As we hurtle toward 2025’s end while preparing for the arrival of 2026, many artists and crafters will be considering the best ways to reach their audience and sell more handmade items. Most craft sellers will be aware of the opportunities that the internet offers but not all may know how to take full advantage of them. In this blog, we have put together some suggestions to help both the unititiated and the seasoned online seller who wants to grow their craft business to make 2026 the year that they take their place in a successful community that is selling crafts online.

What is best for those who are new to selling crafts online?

For those who are new to selling crafts online, Etsy is a good place to start.

Etsy is a marketplace platform where customers come to shop for handmade and creative products. If you have never sold on Etsy before, you’ll be relieved to know that only minimal technical knowledge is required to get going. You start by creating an account and opening an online “shop”. There you can list your products with photos, descriptions, and prices.

The Etsy platform handles everything regarding search visibility and basic payment processisng which is good news! The other good news is that Etsy offers you a built-in audience and low upfront costs.

Etsy also offers you the option of running Etsy Ads for which you can control the budget. You have to pay extra for the ads but the minimum spend is actually only £1 per day. The ads will appear in Etsy search and on external platforms (like Google).

For those starting on their online journey, it’s worth noting that, with Etsy, competition is high

And you have limited control over branding and customer data (with your own website you can build and establish your brand thoroughly and also use your own site analytics to understand your audience better.)

What about those who want to grow their online business by selling more crafts online?

For those who have experience of using online selling platforms such as Etsy, you’ll have had the opportunity to test and see which of your handmade products are the best online sellers before investing in your own website or Google Ads. This is great news!

In order to increase your online presence and start selling to a wider audience with more control over how you grow your online business there are options that Google offers to businesses for free.

One option is to start selling via Google Merchant Centre with Google Ads

Google Merchant Centre is not a marketplace itself like Etsy, what it does is to connect your product listings to Google Shopping Ads and drive traffic to your own website or online store.

Needless to say, you will need to have your own website, and when you have one, you will need to set up a Google Ads account. The website might cost you something to build (there is a wide range of possibilities and prices available). However, setting up a Google Ads account will cost you nothing! It’s relatively straightforward, just persevere and reach out to Google when you get stuck. There is a lot of online help and advice when it comes to Google Ads, especially on YouTube. You’ll need to set up a Google Ad Shopping campaign but there are a few steps you need to go through to do this:

You need to set up an online shop linked to your website and a lot of people report that “Shopify” is the easiest to use. Your site must clearly show prices in GBP (£), shipping costs (UK + international if offered), returns & refunds policy (Consumer Contracts Regulations), contact details (email required; address recommended) and offer a secure checkout (HTTPS)

Then it’s time to create a Google Merchant Centre Account. Again, this is free of charge! You sign up with your Google account, select the United Kingdom as your target country, then verify and claim your website. You’ll need to enter your business details (sole trader is fine)

You’ll have to list your products. For each handmade product, you’ll need the following product info: Product title (include “handmade” naturally); Description (materials, size, care instructions);

Price in GBP; Stock status (in stock / made to order); High-quality images (minimum 100×100px, ideally much larger). Lastly, and very important for handmade items, you will not need to add a GTIN / barcode! Google will ask for one and reject products that don’t have one but you can specify that the item is handmade.

Then it’s time to create and upload your product feed

Your product feed sends product data from your website to Google. The Shopify & YouTube app is rumoured to be the easiest to achieve this. Once you have set up your feed you can set up shipping in Merchant Centre and add UK shipping rates (flat rate or weight-based). Only add international shipping if you ship abroad (obviously). It’s important to ensure that shipping prices match your website exactly.

If you are not VAT registered you can show your prices without VAT, so do not add VAT in the Merchant Centre. If you are VAT registered then prices must include VAT with VAT consistent across your site and feed.

If you turn on “Free Listings” in Merchant Centre your handmade items can appear on Google Shopping at no cost! This means slower traffic, but zero ad spend! Great if you want to test Google visibility.

Finally, it’s time to run your Google Shopping or Performance Max Ads. Connect your Merchant Centre to your Google Ads campaign and you are away. A typical starter budget for ad spend is £5–£10 per day.

Focus on your best-selling or high-margin handmade items and use specific titles such as “Handmade Oak Jewellery Box – UK Made”. You can monitor product approval by checking diagnostics in Merchant Centre regularly. When products are approved they will start to appear online when people are searching for items of that nature. N.b. Niche products (with specific rather than generic names) perform best.

Phew! Now, after all that hard work you can sit back and wait for the sales. It is a bit complex to set it all up but if you can push through, the rewards are waiting for you on the other side. You’ll have full control over branding and pricing and your business will scale. Just be aware that ad spend is required but you can spend more at times of the year when you expect people to buy (Christmas for example) and your ads will become more visible and then you can drop your spend at other times.

So, to all those planning to take the leap in 2026 and start selling crafts online, we hope that some of these tips will help you to sail gracefully through digital waters! And if you need help with insurance for your online craft business, please do give us a call and Samantha or Naomi will be delighted to help you.

What is your immediate, gut reaction when someone talks about the wonders of memory making at Christmas time? A cosy glow, a sinking feeling, a sense of loss, a mental menu plan…These are but a few of the multitude of emotional responses we might have. While the Christmas season does offer us many opportunities to meet up and enjoy spending time with family and friends, we want to acknowledge that this is not always a wholly warm and joyful expectation. Our world appears somewhat fractured, many relationships are under pressure, and we can feel fragmented or torn in different directions. The expectation of fun and laughter with friends and of deeply fulfilling family time can heighten any pain we feel around these areas.

How then do we navigate this discrepancy between the expectations all around us and the sadness or stress within us? Can we still enjoy Christmas and the making of memories? Maybe part of the answer is in rearranging our expectations. If getting together with family is always stressful, are there any tweaks you can make to help the day run more smoothly? If you have a child for whom Christmas is very overwhelming, what practical steps can you take to reduce the overload, ensure some good sensory input and manage anxiety? If you have lost a loved one, how can you hold this and yet still enjoy time with those dear to you? Christmas might need to be different, but it can still be good.

Traditions, habits and customs are a part of Christmas for most of us. We each have our own, some passed down from our own childhoods and some new ones we’ve initiated as adults. Traditions engender a sense of identity; “in our family we….” or “every Christmas Eve we….” They root us in our families and communities and draw us together with an invisible cord. They give a sense of security and stability in what seems to be an increasingly unstable world.

Why not do something different with the youngest people in your family to kickstart a new tradition? It’s good to encourage children to look outwards at this time of year. One simple tradition which could be woven into your family is a ‘Smile Jar’. This is so simple to put together. All you need is an old jam jar, some crafting lollipop sticks and maybe a ribbon, gems or some glass paint. Decorate the jar and then write a caring suggestion on each stick that will create a warm memory. This could be ‘hug someone’, ‘give your sibling a compliment’ or more time-consuming tasks such as ‘make a card for a teacher’, ‘put together a care package for someone you know is having a hard time’. Any of these activities is guaranteed to bring a smile to someone at Christmas and it doesn’t have to cost the child a penny.

Seasons change in our lives and as some traditions fade, maybe as children grow up, we have an opportunity to create new ones. Often the best are those which are small and inexpensive; hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, baking Christmas cookies, gathering greenery to make a wreath or decorate the house, or listening to some of John Rutter’s wonderful carols.

The years go by so swiftly and it’s important to record the memories we make. While we take photos of big events, it’s often the small, humble traditions woven into the rhythms of of lives which create the most heart-warming memories. It’s these ones which we may not always capture on camera. However, we could make a point of doing so this Christmas and then pop them in a frame to enjoy over the coming year.

Picture frames make great gifts, especially at Christmas or other significant dates and festivals e.g. Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries. A frame is very versatile and can be made out of a wide variety of materials, from traditional wood through to resin, a comparatively recent innovation. They also lend themselves to personalisation, with names and dates or with bespoke colours and design.

Resin is a comparatively new ‘kid on the block’ when it comes to handmade crafts, and with the rise of resin and art and its growth in popularity, resin picture frames could be a good stock item to have over the coming year. The chemical reaction which produces the epoxy resin used today in resin and art was discovered less than a century ago. Its versatility and creative potential were harnessed by innovative crafters and since then we have seen an exponential leap in its popularity worldwide and in the imaginative ways in which it is used. Resin and art have become firmly established in the crafting world and its boundless potential and glorious, glossy products make it a winner for many.

Wood, resin and a number of other mediums all work well to craft picture frames. An advantage of wooden frames is their environmental credentials, so if this is the material with which you work, make sure to highlight its sustainability, whether that be reclaimed wood, driftwood or wood which comes from well-managed forestry. Consider your customer base and let your creativity run wild with a range of beautiful frames. With so many moments to capture, you might consider multi-frames which will hold a number of photos and make perfect presents, especially if filled with delightful and heartwarming photos.

Traditions, whether they involve favourite festive food, special decorations or long-held household rituals all help to cultivate a family culture which is totally unique. They are like a glue which hold you together during the tough times and add sparkle to your celebrations during the festive times. They are there in all their familiarity to welcome adult children home and give us a soft landing into which we can sink back as we take time out from the pressures of normal life.

This Christmas, let’s enjoy our much-loved traditions and begin one or two new ones. Let’s immerse ourselves in all that is good and beautiful at this time of year and make precious memories that we can carry in our hearts (and in some carefully created handcrafted picture frames) throughout the coming year.

Imagine a couple of scenarios. Firstly, a shopping mall three Saturdays before Christmas. The stress is almost tangible as you jostle with the crowds to reach a long queue at the till. Piped music blares out the festive songs you have already been hearing for a month. Central heating is blown out through regularly placed vents and garish lights and decorations assault your senses in every shop you enter. The cafes are hot and overcrowded so by the time you get home, you’re thirsty, tired and somewhat overwrought. Your bank account is considerably dented, and you wonder if your purchases will really bring the joy you had intended.

Next, turn your imagination to a local Christmas craft and food fair. A towering Christmas tree, sparkling with lights, adorns the town square and underneath it the Salvation Army brass band are playing age-old carols. You join other shoppers in throwing some cash into their collection, knowing it will be going towards feeding those without permanent homes this winter. You slowly wander around the different stalls, chatting to some of the sellers you know from regular markets. It is cold, and the wind bites at your face and fingers. Time for some sustenance. You have a choice of locally produced, delicious treats to eat and a steaming mug of fairly traded coffee. As you restart your shopping, you enjoy browsing the gorgeous and individually crafted products as well as choosing some perfect gifts. There is a hot brazier out of which rises the sweet fragrance of roasting chestnuts, so you grab a bagful to eat on your way home. As you head off, you feel tired but elated and inspired. It’s been a fun outing; you’ve brought some gifts which you know will be enjoyed and you’ve put your pounds into the local economy. 

Which one of these sounds more appealing? We may be biased, but the second one wins hands down over here at Craft Insurance. Not only is the shopping experience much more enjoyable and enriching in itself, but a gift from an independent producer means so much more than one bought from a large chain, and in addition, it will contribute directly to the local economy. 

If you are a newly fledged crafter and are wondering where to sell handmade products thisChristmas and into next year, here are a few ideas. You might still be able to squeeze into a small Christmas fair organised by a local group with the purpose of fundraising. It could be a school, Scout group, a church or any other community-focused group. In these instances, table prices are generally very reasonable, and you know your money is going to a good cause. It’s worth finding out the age range/average budget of clientele as this will direct your product range. Often the event will attract families with young children, so pocket money purchases and other lower priced items will sell well. 

Another location to add to your list of where to sell handmade products would be a Farmers’ Market. These are often bustling and buzzing with shoppers, intentional about buying good food fresh from source and directly supporting their local farmers. Many markets have a few stalls reserved for other local producers, including crafters. In the run up to Christmas they are especially convivial affairs, often with live music and plenty of festive cheer. Customers know that buying in this way will ensure their hard-earned cash is ploughed straight back into the local economy, thus helping small businesses to keep going, keep providing employment and keep producing high quality, locally made wares to be enjoyed.

A third venue to consider when you’re looking for where to sell handmade products is in small, local, independent stores. Buying some shelf space is likely to cost you more than a table at a local fair or market, but if footfall is good, it could be worth the investment. The advantage is that your products are available all year round, and not just on certain days or during specific seasons. Furthermore, selling is not quite so weather dependent!

Buying local is gaining traction and that’s not just because it is a better shopping experience. A locally made gift means so much more than a mass-produced one. Each item is totally unique and tells a story. Each is a testament to its creator’s talent and hard work and is often a reflection of local culture and heritage. 

Buying locally made gifts this Christmas will, more often than not, mean you can purchase with a clear conscience. Most small producers have much better environmental credentials than large companies, sourcing raw materials locally or if from further afield, ethically. They will have lower carbon footprints within both their manufacture and marketing and will often use recycled products or even upcycle whole items.  As we have said before, the money goes right back into the local economy, boosting small businesses, encouraging local artisans to flourish and keeping traditional crafting skills alive.

In an age when many of the foundations we have historically put our trust in feel somewhat unstable, there is something very appealing about rooting ourselves in the richness of our regional heritage and traditions; skills and customs which have been passed on from one generation to the next and have withstood many upheavals and storms.

So, this year let’s celebrate the host of crafters who are among our nation’s dependable independents. Let’s both create and give gifts which are unique, well made and come with a story behind them. Let’s support and help build strong local communities and networks by putting our pounds directly into the local economy. Let’s choose shopping experiences which are enjoyable and uplifting and give gifts which are thoughtful, creative and support our local artisans. Merry Christmas to the wonderful network of gifted crafters across Britain, our dependable independents!

Coming in the run up to Christmas, the Autumn Budget may bring an extra layer of anxiety about the future for some and for small business owners, there will be repercussions. Rachel Reeves has confirmed that Minimum Wage for workers over the age of 21 will rise to £12.71 in April 2026, a 50p increase on the current figure. Those aged 18-20 will get 85p per hour extra, going up to £10.85 per hour. The rate for under 18s and apprentices will be going up by 45p to £8 per hour.

By May 1st, employers paying the Real Living Wage will have to increase staff pay to £13.45 per hour for outside London (an 85p rise) and £14.80 per hour for those in London (a 95p rise). *

These changes may mean that employing staff full time, or even at all, might no longer be an affordable option for small business owners. Equally, employees might need to take a part-time role over a full time one in order to stay in a sector that they love. 

While we can’t change the circumstances unravelling around us, we do have a choice in how we respond to them. So, in the midst of a time of uncertainty, when fear and anxiety are often not far from the surface, we’re going take a look at how we can still approach Christmas with excitement.

Firstly, we need to acknowledge the difficulties many of us, especially those who own small businesses, are facing and adjust our budgets and outgoings accordingly. Serious reckoning of this kind is never easy but has to be done within the best of our knowledge at the time in order to establish a secure footing from which to move forward. 

We then have a choice: do we allow crisis to overwhelm us, or do we adjust our thinking and our expectations and decide to make something good come out of a hard season? We will not be the first, or the last, to choose to do the latter. 

A brief look through history gives us some perspective about where we find ourselves in this moment. It is only in recent decades that we have been able to rely upon a certain degree of financial and material security. Right up until the Industrial Revolution whole communities depended upon a good harvest to sustain them for the following year. If this didn’t come, they knew hardship was to follow. 

Although the coal powered industrialisation of the nineteenth century has raised our general standard of living beyond recognition and lifted many out of poverty, there was still much deprivation in our Victorian cities and families learnt how to survive off meagre allowances. Both world wars brought more shortages, and it is arguably only since rationing finally ended in the sixties that our society here in the UK has known an increasing level of material stability. Although this has brought numerous benefits, expectations have risen with it, and we could have a healthy debate as to whether we are in fact a happier society or not.

This brings us to where we are today as we approach Christmas facing some undeniable financial constraints, with others yet to come. We are not the first generation to experience this, so is their anything we can learn from our forebears as to how to not only cope but also flourish in times like this? Christmas may be different, but how can we ensure it still sparkles and shines? And for crafters who have already had the vision, perseverance and stamina to start up a business, is it a question of already being a step ahead? Maybe crafters can offer an alternative solution to the huge expense of a commercialised Christmas…

For christians and non-christians alike, Christmas traditionally has been about gathering together with family and friends, sharing festive food and exchanging affordable gifts. Maybe this year we can recapture some of this heartwarming celebration and come up with some creative, low budget handmade ideas to sell.

Indeed, there’s a good case that when times are darker it is even more important we celebrate and give. What needs to change is the level of gift. However, the good news is that crafters are creative and resourceful and know how to come up with a whole host of handmade ideas to sell. The focus may be on low budget, but the gifts can be just as gorgeous and even more meaningful and help out shoppers on a reduced budget trying to show their loved ones that they care. 

The simplicity of a gift that has been hand made with love will mean a lot more to the recipient. Handmade gifts bring thoughtfulness, individuality, flair and style to any lower budget gift bag. Perhaps it’s time for the handmade market to step in and provide the antidote to an overpriced, commercialised Christmas! 

All of the following handmade staples fit this bill:

• hand made jewellery is always a winner and a perfect gift for someone special.
• beauty products whether they be fun, fizzy bath bombs, luxurious moisturiser, delicious lip balm or zingy bar shampoo are always welcome and with the use of natural raw ingredients win hands down over their mass-produced synthetic counterparts.
• warm woolly hats and scarves, or toasty patterned socks are a soft and sumptuous treat to all who wear them.
• felted bookmarks, coasters or Christmas decorations are small enough to fit most budgets but long lasting enough to bring pleasure for years ahead.
• candles, whether they be beeswax or scented with essential oils are always gratefully received at this time of year and will bring light and a cosy glow in the dark days of January.
• macrame, with its Bohemian vibes will bring a sense of fun into any home, maybe just what is needed.
• small crotchet toys, cushions, purses and key rings are just a few of the numerous gift options from this versatile craft. A crocheted item will have a vintage, homely feel to it, comforting and cheering.

These are just a few of our ideas for handmade gifts to sell. Let your creativity run wild and enjoy coming up with some cheery gifts which will bring a smile to both those who buy them and those who receive them. As we approach Christmas this year, the nation might be on a tight budget but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy Christmas, or that our celebrations and our time with family and friends needs to be dulled. Let’s be real, acknowledging the challenges ahead but determined to celebrate even more all the good things we have in life with a Happy, handmade Christmas! 

For young people today, traditional career routes are shifting at lightning speed. With digital tools evolving almost daily and artificial intelligence dominating the workplace conversation, it’s no surprise that many feel uncertain about their future. For some, AI represents huge opportunity—but for others, it feels like a looming threat to their livelihood.

Yet for the world of artists and makers, there is good news. While AI tools can support ideation, marketing, communication and even selling, much of what makes crafting magical sits far beyond the reach of automation. In fact, you could argue that a career in craft—or a healthy craft side hustle—is one of the most AI-proof paths a person can pursue. And if you want protection for your passion, it’s something you can cover today.

The appeal of arts and crafts is beyond the reach of AI

Human creativity comes from a place AI cannot replicate. It emerges from lived experience, emotion, curiosity and imagination. AI is market-driven; crafters are soul-driven. AI produces what it is asked to produce; humans create what they feel, dream and envision. And that is something no model can imitate.

The creation and appreciation of art and craft is deeply personal. There is joy in dreaming up and shaping a unique piece—and equal joy in seeing someone cherish and purchase that piece. Artists don’t simply “become” crafters; it is something they are. What they produce is not just a product—it is an extension of themselves.

Unfortunately, crafting has not always been presented to young people as a “proper” career option. Many have been nudged toward more conventional paths by family or career advisers, leaving their creative potential underused. The result? Workers filled with unexpressed creativity, juggling imaginative minds with exhausting non-creative careers.

Maybe you recognise this in family or friends who spend their free time knitting, painting or sewing gifts for friends. They decorate their home with handmade pieces and their imagination is alive—but life is busy, and the idea of monetising their hobby has either not arisen or simply been pushed aside.

Yet as more success stories emerge—from Etsy shop owners to Instagram clay artists—young people are beginning to see crafting differently.

Why Crafting as a career?

There’s a quote often shared among small business owners: Only an entrepreneur would work eighty hours for themselves to avoid working fortyhours for someone else. But what possesses someone to do this? For crafters, the answer is simple: passion, autonomy and purpose.

The benefits of being a crafter

Whether crafting becomes your full-time career or a profitable side hustle, the benefits are plentiful.

1. Total creative freedom – Running your own craft business means you get to make what you love and get paid for it. Your style, your choices, your vision—no boss, no brief, no limits. That freedom is priceless.

2. A career that adapts to life changes – Many people turn to crafting full-time after redundancy, illness or having children. For those with physical or mental health challenges, craft offers a career path where other doors may have closed. It’s flexible, expressive and accommodating.

3. Therapeutic benefits – Crafting quiets anxious minds. Many crafters describe the feeling of calm and focus that comes with creating and this alone makes crafting life-changing.

4. A community that welcomes all – From knitting circles to online ceramic forums, crafting thrives on connection between people who share techniques, encouragement and support. It’s a world where beginners and professionals co-exist beautifully.

5. A thriving, changing demographic – The craft market has transformed dramatically in recent years: Younger makers—especially Gen Z—are embracing crochet, pottery, jewellery-making and drawing. Crafters span every age, race, background and skill level. Creativity is not an exclusive club; it’s an open invitation.

6. The Side-Hustle Advantage – Maybe leaving your day job isn’t realistic right now. That’s okay. A craft side hustle can help you improve financial stability as well as offer an emotional outlet. It can grow gradually until you’re ready to leap! And with insurance options you can cover today, it’s safer and more accessible than ever.

7. The Satisfaction of DIY – Doing It Yourself – Whatever you choose to sell, the joy is in the personal touch: Designing it yourself; making it yourself; shipping it yourself; handling customers yourself; using great materials and proudly delivering something that came from you.

Crafting is personal—and that’s why people love it. AI, on the other handcannot feel. It cannot experience the thrill of ideas forming, hands working, colours blending or materials transforming. Neither can it create for the sake of expression. It can remix and replicate—but not originate from emotion or intention.

Most of all, AI cannot replace the human story. Buyers want to know who made their pottery mug, their handbound journal or their macramé plant hanger. They love to hold something made by human hands. Crafting is not just a product; it’s a relationship between maker and owner. And no algorithm can touch that.

Whether you’re dreaming of a full-time creative career or starting a small side hustle, crafting offers freedom, fulfilment, and a future. So dive in, dust off your tools and put your creativity to work. And when you’re ready to safeguard your journey, Craft Insurance is here to help you cover today and create confidently tomorrow.

Imagine yourself comfortably ensconced in front of a crackling fire, toes clad in woolly socks outstretched to the heat and hands clasped around a hot, delicately fragranced spicy drink. Or maybe in a log cabin, snuggled up on an overstuffed sofa scattered with quilted cushions and lit by gently flickering candlelight. Or maybe you might rather be outdoors in the crisp winter air, crunching your way through shimmering white snow, guided onwards by the twinkling lights of the town ahead.

These are all dreamy images of winter, but they are all based on the reality of life in the northern parts of our world, when nights are long and homes are a retreat from the bitingly cold temperatures of the winter months. These weather patterns have shaped not only the way of life in these northern climes, but also many of the traditions and festivities around Christmas. When the outside world is cold and dark, the emphasis on creating a warm, cosy and welcoming home is great. With many sociable afternoons spent indoors with friends, winter craft ideas have abounded over the last few decades and resulted in the array of stunning decorations we appreciate today. As we look at a few of these traditions, we hope they might act as a springboard for your own winter craft ideas and a new range of products with which to delight your public.

In Scandinavia, the celebrations begin on December 13th, St Lucia’s Day. St Lucia lived during a time of severe Christian persecution within the Roman Empire, and legend has it that she brought food to Christians hiding in the catacombs, lighting her way by candlelight. The festival, which commemorates her martyrdom and celebrates her life, is centred around lights and candles, and includes large candlelit processions as well as small family rituals. Traditionally, the youngest daughter of the family dresses in a white gown with a wreath of candles around her head and awakens her family with a tray of sweet treats. This would be a delightful tradition to incorporate into our winter celebrations; the only snag being that candles close to long hair sound like a fire risk. It could, however, be a springboard for some fun winter craft ideas; a head garland intertwined with little LED lights and a summary of the festival story alongside.

The classic Scandinavian Christmas style, which has been warmly welcomed into so many of our homes, is also inspirational for winter craft ideas. Think red and white, natural materials such as felt, fabric, ribbon or wood, and simple, unfussy designs. The initial financial outlays for these are low, so they could be good items to have either as a main feature or to supplement your other products. With such vast areas of wooded wilderness, natural materials such as pinecones or evergreen branches are often central to the Christmas decor. Maybe you could consider using some pine branches to display your felt hearts, origami stars or wooden reindeer and sell them at a local Christmas fair.

Next up in our northern inspiration is the USA. While the southern states are warm most of the year, the northern ones have brought us some of the homely Christmas decor we enjoy each year; stockings over the fireplace, a plate laden with cookies for Santa and spectacular gingerbread houses. America is also associated with extravagant, sparkling light displays. While multi coloured, flashing lights are beyond the crafter’s remit, there is a market for beautiful handmade stockings which will be brought out year after year. Stockings lend themselves to personalisation; maybe you could offer a choice of colour or add a name. For the ceramicists amongst you, a special cookie plate for Santa, named and decorated, could also become central to the Christmas Eve ritual, to be carefully filled and placed under the stockings by small, eager hands.

If we travel on up from the USA and into Canada, we find many of the traditions are the same, although often scaled down and simplified. The great outdoors, lakes, mountains and forests are reflected in festive traditions here, with a cosy log cabin vibe being our inspiration from this part of the world. Simple textile decorations made with red checkered plaid or natural sacking fabric blend with those fashioned from cones, dried fruits and nuts. Our winter craft ideas from this part of the world have an earthy, wholesome feel to them; a crafting session probably needs to be preceded by a walk and forage in some local woods and accompanied by steaming hot chocolate out of chunky, earthenware mugs.

The last stop on our tour for winter festive creativity, is high up in Iceland. In a land where long nights and freezing weather enfold much of the year, warmth, light and celebration are central to their festivities. The Christmas season lasts twenty-six days and is a whimsical blend of ancient folklore with a modern twist. Homes are wreathed with evergreens lugged in from outdoors; decorations have an elegant simplicity, and each nook and cranny twinkles with lights and candles. A custom which is unique to Iceland is the delightful Jolabokaflod. Literally meaning ‘avalanche of books’, families gather to exchange books and read aloud, accompanied by a smorgasbord of delicious treats.

As we wind up our journey looking for winter craft ideas inspired by the North, let’s end with one tradition which is common to all these nations: the Advent Wreath. Originating from Germany, this fun and meaningful tradition has spread to many other countries. Four candles nestle around a circular wreath, with a fifth one in the middle. One candle is lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and the fifth one on Christmas Day itself. With countless ways of creating your own Advent wreath, this is surely one to make and sell.

We all know that pre Christmas feeling of rising panic. We could wrap it up prettily and say smilingly that it’s all part of the the fun of the festive whirl, or we could be more down to earth and acknowledge it’s plain old ‘too much to do and not enough time to do it in’ or in more modern terms, ‘overwhelm’. Honesty with ourselves is always the best policy as once we admit something is difficult we can be proactive and put some things in place to change the situation. Preparing for Christmas can seem like an epic organisational task. Even for those of us who intentionally try to keep it low key, there is still rising anticipation from everyone around us as the activities and events increase and the day draws closer. There is also a desire on our part to celebrate and make the most of the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. We want to create an atmosphere which best nurtures relationships with love and gives space for fun and laughter. An exhausted and grumpy host/hostess does not really engender this atmosphere.

Given all this, are there some tasks which we can delegate to others? Many buy rather than make Christmas cakes and puddings, and sharing out the food preparation between those who are coming over the festive week is a good idea. Another task which, as owners of craft businesses, you could jump onto, is gift wrapping. How often have you been wrapping gifts late on Christmas Eve? And how often have you vowed never to do do this again, only to repeat it the following year?

For some, wrapping gifts is a pleasure and all part of the joy of giving, but for many it is an extra time consuming task and expense we could do without. So, as you consider marketing your stunning creations borne out of your own Christmas craft ideas, why not also consider advertising a gift wrap service?

Offering a gift wrap service could both boost your sales and promote your brand. For busy customers, it may well give your business an edge over similar ones. Customers tend to buy more if they know their gifts will be wrapped well and you can obviously charge for the service. You could also use the wrapping itself to enhance your brand; maybe with the colour scheme you use, by tucking a business card into the package or by adding a gift card in which your website is subtly displayed. A gift wrap service can also boost your customer satisfaction, attracting them back to your business in the future. It could lead to extra communication between yourself and your customers which, although time consuming, could be worth it for long term sales. For a bespoke service, you will probably offer a range of gift wrap colours and a personalised message on the accompanying card. As your Christmas craft ideas turn into stunning gifts, you want to give them as wide a marketing exposure as possible. Adding a gift wrapping service to your search engine terms should help this.

You could also consider promoting your local and environmental credentials.
You will need to think about the practicalities of wrapping. Are you going to use boxes or paper?

What type of ribbon and sealer will you use? Will you add any other decorative touches? Then there are gift cards; will you offer a choice of design and wording or go for a streamlined option?

You will need to weigh up your time as well as costings of the materials. Your products will also influence what packaging you opt for. Cosy winter woolies can be nestled safely in crisp wrapping paper, while more fragile items will certainly need bubble wrap and a stylish gift box. Once you have decided on your range of paper, boxes and accessories, bulk buying will keep your costs down.

Another aspect to consider, which would give your gift wrap service an edge over others, is to create an eco-friendly wrapping range. As we all endeavour to tread more lightly on our planet, while enjoying and delighting in its beauty, many people are aware of the environmental impact of Christmas. As crafting business owners, you are already ahead of major retailers in that you create locally made products, with ethically sourced raw materials where possible and with processes and procedures which have a much lower impact on the environment than big manufacturers would be able to achieve.
You could take this one step further by sourcing eco-friendly packaging. You would need to look for gift wrap which is FSC certified, recycled and plastic free. You could also look into plastic free tape options, as well as ribbon, twine or other accessories which are kind on our world. To add an extra flair of Christmas class, you could either source or make your own dried oranges, rosehips or other plant-based accessories. These are not only colourful and quintessentially Christmassy, but they are also completely biodegradable, offering guilt free, stylish gift presentation.

As creatives, why not let your Christmas craft ideas run wild and extend to some stylish packaging for your gorgeous gift collection. Your products are already totally unique, often sustainably made and have a longevity which mass produced counterparts may not. Gift wrapping will only add to their value, both financially and in terms of customer satisfaction. Learn how to tie ribbon with a flourish and create a sumptuous colour scheme for your wrapped gifts. While most of us can only dream of a stack of beautifully wrapped gifts as seen in popular festive movies, you can enable this to become a reality, with luxurious paper or gift boxes, elegant ribbons and thoughtful, themed accessories. So, whether you go for ribbon or twine, rustic brown paper or sophisticated tones of red or green, whether you tuck a candy cane, a bell or a spray of evergreen with a deliciously fragranced dried orange slice onto the top, you can be sure your gifts will be remembered as the best dressed at the party!

As you might have already guessed if you are reading this, writing a blog to go on your website is great for boosting visibility! Sharing insights and useful content through a blog can really help showcase your expertise and give potential clients a better picture of who you are and what you do. It can become another window into your craft workshop.

Writing a regular blog doesn’t have to be hugely overwhelming either. You can post once a month if you are busy and focus on topics that your customers would find helpful or interesting. Then, keep to the rhythm of posting once a month, or however often you can, as nothing ages a website faster than when the most recent post is from two years ago!

What to blog about

Anyone with crafting expertise could blog about a wide range of topics on their website, so here is a selection of ideas to get you going:

Craft-specific content 

DIY tutorials: Step-by-step guides for creating projects, from simple home decor to complex items like custom jewellery or Christmas decorations make great material for seasonal blog posts.

Tips and techniques: You could give helpful advice on specific techniques, such as how to choose the right wool for knitting or how to keep paint from peeling on wood projects.

Crafting with materials: Writing posts focusing on using specific materials, including recycled items or eco-friendly options will help your readers and potentially the environment too!

Product reviews: Everyone is grateful for an in-depth review when they need to buy tools, equipment and materials. This might include comparisons between different brands. Reading your blog could save your readers’ time money and stress. 

Business and marketing content

Selling handmade goods: Guides on how to sell crafts online; you have anecdotal evidence of what you have found to be the most profitable! You could explain how to create an Etsy or Craftsy shop, how to price products or even how to create a successful craft booth display.

Marketing and branding: Some people take to using new digital tools like ducks to water, whilst for others, there seems to be an invisible mental barricade preventing a launch on new platforms. For anyone who struggles in this way, some straightforward advice on marketing products on social mediawould make for excellent bedtime reading. If you have relevant experience you could also share about building a brand or how to take the best “professional” looking photos of your crafts.

Business management: Having administrative ability is a gift so why not share about it in your blog? After all, not everyone has it! Blog posts about the daily operations of a craft business, including managing inventory, shipping, customer support or even how to best lay out your craft workshop. 

Inspiration and lifestyle content

Project inspiration: Inspiration can be hard to come by sometimes. Showcasing creative ideas for projects and where inspiration can be found, such as specific places or objects makes for a great read.

Behind-the-scenes: Everyone loves to know what happens behind the scenes! That’s why sharing personal experiences and the creative process behind making crafts will draw readers.

Lifestyle integration: Instagram has seen a lot of influencers connecting crafting with other areas of life and this can be done via a blog too! There are many possibilities, such as sharing recipes using ingredients from a farmer’s market or home decor tips that match the changing seasons. 

Community and engagement 

Community posts: Why not connect with your audience and ask your readers for some input on their favourite crafts or what they like to make themselves? Not everyone can come to visit you in your craft workshop for a chat, but this could be the next best thing!

Personal experiences: It’s story time! Who doesn’t enjoy the thought of settling down to hear a well-told story? Sharing personal stories about the challenges and joys of crafting and running a creative business makes for a fascinating read. 

If you are new to the world of craft selling, becoming known for a regular blog will help to grow your new business. Setting up your new business is exciting – why not keep a diary of how you did it and draft it as your inaugural blog! 

And don’t forget, if you need advice with insurance for your new business, let us assure you that it is actually remarkably straightforward. Depending on your crafting business needs, it usually includes public and products liability cover.

Public and product liability covers you for any claims made against you or your products, even if it is not your fault. It covers defence costs and any compensation required. While you will obviously do all you can to ensure you are never in this position, the whole idea of insurance for your products, your customers, your tools and your craft workshop is to protect you and your business from the unforeseeable. Having this in place enables you to get on and do what you do best; crafting beautiful and stylish handcrafted products that will bring joy and delight to your customers.