From Handmade Hobby to Business

We have seen many new businesses start up during last year, especially online.

Some out of boredom and some from a need to earn money as jobs were lost and workplaces closed during the restriction tiers and lockdowns. 

Many people who were already selling odd items they made, more as a hobby, really stepped up their game and turned that hobby into a business.

Some began to discover crafts as something to do, some realising there was time now to have a go at that craft they always wanted to do. Still others were trying different things until they found one they really enjoyed. More rediscovered a love of creating because suddenly there was time in abundance. 

Popular Crafts

There are many old favourites that people have gone back to, such as knitting and crochet. Also many newer crafts and craft mediums that have appeared over the last few years.

I intend to do a series of blogs about the different crafts and where you can get kits to try and plans to make things etc. After all you don't want to buy everything in bulk and then realise you don't like it.

Some crafts use basic tools that many already have, like power tools for woodwork.

Many learnt basic woodworking form school and others learnt from parents/grandparents etc. Grandparents were often a good source of knowledge about many crafts and passed this on to the young ones if they were interested. 

Now though new crafts with different materials available spring up and really capture the imagination.

I am loving the resin creations that have popped up. So many innovative ideas and created with such gorgeous colours.

Learning Crafts

Crafts are not everyone's cup of tea of course but creating things by hand has had a major revival in recent years as it can be a big help with mental health.

My daughters learnt various skills from us. One was more interested in woodworking and other practical skills than the other. They both learnt knitting/crochet/baking and sewing which for a time when they were young seemed to be skills that were dying out.

I learnt knitting and crochet mainly from my grandmother, baking from my mother and school. Sewing was not something I enjoyed but the basics and more were instilled at school.

Nowadays, of course, you can learn just about anything from YouTube from basic skills to more advanced as well as from various blogs.

Getting the Basics!

Ask around to find out if anyone you know has a few basics you can try with. If you have shops open (Not shut due to Covid-19) its worth checking out charity shops. They occasionally get a variety of unused craft kits that were unwanted gifts. They often sell balls of wool too, if you are using yarn.

This time of year they get lots of unwanted items or even items passed on as people clear cupboards to find space for the new gifts.

A lot of people are decluttering now because they have time on their hands. 

Craft kits are a less expensive way of getting started too. See Candle making and Embroidery

Getting started

Many start selling from a Facebook business page. These are easy to set up and you can ask people you know to come and like your page to get you started.

Costs are minimal online. Opening free business pages etc. 

Open a shop on a selling platform such as Etsy. 

You have to list your items by writing descriptions of each one and adding photographs from every angle. 

There are tuition videos to help you and YouTube has videos by successful sellers to help also.

The first few listings will take the most time as you get used to what is required it will get easier.

My Etsy shop is Uniquely Your Word Art if you want to take a look.

There are other selling platforms too.  I started out selling on Folksy, a UK based platform and I also have a shop on Not On The Highstreet.

Do some research and find the best one for you. I have been on new platforms, only 2-3 years old but selling is harder as they aren't as established as the older ones. 

I have been on newer ones and despite working hard to market my shop, rarely sold anything. 

Try a more established one to start with.

Website:

You can build yourself a website, quite easy on most platforms, with the drag and drop set up most have. There are many platforms where you can start off on the free version to see how you get on.

WordPress takes more time to learn and build but it's another option.

Take the step!

Now it's the time for you to keep

learning alot as you take the leap.

Just follow your dreams

its not as hard as it seems

its never really all done

but it makes life more fun.

The step that you take first

feels scary and is the worst.

So jump in, don't look back

else you might give yourself the sack.

If you don't try you'll never know

if that business would start to grow.

You're not too old or too young

just don't leave your song unsung!!

What do you think?

Many start their business alongside their job. In these trying times, many of you have lost your job and are looking for alternative ways to earn a living.

Nobody is happy about the Pandemic, lives have been lost and jobs have vanished. 

But many have reconnected with family and got to know their local community because they aren't on the treadmill of work long hours, eat, sleep and repeat. 

Others have found a new direction in life online, Facebook pages sprung up to help local areas to help each other by exchanging goods and belongings. 

Still more took up hobbies at the beginning, or expanded the hobbies they had. Then as the restrictions continued turned them into businesses. Often, as much for something to do, as to earn money.

If you always fancied an online business, there has never been a better time!

A few links with more information:

How to create an online Bussiness 

How to start a Profitable Website

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