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 25 cents and selling for $7.99!
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 $6 - $25 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 American crafts might sell
well in some other countries, such as Australia and the UK.
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!
