by Lou Belcher

Created on: June 24, 2010

Are you creative and enjoy arts and crafts projects? That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go into business with those projects. Before you do, consider some of the financing and selling issues you might face and get yourself off to a good start.

With the Internet, it is much easier than ever to reach a niche market. Etsy.com is especially helpful in this regard. It is a website devoted to handmade arts and crafts products. The artists are afforded their own shop and are able to display photographs of their products only for the cost of $0.20 per posting and a 3.5% transaction fee when something sells.  This is very reasonable when compared to fees in consignment shops.

For those just starting out in the arena of selling their arts and craft creation, Etsy.com is a real bargain. A site such as this eliminates the need for financing in these uncertain economic times. Another benefit is that the artist does not need to have a big inventory. Rather, the artist can post items as they are produced.

Selling /marketing these creations is another matter. It is important to drive traffic to your on-line shop and to create a buzz about your artwork in order to become financially viable. There are several ways to do this.  Here are a few ideas:

Name your business and create business cards and a look that represents you. Choose colors for your arts and crafts business and a logo that you will stick with. This is what people will come to know you buy, so choose something you really like. Use the logo on line in your shop and insert your card and brochure in each mailing when someone purchases an item from you. You never know when they might give your business card to a friend who might become a customer.

Create a buzz about your business by joining social media sites (such a twitter, facebook, etc.) on line and talking about your love of the creative process, techniques you use, and where people can see what you make.

Develop a blog online where you post short articles on current projects and show your projects in progress. People love to see how artwork is developed and hear about the artwork in the artist’s own words. Link the blog to your on-line shop, so fans can purchase your work.

If you are on Etsy.com or a similar site, join in the discussions in the chat rooms and get to know others. Send people to their shops and they’ll do the same for you.

Interest people in your work by periodically having sales or special contests. You can manage these and find others to respond to these offers by talking them up on your social media sites and your blog.

Starting an arts and crafts business takes time, but if you set small goals for yourself and continually market your work, you should find the success you are seeking.

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