Month: May 2025

Summer is beckoning us from around the corner, with whispers of warm, sunny days, leisurely barbecues spent with with family and friends, gentle strolls through quietly slumbering countryside and balmy evenings when the sun barely sets. Maybe you will be heading off with tents and a carful of children in tow, maybe you prefer a comfortable bed and plug in kettle and will be enjoying the delights of our countryside from an Airbnb, or maybe you are dreaming of even sunnier climes and will be boarding a flight to destinations beyond our shores. 

Summer also brings with it a plethora of opportunities to sell your crafts, whether that be at local craft fairs, fetes and markets, regional festivals, county shows or annual crafting events. It all happens over the summer and, if you’ve not already done so, now is the time to book yourself into a few events. While some fairs or markets may be very local to you many will involve a journey to reach them, and this will require packing all your exquisitely made stock, plus sales equipment such as electronic card readers and laptops, into your vehicle. If your chosen event runs over several days, or is at a distance, you will be needing overnight accommodation, and this will require you to leave your products in the venue or back in your vehicle.  

So, will you be insured for these exciting times when you are out and about, and if so what type of small maker business cover do you need to have in place? The answer to the first half of this question is easy; yes, if you are travelling within the UK, including the Channel Islands, you can rest assured in the knowledge that insurance will cover your stock and all the equipment required for promotion and sales. There are a few options when it comes to insuring your products for a summer season of travel, which we’ll outline in this blog post. It may sound complicated but is in fact very easy to set up. We are a family business ourselves and as such place value on every one of our customers. Here at Craft Insurance, we communicate directly with each of you who contacts us with an enquiry, so you will not have to wait in a queue and speak with an anonymous call handler. So, when you’ve finished reading, give us a call or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will talk you through a package specific to your business’s needs. 

Public and product liability insurance are your first port of call. Public liability insurance covers you for any claim made that harm or injury caused by yourself or a member of your team. For example, a slip hazard or accident involving some specialist equipment. Product liability covers you for any claims made for harm or injury caused by a product. Even if it is not your fault, the policy covers you for compensation and/or legal fees. There is no excess and it covers you worldwide if you are taking your crafts on a global trip. There are some limitations if you are selling in the USA or Canada, but we can talk you through those. Our product liability will cover your craft products sold, distributed or supplied anywhere in the world, but the claim has to be made within the U.K. or Ireland. 

Another component of small market business cover which you might like to consider if you are travelling is business items cover. This enables you to protect not only tools, but also stock, raw materials and any technical equipment used in creating your products. It will also cover items necessary for sales and promotion as you tour eg electronic card readers, laptops and photography equipment. In addition to all this, it covers cash connected with your business which has been lost or stolen for up to £500 anywhere in the world.  

The summer is a busy time for craft fairs and markets, and we hope you will be making the most of this and booking yourself a spot at some of them. They are a great way to showcase and sell your stunning products but always require a good deal of planning, financial outlay and time as you produce stock, promote your presence there and, if you are travelling a distance, book accommodation. Most organisers will require you to have a level of public and product liability insurance as you book and while our package doesn’t cover you if you are organising an event yourself, it will cover you as a stall holder or exhibitor. In addition, business items cover will compensate you if a pre-booked fair or event is cancelled or rearranged; something which could be valuable as you invest your time and money in preparation. 

While most crafters will be based within the four solid brick walls of home and making forays out into the world of fairs and festivals, a few of our intrepid community have packed yourselves and your crafting equipment into a van and travel from show to show demonstrating and selling your crafts. Some may do this just during the summer months, spending the winter making stock, but others have dived in headfirst and are enjoying the wonderful freedom van life offers, making friends and business connections as they travel from show to show. 

Whatever exciting travel and crafting plans you have for this summer, you will need to take a look at small maker business cover. Once you have the best insurance for your business venture in place, you can have complete peace of mind and be free to enjoy all the fun of fairs and festivals you attend. So pick up the phone or drop us a line and we will talk you through the cover which best suits your unique business needs. We are looking forward to hearing your exciting travel plans! 

Many of us dream of being able to weave our passion, skills and knowledge into an income-generating enterprise. We spend so many hours at work each week; why would we not want to be doing something we enjoy? Unfortunately, life is not a fairytale, and for the majority of us, work pays the bills and enables us to enjoy life once we leave our workplace. For others, paid employment is arduous but does have a real sense of fulfilment alongside it. But what if you are in the position to be thinking of taking a leap out of your regular day job and dipping your toe into the adventure of starting your very own craft business? This could initially be alongside your regular employment, and you are dreaming of turning your crafting expertise from a hobby to a side hustle. Or you may be approaching retirement age and are pondering using your extra freedom to begin a whole new business venture. However, if you are planning to turn your hobby into your income-producing future, you’re in the right place.

We’ve written previous blogs looking at some of the things you need to consider when starting your own business, so have a read of them for some general suggestions. In this blog, we’re going to specifically home in on DIY business cover and give you an insurance 101 for new crafters.

Insurance for your new crafting business will be one of the foundations you will need in place, alongside ordered admin routines, well-thought-through storage space and a solid website or social media presence. Once established, your business will be able to run steadily on a daily basis. Another analogy is that of train tracks; the train driver doesn’t have to think of which way to turn when he pulls out of the station, as the rails take him in the direction in which he needs to travel. In the same way, once you have these basics in place, you don’t have to think about them every day; your business should run smoothly. This enables your time and energy to be poured into what you love doing best…creating stunning and unique hand-crafted products out of your own skill set.

Insurance can feel a little overwhelming, especially if this is your first exploration into the world of self-employment. However, we can reassure you that it is in fact very straightforward and remarkably easy to set in place. The main thing is that you need to decide what type of cover you need, from various different options. Craft Insurance is a family-run business and as such we value each one of our customers and make sure we communicate directly with you. In this way, we stand out from other companies, in that you will not have to wait in line for an unknown call handler. When you contact us, it will be either Naomi or Sam who will reply. So, what are the DIY business cover options for your new enterprise?

The first ones to consider are product and public liability insurance. Product liability covers any claim of damage or harm caused by one of your products. Even if it is not your fault, it will cover legal fees or any compensation required. It covers you whether you sell in person, online or in a shop. There is no excess. Public liability insurance covers you for any claim made against you, an employee or a volunteer for harm or damage done by an action or omission of yours. It covers you both on your own property or while you are out and about demonstrating or selling your crafts. Like product liability, there is no excess. Neither of these is are legal requirement, but are often required by craft fair organisers prior to you booking a place. They cover you for all those completely unforeseeable and thus unpreventable events which no amount of risk assessment could anticipate. An example might be a slip or trip hazard which arises out of nowhere, despite a thorough risk assessment on your part. They are a kind of sleep easy insurance; you know they are in place to protect you and your business and hence you are able to focus on creating your stock and growing your business.

The next component of DIY business cover which you might consider is business items insurance. This allows you to insure individual items which are essential for the running of your business. This could include tools, finished stock, raw materials, computer and photography equipment. It also covers you for items you take with you whilst out and about, selling or demonstrating your craft. You can insure electronic card readers, portable electronic equipment and all you need for your stall.

Finally, as your business grows and you take on staff, you will need to look at Employers’ Liability. Whether you are a sole trader or a limited company, you will probably have a legal requirement to have up-to-date Employers’ Liability. This is not only for full-time staff but also covers temporary staff and volunteers. It covers you for any claim made against you by an employee or volunteer for injury or illness as a result of the work they do for you. The price is based on the number of employees/volunteers you have and, similar to previous insurances, the excess is zero.

So, that is DIY business cover in a nutshell. We realise that all our budgets are being squeezed and that insurance could seem like an added extra that you could manage without. This could be the case, but equally if the unexpected does happen and you are not insured, the impact on your business could be crippling. It can be helpful to see craft insurance simply as a part of your set-up costs and budget for it as such. We offer good value and are here to talk it through with you, so that you only pay for what you need. So, get in touch and we look forward to hearing about your exciting new business venture!

Wedding season is here! It’s time to get prepped for custom orders.

The invitation is propped upon the mantelpiece, and the long-anticipated day approaches. A wedding! Maybe it will be an elegant garden party aesthetic, with a champagne reception on the sweeping lawns of an old Manor House and a music-filled reception inside its cool walls. It might have a family festival vibe, with hay bales and sunshine, a bouncy castle, a flower-festooned marquee and bounteous bunting. Or maybe it will be a small, intimate celebration, relaxed and serene, with plenty of time to catch up with old friends. However, the bridal couple choose to celebrate their special day, one thing can be guaranteed; it will be completely unique and memorable, reflecting their personalities and stories. With such an emphasis on individuality, weddings offer a perfect opportunity for crafters to get in on the fun, with a range of handmade, unique products which will add a distinctive stamp to any celebration.

Calligraphy plays a central role at many a wedding. Most couples will want the same font on all their wedding stationery, beginning with save-the-date cards and invitations. They may also choose a specific motif or decorative edging on each card and a colour theme which runs throughout the day. While this is an opportunity to offer a completely bespoke service, having a range of fonts, colours and motifs on your website from which a couple can choose can be a good starting point. For the actual day, table plans, place names and menus will be needed, and you could also offer welcome signs and a banner.

Couples are increasingly aware of both the value for money and of curating a celebration which treads lightly on our beautiful earth. Again, this is an ideal opening for crafters. Remember to flag up your environmental credentials on your website; locally or ethically sourced raw materials, local staff and any input you have in your local community. Emphasise the quality and longevity of your products too, as well as their complete uniqueness.

Each couple wants their day to be memorable and totally unique, and one way to ensure this is to give guests wedding favours which will bring back memories of the day. Candles, ceramics or a small bar of handmade soap can all make wonderful gifts. If your craft business could produce such a range of small gifts, it could be worth advertising them as wedding favours…and then be ready to produce a bulk order!

For producers of beautiful, distinctive textiles, you could consider branching out into wedding decor. Bunting, garlands and table runners all tie the wedding theme together with colour and style. A marquee or village hall is transformed from an empty space to a wedding wonderland of dreams when festooned with bunting and overflowing with floral adornment. Bare trestle tables are also transfigured by crisp, white linen tablecloths accompanied by table runners of the bridal colour theme stretching their length, sparkling glasses and gleaming cutlery. Handcrafted bunting and runners can be made not only to a specific colour theme, but also with any design, motif or even the couple’s initials. A stunning felt or cotton banner will add a distinct sense of style to any wedding and, in addition, would become a precious keepsake of the day. A banner will tell the couple’s story through its wording, colour and design and provide a visual memory of a special day to be treasured for years ahead. Why not advertise this as a wedding gift? Maybe a few close friends or family members could club together to have one made for the wedding couple; a truly unique gift.

Weddings, even the most modest of celebrations, will always involve dressing up as the bride, bridesmaids and wedding party all adorn themselves with jewellery and hair accessories. This is a wonderful opportunity to create pieces which will be the crowning glory of the bride’s outfit. Whether she’s going for elegant chic, bohemian, vintage or any other theme, you can craft tiaras, hair pins, brooches, earrings and necklaces to bring that final sparkle to her outfit. And don’t forget the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride.

We hope you are overflowing with ideas of how your particular business can come on board with the wedding season. The next thing you will need to ensure you have in place is the correct maker business liability. While not all insurance is a legal requirement, it is recommended, and if you are going to be active in the wedding market, where nerves may be slightly on edge and larger sums of money spent than would usually be the case, we especially recommend that you consider it carefully. Maker business liability will include both public and product liability insurance. Public liability insurance covers you for any harm or damage done to a member of the public on your premises or by an action of yours or your employees elsewhere. For example, an accident caused by a slip or trip hazard either on your own premises or if you are exhibiting at a wedding fair. Product liability insurance covers you for any claims made against your products; it covers legal defence and compensation, even if it is not your fault. If you are exhibiting at wedding fairs, you might also like to consider business item cover, which means you can ensure any valuable items you are taking off your premises are covered. Of course, this also gives cover for your own premises too; it includes such items as card payment machines, cameras for website photography, laptops, tools, stock and raw materials. We’re a family business ourselves and communicate directly with each of our customers, so pick up the phone or drop us a line, and either Sam or Naomi will be here to talk you through the best maker business liability for your distinct business.

We hope you are inspired by the happy relationship between weddings and crafters, and many meaningful and lasting connections are made as you further explore the possibilities!

“Here’s a tree in summer, here’s a tree in winter, here’s a bunch of flowers and here are the April showers!”

Many of us will remember this little ditty from our childhood. It has been chanted for decades by generations of children walking beside grassy verges in the town or quiet, meandering lanes in the country. As a child walked, he would pluck a long, wavering grass stem, quote the rhyme and then, with great satisfaction, strip the seeds from the head and throw them over his friend. This small ritual appears to have enduring appeal, though not so much for the hay fever sufferers amongst us. As with so many of our old country rhymes and sayings, there is wisdom embedded within it. April showers can fall upon us seemingly out of nowhere; a day of sunshine and blue skies can be unexpectedly interrupted by a short, sharp burst of rain, which clears as quickly as it came. However, for the unprepared, it can leave behind wet clothes on the washing line, soggy cushions on outdoor chairs and wet people with no umbrellas.

For craft business owners, having the correct small business protection for makers is similar to having an umbrella in April; the completely unexpected can happen, appearing out of nowhere and you need to be covered by insurance tailored to your business. The problem with the unexpected is that, however many risk assessments you do, or health and safety training sessions you attend, you simply can’t pre-empt every potential mishap. That’s why having some small business protection for makers offers you peace of mind as well as the financial backstop you would need if anything untoward did occur.

Our insurance covers you for when you are out and about demonstrating or selling your crafts as well as for selling online, or even opening your premises to others. Welcoming others into your workspace is both very rewarding for you as a crafter and also hugely beneficial to your visitors. Not only are you sharing your craft, but as you do so you will be creating community, offering space for like-minded people to connect and providing some time out of the ordinary for your visitors to relax.

Opening your workshop for a day involves some careful planning, and good preparation will ensure a great time is had by all. If this is something you are considering doing for the first time, here are a few suggestions which might help you. Think about the people who might be attracted to an open day at your workshop and maybe offer them a small activity to try for themselves. Consider, are they beginners, or would some previous experience be required to try your activities or will it be a mix of the two? Think of the age group too; if it is during the daytime, you will most likely get mainly retired people, but an evening might attract some younger working individuals. Once you have a rough idea of your clientele, you can plan a little project which will suit them. It is generally best to err on the side of an easy project, unless of course, you are catering for those who want to stretch their knowledge and increase their skills. You might consider offering a themed activity, for example, creating an item reflecting the season, or with a celebration eg Christmas, Easter, Mothers’ Day. Whatever you do, it’s always good to offer an initial instruction or demonstration.

You could advertise your open day using social media, posters at your local Craft Quarter/ Community notice board or handing out flyers at a specific event or a craft market you are attending. Include specifics of what is happening at the open day, eg materials, demonstrations, refreshments.

Once you have a good idea of what you will be offering, it’s time to think about your umbrella, ensuring you have tailored small business protection for makers which will protect your workshop from the unexpected. This would usually include both product and public liability. Public liability covers you for any claims made of harm or damage as a result of an action/inaction by yourself or one of your employees or volunteers and will cover you on your premises. Product liability protects you against any claims made of damage or harm done by one of your products. So for example, public liability would cover you for any slip or trip hazards, and product liability for a skin reaction to a bath product. Even if neither of these are your fault, small business protection for makers will cover any compensation required or legal costs. You will foresee and avert the vast majority or potential problems, but having insurance covers you for those instances you can’t foresee, despite all your best efforts.

The other type of insurance you might like to consider is business items insurance. This allows you to protect individual items used for your business. If you have specialist equipment which might be used by your attendees, it could be more susceptible to damage; thus, having the appropriate cover will enable you to relax, knowing that if there is any damage done, you will be covered.

Take a look at our website for more details and then pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will be here to talk you through the protection you need for your unique business requirements. Life throws curveballs sometimes and having insurance in place allows you not to over worry and frees you up to get on with what you are best at doing; creating stunning handmade crafts and sharing your skills and gifting with others!