Craftseller - November 2014

Craftseller 101

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WHERE TO SELL

Ifyou’re eager to get going, then the

internet is theplace tobegin. Facebook

is free, easyto use and within 10

minutesyou can have a page uploaded

with pictures ofyour crafts. After that,

we’d recommend setting upyour own

virtualshop at an online marketplace.

Consider which site fits best withyour

target audience, what the fees are, and

how muchworkis expectedfromyou.

Visit thedesigntrust.co.uk for more info

about online selling. Ifyou like the idea of

meeting shoppers face to face, search for

local events at stallfinder.com and visit

craft seller.com for advice on craft fairs.

PHOTOGRAPHY KNOW-HOW

Good photos are essential when selling

online. Bad lighting, busybackgrounds

or poorfocus can put customers off,so

it’s worth taking the time to consider

how to showcaseyour makes.TheFolksy

blog (blog.folksy.com) has some articles

on this topic.Think also about seasonality

re shootyour makes for summer and

winter using different props.

S

tarting out canfeellikewading

thougha minefieldofinformation,

but whatdo you really needto

know to begin selling your makes?Get

ahandleonthesebasics andyour craft

business will be off to a flying start...

PRICING

It can be hard to put a price onyour time

and skill, so look at what otherpeople

are selling similar itemsfor. Don’talways

undercut them ifyours reallyis abetter

quality product, reflect this in the price.

For more info on pricingyour handmade

goods, visit the Enterprise Nation blog at

enterprisenation.com/blog.

BOOKKEEPING AND TAX

Ifyou’re just selling occasional items to

friends and familyyou won’t be liable

for tax,but as soon asyou start to sell

commercially online or at craftfairs

you will need to let Revenue & Customs

know(visit hmrc.gov.uk). You’ll need to

keep a record of allyour sales, too read

our bookkeeping tips at craft-seller.com.

THE LEGAL BIT

Ifyou’re selling food, toys or cosmetics,

there are health and safety guidelines to

consider. But don’t panic, just doyour

research. Ifyou bake, visit food.gov.

ukto get to grips withthebasics. Ifyou

make items that willappealto children

under the age of 14, they will need to be

CE tested (see gov.uk/ce-marking, or

visit conformance.co.uk to find out about

self certification packs). Ifyou’re selling

soap or toiletries, then seek advice from

gcstm.co.uk. You mayneed insurance if

selling at fairs there’s a great article at

ukhandmade.co.uk on this subject.

Crafty coontacts

TOP SELLING SITES

dawanda.com

etsy.com

folksy.com

TAX & BOOKKEEPING

hmrc.gov.uk

icaew.com

CRAFT FAIRS

stallfinder.com

uukcraftfairs.com

PRODUCT SAFETY

cconformance.co.uk

ffood.gov.uk

ggcstm.co.uk

gov.uk/ce-markingk/ ki

GENERAL ADVICE AND

SUPPORT

blog.etsy.com/uk

blog.folksy.com

craftscouncil.org.uk

craft-seller.com

createacraftbusiness.com

enterprisenation.com

thedesigntrust.co.uk

ukhandmade.co.uk

Startyour reseaarchhere...

GeGet a free consultation with

h

aa chartchartered accounh t r d accountant atter

et a f e consultat

icaew.com.icaew comi ew com

Photographing your

makeswell is essentialfor

successful online selling

Do your homework to find

out if any legal guidelines

apply to your makes

h

“Consider which site fits

your audience and what

is expected from you”

IMAGE: Talkin

gTables