What springs to mind when community is mentioned? A village hall buzzing with jumble sales, meals for the elderly and toddler groups? A cosy roomful of friends chatting over tea and cake as they craft away the winter evenings? A running club? Maybe an online community? Or, perhaps we think of community more in terms of intangible concepts such as friendship, support, a sense of belonging and shared fun.

There is no doubt that when we look back through history it is the strength of local communities which have kept our predecessors going through times of turmoil; even in the recent twentieth century, the cohesion of our communities during the economic depression of the 1930’s and the war years of the 1940’s shines out in the midst of these dark periods.

Equally, it is eminently arguable that with easier travel, advances in technology and the disintegration of the multigenerational family unit, that people are more isolated. This in turn has led to increased loneliness and impacts on both mental and physical health. However, there seems to be a resurgence in the desire for local connections and the crafting community has been at the forefront of some of this. With our emphasis already being on producing locally made products using locally sourced raw materials and selling in local craft markets, local is a theme that runs through crafters’ veins.

You may already be part of an established local crafting community, and if so we’d love to learn from your experience. However, if this is something which you could integrate more into your life, we hope the following ideas will both inspire you and offer some practical suggestions of how to strengthen community within your own area.

Taking that first step towards building community can require courage, especially if our character leans more towards the introvert than the extrovert. Having a clear understanding as to why living alongside others is important is therefore a strong motivator. We’ve mentioned before that many people feel isolated and lonely these days. We are not designed to live in a bubble; we thrive best when interacting with others, when we feel a sense of belonging, and we know we are accepted and have friends around who care for us. When we are confident someone will give us a call or knock on our door if we don’t show up, and when we can share our anxieties and concerns with friends over a kitchen table with a comforting mug of tea or at our local pub surrounded by others facing similar dilemmas. It’s good to laugh together and celebrate together; to walk side by side during the tough times and party together during the high times.

Crafters have a number of natural meeting places out of which friendships can develop. One of these is through attending craft fairs.  A sense of camaraderie often develops as you set up, maybe grabbing a drink for a neighbouring stall holder or watching over each other’s tables during the much needed toilet breaks. If there are two of you running the stall, it’s fun to take the opportunity to wander around and chat to other exhibitors, gathering inspiration and making connections.

As you begin to plan ahead for  this year, remember to put your public liability insurance craft stall in place. There is always so much to prepare just prior to a fair, it is well worth sorting this out ahead of time. As a family run business which specialises in craft insurance we would love to chat with you to find the best package for your unique business. So, pick up the phone and let’s get your public liability insurance craft stall in place.

Another fantastic way of building crafting communities is around the use of shared space. Art studios, craft quarters or community workshops have been growing in number and popularity. This is exciting as the potential that they contain is huge. Many small craft businesses are a one person show, and this can be lonely. By joining together with others in a shared work area, not only can friendships can be formed and support networks grown, but through collaboration a multitude of creative projects can be birthed. This could be workshops for local people, where they can get to know others and learn a new skill. Or it might be a weekly club, where a consistent group who all share the same craft get together to share skills and swaps ideas. It might be an annual art exhibition within your locality, giving opportunity for individual workshops as well as the communal ones to be opened to the public. These are great ways to form connections with other like minded individuals. In this way, an established crafting community is ideally situated to blow on the embers of neighbourhood cohesion and light the fire of community spirit.

Of course not all crafters work alone and many of us have already established our own  communities as the business has grown. Here at Craft Insurance we champion local businesses for many reasons, not least of which is the beneficial impact they have on their surrounding neighbourhood. By employing local staff, using locally sourced raw products and selling at local venues, local businesses not only provide a boost for the local economy but are also a hub for friendships and support.

The final mention goes to those crafters who use their skill and open up their homes informally to gather together like-minded craft lovers. Over warm drinks and an indulgent sweet treat or two, conversation flies as fast as the knitting needles and many cosy evenings are spent with problems shared, patterns swapped and hearts refreshed.

With some potentially tough times ahead for us all, maybe we could resolve to do our part in establishing or strengthening groups around our craft to build strong, cohesive communities who will weather the storms together.

And don’t forget, as you begin to book craft fairs for the year ahead, be sure to get your public liability insurance for your craft stall in place.

Did you know that the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal for education is

“To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”?

As crafters, we all know how enriching it is to learn and master a handicraft and, for many of us, that experience was gifted to us at a young age by a forward thinking adult. Indeed, for some, what started as a childhood hobby became a passion and then an opportunity to make a living which has itself represented a lifelong learning opportunity to us.

There’s no denying that connecting children and young people with traditional techniques and skills to teach them to create handmade items enhances their education and makes it more inclusive. Many a creative genius experienced struggles with academic subjects at school and yet their creative talent was undeniable. The opportunity to learn crafting skills and techniques as part of a balanced curriculum offered a place for them to excel along with their peers.

Nowadays, it does seem that in our schools craft education plays second fiddle to a system geared towards theoretical knowledge and digital learning. Added to this the instant dopamine rush of social media and online gaming available to young people and there is a real danger that the benefits of learning craft techniques and the joy of experimenting with materials will be lost to many.

Our current generation of young people are being taught to value speed, efficiency, and technological advancements when working with your hands is slow work requiring patience, concentration, and practice. Speed, efficiency, and technological advancements are all good things but we also need to consider that we have a crisis of mental health being experienced by the young. So shouldn’t we also be offering them the kinds of activities that don’t contribute to the general level of panic? There are so many mental health benefits that come from slowing down and focusing on doing something peaceful and tactile, and creating a tangible product with your hands boosts confidence and self-worth. Crafting provides an antidote to this fast-paced world of instant gratification.

The good news is of course that there are many young people who know this already and are active on YouTube and other social media platforms, making a name for themselves by posting videos of themselves in action, whether they are drawing, painting or crafting. They know that combining handicrafts and Youtube is a match made in heaven!

So what’s to be done in general about passing on traditional skills and techniques to the next generation in order to ensure their survival? (I did mean the survival of the skills and techniques, but they won’t do the next generation any harm, that’s for sure). Maybe you are interested in connecting young people with traditional art or craft techniques, but you’re not sure where to start or how to do it in a safe, genuine and responsible way. Perhaps the techniques you use are potentially unsafe (I’m thinking chainsaw carving as an example). Thankfully, the digital world has opened up possibilities for us to share our skills. Having your own YouTube channel means that you can share your love for your trade and even go viral! (More on how to start one later).

We’ve put together a few suggestions below for artists and crafters looking for opportunities to give the next generation a helping hand into the wonderful world of craft.

Craft Fairs

This is where craft fairs can come in handy; they provide a place where young people can explore creative activities and develop new skills. If you’re running a craft stall however, it’s essential that you make sure you have craft fair public liability insurance. Craft fair public liability insurance will protect you from any legal action taken against you if something goes wrong.

If you are offering young people a free learning opportunity in the form of ‘having a go’ at your craft fair stall it’s also a good idea to get parental permission. And with parental permission (you’ll need to have a consent form for parents/carers to sign, at hand) you could even film and show young people learning on your social media to help spread the message.

Make sure that whatever activity you plan, it is age appropriate, safe, and involves minimal supervision from adults. Then, with parental permission and craft fair public liability insurance in place your young participants are safe, any damage to property is covered and you can go right ahead and impact some young lives for the better!

Crafts Council

Another way to pass on your skills and encourage the next generation is to get involved with a charity (such as https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk) that helps young people who have an interest in craft and making. The many activities they support offer multiple opportunities to join in and help safeguard traditional handicrafts for the future.

Become a YouTuber

An obvious way to connect with young people AKA ‘digital natives’ is to speak to them in the place where they hang out! In order to become a YouTuber you will need to create a Google account, if you don’t already have one. Then, you can have as many YouTube channels as you want on that one Google account. Here is how to do it:

1. Go on the Youtube app and click the profile icon. Click on ‘log in with your Google account’  and add your details.

2. Go on Youtube and watch other people presenting the same material that you want to and study how they make their videos and tutorials. Find a style of presentation and editing that you like. Now you can forge your own signature style as you start to upload.

3. Make your film to showcase your skills. The easiest way to do this is with a smart phone.

4. Edit your film. The easiest way to edit your video is with your smart phone. You’ll need to download the IMovie app (this only works for IPhones, other apps such as CapCut work for other smart phones) to edit your videos as it’s the easiest way to edit your content. If you are unsure of how to upload your videos onto Youtube from your phone you can select ‘upload video’ through the ‘plus’ icon at the bottom of the screen.

5. Try and comment a lot on other people’s pages. Find connections with established YouTubers where there is common ground and comment on what they are already doing. Ask these people for ‘shout outs’ for your videos (so they mention what you are doing to all of their followers) and that will increase your reach. Pick someone with around 100,000 followers, if it’s more than that they probably won’t bother getting back to you.

6. If you want more reach (more people clicking on your videos) YouTube shorts is how to do it. Shorts are usually twenty – thirty seconds and they are what the majority of young people are scrolling through, (similar to Tik Tok). You can edit these down from longer videos and give some useful info along with a link that takes the viewer to the longer video.

7. And finally, look on YouTube to learn anything on this topic. Literally anything about learning to become a YouTuber is already on YouTube!

Do share with us if there is anything that you are already doing for the next generation by passing on traditional techniques, we’d love to hear from you!

With Burns night approaching on Jan 25th, our focus this week turns to the wild and beautiful landscapes of Scotland and the rich tradition of knitting held within. So much of the history and beauty of this amazing nation is encapsulated in its knitting, and it continues to boast a thriving knitting community, exporting both products and expertise internationally. We at Craft Insurers are proud of our Scottish knitting clients, selling crafts online in the UK.

Knitting first came to Scotland from Europe in the fifteenth century and was the means of earning a living for many, as well as of providing warm clothing for the family. Initially it was mainly carried out by men, skilled at their craft and belonging to guilds or incorporations. As time went by, it developed into a family affair and was a source of income for many. As ships arrived from the Netherlands, trade, including knitted woollen garments, evolved between these two nations.

Women living in fishing communities on the east coast of Scotland developed the “Gansey” jumper, a heavy, hard wearing dark blue garment created to keep their menfolk warm during the long and sometimes dangerous fishing trips out to sea. They often displayed distinct patterns, handed down through the generations. Folklore tells us that these unique patterns were the means of identifying men if an accident had occurred during a stormy voyage. Whether this is true or not, having jumpers with your own particular family “crest” sounds a great way to strengthen family bonds.

Another classic knitting technique, Fair Isle, originated from the remote island, in between Orkney and Shetland, which bears that name. These distinct patterns, alternating between dark and light colours have now been replicated worldwide, but are still made authentically on Fair Isle itself. They were originally created using yarn form local sheep and dyes from plants available on the island. Truly a reflection of the landscape and culture. As synthetic dyes became more available the palette developed and they have had worldwide surges in popularity during this last century.

A lesser know pattern, or group of patterns, Sanquhar, is also named after its town of origin, Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway. Having been granted its status as a Royal Burgh in 1598 by King James Vl, trading flourished and textile exports were a part of this. The two coloured geometric patterns may have been developed to stand out in a generally thriving knitting industry, and thus protect the livelihoods of these whose income depended on healthy sales. Gloves often had the owner’s initials knitted into the cuffs. Maybe a marketing idea which could be taken up today?

Frame knitting came to Scotland following the development of the first stocking frame in 1589 by William Lee, an English clergyman. Another legend tells us that Queen Elizabeth l refused to grant Rev Lee a patent as she foresaw the financial implications even such small scale industrialisation would have on cottage industries who needed the income to sustain their families. However, by the end of the eighteenth century the Borders’ town of Hawick had several frames within a small factory, employing a workforce of both men and women. As time went by, the factory diversified from stockings only to producing other woollen garments. Then, in the late nineteenth century finer raw materials such as cashmere began to be imported and, to this day, Hawick is known throughout the world as a producer of luxurious merino and cashmere knitwear.

From this potted history of knitting in Scotland we can see what a rich heritage today’s knitters stand upon. Knitting truly is part of the culture. Right up until 2010 when financial cutbacks sadly put a stop to it, knitting was taught as a timetabled subject in Shetland schools. However, the resurgence of knitting circles, knitting classes, support groups, group knitting for charity and knitting clubs in schools is exciting to see. This interest in knitting has emerged right across the UK, and is very much seen in young people as well as those who have faithfully knitted for years.

Knitted products are ideally suited both for selling locally and, due to their relatively light weight, for selling crafts online UK. In an age where so many clothes are mass produced and made within ethically questionable working conditions, hand made garments created often from locally  sourced wool are very appealing to customers. Knitted garments speak of constancy, of a steadfastness which is often lacking in our modern world. The population of the British Isles has  been clad in wool for centuries, keeping out the bitter cold winter winds, offering protection from our grey drizzle and even, by conducting heat and moisture away from the skin, keeping us cool in the summer. It is good to know that we are continuing a practice which has been threaded through our nation for years.

Hand made woollen garments are appealing too in that they are both versatile and classic. A Fair Isle jumper will not go out of date, and has a certain “je ne sais quois” about it.  Similarly, knitted  clothing today is designed to last, both in terms of wear and tear and longevity of style. And it’s not just adults who can sport these beautiful jumpers, socks, hats and mittens. They are a great investment for children too. What child would not take on a slightly angelic look snuggly wrapped in a colourful, knitted jumper? Although the price may well be higher than of a synthetic garment it will continue to look good when synthetic counterparts have dulled. It can also be handed down for others to enjoy, thus ensuring the continuation of a family tradition.

So, for all of those selling crafts online UK, and in particular to our dynamic and creative Scottish knitters, we wish you a joy and fun filled Burns Night, red rose, haggis and all!

We’ve all heard catchphrases for this time of year many times: “Your biggest year yet…” or “New year, new you…” which can either excite and inspire us or intimidate and freeze us into inaction!

We decided to put together 23 exciting, inspirational, (hopefully  not at all intimidating) ideas around how and where to sell handmade crafts in the UK and beyond and help set your creativity free in 2023…

1. Build an online community using Facebook.

It becomes your very own tribe in which to thrive. Rather than searching the internet for ‘where to sell handmade crafts UK’, think about what unifies your audience and then serve their needs via the group.

2. Leading from the heart is how you start.

Do that thing that excites you as a ‘side hustle’. That way you can test what works and what doesn’t. Creativity works best when you’re not under pressure.

3. Give value to your community.

If you are concerned about giving away knowledge for free, there’s no need to worry. Just keep learning, experimenting and discovering! There’ll always be someone following in your wake, needing a helping hand. Help to create empathy by reviewing your life experience and create a link between that and business.

4. Tell your story.

Your story is unique, even though your product might not be. So many people try and reinvent the wheel when in order to be original all they need to do is tell their story to capture their audience’s interest.

5. Think ‘show’ rather than ‘sell’.

Turn to the people who have bought from you. Get them to share their experiences with reviews and videos for your group. Videos help tell the truth and truth gets traction.

6. Collections keep attention.

Taking products and grouping them as limited editions make them worth more. From fine art to figurines, investors know the power of the ‘collective’ approach. Take an original piece of art and then create a set of limited prints. If Banksy can do it, you can too! We all have to start somewhere.

7. Product placement starts where you live.

The greatest studio you have is your home, so why not start sharing your work in its place? Whether it’s a family photo or a product shoot, start at home, because ultimately, a home is where the products that people buy will be housed.

8. Go LIVE for 5.

Give people 5 tips about your product. These could cover keeping it clean, boxing it, or even the best way to frame it. Use video to give simple tips for the top.

9. Themes and seasons are so important to us all.

The fashion industry have colours and seasons, so we in the crafting business can think the same way. The best brands and marketers in the world bring accepted strategies from one industry to another. Craft is no different.

10. Give something away.

Who do you know who would benefit from what you do? Maybe it’s a charity or a local school. Givers gain attention by impacting the community around them.

11. Location, location, location.

Go to a great location and take a shot of your product. I immediately think of Castle Coombe in the Cotswolds which is famous for its fantastic setting. Use images that combine a great location with your product then use the hashtag and location in posts. It will get you noticed.

12. Double up.

Find a brand or another crafter you love and share the love. Offer an incentive to your audience to buy from you both, such as a discount or another free item! Help each other by giving each other exposure. Rather than compete with each other, complete each other!

13. Email your buyers and thank them for buying.

If you offer to email them a receipt when they purchase from you it’s an open door to further conversation and a chance to say thank you for their business. Just be nice. Remember, it’s the last thing you said that you will be remembered for.

14. Network online.

Hundreds of networks have sprung up over the last few years. Invest in a network and it will increase your net worth. Talking to strangers isn’t scary.

15. Words create worlds.

So get used to talking about why you started, loads. From social posts to blogs and even a few podcasts! Comfortable never wins. Start talking about why you do it, as much as how and what you do.

16. Get fans rather than followers.

Fans buy from you. Simple. The size of your following is not the size of your business. They need to buy into you. They might not spend all the time BUT they can tell someone else about you! Reward those people!

17. Mix the medium.

Lately, there seem to be more and more artists who have realised that their work can translate onto high street fashion. Could your cushions become a jacket? Or you picture, wallpaper? You have the product, but what else could work?

18. Get chat on your website.

You can even link WhatsApp. Be available and when you’re not, add an email address. Chat can change you opportunities x10.

19. Join your audience.

If you’re googling ‘where to sell handmade crafts UK’ then why not join your audience? Find out where they hang out and be there. If they’re at an art launch, go. If they’re on Instagram, comment. Learn how to hang out with the crowd you know you can serve.

20. Replace fear with facts.

Whatever you fear, there are 10 reasons not to worry and things you can do to mitigate the risk of failure. Fear isn’t failure, failure is letting fear win.

21. Ask more.

Just ask. Ask for the sale. Ask for the promo. Ask for advice. Ask for help. Learn to ask and you’ll get answers. If you don’t ask, you only have questions.

22. Don’t compare yourself.

The worst thing you can do is compare yourself to someone else because everyone has their own unique story. Focus on your story. Compliment others but don’t compare yourself to them. An overnight success takes 10 years at least, so keeps investing in you.

23. Invest wisely.

Your time, talent and treasure are your biggest resources. Spend them on the things that give you peace and turn a side hustle into a business with real muscle for the long term.

Hopefully you are now primed and ready, with a few more ideas  about where to sell your handmade crafts as well as inspired to do great business in the year ahead.

As we continue to support the craft industry with the very best craft insurance, we invite you to join the craft group and ensure that you’re part of building great craft businesses, now and for the future!