Crafting as a Source of Income?

How many people out there actually make a decent living on selling their handmade goods? Whatever you sell, how much do you make? Do you sell online, or have a vending area? I'm totally curious because the thought has never left my mind, I would love to be able to sell my paintings, clothing and jewelery but I just always doubted how well it would work out.


Anyone out there wanna help me out ?

 

if you check out the show it/sell it subforum, you'll find a slew of people who make and sell craft goods.

It's completely possible to earn money doing it, but how much and what volume depends on what you sell, how much, and your venue.

Selling online will help, but try to have a few different outlets for your items, ie craft shows, online, via friends, etc.

 

Right out of high school I made wood crafts for a living. (Yard signs, etc.) I let an ex bf talk me into getting a "real job" and I've been poorer ever since! My dad makes crafts for a living. So does my aunt. They do extremely well. My plan is to get out of debt so I'm free to travel with my crafts again. It's an extremely rewarding job. You don't have a boss. It's the best!!! And I also highly recommend etsy. It's a great place to sell online!

 

I've known people who made very decent livings doing this. You have to be in the right market though. Helps if you have the ability to travel and do shows. Some shows can charge an arm and a leg for booth space however.

You can also sell your wares on consignment, but unless you enjoy being a starving artist type, sell directly. Learn to work the crowd. Pet items are always hot sellers. I have a friend who makes decorated doggie hats.

People will spend more money on their pets than they will their own kids.


x

 

i made and sold hats for about a two years. i just bought a website and started promoting. i don't do it anymore, but when i did it was easy work for the money. no 9 to 5, no boss, it's great

 

I really wanna start a business in crafts. I just need to find time. What do people like buying at craft fairs and stuff?

 

As far as craft fairs are concerned, people generally don't go to them with the specific intention of buying one particular item. The trick is, is to come up with something not only unique, but affordable.

Many craft fair venues are held in places like churches and schools, so people who go to those don't expect to pay more than $10 for items, so you have to know your customer base when it comes to that. More exclusive craft fair venues (the One of a Kind Show in Toronto comes to mind) people would be more willing to spend more money when shopping on an item.

The trick is to come up with something unique enough to stand out from what other people may bring to the table.

 

Well my best friend and I were going to start making bracelets for cancer, shaken baby syndrome, etc. and we were going to sell them for $15 $10 going to cancer research and $5 going to materials.

How do you calculate your labor and material cost? If I were to sell at a church fair like that, which I believe we do have a few, I want to be able to make something under $10, yet profit from it.

Our area is really into antiques. I've gone to a few Salvation Armys and seen some really interesting furniture that I'm thinking about "antiquing." Everything that is sold around here is rarely ever "genuine" antiques-most of it is stuff that people revamp.

I also want to start mosaics. I really like the idea of making beautiful serving trays or like those small tables that you put in your living room. I have a mosaic kit and a book on it, so I'm thinking about starting that. I have plenty of rocks-genuine from the shores of New England-haha. Do you think something like that would sell?