Today's shoebox segment was devoted to answering the one single question that I receive more frequently than any other--"How do I make money with my crafts?" Though the question comes in many forms . . ."How do I get started selling my crafts?", "Where can I sell my crafts?", "How do I know how to price my crafts?", they are all basically about the same thing. My answer is--I do not know how to answer your questions individually. Not only am I not an expert in this field because I've never really made things to sell, but I don't think that there is one single answer. It certainly is not an answer that I could attempt in a letter, or in a chat on the Internet, or even in a single interview on our show.
We have, in fact, from time to time had guests on our show to address this question in its many forms, often telling how they got started selling their crafts. Even though there is a common thread that runs through a lot of them, every story is a little bit different.
We've also had guests talking about different ways to make money with your crafts besides actually selling the items that you make. . . like selling articles to magazines, things of that type. We've had a lawyer talk about some of the legal "must dos" and "don't evers" . . .
But to give some kind of an answer to those of you who ask because I don't want to make it sound like a total cop out, the best I can do is to recommend a good book from either your library or your book store. The library is as good a place as any to start . . . it is certainly the least expensive. And check your book store, of course. Their selection is sometimes more current. And don't forget the Internet. There is lots of information on the Internet.
When it comes to books, we have interviewed author Janice West who wrote Marketing Your Arts and Crafts. She surprised us because one of the things she talked about was finding different surprising and unusual places that you might try to sell your crafts. She has several listed in the table of contents. . . "Holiday House Boutiques," "Selling on Consignment," "Alternative Spaces," "Architects," and "Corporate Art Markets." She covers a wide range of suggestions and subjects.
Then there is probably the single best known source on the subject, Barbara Brabec. Barbara wrote Home Made Money and, more recently Creative Cash. She covers everything from nitty-gritty legal and financial stuff, to turning designs into dollars, to writing and publishing, to home shops and sales. Lots of things covered in this book, too.
There is also Crafting as a Business by Wendy Rosen. She also includes many stories of individuals who have gone into the business of selling their crafts.
These are just three of the many books out there on the subject. Check them out. Of course, if you would just like to start selling something as a lark to see where it takes you, then just go ahead and do it . . . but if you are serious about a lifestyle change you had better do some research. There is lots of help out there. Good luck.
Resources Homemade Money: How to Select, Start, Manage, Market and Multiply the Profits of a Business at Home
by Barbara Brabec (ISBN: 1558704663)
This title is out of print. Consult local libraries, used book stores or click
here for Amazon.com's book search. Limited availability.
A new two-volume edition of the
Homemade Money book is now available.
Homemade Money: Starting Smart! and Homemade Money: Bringing in the Bucks!
by Barbara Brabec (ISBN: 0871319985 and 1590770013)
Click
here to order these titles.
Marketing Your Arts and Crafts: Creative Ways to Profit from Your Work
by Janice West (ISBN: 1565301277)
Click
here to order this title.
The Summit Publishing Group
Arlington , TX
US
Phone: 817-588-3013
Crafting As a Business
by Wendy Rosen, Anne Childress (ISBN: 0806985534)
Click
here to order this title.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website:
www.sterlingpub.comCreative Cash: How to Profit From Your Special Artistry, Creativity, Hand Skills...
by Barbara Brabec (ISBN: 0761514252)
Click
here to order this title.
Random House (Prima Publishing has been bought by Random House)
Roseville, CA
Toll Free Phone: 800-733-3000
Email:
customerservice@randomhouse.com
URL:
www.randomhouse.com
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