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 $6.99!
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.
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
$6 - $24 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 ensure
they 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 pieces, 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 American 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/watercolors, 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!
