One way is to have your arts and crafts on display in local restaurants that you use yourself.

Depending on the shape and size of your arts or crafts, this can be a very lucrative experiment!.. You should make sure to use a nice restaurant that you yourself go to, make sure its not really a fast paced one, as you want people who are lingering over a nice meal to notice and appreciate your art that may be hanging on the wall by their table, or that decorative shelf housing your crafts in a corner.

Start by taking yourself to dinner with a friend or family at this particular restaurant that you like, and while eating, and relaxing, try and notice walls or corners, where your creations would look great.

Pick your best tasteful pieces, that you feel would suit the restaurant, and then approach the owner, during the daytime when he/she is likely to be there planning the day, and talk to him/her about the idea of hanging your art (show the owner your pieces) maybe give him/her some idea of where you were thinking it should go, so as to take the guess work out of the equation, and make the owner feel like its not another project he has to deal with!

Come up with a deal, that he/she gets a percentage of the sale, and then make sure you give him/her your business cards and brochures, and also that there is a business card with the price of the piece with the piece. Do not put a great big read "for sale" sign on the piece!, you need something subtle and tasteful, possibly in the bottom right corner of the piece. If you have 3D creations that need to be on a shelf, then make sure your business card is attached with the price written on the back neatly or typed on..

This is another great way to get you and your business known in the community, and is a great way to get people to look at, and appreciate and hopefully purchase your creations!

Sell your Arts and Crafts in Restaurants is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

If you are the type of a person who enjoys working with their hand and like the thought of teaching kids new skills, then this business undertaking is yours. It is a real money minting endeavor. Here is how to do it.

Instead of selling a completed craft kit for your kid, sell the materials to do so. These should be materials included , ready –to –make craft kits. These seems to very sell well though they may not necessarily be geared towards kids. Now-a-days crafts using wooden thread spools have seen a rise in demand. In fact, they are very popular especially with kids.

You should always remember that the more a craft is difficult, you should give full or write the assembly instructions to aid your clients. Before you start selling your handiwork, you should keep the below factors into consideration for your business to be successful.

Pricing

If you are going to sell crafts for ensure it is fairly priced at the same time consider to keep your price at least four times more than your production cost to break even and make a profit.

Marketing

For any business to get it shares of customers, marketing should be an integral part of it. Make sure you thoroughly advertise your products on the local media like the newspaper (both paid and free) radio stations and others. This will, tell alert your potential clients as to your product range. Write a story about why they should purchase your crafts as normally kids love stories. They will force their parents to buy your crafts due to the stories attached to them.

Another great way of marketing is advertising is through creation of flyers for your local community bulletin boards.

Lastly, talk to the representatives of your local craft stores with the aim of introducing your crafts as an item in their stock inventory. This normally works magic and you will see orders for your product triple within a very short period of time. A craft that can be packaged as a kit will always surpass any which is not, when stacked together in a craft shop. So, always ensure you do this if you want your sales to improve dramatically, you will be selling volumes you have never dreamt about.

How Do You Create and Sell Kids Craft Kits While Based at Your Home? is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

If you're the creative type, you may want to try making extra cash in the art and crafts field. This hobby can quickly turn into a very profitable business. With today's technology, you're able to reach a wider audience to sell your arts and crafts. Believe it or not, there are people still out there willing to buy handmade crafty items. You just have to be creative in finding where these people are and placing your craft items in front of them.

So, what crafty item should you make and sell? Well, that depends on your creative passions. The crafting field is vast and there is always something for everyone. Some suggestions are; crocheting, knitting, polymer clay, sewing, handmade toys, handmade home decoration, the list can go on and on. Think about what craft items people might want to buy. How would your craft item benefit the buyer? Can your craft item be of use as decoration? Is it a functional craft item? What purpose does it have for the potential buyer? These are the questions you should ask yourself when coming up with ideas on what craft item you want to make and/or currently making.

Now that you have decided on what craft item you want to make, how do you know if there is a market for it? You don't, unless you do some research. Browse some of the online auction sites that are out there on the web. Type in your craft item into the search field and take note of how many bids are placed or how many items are listed. This is not a sure fire method but will give you a sense of who else is making something similar to your craft item. Another way to find out if there is a market for your craft item is to search for possible stores or internet stores that may be selling what you want to make. Research, research is the key.

You discover there may be a possible market for your craft item. How do you make money? Where do you sell it? This is where you need to get extra creative of getting people to buy your craft item. Research local craft fairs in your area and sign up to the ones that fit in with what you want to sell. There are many online internet sites like Etsy and ArtFire where you can setup an online store to sell your craft item. Just make sure you read all the fine print about listing fees and final sale fees but are a good way to sell online. Make sure you take good pictures of your craft item and remember, the potential buyer can't hold your creation. Describe in detail everything about what you are selling.

Along with selling your craft items on online stores, you can also turn your knowledge of making your craft item into a tutorial or eBook. The quick and simple way is to create the tutorial in word doc and then convert it to PDF file. List your tutorial on your online store. When people purchase your tutorial, you would email them the PDF of your tutorial. There is also online eBook creating software out there on the web. Do a search on your favorite web browser for; creating eBooks.

These are just a few ideas of how I am trying to survive in today's rough economy as a crafter. Keep your head up and happy crafting.

Creative Ways On How To Sell Your Arts and Crafts is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

All quilters need accessories. Your quilting business could be selling those accessories or niche products geared specifically toward quilters.

There are common accessories that come to mind immediately: scissors, threads, fabrics, etc. You could sell those items on an Internet auction site or start your own online store. With a little research, even someone with very little computer experience can get an online store up and running.

Maybe you would choose to offer only one accessory in your quilting business. You could start a quilting business that focuses on selling fabric fat quarters. You could also start a quilting business that sells nothing but threads.

Advertise this type of business on other websites, such as quilting how-to sites, and quilting newsletters.

Another niche idea to help you start a quilting business is to sell a novelty product that quilters would love. For instance, sell custom pin cushions. Sale online and at craft shows.

You could also sell patterns for dolls or toys that are quilted. If you have sewing skills, you could sew and sell the toys and dolls. A small classified ad in a craft or sewing magazine or newsletter should get the results you need for your quilting business. Also, think about advertising online with quilting and sewing newsletters. If you are sewing the toys yourself, try selling them at craft shows.

If the only thing you love more than quilting is a particular holiday, try combining your two passions into a quilting business. If you love Christmas, start a quilting business in which you sell quilted Christmas d?r. Quilted ornaments, tree skirts, stockings and other decor are very popular.

No matter what your favorite holiday, you can create quilted decorations to sell. Advertise in quilting and sewing newsletters online and buy a small classified line ad in a magazine. These are also great craft show items or sell them from your own website.

Advertising your quilting business does not have to be expensive. After all, the idea is to start a quilting business on a shoestring.

Plenty of newspapers offer free classified advertising. Give those a try. Don't overlook free online classifieds, too.

Another idea is to join free online groups. Look for groups that relate to your particular quilting business. For instance, if your business is selling patterns for quilted toys, you will undoubtedly think about joining a group for quilters. But, don't forget other groups like stay-at-home or work-at-home moms, etc. Think about the people who would likely use your product/service.

Be sure to follow the group's rules. Some specifically state that products cannot be sold on their group sites. Usually, those sites do allow a "signature" in which your name is followed by your business website. Having your name followed by your website is good free advertising!

If you subscribe to a quilting or sewing newsletter, send them a press release when you start your quilting business. Press releases generate free publicity. Even if the newsletter does not use your information in its entirety, you could get a little mention somewhere. Always include your contact information -- a phone number, email address or website.

You can also contact your favorite newsletters to see if they accept advertising. Getting a link on your favorite site will undoubtedly reach other subscribers who share your interests!

Your Quilting Business: Sell Niche Products is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Quilted accessories include a wide range of products: home d?r, clothing, pet accessories... and more!

In the home d?r category, your business could make and sell quilted potholders and matching aprons with pockets that coordinate with the potholder pattern. You could make and sell quilted oven mitts.

Table runners and mantel drapes are also popular quilted items for the home. Quilted placemats and coasters are also ideas.

For a living room, den, bedroom, dining room or kitchen quilted wall hangings are popular. These can be custom made to coordinate with your client's own interior colors and style.

For a guest room or bathroom, why not quilt covers for a tissue box or photo or mirror frame? Quilted pillowcases are also good sellers.

Take the idea of home d?r to a smaller scale and perhaps your quilting business could be making quilted items for doll houses. Many collectors will pay top dollar to have their dollhouse beds accented with tiny little quilts. Such quilts would also be a niche business for baby dolls. Little girls love their dolls and many parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles would pay good money to have a special quilt made for a special doll!

Holidays open up a wide range of options for home d?r as well. Keep that in mind if your quilting business will focus on home d?r. Your quilting business could actually focus on holiday items.

Christmas ornaments, stockings, wall hangings, table decorations...the possibilities for that one holiday alone are endless! Imagine if your quilting business focused on all holidays.

For January, quilted d?r featuring snowmen and snowflakes would be popular for the winter theme. February is Valentine's Day. Focus for that holiday would be on quilted items with hearts, cupids, etc. March brings St. Patricks' Day and Spring.

April is Easter, and brings another slew of quilted holiday items to mind. Baskets made from quilted strips of fabric would be gorgeous. Patchwork eggs stuffed to perfection would also be fun items.

May and June bring graduations along with Mother's and Father's days. These months are great for quilted photo frames or scrapbooks with a quilted cover.

July's patriotic theme would be great inspiration for quilted home de'cor as well. August and September sends children (and teachers) back to school. Quilted notebooks, tote bags, pencil cases would be great accessories for those months. Halloween and Thanksgiving also offer endless possibilities for home d&eacutecor, too. Use your imagination!

Quilted apparel could include a number of items as well. Belts and headbands are popular accessories. Quilted jackets are a higher ticket item you could make and sell. You could add small quilt blocks to simple cardigans as pockets. Combine your jackets with a matching quilted cap or tote bag and increase your price accordingly!

Other quilted accessories you could make include cell phone holders, lip gloss pouches, and eye glass cases. Coin purses and wallets are other ideas for quilted accessories. Purses and tote bags are also very popular items that translate nicely into quilted products.

The pet niche can be so much fun. People of all ages love to buy things for their pets. For cats and dogs, quilted carrying cases are good sellers. Pet beds are another top item.

Pet clothing is also very popular. Small dogs generally need the added warmth of a coat in the winter. Quilted coats, jackets and shawls are good sellers for pet clothing. Create a package by including the quilted coat or jacket along with a matching quilted hat.

No matter which niche you choose, any of these areas would offer great sales opportunities for your own quilting business.

Find Your Niche in the Quilting Business; Make and Sell Quilted Accessories is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

The cash register rings, and the person across the counter from you smiles as they take the bag you're handing them. As they walk away beaming with excitement, they're chattering with their friend that this is exactly what they were looking for, but just haven't been able to find.

You're beaming with that deep sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing someone else just walked away with one of your crafts, with a big smile on their face. You're reminded again that starting your own craft business was one of the best things you ever did.

For years people were telling you that your crafts were wonderful, and you should sell them. They told you that you had a real gift and that you should share it through your own craft business. Turns out they were right, and you're sure glad you listened to them. Now you're doing what you love, and making money at it.

As you read the above paragraphs, do you have that sense of longing to have your own craft business? Do you want to be the one hearing the cash register ring and watch people walking away with your crafts smiling as they go?

The difficult part can be just knowing how to get started. How do you go from the idea, to actually selling those crafts. While I can't cover everything in this article, I can give you some basics as to how to get started.

Decide On A Craft To Sell

One of the first things you need to do is come up with an idea of a craft to sell. If you don't already have an idea, there are lots of things you can do to get an idea. Here are just a couple of ideas.

* Solve an everyday problem - Look around you and see what it is around you that's a problem, and come up with a solution for it. It doesn't have to be complex, just something simple. For example, at our house, we always have tons of pens everywhere. You could come up with a great idea for a nice looking pen holder. There are lots of everyday things like this that can give you ideas.

* Improve on an existing product - Look at at a product you already own, and do a variation of it. Take the idea of a paper towel rack. You could make really fancy paper towel racks and sell them. Maybe make a set of kitchen items centered around a theme. Paper towel rack, napkin holder, salt and pepper shaker holder. This would be improving on something that already exists.

Decide On The Price Of Your Craft

Something else you will need to do is price your craft. This is where a lot of people make a mistake. They don't consider all of the expenses really involved in producing a craft. You need to consider not only the cost of the supplies, but also the cost of being in the show, gas, and lodging if you are staying away from home. Make sure that you take into consideration all of your costs when coming up with a price.

You also need to determine how much you want to pay yourself an hour. You certainly have to be realistic, but you don't want to short yourself either. You really do need to get paid.

When you come up with a price that you think is realistic, compare it to other products that are similar to see if you are in the ballpark. Also, ask friends and family for honest feedback. This can be a great way to get an idea if your price is likely to work.

Decide Where To Sell Your Craft

Third, you are going to need to decide on where you will sell your crafts. You need to consider the types of crafts you are selling, and fit them to specific shows. If you are selling items that don't fit into the show, you may spend money for space, and end up not selling anything.

There are lots of smaller shows that you can get started with, in order to keep the costs down. This will also enable you to test your products and prices without too much investment.

There are lots of websites that will help you locate craft shows. Just type craft shows into Google to find some of these sites.

You can also check with schools, churches and farmers markets to find more possibilities to sell your products.

Once you get rolling you will have more ideas than you can follow.

How To Sell Your Crafts is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

You must use effective marketing techniques that will drive targeted traffic to your shop. Sounds easy right! Well online marketing isn’t as easy as it may sounds. There are a variety of techniques, search engine optimization, link building, pay-per-click campaigns, social networking, email campaigns and the list goes on and on.

Some handmade artists believe that simply having a blog where they blog about their handmade crafts will get them noticed. And unfortunately blogging doesn’t always get you noticed either.

I actually takes a combination of all of the online marketing techniques above to get your online handmade craft shop noticed. These techniques also require a lot of time and some require a good deal of money. I know this because I manage the online marketing campaign for HandmadeCraftShow.com, an online virtual craft show that markets handmade artists and their online shops.

Using a variety of online marketing techniques we have been able to launch a very aggressive marketing campaign that has taken us to 0 to 17,000 unique visitors per month. As the popularity of our site grows we are expecting that number to soon double and then triple.

HandmadeCraftShow.com has one main focus and that is to market handmade crafts.  Our unique setup is different from other virtual craft shows and handmade artists and buyers have taken noticed. New handmade artists are always adding their online shops because they understand that this is the easiest and most affordable way to market their online shops.

If you are needing visitors to your online shop then I encourage you to join our virtual craft show and let us do the marketing for you. This way you can stay focus on your day job or adding more handmade craft items to your shop.

Top Places To Sell Handmade Crafts Online

Etsy.com Artfire.com

Top Places To Market Your Online Shop

ShopHandmadeOnline.com – http://shophandmadeonline.com HandmadeCraftShow.com – http://handmadecraftshow.com WorldOfHandmade.com – http://worldofhandmade.com

Top Places To Network With Other Handmade Artists

The Jewelry Artist Network – http://jewelryartistnetwork.ning.com The Handmade Artist Hangout – http://handmadecraftshow.ning.com

Places To Sell Handmade Crafts is a post from: Watthamai Crafts