The first step to selling handmade crafts is to figure out where you would like to sell them. There are many options available to you to sell handmade crafts. They range from selling your crafts at craft shows to setting up your own online store.
Selling your crafts at craft shows – Selling your crafts at a craft show is a very viable option. The best way to find craft shows in your area is to go to your local website to see the happenings and on-goings in the future or if you know that specific craft shows come to your area every year you can go to their website to see when they will be there.
Most craft shows have a paid registration process and a review process. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 to register for a craft show.
Whats involved in selling your craft at a craft show?
In order to sell your craft at a craft show you will need tables and a canopy so you have shelter and a place to display your crafts. The way you set up your show is important because first impressions count.
Be prepared to spend a few hours hauling your equipment and crafts to the show and a few more to break down your temporary store.
Selling your crafts at a craft store – Some stores will actually rent you out space in their store for you to sell your crafts. I have a store in the next town over from me that you can actually rent out a small spot on their shelves to display your crafts. When you sell something you and the store split the profit.
Sell handmade crafts out of your house – Another option to you is to sell your crafts out of your home. You can accomplish this two ways. You can either put classified ads in your local paper, signs in your yard (if your town allows this), and put classified ads online or start your own craft store online.
Where would you start your own online craft store?
A great place to sell handmade crafts is through Etsy.com. Etsy is a online marketplace for crafters. The great thing about Etsy is that you can actually set up your very own personalized store for a fraction of the price it would cost you to sell your crafts at craft stores or by using classified ads.
The only downside to selling handmade crafts online is that you will need to learn how to market your store. It is not hard but it will take a few months to really learn how.
When you sell your crafts at a craft store or craft show part of your fee you pay goes to marketing the show or store so it is already done for you. When you place classified ads that is a form of marketing. When you start an online business it is up to you to make people aware of your store.
The good news is that you can learn how to market your store for the same amount of money or even less then it would cost you to pay a registration fee or place classified ads.
Click here to learn how to market your online craft store
If you are interested in setting up a Etsy store to sell handmade crafts online feel free to sign up for my free mini course. In it you will find a step-by-step plan for setting up and designing your Etsy store as well as information on how to market it.
