-up work involved.
Review of Ruby Lane
One online alternative for arts and crafts businesses is to open a Ruby Lane shop. Monthly fees are not exorbitant. Ruby Lane’s standards for quality of workmanship are very high.
One online alternative for arts and crafts businesses is to open a Ruby Lane shop. Monthly fees are not exorbitant. Ruby Lane’s standards for quality of workmanship are very high.
Price Your Crafts
Your objective is to price your crafts so that you make a reasonable profit while not pricing yourself out of the market. It can be an art. Find out how variable and fixed costs plus perceived value factor into the equation.
Your objective is to price your crafts so that you make a reasonable profit while not pricing yourself out of the market. It can be an art. Find out how variable and fixed costs plus perceived value factor into the equation.
Crafts Self-Employed Taxes
Handling the tax obligations of self-employed arts/crafts businesses can be confusing. Federal, state and local government can assess taxes. These taxes can show up in the form of income, sales, and use taxes. Find out more about the different type of self-employment taxes and which ones you may be liable for.
Handling the tax obligations of self-employed arts/crafts businesses can be confusing. Federal, state and local government can assess taxes. These taxes can show up in the form of income, sales, and use taxes. Find out more about the different type of self-employment taxes and which ones you may be liable for.
Limited Liability Companies
Limited Liability Companies are a fairly new type of business entity. Well, new when you consider that corporations and partnerships have been in existence for centuries and even the S-Corp, a runner up newbie was created decades ago. LLCs have several unique advantages, including a flexible taxation system.
Limited Liability Companies are a fairly new type of business entity. Well, new when you consider that corporations and partnerships have been in existence for centuries and even the S-Corp, a runner up newbie was created decades ago. LLCs have several unique advantages, including a flexible taxation system.
Sole Proprietorship
Most brand new arts / crafts businesses start out as a sole proprietorship because it is the easiest and cheapest type of business entity to start and maintain.
Most brand new arts / crafts businesses start out as a sole proprietorship because it is the easiest and cheapest type of business entity to start and maintain.
Artist Cost of Goods Sold
Figuring cost of goods sold is the first step in setting a price for your arts or crafts. This article walks you through the typical cost of goods sold expenses an artist may have.
Figuring cost of goods sold is the first step in setting a price for your arts or crafts. This article walks you through the typical cost of goods sold expenses an artist may have.
Types of Companies
Which type of arts and crafts company do you own? Depending on how you operate your business you can be a service, merchandising or manufacturing company – or any combination of the three.
Which type of arts and crafts company do you own? Depending on how you operate your business you can be a service, merchandising or manufacturing company – or any combination of the three.
Plan of Operations
The plan of operations section of the business plan is your A to Z on the running of your business. Break all operating procedures down into daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Then they are ordered and explained in the plan of operations section of your business plan.
The plan of operations section of the business plan is your A to Z on the running of your business. Break all operating procedures down into daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Then they are ordered and explained in the plan of operations section of your business plan.
Opening an Etsy.com Shop
If ebay’s the king of online marketplaces, the queen for crafters is Etsy.com. Etsy accepts listings for handcrafted items, is an online marketplace for supplies and also allows listings for vintage items. Signing up for an Etsy shop is free although Etsy does charge a listing fee.
If ebay’s the king of online marketplaces, the queen for crafters is Etsy.com. Etsy accepts listings for handcrafted items, is an online marketplace for supplies and also allows listings for vintage items. Signing up for an Etsy shop is free although Etsy does charge a listing fee.
1040-ES
Every attempt should be made to send in Form 1040 tax returns with a balance due of less than $1,000. To achieve this goal, the sole proprietor uses IRS Form 1040-ES to make tax deposits throughout the year.
Every attempt should be made to send in Form 1040 tax returns with a balance due of less than $1,000. To achieve this goal, the sole proprietor uses IRS Form 1040-ES to make tax deposits throughout the year.
Executive Summary
The executive summary portion of the business plan is in the beginning of the business plan. The purpose of the executive summary is to give your reader a thumbnail sketch of the business.
The executive summary portion of the business plan is in the beginning of the business plan. The purpose of the executive summary is to give your reader a thumbnail sketch of the business.
Google Profiles
Learn how to take control of your Google search results by setting up a profile to drive traffic to your arts/crafts business. It’s easy and free.
Learn how to take control of your Google search results by setting up a profile to drive traffic to your arts/crafts business. It’s easy and free.
S Corporations
The S corporation is another example of a flow-through type of business entity. S Corporations have limited liability like corporations but taxed as a sole proprietorship. Find out more about how this type of business entity works.
The S corporation is another example of a flow-through type of business entity. S Corporations have limited liability like corporations but taxed as a sole proprietorship. Find out more about how this type of business entity works.
Craft Saturation Point
If you have with properly planned and managed your craft business growth, you will eventually reach a saturation point. Here's how to recognize when you've reached that point and what to do about it.
If you have with properly planned and managed your craft business growth, you will eventually reach a saturation point. Here's how to recognize when you've reached that point and what to do about it.
Betsy Ross Flag Plaque
Easy instructions to make a 13-star flag plaque loosely based upon the original flag design Betsy Ross made for the Continental Congress.
Easy instructions to make a 13-star flag plaque loosely based upon the original flag design Betsy Ross made for the Continental Congress.
Partnerships
Definition of partnership, a legal form of business entity that can include both general and limited partners. Find out about formation, taxation and how partners get paid.
Definition of partnership, a legal form of business entity that can include both general and limited partners. Find out about formation, taxation and how partners get paid.
Before Quitting Your Job
Before you quit a full time job working for someone else to start a craft business make sure you prepare a business plan. Working through the business plan will give you a good idea if you can cover your personal living and business expenses with the new venture.
Before you quit a full time job working for someone else to start a craft business make sure you prepare a business plan. Working through the business plan will give you a good idea if you can cover your personal living and business expenses with the new venture.
Sole Proprietorship 1040-ES
Kind of confused on how to figure a 1040-ES deposit amount? Here's an example walking you through the calculation for a sole proprietorship.
Kind of confused on how to figure a 1040-ES deposit amount? Here's an example walking you through the calculation for a sole proprietorship.
Flow-Through Business Entities
Find out about the flow-through type of business entity. Partnerships and S corporations are two types of flow-throughs.
Find out about the flow-through type of business entity. Partnerships and S corporations are two types of flow-throughs.
Corporate Entity
The main advantage for a craft business interested in forming a corporation is the limited liability aspect that applies to shareholders and officers of the corporation. A big disadvantage is having to learn how to write payroll checks.
The main advantage for a craft business interested in forming a corporation is the limited liability aspect that applies to shareholders and officers of the corporation. A big disadvantage is having to learn how to write payroll checks.
Knitting Textile Craft
One of the textile crafts is knitting. One of the masters of knitting is Kaffe Fassett. Find out more about this knitting designer and his two color method of intarsia knitting.
One of the textile crafts is knitting. One of the masters of knitting is Kaffe Fassett. Find out more about this knitting designer and his two color method of intarsia knitting.
Craft Business Market
Successful businesses research the marketplace first and then design products that will sell in that market. Research and a little bit of basic human psychology are good jumping off points for tailoring your craft business to the market.
Successful businesses research the marketplace first and then design products that will sell in that market. Research and a little bit of basic human psychology are good jumping off points for tailoring your craft business to the market.
Safe Harbor Tax Rules
A safe harbor is a provision of Internal Revenue code that eliminates or reduces a taxpayer's liability if the taxpayer acted in good faith.
A safe harbor is a provision of Internal Revenue code that eliminates or reduces a taxpayer's liability if the taxpayer acted in good faith.
Average Tax Rate
The average tax rate is the total tax paid as a percentage of total income earned.
The average tax rate is the total tax paid as a percentage of total income earned.
Bridge Jewelry
Bridge jewelry is so named because it is the bridge between costume and fine jewelry.
Bridge jewelry is so named because it is the bridge between costume and fine jewelry.
Arts / Crafts Business - Articles
An index of articles for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.
An index of articles for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.
Informational Web Sites
An online presence used to provide information about a business.
An online presence used to provide information about a business.
Arts / Crafts Business - HowTos
An index of HowTos for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.
An index of HowTos for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.
Arts / Crafts Business - QuickTips
An index of QuickTips for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.
An index of QuickTips for the Arts / Crafts Business guide site.