The next time you are standing behind your craft stall on a warm Saturday morning, watching crowds file past the bunting and handmade signs, it’s worth considering how long all this has been going on. It’s great to remember that the summer fair is one of the oldest communal traditions in the UK, so your participation is actually breathing life into history. 

Medieval fairs were the beating heart of social and economic life for ordinary people in a way that is difficult to fully appreciate from a modern perspective. For the common folk of medieval England, most of whom were tied to small villages and largely illiterate, a summer fair was one of the moments in the year when the world got bigger. Merchants arrived from further afield carrying unusual goods: exotic spices, fine silks, specialist metalwork and textiles unavailable anywhere else. Alongside the traders came minstrels, acrobats, jugglers and players performing on makeshift stages. There were archery contests, wrestling matches and, at the larger charter fairs, the thundering spectacle of a jousting tournament. These were major social events and the dancing went on until dark. 

Some of England’s greatest annual fairs, such as Stourbridge Fair, Winchester’s St Giles Fair and the St Bartholomew Fair at Smithfield, grew into events of enormous economic significance. Stourbridge eventually became the largest fair in all of Europe and was the inspiration for John Bunyan’s Vanity Fair in The Pilgrim’s Progress. They became so important that town leaders used them to hold courts, collect taxes and announce royal decrees. Commerce, community, spectacle and storytelling all converged in one place each summer. 

Centuries later, what has changed? 

Walk around a modern summer craft fair and some things have not changed. The stalls are still temporary structures, erected for the occasion and packed away at the end of the day. The traders have travelled to be there, some from considerable distances. The atmosphere still carries that particular mix of commerce and celebration that makes a fair feel different from ordinary shopping. People come to watch, eat and enjoy being part of something communal; they don’t just buy and leave. 

The most noticeable difference between a modern-day fair and a medieval fair is probably the smell (or lack of it) and the nature of what is being sold: exotic spices and fine silks now replaced with handmade candles and wax melts, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, resin work and skincare products. Larger, one-time annual events have been replaced by a summer-long calendar of markets, country shows, village fetes and outdoor fairs that give crafters a near-continuous run of trading opportunities from May through to September. 

Another major difference is that modern-day stallholders will most likely all have insurance! Medieval stallholders were required to pay “stallage” or “picage” to the local lord, town council or church that held the royal charter to host the event. This granted them the right to set up a table, pitch a tent and sell their goods. Insurance though? Nay. 

Why we need cover today 

For the medieval trader whose goods were stolen, damaged or lost, that would have meant personal catastrophe with no safety net. If anyone was injured as a result of a trader’s activities, the consequences fell entirely on them. Happily, for the modern crafter, the situation is very different! 

A Craft Insurance policy covers you for public and product liability at any event you attend throughout the year, indoors or outdoors, with no limit on the number of fairs. There is no need to notify us each time you set up a stall. Your cover applies automatically from the moment your policy is live. Professional indemnity is included as standard, so if you teach your craft or demonstrate it at an event, you are covered for that too. Optional add-ons include employers’ liability if you have anyone helping you, and business and stock cover for your tools, materials, equipment and finished work. 

The standard excess is just £50, which is great news, and documents are issued instantly on payment, so if you decide to get your cover today, you can be ready to trade straight away. 

Most craft fair organisers will ask for proof of public liability insurance before they confirm your booking. This is standard practice across the industry and has been for some years. If you are approaching the summer season without cover in place, you may find yourself turned away from events you have already planned around. Getting your cover today means that proof of insurance is in your inbox within minutes of completing your application, ready to share with any organiser who asks for it. 

It is also worth knowing that some insurers have specific exclusions that catch crafters out. Candle makers, home fragrance sellers and makers of reed diffusers, room sprays and wax melts have discovered that certain general insurers simply do not cover their products at all. At Craft Insurance, we have very few exclusions, and we are always upfront about what they are. Another great thing is that we charge no administration fees for policy changes, so if your circumstances change during the summer season, you can update your cover without any extra cost. 

Medieval fair traders had to carry heavy consequences when things went wrong, but you do not have to operate the same way! The craft fair tradition has survived for hundreds of years because it works, because people genuinely value handmade goods, community and the experience of buying directly from the maker. Protecting your place in that tradition with the right insurance makes sense! 

Get your cover today 

Fill in our short online form, choose your level of cover, and have your documents in your inbox within minutes. If you would rather talk it through first, Samantha or Naomi will pick up the phone and walk you through exactly what you need. Although we can’t claim to have been in business since medieval times, we have been providing craft insurance since 1986!  

Get a quote now | Speak to Sam or Naomi 

Picture for a minute two heads bowed together; mother and daughter as the former demonstrates the intricacies of lace making (or spinning, or straw plaiting …) to the latter. Picture too a father and son working together on the land, the conversations, the life advice, the daily mentoring. Then look a little further into those children’s futures. The girl may have commenced work under the supervision of a seamstress, and the boy may have learnt a trade as an apprentice to a blacksmith or bodger. While no one disputes that life was tough in numerous ways in pre industrialised Britain, there are some aspects of family and community from which we could glean some wisdom in our highly individualistic, computerised society.  

Loneliness, for example, is a huge problem in the twenty-first century, not only amongst the elderly and housebound but throughout all sectors of society. Many move away from the family home for education or work, settle down and then go on to raise their own children without the support of grandparents and plentiful aunts, uncles and cousins. Online friendships are no substitute for real ones, chatting over a mug of tea or working out at the gym together. We are not designed to live in isolation and even the most introverted amongst us need community.  

Enter crafting workshops! These offer a delightful space both to pass on traditional skills to others and also to nurture community. Whether it be a six-week evening course, a Saturday workshop or a rolling class, if you decide to run one of these you will most probably not be short of attendees. There are so many benefits for joining with others to craft together, not least that it is a wonderful way to ensure these time honoured skills are not lost but are indeed revived.  

With many of us using screens for our work, there is an increasing yearning to get away from them during our leisure time. In tandem with this, many of us do not work with our hands anymore and are therefore losing out on the calming sensory input of handling different textures, from soft wool through to squishy clay. While we get far too many unhelpful dopamine hits from pings on social media, the sense of satisfaction when we have mastered a new skill or completed a beautiful project is a much healthier one. In addition, the repetitive actions required in many crafting techniques are also calming, necessitating just the right level of concentration to block out the cycle of anxiety while allowing for easy conversation. All these, combined with a warm welcome and the sense of community in shared learning, do wonders to promote a sense of wellbeing and acceptance.  

Whether you are just considering holding a crafting class, or are a veteran workshop facilitator, there are so many options open to you. You could offer general classes open to any member of the public, you could do one-off events such as hen parties (pottery sessions are often popular) or you could tailor classes towards a specific group of people such as the over sixties, after school clubs or sessions for home-educated children. As long as your craft travels, you will need to find an appropriate venue. This could be within a local Craft Quarter or Centre, in a town or church hall or within a school.  

You might be able to get funding to take your craft into a local church or other centre which welcomes homeless men and women in to have a shower, collect post, enjoy a warm meal and seek advice.  Alongside this, a table which offers a space to paint or craft can be very therapeutic, increasing self-worth and maybe discovering hidden talents. It is also much easier to converse while focusing on creating something with your hands, and all around the table have a shared interest in the particular craft.  

You will need to do some local research, gauging your potential client group and then when you have a workshop organised, advertising both in local magazines/notice boards and online is foundational to your success. Once you’ve done some number crunching, it can often be better to start small, with a group size you feel comfortable with. You will also need to find some craft class insurance. While there are a plethora of companies offering craft class insurance, it is well worth making sure you understand what the package includes, as there will be variations. The good news is that here at Craft Insurance our basic insurance package will cover you for teaching, demonstrating and selling your craft within any setting. It includes public and product liability insurance and additionally contains professional indemnity insurance. As well as covering you for teaching and demonstrating, this also covers you if you unknowingly give any incorrect advice.  

Our prices may not be the lowest you can find online, but this is a conscious decision; we want to be sure that you get what you pay for with no surprise exclusions or confusing wording. We are a family business, with knowledge and experience passed down through generations. We answer each enquiry ourselves, so whether it be a phone call or an online request, either Sam or Naomi are here to reply. Craft class insurance is not an add on here with us; it is part of your basic package which also allows you to sell your stunning products online and at craft fairs.  

So, if you already have a basic insurance package with us, you will be covered for craft workshops too! Why not get dreaming; what are some ways you could pass on your skill, create community and add to your income? Ask a few questions, gather a few screen-weary, well-motivated students and have fun passing on your finely honed artisan skills in a refreshing atmosphere of welcome, eagerness and enthusiasm.  

As we edge towards the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, our young people finally reach the touch line of the exam marathon they have been running, and many of us feel a general weariness increasing, our thoughts begin to turn towards summer holidays. Whether these will mainly be spent at home, holidaying within the UK or enjoying some sunny climes overseas, the dreaming can begin! 

The planning and the imagining can become an integral part of the holiday fun, as we consider summer outfits or envision a seasonal refreshing of our home and garden. This dreaming will subsequently turn into an exchange of cash for some new items to add a sparkle to home or wardrobe, and having an understanding of people’s summer shopping habits can open up more sales for hand crafted businesses. While many still flood to major retailers or online stores, an increasing number of consumers are become more discerning in their purchasing and are looking for products which will not only be unique, made with care and which display traditional crafting skills, but will also have longevity and be sustainably made. Quite some list to fulfil! However, if you have a business selling hand made crafts you will undoubtedly tick all those boxes. 

With summer holidays in mind, customers might be searching for fun beach bags, breezy cotton outfits or eye-catching sun hats. As the season of weddings approaches, there will also be a demand for elegant linen outfits, stylish hats and classy handbags. While many couples produce a wedding gift list, others may have what they need already, and so guests have the opportunity to buy something completely unique and gift the newly weds with a sparkle of creative charm which will last throughout their lives. 

If most of the holidays will be spent at home, it’s a great opportunity to give house and garden a fresh look. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be repainting the whole house; rather by adding some inviting cushions, light toned throws, outdoor lanterns, pretty plant pots and breezy bunting you can create a space of effortless charm in the aesthetic of your choice. Maybe this will be a place for gathering friends for a barbecue on a sunny afternoon, or for an alfresco brunch on a slow Saturday morning, or simply to share a cup or tea and scone, loaded with strawberry jam, with a good friend. 

As crafters, once you have produced a good stock of summer themed items, you will need to find a place to sell them to your delighted customers. Craft fairs are always wonderful ways to not only sell, but to meet customers face to face and make local connections. Do check out our other blogs which offer advice about how to make the most of a fair. 

If you want to sell online, you may decide to build your own website. However, if you are just dipping your toe into the world of web-based sales, you may prefer to use a tried and trusted online marketplace, Etsy being one of the most well known of these. One of the advantages of Etsy is that it is fairly intuitive to set up, no technical skills are required, and that listing fees are reasonable. 

If you decide to explore this route, you will then need to think about insurance. You may be asking yourself, “Can’t I simply use Etsy seller insurance?” The answer is yes and no! Etsy does have a Purchase Protection Programme, but this does not take the place of professional insurance and as such it is quite limited in its scope. Etsy seller insurance mainly covers products lost in transit or arriving later than the stated date. It could also come into play if a customer is not satisfied that the product matches the listing description, when Etsy are satisfied that it does so. Good to note…make sure your listing descriptions are precise and photographs are clear. 

So, while Etsy seller insurance exists, it has clear and limited reach and you will need to consider comprehensive insurance cover. Our baseline package for all craft businesses starts with product and public liability insurance. Product liability covers you for any claim made by a customer that your product has harmed or caused damage to themselves or their property. Even if this is not the case, the insurance will pay for any compensation owed or legal fees involved. 

Public liability covers you for any claims, whether founded of not, of harm or injury caused on your premises or by your business activities. While there could be any number of scenarios where this could happen on a business premises or at a craft fair, it might seem unlikely if you are making your goods at home and selling online. However, it is not beyond the realms of imagination to picture a courier slipping on an icy driveway or tripping over a child’s scooter left on the path to your front door, thus making you very thankful that you have public liability insurance in place. 

The potential consequences of running into difficulties without these insurances prompt most sellers to investigate further. We are a family run business ourselves and have the benefit of experience and knowledge in the craft insurance industry passed down through the generations. We do not use call handlers; either Naomi or Sam are here to answer calls as they come through. If you prefer to contact us online, you can use the form on the website, and we will reply directly and give you an individually tailored quote based on the information you give us. 

We wish you every success as you sell your unique and beautiful products online and look forward to hearing about your business and helping you get the best insurance package for your business needs. 

Making candles and wax melts has become one of the most popular craft businesses in the UK over the past few years. What often starts as a hobby on a kitchen table can quickly turn into a thriving small business, with products selling at craft fairs, online and through local retailers. If that sounds like you, or if you are just starting out and wondering whether you need insurance, the short answer is: yes, you do. 

Candle business insurance is not just a box to tick before your first craft fair. It is the thing that protects your finances, your reputation, and your peace of mind if something unexpected goes wrong. And in a business where fire, heat and open flames are part of the process, the unexpected is always worth planning for. 

Why wax melt and candle makers are more exposed than they might realise. 

Here is the reality that most new candle makers do not fully consider. You can pour the perfect candle, write clear instructions, package your products beautifully and send them out with care. But once that candle or wax melt is in a customer’s home, you cannot control what happens next. 

Wax melts can be a fire risk if the wrong kind of melter is used. Candles left burning too close to curtains, furniture or bedding can cause serious damage. Most people are sensible, but distractions happen. Electric wax melters get left on overnight. Instructions get skimmed or ignored. Fire and rescue guidelines recommend that wax melts are not left melting for longer than four hours at a time, but not every customer will read that. 

As the person who made the product, you are not responsible for how a customer chooses to use it. But if that customer suffers injury or property damage and believes your product was at fault, they have the right to make a claim against you. Defending that claim, even if you have done nothing wrong, can cost thousands of pounds in legal fees alone. Without candle maker insurance in place, those costs fall entirely on you. 

What wax melt and candle making insurance actually covers. 

The foundation of any candle business insurance policy is public and product liability cover. This protects you if a customer or member of the public makes a claim against you for injury or property damage caused by your products or your activities. It covers your legal defence costs and any compensation awarded, even if the claim turns out not to be your fault. 

You will also need proof of public liability insurance before most craft fair organisers will allow you to take a stall. It is one of the most commonly requested documents when booking events, so having it in place means you are ready to trade wherever you want. 

At Craft Insurance, we have spent the past year improving and simplifying our cover so that candle makers get more protection without more complexity. Professional indemnity is now included as standard with every liability policy, so if you teach candle making or run your own exhibition, you are covered for that too. 

If you want to protect the physical side of your candle business as well, our business items cover has been simplified so you no longer need to separate saleable stock from raw materials. Tools, equipment, display stands, card readers, laptops and finished stock are all covered under one straightforward category. Insure as much or as little as you need, and there is no complicated split to worry about at claim time. 

Why Craft Insurance is the right choice for candle business insurance. 

This is an area where we want to be straightforward with you. Some insurers have specific exclusions that affect candle makers, home fragrance sellers and wax melt businesses. Products like room sprays and reed diffusers are excluded by certain providers without it being obvious until you need to claim. With Craft Insurance, what you make is what we cover. We have very few exclusions and we are always upfront about what they are. 

We also do not charge administration fees. If you need to change your policy, add cover or remove something, there is no extra cost. No cancellation fees either. Other insurers charge up to £15 for amendments that we handle at no charge, because we think that is simply the right way to treat customers. 

We have been providing candle making insurance and craft business cover since 1986. 

Nearly four decades of focus on crafters means we understand the risks involved in a candle business in a way that general insurers never could. Our policies are underwritten by Hiscox, one of the UK’s most respected specialist insurers, with an award-winning claims service if you ever need to use it. 

When you call us, you will speak to Samantha or Naomi. Not a call centre. Not an automated system. Two people who know this business inside out and will take the time to make sure you have exactly the right cover for what you do. 

Getting your candle maker insurance sorted is easier than you think. 

Fill in our straightforward online form, give us the basic details about your candle business and what you need to cover, and you will have your quote in minutes. Your documents are issued instantly on payment, so you can be covered and ready to trade the same day. 

If you get stuck or want to talk through what you need before you start, pick up the phone. Sam or Naomi will walk you through the whole thing. Getting the right candle business insurance in place is one of the most important steps you can take as a candle maker. We have been helping crafters do exactly that for nearly forty years, and we are here to help you too. 

Get a Quote Now | Speak to Sam or Naomi 

Anyone who’s been crafting for some while will have his or her own set of disaster stories. Maybe a mug of coffee has tipped over, soaking and staining a pile of ready-for-sale, handmade cards. Maybe an adorable new puppy found its way into a beautifully carded pile of fleece and used it as a toilet. Or maybe the shelf where you keep your finished ceramic products collapses and the whole lot comes crashing to the ground.   

While a sense of humour and natural resilience may allow us to laugh at them after the event…possibly a long time after the event … the actual incident can be heart sinking, financially devastating and even put a stop to your trading for a while. Having organised workspaces and a backup plan for craft fairs will minimise the impact of any unforeseen disaster but unfortunately, as we all know, life happens and sometimes, the curveball comes our way and there is nothing we can do to stop it. This is where having stock insurance for crafters can literally be a business saver. 

And it’s not only stock. Tools and equipment can be stolen or damaged, which not only means an expensive knock to the pocket to replace them, but also can mean a temporary hiatus in product, adding to the financial impact.  

It’s not just in the workshop that disasters can happen, or from the workshop that tools can be stolen. Exhibiting at craft fairs is the backbone of many crafting businesses and, without wishing to sound like a promotion for a blooper reel, being out and about can open another door to mishaps. Imagine … you arrive at a craft fair on a freezing morning with hours’ worth of Christmas themed produce really to sell. As you walk into the hall, you slip on some ice. While fortunately you don’t sustain any major injuries, your beautiful glass decorations take a flying leap. Or conversely, on an unseasonably hot day and after a long car journey stuck in traffic, you unpack your wax melts and find they have not only lost their definition but fused together in the heat.  Both of these could be catastrophic not only for the actual event, but for the financial health of your business. Having stock insurance for crafters in place, while it will not ease the disappointment of having hours of hard work gone in a moment, will ease the financial impact and enable you to pick yourself up and carry on making and selling. 

What is stock insurance for crafters and what have we done to make it simpler?  

We know that behind every craft stall or small craft business there’s a significant investment in materials bought, products made, tools accumulated, and equipment used to trade. But what if that stock was damaged at a fair, tools were stolen from a car, or a laptop was lost on the way to an event? 

Business items and stock cover gives you that extra layer of protection for the physical side of your craft business. It’s an optional add-on to your base public and product liability policy, and like everything at Craft Insurance, we’ve simplified it so you only insure what you have, at the level that makes sense for you. 

You can insure your stock through all stages of production, from raw materials through to finished, saleable products. This could be particularly relevant if you are out and about on the craft circuit, as it includes damage in transit as well as at the event. At large events you may leave your stall set up overnight, and stock insurance will cover you if the unimaginable happens and products are stolen or damaged; theft as well as damage is covered. 

We also cover electronic devices, used for making, promoting or selling your crafts. Laptops, for example, or cameras used for taking photos for your website. If you sell at craft fairs regularly, you will no doubt have a card reader, and these nifty little devices, as well as iPads and laptops, can be susceptible to theft. Our standard excess is £50, regardless of the amount of your claim; you’ll find this is a competitively low excess. 

Another point to consider is that you may wish to add to your insurance. While at first glance our quotes might seem to be higher than big name competitors, this is intentional as we charge a one-off price with clarity of what it includes. We do not charge an initial admin fee, nor do we charge a fee for making amendments to your policy. We work hard to be transparent and ensure you understand the process. To this end, we don’t use call handlers but communicate directly with all our customers. This means that not only do you not waste your time waiting in a call queue, but you also get individual, expert advice. If you prefer to do everything online, you can fill in the form on our website, and we will send you a quote based on what you tell us. This way, you are only paying for what you need.  

All our insurance packages are completely bespoke, as what is included will depend on your unique business needs. Public and product liability are the base cover, and you can then add to that as you weigh the costs versus the risks. As a family business we have learnt about craft insurance over the past few decades, and this knowledge has been passed down through the generations. So, while we are up to speed on all the latest policy changes, we also have a wealth of experience which we can share with you. We understand your journey from the kitchen table upwards, so pick up the phone and Naomi or Sam will be here to answer all your questions about stock insurance for crafters. 

Maybe you’re new to selling your crafts, or perhaps you’ve tried to make a claim with your current insurer and found that there was an exclusion in your policy that you were unaware of. You scroll through the plethora of online companies and wonder which one will offer you the best deal. What type of insurance do you need? Or, could you get away without it? Money is tight, so do you simply go for the cheapest? How do you find out more? Can you talk to a real person about the best option? 

All the above are very valid questions, and we’ll go through them one at a time now.  

The first thing to say is that yes, you do need to have crafters’ liability insurance. With Craft Insurance, this includes both public and product liability with professional indemnity thrown into the bundle. Public liability insurance covers you for any claim made that you or a member of your team has caused harm or injury to a member of the public or their property. It covers legal defence costs and/or any compensation you owe. Product liability insurance covers you for any claim made that a product of yours has caused injury or harm to a customer. Again, even if it is not your fault, the insurance covers you, so you do not have to face lengthy, time consuming and costly legal battles. It covers face-to-face sales at markets and fairs and worldwide online sales. 

Alongside this, our professional indemnity insurance covers you when you are out and about teaching and demonstrating your craft. It will even cover you if you inadvertently give some wrong advice. With these three in place, there is no limit to the number of events you can attend, and you do not have to notify us of specific events. Just book yourself in, gather all you need for a successful day, and you’re good to go, knowing that your crafters’ liability insurance is in place. 

Public and product liability insurance is the basic, bread and butter insurance for crafters. However, once this is in place, you can add extra insurance to cover stock, finished products, tools or other items necessary for your business. This insurance covers you for loss, damage or theft of any of the above. Items necessary for your business include electronic devices such as laptops, cameras or card machines. You insure item by item, so you can weigh up the benefits versus the cost of insurance. For example, if you have invested in high-cost tools or equipment for your business, eg a potter’s wheel or kiln without which you could not work, you might consider insuring them. However, if you create beautiful, knitted blankets, it is probably not worth insuring your knitting needles!  

You will find that most craft fair and event organisers request that you have public liability before you book your spot. The reason being that while you will carry out risk assessments and follow all guidelines and regulations necessary for your products, it is those completely unexpected incidents which can floor us and cause serious issues for event organisers too. Curveballs that come out of nowhere. If you have the correct crafters’ liability insurance in place, you don’t need to lose sleep over these and can pour your time and energy into doing what you do best; creating and selling unique, stylish and stunning products and thus growing your business.  

Onto our third question, which is also a good one. It is not uncommon to feel the pain of the cost of insurance…in fact, you are definitely not alone. If you have come to the conclusion that you need it, then wouldn’t it be better just to go for the cheapest option and be done with it? This is where some good advice really can save you money in the long run. We at Craft Insurance may not be the cheapest up-front option. This, however, is intentional. We take care to ensure that the insurance packages we sell do what they say they do. We don’t have exclusions and we cover all your selling, demonstrating and teaching.  

Our policies are inclusive, which means there is no initial admin fee and no charge for making amendments should you need to do so. A package with no hidden extras makes it easier to budget and saves you from unexpected costs later.  

It’s also worth taking into account that we are a family business with decades of experience in insuring craft businesses. It’s a specialised area and a good knowledge and understanding of the risks involved enables us to both ensure you have the correct cover for your unique business, and also to keep the costs down. The problem with an insurer not having a good understanding of risks specific to the vast array of craft insurance we deal with, is that the policies will overcompensate for very unlikely risks; thus policy holders are charged more to cover potential shortfalls.  

As we come into land on our journey to discover more about crafters’ liability insurance, the last two questions can be answered together. Yes, you can talk to a real person at Craft Insurance. Our names are Naomi and Sam and we’d love to hear from you. You can explore the website to find out the answer to some of your questions, but as your business is totally unique, we recommend you either call us or, if you prefer, send us a message. We deal with each client individually, delving into the pools of knowledge and experience we’ve gained over the years and working out the best package for your completely individual business needs. 

We hope this has given you some clarity and answered some of your questions but do now get in touch and we can talk further.  

Our job here at Craft insurance is very varied; one of the parts we love the most is hearing about all your innovative and creative businesses, and one of the most frequently asked questions is “How much does public liability insurance cost?” It is of course, impossible to answer straight away, as it will depend on your unique business and all the variables around that, but we can walk you through it on a phone call or, if you prefer, you can fill in the form on our website to get a quote for public liability insurance cost for your business.  

Most crafters discover their need for public liability insurance the first time they try their hand selling at craft fairs, farmers markets or other in person events, as the organiser will often ask that you have it in place. This might be the first time you have had to consider any kind of insurance. It can feel a little overwhelming, just one extra thing to add to your already overflowing ‘to do’ list, but we can assure you that it only takes a phone call or an email, if you prefer.  

So, what is public liability insurance and what are you getting for your hard-earned cash? It covers you for any claims made that you or a member of your team (which can include a volunteer at a fair or market) have caused harm or damage to a member of the public or their property. A classic example would be a slip or trip hazard, someone stumbling over an extension cable or storage box and twisting their ankle. While you will no doubt complete any necessary risk assessments and employ a good slice of common sense, public liability insurance is all about protecting you for those completely unforeseeable and unavoidable occurrences.  

We call this one our sleep easy insurance, in that once it is in place you can simply forget about it and put your time, energy and creativity into growing your standout business. For this to be the case, you need to be sure that what you are paying, your public liability insurance cost, covers you for what it says it will, if the need arises. You are wise to compare companies, and in doing so you will find that our public liability insurance cost may not be the cheapest. This is deliberate, in that we are determined to ensure that you get what you pay for; cover for any indoor or outdoor event, flexibility and the assurance that there are no nasty surprises if you should have to make a claim. 

In addition, as a family run business with decades of experience of working within the craft insurance arena, we can give advice from storehouses of experience as well as up-to-date training. We do not use call handlers, so there are no long queues or anonymous messages. Either Sam or Naomi are here to talk you through what is the best choice for your unique business. Or, if you prefer, we are here to pick up and reply to your individual messages. We can even walk you through the process of getting a quote through our website and then securing the insurance you need whilst you are on a call. This is something we have done for many clients who needed public liability insurance for the first time.  

So, once you have your public liability insurance in place, what else do you need to do to prepare for a successful time at a craft fair? You obviously need to have built up enough stock. It is always a bit of a gamble as to what products to take and how many of them. A little research beforehand always helps. If it is an event where there will be lots of families, you might go for some more budget friendly merchandise and even some pocket money items. If you are going to an evening event with a touch of glamour and flair, stock up on products at the higher end of your range, as gifts or as a pamper purchase. 

You will also need to think about packaging. Is there some way you can customise your packaging, tying it in with the colour theme or logo of your branding? Have a stack of business cards at the ready, to slip in with each purchase. Alongside this, it is worth considering how you can make your stall stand out from all the others, who will also no doubt be selling beautiful handmade products too! If you will be selling at a sizable number of fairs, you could invest in a custom designed transportable banner to set up behind your table. This captures people’s attention and is also an effective way to convey the essentials of your business. Or, for less financial outlay, a tablecloth in your brand colours and some shelves to add height to your stand are also attention grabbing.  

You will need to work out how to receive digital payment, as well as having a cash box with spare change. And you will need to find a way to transfer all your stock plus selling essentials from your vehicle to the stand. It could be a small trolley might be the answer, and/or someone to help! On that note, it can be a long day, and you will need a break every so often, so it is often helpful to have a friend or family member come along with you. You can both sell during the busy times and cover each other for the much-needed comfort breaks, as well as share the mercy dashes for coffee! 

If you have not dipped your feet into the world of craft fairs and markets, we hope this has given you a flavour. They are wonderful places not only to sell your gorgeous products, but also to connect with other crafters, to glean some of latest ideas and to be inspired. As you begin to do them regularly, you will find you build up friendships as you see ‘old’ faces come back each year and make new acquaintances along the way. There is often a deep sense of camaraderie, so book yourself in, pack up some gorgeously tempting stock and enjoy all the fun of the fair! 

Did you know that the area of our brain which recognises fragrance is right next door to the part which is responsible for memory? That’s why smell can be so evocative. Have you ever had the experience of catching a whiff of an aroma, followed by some vivid childhood memories flooding back? Maybe the smell of the cleaning products used at your primary school or perfume worn by your grandmother. These might bring back memories from the distant past, but fragrance can also have associations with more recent events. For example, the smell of pine needles may immediately bring to mind, the anticipation and excitement of Christmas, the scent of vintage roses could evoke memories of long, balmy summer evenings gathered outside with friends, and the tempting smell of baking cookies could enfold you in a homely glow as you recall chats over the kitchen table with a good friend.  

This strong ability fragrance has to evoke memories and emotions within us is maybe one of the reasons why wax melts have become so popular. However, their rise in popularity has been meteoric, so there must be other reasons for this too. We’ll consider a few of them, before we then look at how to ensure you have the best insurance for wax melts in place. 

Wax melts are very affordable, which in periods of economic squeezing for many make them a budget friendly treat. As times become more difficult in numerous ways, it is arguably even more important to endeavour to create a sense of beauty and peace in our homes. This could appear an impossible task and come way down the list as we juggle work demands, family pressures and all the everyday minutiae which need to be done to keep body and soul together, but the act of lighting a candle or warming up a wax melt to fill our homes with a beautiful fragrance is neither time consuming nor expensive and will immediately lift the atmosphere.  

Wax melts are also safer than traditional candles, a consideration for homes with young children or pets. They can be placed on a low wattage electric plate or on a ceramic wax burner, lit by a tea light. The former does not require any flame at all, and although the latter does use a flame, a tea light is more stable and does not have a naked flame in the way a table candle does. Wax burners can themselves be beautiful objects and be part of the aesthetic of the room. Maybe you could consider teaming up with a potter and selling locally hand-crafted burners alongside your locally made melts.  

Another advantage of wax melts is their versatility. You can swap melts easily and even have fun by experimenting with mixing fragrances. If the melt is coming to its end, you can simply pop another one in and revitalise the fragrance. They tend to ‘throw’ their scent further than a traditional candle, and with no wick, they burn evenly and with no wastage.  

Most hand-crafted wax melts will have good eco credentials, using natural essential oils and sustainability sourced ingredients. Do make sure that you promote these well on all your advertising. It may seem like a commonsense choice to you, but to your customers it could be a winning buying pull. 

As you make and use wax melts, you will be introduced to the wonderful and intriguing world of scent profiles and notes (top, middle and base). You will get to know what scents fit best in different rooms of a house, on different occasions and at different times of day. You will even discover how scents can usher in a particular atmosphere or help create a certain vibe. For example, good scents to use in the morning to invigorate and revitalise, would be zesty ones like bergamot or rosemary. If you’re looking for a fragrance with a calming overtone for the evening, you could try relaxing ones like cedar wood or lavender. 

For occasions when you’re aiming to create a sense of warmth, calm and rest, then vanilla or chamomile could be good to try, and if you’re looking to wake everyone up and inspire work and creativity, then a crisp citrus, mint of eucalyptus might be just the thing.  

When you’re planning your recipes for the year ahead, don’t forget to include some seasonal melts. You could create some specially shaped and packaged melts for the season; gingerbread men, Christmas trees or candy canes for Christmas; red and orange leaves and pumpkins for autumn; colourful flowers or fun seashells for summer. Teamed up with cinnamon, pumpkin spice or a fresh floral fragrance, these will be winners both for gifts or for an affordable treat for your hard-working customers.  

Once you have come up with your range of tempting melts, you will need to check that you have the appropriate insurance for wax melts. If you’re just starting out, the two bread and butter insurances for selling are product and public liability. Product liability insurance applies to sales online or in person and covers you for any claims made that your product has caused harm or damage. Public liability insurance covers you for in person sales, for example at a craft fair, if a claim is made that either you or a member of your team has caused harm or damage to the member of the public or their property eg a slip or trip hazard. Even if it is not your fault, the insurance will cover you for any compensation owed and legal costs; we call it our ‘sleep easy’ insurance in that it allows you to forget about potential ‘what ifs’ and concentrate on creating beautiful products and building your business. So, check out our website and get in contact either by phone or via the contact form and either Sam or Naomi will be here to talk you through insurance for wax melts. We look forward to hearing about your business! 

One of the best things about crafting is that anyone with a passion for creating can get paid for it—and make genuine friendships along the way—thanks to craft fairs. There’s something uniquely rewarding about turning a hobby into an income stream while connecting with like-minded people who appreciate the time, skill and love you pour into your handmade items.

Creating what you love

At the heart of every successful craft business is passion. Obviously, there has to be some focus on profitability, but seasoned crafters consistently say the same thing: create the things you love first. When you genuinely care about what you’re making, that enthusiasm becomes tangible. Customers can sense it when they pick up your work—it’s built into the product.

Your passion leads you to create handmade pieces whose raw materials may require a significant investment of finances, time, and skill. The result is a range of truly original pieces that will draw attention to their beauty and workmanship—things that visitors to craft fairs are looking for. Items that they couldn’t easily make themselves. And this is where your individuality and your passion are your biggest strengths.

Many crafters use their ingenuity to combine passion and practicality. Upcycling is a brilliant example of this. By transforming old or discarded materials into something new, you can create unique, conversation-starting pieces and also keep costs low and profit margins higher. Think braided rugs made from old clothing, jewellery crafted from repurposed materials like bottles, or furniture given a second life with creative finishes. These items often stand out at a craft fair precisely because they’re one-of-a-kind.

How to prepare for a craft fair

Before attending a craft fair, preparation is everything. Start by thinking carefully about what to take with you, especially in the early days when you’re still learning what sells. Bring a range of products and experiment with different styles, colours, and materials.

Equally important is offering a range of price points. Larger, higher-value items—such as original paintings or intricate handmade pieces—can act as showstoppers that draw people in. But pairing these with smaller, more affordable options like prints or mini versions allows customers to make impulse purchases. Not everyone can spend £100 or more, but many are happy to spend £10–£30 on something special.

Understanding your audience is another crucial step. Who are you selling to? What are they looking for? Many visitors are drawn to practical, high-quality items they can use in everyday life, while others are searching for meaningful gifts or locally inspired keepsakes. Whatever your niche, make sure the quality of your work is immediately evident—this builds trust and justifies your pricing.

Finally, don’t overlook the practicalities. Having the right cover in place, such as one-off craft fair insurance, ensures you’re protected for unexpected situations. It’s a small but essential part of preparing for a professional selling environment.

How to stand out from the crowd

Once you’re at the fair, presentation can make all the difference. A well-thought-out display doesn’t just showcase your products—it invites people in. Use height and vertical space to create visual interest. Eye-level displays, raised platforms, and layered arrangements help your stall stand out in a busy room.

Avoid simply laying items flat on a table. Instead, create a display that tells a story about your work. Clear pricing is also essential. Many potential customers won’t ask for a price if it’s not visible, so make it easy for them by labelling everything clearly and indicating accepted payment methods.

Demonstrating your craft can be a powerful selling tool. Whether you’re painting, weaving, carving, or assembling jewellery, showing your process adds value in the eyes of the customer. It transforms your stall from a shop into an experience—and that experience often leads to sales.

Pricing and other important things to consider…

One of the biggest challenges for crafters is pricing. It can be tempting to lower prices to attract more buyers, but this often has the opposite effect. Low prices can signal lower quality and undervalue your time. Have the confidence to price your work to reflect the skill, effort and materials involved.

At the same time, offering a selection of lower-priced items does help attract a broader audience. These smaller purchases can add up quickly and often introduce new customers to your work.

Customer interaction is another area where confidence matters. Being friendly, approachable, and positive can significantly enhance the buying experience. Even if a fair is slow, maintaining an upbeat attitude encourages people to engage with you and your products.

It’s also worth remembering that not everything will sell immediately. Use each event as a learning experience. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns in what customers respond to, allowing you to refine your product range. And if certain items consistently don’t sell, it may be time to replace them with something new.

Throughout all of this, protecting your business remains essential. Investing in one-off craft fair insurance gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what you do best, i.e. creating and selling your work.

Taking the next step

Craft fairs offer far more than just a selling opportunity. They’re a space to connect, learn and grow as a maker. From chatting with neighbouring sellers to discovering new techniques and trends, every event contributes to your journey.

If you’re considering taking part in a craft fair, now is the perfect time to start. Focus on creating products you’re proud of, presenting them with care, and engaging warmly with your customers. Don’t forget the practical essentials, including one-off craft fair insurance, to ensure you’re fully prepared. It’s easier to set up than you might think, so please give us a ring, and either Sam or Naomi will be happy to take your call.

Ultimately, crafting isn’t just about making things—it’s about sharing a piece of yourself with others. And there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing that connection come to life across a busy craft fair stall.

Creativity often begins quietly. A new idea arrives while you’re walking outside, sketching at the kitchen table, or experimenting with a material you’ve never used before. For many makers, the shift from winter to spring brings that feeling of renewed inspiration. As the days grow longer and colour returns to the landscape, creativity seems to wake up again. 

Interestingly, March has long been associated with creative brilliance. Several remarkable artists and musicians were born during this month, including Michelangelo and Vincent van Gogh. Looking back at their lives reminds us that creativity rarely follows a straightforward path. Inspiration comes from unexpected places, and the journey behind great work often involves both opportunity and challenge. 

Michelangelo was born on 6 March 1475 in Caprese, Italy. During his early childhood his mother was unwell, and he spent time living with a family of stone cutters. Some historians believe this early exposure to stone may have sparked his lifelong fascination with sculpture. Whatever the cause, by the age of thirteen he had already begun an apprenticeship with a master artist, learning the skills of fresco painting and figure drawing. 

His talent quickly became evident. Not long afterwards, Michelangelo was invited to live and study within the palace of the powerful Medici family in Florence. There he was surrounded by gardens filled with classical sculptures, scholars discussing philosophy, and artists exchanging ideas. It was an environment that nurtured creativity and helped shape his extraordinary artistic vision. 

Despite periods of political upheaval and personal uncertainty, Michelangelo continued to produce works that are still admired centuries later. Among his most famous sculptures are the Pietà and the towering statue of David. Later, he was commissioned by the Pope to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. What began as a daunting challenge became one of the most celebrated artistic achievements in history, with more than three hundred figures illustrating dramatic scenes from the Bible. 

Michelangelo lived a long and productive life, continuing his work through the reign of several Popes and during times of significant political change. His dedication to his craft never faded, and he remained active well into old age, eventually passing away at the age of eighty-eight. 

The life of Vincent van Gogh tells a very different story. Born on 30 March 1853 in a small village in the Netherlands, he grew up in a household where creativity and observation of nature were encouraged. His father was a minister, while his mother enjoyed watercolour painting and had a deep interest in plants and the natural world. 

As a young man, van Gogh worked as an art dealer and travelled widely across Europe. He spoke several languages and spent time studying great Dutch masters. Eventually he moved to Paris, where he encountered the vibrant colours and experimental styles of the Impressionist painters. The experience opened his eyes to new artistic possibilities and influenced the distinctive style for which he is known today. 

Yet despite the creative excitement of Paris, van Gogh struggled with fragile mental health. Seeking a quieter life, he moved to the countryside of Provence in southern France. The bright sunlight, fields of wheat, olive groves and star-filled skies inspired some of his most iconic works. 

Although he experienced moments of happiness and artistic energy, his internal struggles continued. He spent time in a sanatorium where, even while receiving treatment, he painted intensely. Later he moved closer to his brother Theo, who had always supported him. Tragically, van Gogh died at the age of just thirty-seven. 

These two stories are strikingly different, yet they share an important truth. Creativity is shaped by circumstances, places and the people around us. Support, opportunity and environment all play a role in helping creative ideas flourish. 

For modern craft makers, the same principles apply. Inspiration often grows from the world around us — the colours of blossom in spring, the textures of bark and stone, or the simple pleasure of seeing nature come back to life after winter. After months of grey skies and shorter days, many people feel ready to refresh their creative energy. 

Taking time to pause and recharge can make a real difference. A walk in the countryside, a quiet afternoon experimenting with materials, or even a day away from routine responsibilities can help refill the creative tank. Our bodies and minds were never designed to run continuously without rest, and creativity thrives when we allow space for new ideas to emerge. 

Once inspiration returns, many makers find themselves full of new plans. You may be thinking about launching a product range, booking craft fairs, attending workshops, or expanding your small creative business. At that stage, creativity begins to intersect with something else: responsibility. 

Selling handmade products, demonstrating techniques or teaching others can all involve unexpected risks. A stall at a craft market, attending a workshop in a village hall, or even selling items online may require protection in case something goes wrong. That’s when many craft businesses begin to consider craft cover. 

Having the right craft cover in place helps protect both you and your business. A typical craft cover policy includes public liability insurance and product liability insurance, which provide protection if an accident occurs while you are selling or demonstrating your work. These are often essential if you plan to attend markets, fairs or exhibitions. 

Depending on how your business operates, your craft cover can also include additional protection such as employer’s liability insurance, selected business items cover for equipment, and professional indemnity insurance if you teach or provide advice. With comprehensive craft cover, you can confidently run your craft business knowing that unexpected events won’t derail your hard work. 

Of course, many makers initially feel uncertain about arranging insurance. Craft businesses often begin as small ventures — sometimes at the kitchen table or in a spare room — so it can be difficult to know what type of cover is necessary. 

The good news is that craft cover is designed specifically for creative businesses. Policies are flexible and can be tailored to suit the way you work, whether you sell online, attend markets or demonstrate your craft. Having the right craft cover means you can focus on creativity rather than worrying about potential risks. 

At Craft Insurance, we understand the world of creative businesses because we work closely with makers every day. As a family-run company, we believe in personal service and clear communication. When you get in touch, you’ll speak directly with someone who understands craft businesses and can help you find the right craft cover for your specific needs. 

So as spring unfolds and creativity begins to bloom again, take a moment to look after your business as well as your inspiration. Visit our website to explore your craft cover options, or get in touch for a friendly conversation about the protection that’s right for you. 

With the right support in place, you can concentrate on what truly matters — creating, sharing and growing your craft business with confidence.