Month: February 2023

Working for yourself, either as a sole trader or as the owner of a limited company, will require you to keep a number of financial records which will need to be submitted at your financial year end. If you are a sole trader this will mean ensuring that you file your previous year’s tax assessment after the 6^th of April each year and that you make the payment by the 31^st of January the following year. You’ll need to take into account all your sales and expenses, even the craft stall insurance for one day that you use when attending craft fairs, If you operate your business as a limited company your year-end will have been determined when you first set up your company. If you are VAT registered you will already be filing VAT returns on a quarterly basis, based on when you became VAT registered.

There are a number of important steps that you need to take to ensure that you are adhering to your financial year end obligations. If you don’t feel confident in submitting your own year-end accounts you can work with an accountant or a bookkeeper to have these completed for you. However, it is still important that you check the assessment before it is submitted to HMRC.

Sales

This includes all monies that you make from selling your products. These could be ones that you sell through an online platform such as Etsy, Not on the High Street or through your own website and social media channels. You also need to include all sales that you make through attending crafts sales (as a quick aside, you should make sure that you have craft stall insurance for one day when you attend events like this to keep your protected against any accidents and incidents). It is important that you correctly account for your sales, especially if you have some customers paying you in cash. In these cases it is often best, even if you are a sole trader, to have a bank account that you use solely for business purposes. This allows you to keep your financial records nice and simple and you can always refer back to your bank statements if you want to ensure that you have included all your sales and expenses.

As a sole trader you and the business are classified as one entity and therefore all the monies in your business are yours to use as you wish. When operating a limited company you and the company are separate entities and the company will either pay you a wage and perhaps dividends as the director of the business. If you use software such as Stripe for online and card payments, you will be able to pull yearly reports to help you with completing your sales figures for the year.

Expenses

You need to ensure that you are keeping accurate records of all items that you pay for your business. This will include all the materials that you use to create your products and the packaging materials. These are often known as the cost of goods sold. Other expenses can include craft stall insurance for one day to make sure that you are covered for an incidents that may occur, as well as other annual insurances that you may have. If you market your business, you should keep any receipts for posters, business cards and flyers that you have created.

Other examples of expenses that you can claim include milage, parking and even a working from home allowance for the use energy that you use. There is a flat fee that you can claim for these or a more complex calculation if you have a room in your home dedicated to your workshop. Some expenses that people often neglect to include are any pension contributions that they make, donations to charity and also the fees that they might pay to an accountant to manage their end year financial returns. For a full list of expenses that you can include, there is a section on the HMRC website that details these to ensure that you are deducting expenses that are permitted.

Profits

This is the figure that you are left with once you take your sales and deduct all your expenses for the year. It is this amount that you will have to pay tax on. It is the profits that will help you to determine how viable your business is. If you are selling products as a second income or as a hobby, you may not be too concerned about the figure that you have at the end of the year. However, if you are looking to move into your craft business full time and make a good income from it, you will want to ensure that each year your profits are increasing.

Tax and National Insurance

These are two types of tax that a sole trader will need to pay and the amounts owed will depend on the taxable profits at the end of each financial year. The amounts have to be paid by 31^st January each year. It is possible to pay the amounts before this date and to have money paid on account. A good accountant, bookkeeper and HMRC can help you with this if necessary. If you have a student loan from when you attended university you will also need to make a payment based on the amount of profits that you have. You can find out what the current tax, national insurance and student loan thresholds are by visiting the governments HMRC website. Once you have submitted your year end assessment, you can print or download a copy of these to keep in your accounting files, along with any invoices that you create, and all receipts that you have for your expenses.

Once you have fulfilled all your year end obligations, breathe a sigh of relief, stick the kettle on and go back to the infinitely more joyful activity of creating beautiful art and craft!

Stained Glass is a craft and art form that is steeped in a long history, with its earliest usage being dated back to the Ancient Romans and Egyptians. During these times small items such as jewellery were made from coloured glass. These items were seen to be of high value and were most often owned by those in the higher classes. In England the most common and earliest forms of stained glass came in the form of the windows that were created in churches and monasteries. Some of the earliest examples in the country dating back to the 7th Century and many churches still contain stained glass windows today.

The popularity of stained glass rose in medieval times and as more people practiced this art form the creation of the windows became much more sophisticated. One example of the manufacture of stained glass in Europe is Chartres in France. They produced stained glass of the highest quality, and the Cathedral in Chartres contains a spectacular rose window with an intricate glass design. During this time the designs were much more gothic in their aesthetic. This slowly moved over to a more classical design. Chartres is now home to one of the oldest stained-glass companies in the world and they are inspiration for a number of modern artists and crafters who also use stained glass in their creations.

During the reformation period, stained glass windows were smashed, and, in their place, plain glass was erected. This led to a loss of a number of traditional methods of staining glass that would not reappear until the 19th Century. In this period there was a return to gothic styles and the use of stained-glass windows dramatically increased once more in popularity.

In the 1930s another French artist, Jean Crotti wanted to bring more light into his artwork and he started to experiment with glass. He went on to develop gemmail or gemmaux which using layers of coloured glass fragments fused together, not with with lead, like they had been in past, but instead with a clear glue like substance. This led to an incredible number of wonderful pictures to be created using this technique. It is a method that has been used to create new versions of famous painters works, such as Braque and Picasso.

One of the many reason that stained glass artists are so special is down to the way in which the glass is created and moulded. In order to create the final item, a design must first be established. This is where an artist will put their concept on paper. It may be a rough sketch of how they want to individual elements of the stained glass to be arranged, or it could be a drawing or a painting that is created and then reimagined in glass. These larger images are known as ‘cartoons’.

These ‘cartoons’ are then turned into a scaled outline of the final image. This allows the artist to use the lines to create the cutline that is a template for the design. Lead or copper can be used to draw lines between the sections if this is the look that is hoped for. In other situations, the different coloured elements will be placed next to one another and then glued together in the gemmail method, into one continuous image. This creates for a softer, clearer image and is much like the way in which suncatchers are created.

Once the cutline has been created it is placed on a flat surface and the pieces of coloured glass are placed on top of it. These pieces are arranged to create final image. If the glass is being cut a steel wheel or diamond tool will be used to carefully cut the glass to its desired size and shape. There are instances where the artist will blow their own glass to be used in their designs. This is much more common in items that are made in 3D. If the image being created is in a flat design, lead or copper strips are placed around the edges of image. This helps to hold the glass pieces in place. The metal is then soldered together to make a solid edge. The resulting window or image is now ready to be hung.

As well as traditional stained-glass windows and artwork images, it is also possible to use stained glass to create a number of other items such as wall tiles, mosaic items, even items created using a variety of glass pebbles. In some cases, these can be as small as a mug coaster, or they can be as large as a sculpture. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to using glass as an art form.

Legal Requirements for selling handmade crafts such as Stained Glass

Stained glass is such a unique art form that takes a great deal of skill, time and patience and it is one of the reasons that artists that work with this medium are so highly thought of. Depending on the size and the type of the items that are made an artist can easily sell their creations through a number of different channels. It is of course incredibly important that when looking to sell items such as this that you ensure you are aware of any legal requirements for selling handmade crafts. This may include disclosing the materials that are used in your creations, any after care requirements and clearly labelling your items as home décor. Other factors of course include ensuring that you have the right insurance cover in place and that you have any safety certificates in place.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030, High Level Political Forum and “The Future We Want” are likely to become household buzz words as the UN’s plan of action for “people, prosperity and the planet” gains momentum. These include goals such as “to end poverty and hunger in all their forms and dimensions”, “to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence”, “to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth” and a pledge that as they “embark on this great collective journey”, “no one will be left behind”. Strategic partnerships and stake holders will work together in an  “integrated manner by pooling financial resources, knowledge and expertise.” The theme of the January 2023 Partnership Forum was “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”

This sounds like weighty stuff and decisions surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 do indeed take place within the top power houses around our globe. So, how do they relate to us? What can we do to take some of the concepts and implement them into our own businesses? And how in particular can small crafting businesses run with these ideals?

Our world is made up of many small communities and while ending all poverty and having zero hunger (goals 1&2) might seem somewhat unrealistic goals for us to tackle within our own businesses and communities, we can certainly develop practices and habits which will make an impact on someone. And, if this is extended to many small businesses and then to consumers, the impact will be larger.

As a small craft business owner you will be very aware of the raw products you use and indeed sourcing locally produced products is a selling point which you should advertise. However, there are some products you will not be able to procure locally and you could look to buy these from businesses which are registered as fair trade. Coffee beans and cotton are two obvious commodities whose production can cause real harm to those who harvest and process them. Not only can the hours be long and the conditions poor, but the chemicals used can be very detrimental to those in contact with them. Choosing to buy fair trade will be more expensive and this price increase will have to be handed on to your own customers; use your fair trade policy as a selling point and you may be surprised at how this will draw rather than deter buyers.

Incidentally, if you own or are starting up a business selling handmade goods you will need to know about the regulations surrounding safety, including clear labelling. As you check out laws on selling handmade crafts UK  a good place to begin could be the local Trading Standards office if there is anything about which you are unsure.

Number eleven of the Sustainable Development Goals is to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” In the U.K. most of our communities have a rich history, with crafting woven through the centuries, telling us stories about the place and its people. Local communities have not sprung up in isolation and having a good understanding of the history and heritage of where we dwell will help to build strong and resilient communities. From the knitwear of Scotland to the willow weaving of Somerset, each of our regions will have distinct crafts which reflect both the geographical and political nature of those areas. Crafters are in an ideal position to keep these traditional crafts alive and enable our unique and regional heritage to be celebrated. There are many ways to display these crafts; perhaps in conjunction with local or regional museums, maybe at craft fairs or possibly at historic or re-enactment events. These are all fantastic opportunities not only to sell your own produce and showcase your particular skill but also to educate the public on the wonderful crafting heritage passed down to them. If you are considering branching out into any of these exciting opportunities this year, remember to check out laws on selling handmade crafts UK and ensure that the correct public and liability insurance is in place. It might seem overwhelming at first, but a little investigation into the laws on selling handmade crafts UK and the right advice you will be able to navigate what you need to have in place for your business. Give us a ring and we can make sure you are covered and all set for these next adventures! As you bring alive a community’s sense of place and history, you’ll help people to identify more with the place in which they live, feel a sense of pride in it and gradually become more committed to investing in it, at the same time forming the kind of relationships and networks which build resilience.

Another of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals which might be easier to consider implementing is number twelve, which aims to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” This is one in which, as a small, locally based crafting business you have many advantages over large multinationals when it comes to sustainable and ethical production of your goods. Sourcing raw products locally reduces travel miles, and for those materials or ingredients you cannot find nearby, you can choose fairly traded products. You have control over your packaging; you can recycle boxes for shipping, use old newspapers for wrapping and paper bags for craft markets. You can work using recycled materials; sea glass for jewellery, recycled fabric or even an assortment of plastics. You may make products which will encourage your customers to walk more lightly on our beautiful planet, for example fabulous beeswax wraps or trendy fabric shopping bags. Furthermore, your products will be durable and last for years.

Small is definitely beautiful when it comes to working ethically and sustainably so make sure you advertise this well as you promote your business. Take inspiration from the colours and textures from the natural world. And enjoy the process of creating stunning, durable products with skill; this is in itself a reflection of the wonderful world in which we live.

Quilting has been around for centuries, and it is a way in which material is used in patchwork sections sewn together to make another item. These items can range from a traditional bedspread through to quilted table runners and coasters. There are a number of ways that you can establish yourself as a quilter and for some people this may include moving into the sale of your finished items. You may be wondering what the answer to questions such as Do you need public liability insurance for a craft stall? is and it is important that you explore all of these important business requirements when you first start looking at producing items for sale.

As a craft, quilting has made a spectacular return over the last couple of years. This has been in part been due to the rise in a number of high-profile crafters that have shared their knowledge and skills with wider audiences. One such example is the late Melanie Ham.

Melanie was an avid crafter from a very young age, and it was in fact her mother who taught her how to quilt. With her husband away in the forces in America and Melanie bringing up two young children, she turned to crafting to help her build connections with others and she founded her You Tube channel. As well as sharing step by step guides on how to make a number of quilted items, Melanie also shared tips and instructions for other crafts such as crochet and macrame. Over time her You Tube channel grew to 800,000 and she regularly shared updates across all of her social media channels. In 2020 Melanie was diagnosed with an aggressive, rare cancer and she passed away in January 2022. Her You Tube channel still remains for people to learn the art of quilting.

Quilting can be traced back as far as medieval times and there are examples in the Victoria and Albert Museum of items from Europe, the Far East and India. This textile method of sewing layers of material together come from the Latin word ‘culcita’ which means cushion or bolster. It is thought that this referred to the padded texture of the items that were created.

The earliest forms of quilting were used to make bed covers, and this remains a popular quilting option today. Many of these items would be passed down through the generations and would become family heirlooms. Today people often make smaller items using quilting that can then be sold at craft fairs and through other platforms. When looking to sell your items at fairs you need to be sure you know what the requirements are in relation to questions such as Do you need public liability insurance for a craft stall?  and whether you need to have any particular labelling on your items. It is important that your items are advertised as home ware and that they are not marketed as toys, unless you have the appropriate safety certificates.

In medieval times items of clothing were also made using quilting and the most popular items were jackets and overcoats. These would be worn on special occasions or used for wear underneath armour to help provide some protection from the metal against the body.

Quilting can be undertaken using a sewing machine or completed by hand. In the case of English Paper Quilting, individual sections of material are taken and tacked around a small hexagonal, triangular or square piece of paper. These pieces are then sewn together by hand. Once the pattern has been completed the entire piece is then machine sewn onto a backing material and batting and wadding may be used as a middle layer to provide some padding.

When quilting by machine it is possible to not only join together each element of the quilt but to also combine the batting, wadding, and backing material together with ease. Once the quilt is completed, some sewers like to sew intricate designs onto the right side of the quilt. This topstitching helps to add an element of design to the quilt.

If you are looking to find a way to sell your quilted items, it is important that you think about the cost of each item that you make. Smaller items for example may be quicker to make but you may sell them for a lower price. Large items such as bedcovers will take longer for you to make and will cost more for people to buy. Be sure when you look at pricing to include your materials, times and sundries. At Craft Insurance we can help you up to answer the question “Do you know the answer to Do you need public liability insurance for a craft stall?” Then you can factor in any costs associated with insurance and marketing your stall or other costs linked to items that you buy for displaying your items on your stand and packaging them up for people to take home.

Popular items that people like to buy that are quilted include bags and purses, coasters and table runners as well as small clothing items like skirts. Seasonal items such as Christmas stockings and even easter bunting and other decorations can be made using a quilting technique. It is important to ensure that you pick the material that is most appropriate for the final item that you are going to be creating. If your material is delicate make sure that you give your customers information on how to care for and wash their items to help avoid damage occurring. This also gives an added element of customer care that will help to keep your customers coming back time and time again and will also encourage them to recommend your business to others.