Cash In On The Crafts Boom

The Crafts Boom!

If you're in business selling a product then you would

expect it to be useful to succeed.  That's usually true -

but there is one line where the most successful products are

usually completely useless.  And all the more successful for

it!

The business is crafts - handicrafts or whatever.  Everyone

will have bought 'crafts' at some time.  They are usually

quality, hand made products - often based on the past in

some way.  Usually made from natural items - and intended

for decoration, gifts, souvenirs etc.

However, although most crafts are made to look like

individual, 'antique' like goods they are usually nothing of

the sort.  A considerable industry has grown up to produce

crafts on a huge basis - such is the vast demand.

You too can exploit this business.  Craft making usually

doesn't need sophisticated equipment or skills - indeed,

hand made things are an advantage.  You can produce them

individually as and when you need the money!

A further advantage is that no sophisticated sales network

is needed to sell your products.  They often sell on

impulse, because of their sheer attractiveness!  Prices are

not always high - but profits can be hundreds of percent.

Everyone buys crafts!

If you don't feel offering a 'useful' product or service is

interesting enough for you then try crafts.  The successful

products that have no good use whatsoever!

Profit potential

When entering the crafts business it is important to

realise, and abide by, the unique profit potential built

into crafts.

Quite simply, most crafts are made from ultra cheap parts.

In some cases you can get these free!  Many crafts are often

made from rubbish.  This makes your products very, very low

in production cost - there are no expensive machines or

overheads either.

But - do remember to temper this with the fact that most

crafts are hand made in low volumes.  This means increased

labour costs.  However, as many crafts can be made by

homeworkers your costs are again reduced.

Couple low production cost with very high selling prices.

Crafts are usually sold in an exclusive way - such as for

holiday souvenirs etc.  People are prepared to pay far

inflated prices over what they would normally consider

reasonable - and buy readily.  A truly ideal combination!

Research tells of one craft product (a decorated candle)

being produced for 12p and selling for œ3.99!

What Makes A Successful Craft?

The crafts business is not a chance to sell anything in the

form of a craft!  Successful items must have certain

characteristics that make them attractive to customers, and

hence benefit from the price advantages.  When lining up

crafts for manufacture/selling, try and incorporate these

advantages:

- Attractiveness.  Must look 'nice'!

- Curiosity.  Ideal crafts are often a conversation piece.

- Hand made.  No mass production techniques.

- Natural ingredients.  Wherever possible, no plastics etc!

- Compact sized.  Crafts are rarely large items as they must

be suited to impulse sale.

- Original.  Should be unique for each customer, even if in

a small way.

- Standard/Recognisable.  Must be obviously a craft or

curio, and obviously for display purposes.

- Price - Not high, not too low.  Probably about œ3 - œ12 is

an optimum.

You may be able to think of many more points.  Just remember

that crafts are usually bought because they are

'interesting' or 'nice'.  Let that be a guide to what

customers want.

How To Make Crafts

If you are going to deal in crafts it is probably best to

actually have them made specially for you.  This way you can

ensurethey meet the necessary criteria, and benefit from the

enormous mark ups!  One viable alternative is to import them

from low wage countries.

Most crafts don't need specialised skills or equipment.  The

production processes necessary can often be picked up from

crafts books at the local library.  Crafts don't have to be

consistent in quality!

You may decide to produce them yourself - and most can be

made safely at home in a garage or garden shed.  Employ

members of your family for a successful 'cottage industry'!

Do remember though that self production limits your output.

So, a lucrative alternative is to use homeworkers to do all

the work for you.  They can work at home, thus cutting costs

to the bone.  You just deliver/collect crafts and tell them

what to do.  Pay could be by commission, and even as little

as 10% might be adequate.

At all times produce crafts efficiently at absolute minimum

cost.  Prices may be high but efficient production makes

your profits sky high!

How To Sell

Selling is actually the easy part with crafts.  Because,

they literally sell themselves!  Everyone likes to buy

little 'odds and ends'!  And, retailers know the inherent

attraction and profitability of craft products.  You only

need to build a handful of sales contacts for a regular

income.

Look mainly to sell crafts in country, coastal, resort and

'tourist' areas.  Though, crafts sell well in all places

nowadays.

One excellent way of selling is on your own stall - either

at a crafts fair or perhaps a road or market pitch where

allowed.  You may sell only a few piees, but margins are

high.

One lucrative possibility is to sell direct to crafts and

other shops - means a regular income.  For big business you

could sell to wholesalers who sell to such shops.  Maybe

even start your own craft shop!

If you want the ideal home business consider that some craft

products are ideal for mail order selling - in appropriate

newspapers and magazines.  An interesting alternative is to

export your products.  Quality British crafts might sell

well in some countries, especially the USA!

The potential for selling your crafts is truly enormous.

But, part of the fun is seeking out your own lucrative

demand.  People want crafts - it's up to you to just find

them!

Some Suggestions

Up until now the term 'crafts' has been used very generally.

But, it can be used to cover thousands of attractive,

interesting products.  Anything with a certain novelty or

curiosity value might bea 'craft'.  Keep an open mind.

Following, you will find a list of proven crafts.  And,

There's no reason why you can't copy the general ideas.

Also - it is quite up to you whether you produce just

oneline, or many for much more money!

- Candles.  One of the all time successes!  Scented and

decorated candles sell fast at high prices.  Candles can be

produced at home with basic safety precautions - consult a

specialist supplier.

- Food.  This can be a great craft line, though note food

regulations.  'Olde fashioned' sweets are one possibility!

- Clothes.  These are a larger, but high potential line.

Cotton prints and 'hand knits' are the major areas to

explore.  Study designs very carefully - could lead to

something big!

- Shells & Rocks.  Articles made with or decorated with sea

shells are popular.  Otherwise consider polished stones and

semi-previous minerals.  Some of these items can be

carefully prepared and turned into quite valuable jewellery.

- Junk.  Many things you might term 'junk' can be turned

into unique, interesting crafts.  One possibility heard of

concerned the sale of pieces of wood from an old church

attractively polished and shaped into a crucifix.

- Pottery.  One of the most interesting craft lines, and

could turn into a considerable business!  Some investment

would be needed in equipment though.

- Wickerwork.  Anything woven is attractive making a

pleasant alternative to plastics.  Possibilities range from

baskets to place mats!

- Scented items.  Pot pourri and lavendar products have

always been a big seller.  There is also the chance to

produce natural cosmetics (check for safety).

- Photographs/Prints.  Original framed photos or

sketches/watercolours, even oil paintings make good craft

lines.  If you are not talented it is amazing how many good

amateurs there are.

- Semi-Antiques/Reproductions.  Anything that looks like an

antique can sell fast.  For example brass work, jeweller,

small wooden items are good. Don't sell as genuine antiques

though.

Really, this is just a selection of craft lines you could

succeed with.  There are so many, and you only need one to

start.

A Final Note

You are sure to agree that most of the craft products

considered are completely useless.  And, it is that which

makes them successful.  People don't buy crafts for their

functional use - they buy them to look nice - to enjoy.

it's a basic human need and one reason why crafts can

succeed.

Sheer proof that not all business successes have to be up to

The minute!