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A Word of Advice for the Beginning Crafter

A Word of Advice for a Beginning CrafterBy Eileen Bergenhttp://www.theartfulcrafter.comEven though my site is fairly new, I have been getting lettersfrom crafters looking for advice on how to get started selling their wares. I thought that this letter and my answer would be ofinterest to anyone beginning a new home business.This is an example:I would like to get started selling crafts to make some extramoney, but I don't have a lot of it to spend. I can sew a little.What is the best way I can make some money quickly?Betsy by e-mailDear Betsy,I have a little bit of bad news for you. Getting started in anybusiness, crafting or otherwise, is not something that can be donequickly or cheaply.First let's look at the product you want to make. You say youknow how to sew, but that really does not give me enough information. But assuming you have good sewing skills, what isit that you plan to make? Is it a hand appliquéd vest or a handmade hot pad. The truth is that the market for each is vastly different and thatsome things are worth much more than others. If you are seriousabout getting a business going, you must start with a quality product that people will pay a nice markup for. Among otherthings, this means using good quality materials and unique ororiginal ideas.You can get many patterns for free on the Internet and in magazines, but I believe they are only starting points. The bestpatterns will not be given away for free. If you are going to start with a free pattern, you have to do something to make itdifferent - to make it your own. You must have something good to sell.Any business is going to require time and effort to get g

oing. If you're working at home and are surrounded by distractions, this might be harder than it sounds. You must act the same as if you were going out to an office or factory to work. Set asidecertain hours that are devoted only to your business. Set aside space just for your business. Buy the tools you need to do qualitywork.You need not buy new equipment. Check out what's for sale at eBayor at garage sales and flea markets. Buy your materials when theyare on sale or from the clearance bin. Buy online. The sameproducts you see in stores can cost 33% to 50% less. The importantthing is not to scrimp. Your customers will know it and your saleswill be affected.You will have to devote some time and expense to advertising of onesort or another. You have to find customers or you are just wastingyour time. Local craft shows are a good place to start, as are online auctions at sites such as eBay or Yahoo.I really can't tell you what your budget should be. It need not beenormous. But this is definitely not something that can be done forfree, nor will you get rich quick.Please go to www.theartfulcrafter.com/craft-business.html. Read thearticles I wrote and check out some of the resources I recommend. You will be starting out with a lot more ammunition than most.Good Luck. Let me know how things work out.Eileen Bergenhttp://www.theartfulcrafter.comYour Guide to Fun & Profits from Crafts About the Author
Ms. Bergen has had a varied career, first as a special education teacher and than, after getting a MBA degree, as a vice president of a major insurance company. For the last eight years she has been creating and selling her crafts.

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