Synopses & Reviews
Turn Your Passion Into A Lucrative VocationDid you know that you can turn your creativity into a profitable business? Imagine making thousands of dollars a year from a hobby you love! Millions of people just like you are using their creative talents to make big money. With the help of this crafts business classic, so can you!
The nation's top expert on this topic, Barbara Brabec, gives you everything you need to know to launch a lucrative home-based business. Packed with dozens of moneymaking ideas and the success secrets of more than 100 professional crafters and industry experts, this guide shows you how to:
·Discover the hobby that will pay off for you
·Start your own home shop, boutique, or party planning business
·Sell your work through retail or wholesale outlets
·Develop and sell your original patterns and designs
·Write how-to articles for craft magazines
·Get started teaching at home or in local craft shops
·And much, much more!
"The liveliest, most down-to-earth, non-intimidating approach to making money from your crafts that I've ever seen."
—Interweave Press
"An invaluable road map based on the real-life experiences of craft entrepreneurs. . . . The ultimate 'how-to' in crafting."
—Renee; Chase, Webmaster, Crafter.Com
"Easy reading, with plenty of interesting real-life examples sprinkled in, providing practical advice from those who've been there."
—Miriam Olson, editor, Crafts Magazine
"Chock-full of moneymaking strategies for craftspeople at every level."
—Amy Detwiler, editor in chief, Sunshine Artist
"Amazingly fresh and insightful . . . inspiring to read . . . a brilliant book to help keep crafters on the road to success."
—Maria Nerius, host of "Creative Chat" on Aleene's Creative Living show (TNN)
"As usual, Barbara has her hand on the pulse of the craft industry."
—Linda Coomer, Coomers Craft Malls
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 265-283) and index.
About the Author
Barbara Brabec is one of the world's leading experts on how to turn an art or crafts hobby into a profitable home-based business. She regularly communicates with thousands of creative people through her Web site at www.barbarabrabec.com.
Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction
A Brief History of the Crafts Industry
Crafts' Impact on the Economy
One Person Can Make a Difference
1. Your Dreams and Goals
Realizing Your Secret Dream
Identifying What You Do Best
Leaving Your "Comfort Zone"
Encouraging Others
Learning New Crafts
How Life Leads Us
2. Producing for Today's Marketplace
The Importance of Quality and Good Designs
Buying Supplies Wholesale
Using Commercial Patterns and Designs
Developing Creativity and Design Ability
Doing Market Research
Pricing Insight
The Value of Your Time
Make It a Family Affair
3. Nitty-Gritty Legal and Financial Stuff
Be Different—Start Professionally!
Taking Care of Business
Insurance Tips
Bookkeeping and Tax Returns
Home-Business Deductions
Legal Assistance
Important Federal Regulations
Business Brings Its Own Benefits
4. Selling at Fairs and Shows
How to Find Good Shows
Learning How to Sell
Your Personal and Professional Image
Demonstrating Your Art of Craft
Get a Gimmick
How Product Lines Change and Grow
Lessons Learned
Honing Your Sense of Humor
5. Home Shops and Sales
Private Studios and Workshops
Open House Sales
Holiday Boutiques
Seasonal Boutiques
Home Craft Parties
Home Party Success Tips
6. Selling Through Shops, Galleries, Malls, and Other Outlets
Craft Consignment Shops
Art Galleries
Craft Malls and Rent-a-Space Shops
Avoiding Craft Mall Pitfalls
Craft Mall Failures: A Sad Reality
Local Outlets for Arts and Crafts
7. Moving into Wholesaling
Breaking Wholesale Barriers
The Production Barrier
Time and Family Concerns
Finding Your First Wholesale Buyers
Wholesaling to a Niche Market
Doing Trade Shows
Selling Through Gift Marts and Sales Reps
The Importance of Planning
In Summary
8. Turning Designs into Dollars
Selling How-To Articles to Magazines
Writing Craft and Needlework Design Books
Developing and Selling Patterns by Mail
A Shop Owner's Tips for Pattern Sellers
Wholesaling a Pattern Line
Developing and Selling Kits
Designing for Manufacturers
Licensing Designs to Manufacturers
The Society of Craft Designers
9. Writing and Publishing
Writing Magazine Articles
Identifying Your Markets
Publishing Booklets, Directories, and Reports
Periodical Publishing
The Financial Realities of Newsletter Publishing
From Little Acorns...
Writing a Book
Working with Trade Publishers
Publishing Your Own Book
10. Profit from Special Know-How
Teaching How-To Techniques
Finding Places to Teach
Speaking About Your Art or Craft
Adding Pizzazz to Your Presentations
How to Become a "TV Personality"
Selling Needlework or Stitchery Services
Offering Special Business Services
A Teacher Turned Entertainer
11. Crafters and Computer Technology
Why Some People Don't Buy Computers
What a Computer Can Do for You
"Surfing the Net"
Online Networking, Research, Promotion, and Sales
Setting Up Your Own Web Site
Technology vs. Craftsmanship
12. Endnotes
What Goes Around Comes Around
Believe It or Not
Crafts as Both Work and Therapy
Coping with Accidents and Disabilities
Making Changes
The Truck Stops Here
You Can Change Your Life!
Resources
Section I. Periodicals
Section II. Trade Publications and Organizations
Section III. Art/Craft and Home-Business Organizations
Section IV. Business Books and Directories
Section V. Selected Suppliers
Section VI. Addresses
Index