Category: Tips for Crafters

As our beautiful sunny weather continues and hasn’t turned to rain as soon as children and teachers alike pour out of school for their well earned summer holidays (as is too often the case) maybe we can dare to imagine another few weeks of glorious sunshine. While the lack of rain presents challenges for our hard-pressed farmers and garden lovers, for many the opportunity for a family camping holiday without battling with soggy tents and soaked waterproofs, for children to play easily outdoors and for all to slip on sandals rather than rain resistant boots is welcome.

The warm weather does invite us to slacken our pace a little and while this may not be possible for many during business hours, we may be able to sit outdoors during the balmy evenings and watch the sun as it gently sinks into the horizon or enjoy some lazy Saturday mornings with breakfast outdoors. You might be able to pack up a picnic and head out for a walk or a day at the beach, or for the more adventurous, wild swimming beckons. Whether you are naturally inclined to warmer or cooler temperatures, the seasonal nature of our weather patterns offers us not only a ready conversation starter or friendly greeting, but also a plethora of ideas for crafting projects.  

Not being used to sustained hot temperatures, these last few weeks have caused some challenges to most workplaces, crafting businesses included. It is well acknowledged that productivity drops in hot weather; we are often more tired as it’s harder to sleep and even if this is not the case our thought processes are naturally slower. In countries where warm summers are the norm, this is countered by air conditioning or, before this was invented, with an afternoon siesta. In our fast paced twenty first century lifestyle, we try to circumvent this inclination to go more slowly through our days, as the need for productivity requires us to keep going. However, it is worth bearing in mind that our body’s natural responses are there for a purpose, and that the reason we feel lethargic during hot weather is because it is working extra hard keeping us cool. We can help it by staying well hydrated and wearing loose clothing etc but we can’t escape the fact that it just is hard to keep working at our normal pace during extended periods of heat.  

So, if you have struggled to maintain your usual level of creativity you will not be alone in this. You may have come up against some technical issues too, for example wax melts could melt prematurely and fuse together, paints and resins might behave differently and even some tools might struggle in extreme heat.  

Whatever the weather, the summer months call for a fresh look at where to sell craft items. You may experience a bit of a ‘summer slump’ in your online sales platforms as people spend less time inside and more time outside and are also focussing on holidays. However, there are some ways you can use this to your advantage as you consider where to sell craft items over the summer holiday season.  

Many of us will be joining our crowded motorways and heading for the many gorgeous spots around the country. Form the stunning Western Isles of Scotland, to the glorious coat of Pembrokeshire, the open horizons of the Norfolk Broads, right down the the rocky coastline and crashing waves of Cornwall, the British Isles offers something for everyone. The local economies of many rural communities are boosted by tourism in the summer months, and this provides a good opportunity for selling hand made crafts. While your usual set of customers might not be buying online or at their own local markets, they may well be browsing elsewhere. So, if you live in or near to one of our many holiday havens, why not see if you can rent a shelf in a shop or even a cafe?  

You might also consider a holiday range for visitors to your area, inspired by the local scenery; seaside themed items made form driftwood or shells, textiles reflecting the colours of heather clad moors or home decor and utensils inspired by the industrial heritage of the region.  

Or you might like to focus on the weather theme…wind chimes, sun hats or beach bags. Before the time of weather apps, or even national weather forecasts, country dwellers used to look to the weathervane on top of their local church to see the direction from which the wind was coming. Weathervanes in the shape of cockerels were also placed on churches, to be seen by all, as a reminder of Peter denying Jesus. Weathervanes are still a striking addition to any home, and metalsmiths today are still crafting these from cast iron, in a multitude of shapes and sizes, as highly visible, as well as practical, ornaments.  

So, whether you’re a sun lover or a shade seeker, we hope you can enjoy some relaxed time outdoors over the next few weeks. If you’re looking towards renting a shelf in a local shop, remember that our basic insurance package covers you for this, as well as for online and in person sales at fairs and markets.  

Whatever the weather, have a good weekend!  

As a skilled crafter you will know that creating beautiful, high-quality products is only half the challenge of running a successful crafting business. You need to get your stunning products out in the marketplace for customers to see and buy. Marketing is an ongoing process and it’s good to evaluate and update your strategies periodically. With a wide range of online platforms as well numerous crafts, fairs and markets to attend, there are plenty of options to explore in order to find the best market places for artisans. 

You might like to ask yourself whether your products would sell best online, in person or whether a hybrid approach would work best. This would focus your efforts and allow you to concentrate on a strategy which would lead to the greatest number of sales. How then, do you decide which avenue to pursue? There will be many variables but here are a few questions which might help you in the decision-making process.  

Firstly, think about yourself. The products you create flow from your own natural talent and your hard work … you are personally invested in them…so you need to be comfortable in the venues in which you sell. Some crafters may love meeting new people and enjoy the buzz of a fair. Others may find the thought of this quite a challenge but be very IT savvy and be excited at the multiple opportunities to sell online. Which sits most comfortably with you? You will have to put in hours of work either way and will probably opt to use both online and in person platforms but it’s helpful to be aware of what your natural tendencies lean towards so you can offer yourself some extra kindness if you are pressing into a space which does not necessarily feel easy. 

If you are thinking of booking in some fairs, there are a few rules of thumb which might help.  

Craft fairs are a great option for products which have a sensory aspect to them, for example bath bombs and soaps which have a delicious fragrance or toys which are soft to touch. It’s always worth doing a little background research before you attend a fair, to guide you in what stock to bring.  

Some will be more exclusive, offering customers a luxury shopping experience; for these it is worth taking a good supply of your higher budget ranges. However, many are fun places for those of all ages to shop, maybe to enjoy some locally produced food or to meet up with friends. For these, you are probably looking at products priced at low to mid range. You could take a selection of pocket money purchases and items which would make great gifts. It’s also worth remembering that you are more likely to get impulse buys when people are relaxed and enjoying a fun trip out, so put a few bargains or irresistibly gorgeous products in pride of place! 

Small items such as jewellery often do well at fairs. They are visually appealing and customers can hold up pieces to check for length and colour against their skin tone in a way they cannot do if buying online. Offer lots of encouragement and remember to explain your eco credentials. 

Pet accessories also often do well at fairs. We Brits are fairly besotted with our pets, whether they be pampered pooches, spoilt bunnies or much-loved gerbils! Pets are an integral part of many of our families, offering good business opportunities in individually crafted pet accessories. Whether you make leather collars and leads, ceramic bowls or warm coats, pet accessories are a tempting impulse buy for many.  

Breakable items such as glass or ceramics, while they can be carefully packaged for posting, also do well at in person events. Customers can see the colours and also get a feel for the weight, shape and texture of a hand thrown or blown piece.  

As you explore the best market places of artisans you will want to consider the wide array of online options. The world really is your oyster when you jump on here. From Facebook and eBay, through specialised platforms for handmade goods such as Etsy and Folksy to building your own website, the opportunity is limitless! The big advantage of online selling is that you reach a far larger audience very quickly. In addition, the overheads are low and you will receive data analytics which will help direct your marketing strategy.  

Just about any goods can be sold online but do check out postage costs and any special requirements. Light weight products such as jewellery, home decor and paper goods are all well suited to online sales, as too are small cosmetic and bath products such as shampoo bars, soaps, lip balm and hand cream as well as candles and wax melts. As you can see, there is much crossover, and many crafters will find they use a mix of online and in person sales.  

Whatever you decide are the best market places for artisans and in particular for your beautiful products, you will need to consider insurance. Our basic package includes both product and public liability insurance. Product liability covers you in the event of a claim being made that your product has caused harm to a member of the public. Public liability covers you if a member of the public makes a claim for harm or damage caused on your property or as a result of your business.  

As the summer months may offer you a slightly slower pace, this could be a good time to review your marketing strategy; and if you need any advice regarding insurance, we are here for you!  

If you have visited the National Gallery in the last couple of years, you may have come across Joaquín Sorolla’s 1895 oil painting Valencian Fishermen, which has been on long-term loan since the summer of 2024. Sorolla, who lived from 1863 to 1923, is celebrated as the master of Spanish luminism, a style built entirely around the way natural light falls on the world. His canvases positively radiate sunshine. He painted almost exclusively outdoors, capturing the Mediterranean light bouncing off the water, bleaching white fabric and warming human skin, while grains of sand from the beach became embedded in the paintings themselves. 

What Sorolla understood is that light changes everything. It changes how we see, how we feel and how we create. This summer, with an unusually generous amount of sunshine making its way across the UK, we can all take a leaf out of his book. 

What working outside does for you 

The science behind spending time outdoors is compelling. Just 15 to 20 minutes outside is enough to lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and trigger the release of endorphins that lift your mood. Sunlight also stimulates the production of serotonin, increasing motivation and job satisfaction. It regulates your circadian rhythm, helping you sleep better at night, boosts your immune system through vitamin D production, and even increases your exposure to phytoncides – airborne compounds released by trees that have been shown to increase the body’s virus-fighting cells. 

Not only is natural light good for you, but it also supports creativity in fascinating ways. The sharp, high-contrast light of a bright summer morning is ideal for focused, detailed work, while the softer light of late afternoon lowers what researchers describe as critical vigilance. That more relaxed, associative frame of mind is exactly where creative thinking tends to flourish. 

The longer summer days also give us more time to enjoy the activities that naturally recharge our creative batteries. There’s no better example than the Nordic countries, where daylight stretches well into the evening during summer. The famous White Nights and the Midnight Sun are embraced as opportunities to make the most of waking life. In Scandinavia, friluftsliv, or open-air living, is all about hiking through forests, cycling or camping. In Sweden and Norway, Allemansrätten, or the right to roam, gives people the freedom to hike, forage and pitch tents across much of the countryside. Extended daylight also naturally moves socialising outdoors, with al fresco dining and festivals continuing long into the evening. 

Where to sell handmade crafts: the outdoor opportunity 

For fledgling crafters looking to spend more time outside this summer, the answer to where to sell handmade crafts is right in the open air. Across the UK, the summer calendar is packed with craft fairs, country shows, outdoor markets and community events that bring talented makers together with customers in beautiful surroundings, showcasing work and enjoying the fresh air all at the same time. 

Even before selling, crafting outdoors is more practical than you might think. A shaded garden, city park, beach or a balcony can become an enjoyable workspace for many creative hobbies. Knitting, crochet, embroidery, beadwork, sketching and product planning all travel well. Even administrative tasks such as replying to emails, reading or brainstorming your next collection can feel far more enjoyable when you’re not confined to the same four walls. 

All you need is a bag, a blanket and a fully charged phone. The aim is simply to get outside, enjoy the natural light and let the science do its work. Any practical challenges are easily overcome. Sitting in the shade reduces screen glare and prevents devices from overheating, while a folding cushion or sturdy bag can double as a makeshift table. A wide-brimmed hat will help too. 

Because we often associate parks and outdoor spaces with leisure, it can initially feel unusual to treat them as a workspace. However, spending just 20 minutes sketching, planning or creating outside is far from a holiday. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to support both your creativity and your overall wellbeing. 

Ready to take your craft business outside? 

The single most important thing to do before packing up your stall to head off to outdoor event is making sure your insurance is in place. No matter where you sell handmade crafts this summer, from village fêtes and artisan markets to major country shows, it’s important to know you’re properly covered. 

Our Craft Insurance policy covers unlimited indoor and outdoor events throughout the year, with no need to notify us each time you attend. Public and product liability cover, including professional indemnity as standard up to £500,000, is included, while optional stock and equipment cover is also available within one straightforward policy. Better still, your documents are issued on the same day. 

Get your quote online in just a few minutes, then head outside and let your creativity flourish. Sorolla would certainly have approved. 

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If you have had one eye on the 2026 World Cup, you may have noticed something rather wonderful happening beyond the football itself. This year’s tournament has seen many of the 48 participating nations take to the pitch in kits that are genuinely works of craft. The major kit manufacturers have produced bespoke uniforms drawing on each country’s history, national identity, folk art and textile traditions, and the results are extraordinary. 

Argentina’s away jersey carries intricate swirling filete porteno folk art, a vibrant Buenos Aires street tradition; Mexico’s home shirt features the ancient Aztec Sunstone printed directly on the front; Senegal’s kit celebrates the spirit of Teranga, drawing on the vivid wax print traditions of Dakar’s streets and using an inside-out printing technique to reveal a full-colour kaleidoscopic design. Japan’s Samurai Blue kit takes its pattern from centuries-old aizome indigo dyeing. 

These are not just football kits. They are handmade ideas, translated into fabric at scale, by people who understood the value of craft. 

Every great craft business starts somewhere, like every team.  

If you are thinking about how to start a craft business, the World Cup offers a useful frame. Those 48 teams did not arrive at the tournament without preparation. Behind every kit and every match plan are months of groundwork that most spectators never see. The same is true for a craft business. What looks effortless from the outside is built on decisions made long before the first sale. 

The kit designers at Nike, Adidas and Puma did not turn up on the day and improvise. They researched, planned, got permissions where they were needed, and made sure every detail was protected before anything went public. When you are starting a craft business, that same instinct to prepare properly is a large part of what makes it thrive. 

One of the most important preparations any new crafter can make is getting the right insurance in place before they start trading. Not because something will definitely go wrong, but because the unexpected has a habit of arriving uninvited, and a craft business without cover is like a team without a goalkeeper! 

Kitted out properly: what craft business insurance covers. 

Our foundation insurance is public and product liability insurance. This is the essential cover that protects you if a customer or member of the public makes a claim against you for injury or damage caused by your products or your activities. Most craft fair organisers will ask for proof of this before they allow you to take a stall, and it applies equally to online sales, rent-a-shelf arrangements and selling through other retailers. 

Everything else builds on that base. Employers’ liability cover is a requirement if you have anyone working with you, whether paid or voluntary. Business items insurance protects your tools, materials, stock, equipment, display stands, card readers and laptops against loss, theft or damage. You choose how much to insure, and the standard excess across all claims is just fifty pounds, which is one of the lowest available for craft insurance. At Craft Insurance, your stock and materials are treated as a single category, so if you ever need to make a claim, there is no complicated separation to work out between what was finished and what was still in progress. 

Professional indemnity is included as standard with every liability policy, which means that if you teach your craft, run your own exhibition or demonstrate your skills at an event, you are covered for that too. 

Avoiding own goals: the exclusions other insurers do not tell you about. 

Here is something worth knowing before you shop around. Some of the most widely used insurance providers have exclusions that are easy to miss and genuinely damaging when you discover them. Some will only cover crafters selling branded soaps, not products they have made themselves. Others exclude home fragrances, room sprays and reed diffusers entirely, which is a significant gap for candle makers, wax melt sellers and home fragrance businesses who may not realise they are unprotected until the moment they need to claim. 

In football terms, those are own goals waiting to happen. The good news is that Craft Insurance has very few exclusions. We cover what you make and what you sell, and we are always upfront about the small number of things that fall outside the policy. No hidden small print, no surprise gaps. 

We also do not charge administration fees. If your craft business grows and you need to update your cover, change your details or adjust your policy as you start travelling to more events or scaling your operation, we handle those amendments at no extra cost. Other providers charge up to fifteen pounds for exactly the same thing. We think that is the wrong way to treat customers who are just getting started. 

Getting match ready! 

The World Cup kits that have captured everyone’s attention this summer were made by people who understood that craft, preparation and identity are inseparable. That is exactly the mindset to bring to a craft business. The work you make reflects who you are. Protecting it is part of taking it seriously. 

Whether you are just working out how to start a craft business from your kitchen table, or you are an established maker heading into your busiest trading season, getting the right cover in place is one of the most straightforward things you can do. Fill in our short online form, get your quote in minutes, and have your documents in your inbox the same day. If you want to talk it through first, Samantha or Naomi will pick up the phone and walk you through exactly what you need. No call centres, just two reliable people who know craft insurance inside out, ready to help you kick off with confidence. 

(Get a Quote Now) 

With warmer, sunnier days and long, light evenings ahead of us, the season of outdoor gatherings has finally arrived here in the U.K. For crafting businesses, this brings with it a plethora of opportunities to exhibit, demonstrate or sell your crafts. Events range from local village fetes and school fairs, through larger Craft Fairs and Farmers’ Markets, to vibrant, bustling regional events held at county showgrounds across the UK.  

Of these, agricultural shows are probably the best known and have been going the longest. If you’ve never been to one or considered selling crafts at agricultural shows, now might be the time to do so! Usually held over a few days, they showcase the best of farming, livestock and regional produce and display a wide range of agricultural machinery, from vintage tractors to the immense machines used today. However, this is not all. They are unapologetic celebrations of the countryside and all that has been a part of the fabric of rural life over the centuries as well as advocates for a thriving twenty-first-century countryside.  

The first ever agricultural show is thought to have taken place in County Durham, in 1763. Initially, these were informal gatherings but, as time went by and they spread across the U.K., they became a central part of the rural calendar, attracting country dwellers for a day of fun and frivolity, an opportunity to meet up with friends, partake of local food and drink and enjoy a day off from the hard manual labour needed to toil the land or work at all the other jobs and tasks required to keep a small community functioning. At the heart of these shows were the farmers, and for them it offered a day to meet up with their fellows, share ideas, do business and show off some of their best livestock.  

In the second half of the twentieth century, these informal festivals took on a new significance in the agricultural calendar as county showgrounds were bought and they moved to permanent sites. Today, some of the largest shows are the Great Yorkshire Show, the Royal Welsh Show and the Royal Highland Show. Each show has a distinct local flavour, both literally and metaphorically, as they display the best of regional produce, crafts and country pursuits as well as the finest livestock of the area.  

Originally attended by country folk, they are now great days out for all, with young and old alike pouring out of towns and cities to enjoy a day of rural entertainment. In times when we have lost our connection with where our food comes from, County Shows offer a great opportunity for reconnection and education. Wandering through the animal sheds and coming up close to huge bulls with rippling muscles and sleek coats or seeing the astonishing array of heritage pig breeds or the fabulous variety of sheep, gives rise to respect for both animal and farmer. Watching man and beast walk the ring, handlers dressed in white coats and their show livestock shampooed and shining, gives us a tangible link to the past; and when those handlers include children walking proudly alongside their parents, we get a glimpse into the future of food production for our island. 

It’s not all about livestock though. Agricultural shows provide a great family day out for everyone. Food features prominently, with the best of local produce to sample alongside innovative street food businesses. Entertainment is the top priority with live music and often some fairground rides. You’ll see every kind of business activity that flourishes in the countryside represented with tents acting as temporary homes to bountiful floral displays (with accompanying show gardens outdoors), local beekeeping societies with honey sales, prize candlemaking displays and observation hives, and a cider or beer tent offering the best of local brews. Around the ground, you may be treated to demonstrations of traditional rural crafts such as thatching, bodging or spinning. Horses feature highly and you can marvel at their incredible agility and strength with show jumping and heavy horse parades in the main arena. You’ll see working dogs giving a taste of the essential role they play on many farms. Watch in awe as master and dog work together in sheepdog trials or even take part in some companion dog events with your own family hound.  

Amidst all this there is more…rows and rows of craft stalls, offering visitors everything from bath and beauty products to wooden and leather goods, from children’s toys and puzzles through to jewellery and cosy knitwear. Although reserving yourself a spot at a County Show will most likely be pricey, the footfall is good and as people travel from a distance, it is a great way to promote your brand further afield.  

Selling Crafts at Agricultural Shows 

If you do decide to join the throngs who are selling crafts at agricultural shows, you will need to ensure you are watertight with insurance. These are large-scale events, so public liability insurance will certainly be requested. Public liability insurance covers you for any claims made that you, or a member of staff or a volunteer, have caused harm or injury to a member of the public or their property. The example we usually give is a slip or a trip hazard, resulting in a sprained ankle. Even if this is not your fault, the insurance will cover you for compensation or any legal fees. The other two insurances you might consider when selling crafts at agricultural shows are product liability insurance and business items insurance. Take a look at our website, but, respectively, they cover you for any claim made that a product of yours has caused harm or injury, and for loss damage or theft of stock and other business items like card readers, for example.   

So, whether you’re selling crafts at agricultural shows or simply enjoying a day out with the family, we hope you have a wonderful time connecting with artisans and producers alike at these historical events! 

Original. Distinct. Stunning. Gorgeous. Durable. These are all words which can be used to describe every beautifully crafted handmade item. Wooden items, however, have a little bit extra; they offer a depth of story and longevity in their creation. Maybe it’s the completely unique grain of each piece of wood which, like our thumbprints, cause us to stop and wonder at the marvellous design in our natural world. Maybe it’s the texture of wood, the sensory input it gives us. It could be the fragrance if the product is created from freshly sawn timber. Or, maybe it’s the knowledge that the product is made from a once living tree and the space this gives us to imagine just what went on around that tree; which children might have played around it, what romance might have blossomed under its branches, which squirrels might have hidden their winter stores in its nooks and crannies and what chicks might have hatched high under its foliage. 

Wooden crafts have an enduring appeal – that’s undeniable. Our question is, how to start a wooden craft side hustle from scratch and build a sustainable business model. The purpose of this blog is to discuss the steps that could take you from experimenting with some wood crafts for beginners to forming the foundation of a business. 

As with any small business plan, you will need to find a gap in the market which you can fill, and then the general advice is to start small. Maybe choose a few high demand, low outlay items and begin batch production. Once you have sufficient stock, you could book yourself into a local fair or market and try your hand at selling your wares. This can be a good way to begin as local events usually only charge a small table fee, making it a feasible first step. 

The variety of wood crafts for beginners is vast, and adding your own unique twist to a selection of products extends the range even further. You might consider home items, such as serving platters, picture frames, tea light holders, coasters or small decorations. Or you could look outwards towards the garden and create bird boxes, bird tables, wind chimes or wellie boot holders. 

To keep initial costs low, you could consider using offcuts. As well as being cost efficient for yourself, this also appeals to customers who are conscious of treading lightly on our beautiful planet. Make sure you highlight your eco credentials in your marketing. 

You will need to find a few finishes/paints which work well for you, and also take into consideration postage and packaging if you are selling online. It is easy to downplay your own time and skill when you are initially setting prices, but to be sustainable you will have to be realistic about these. 

When it comes to marketing your products, try to think of a feature which will set your business apart from others. This could be in your logo, packaging and website (if you’re selling online), running a colour theme throughout. It could be that you develop your website and add a regular blog or videos offering your customers glimpses into your workshop and production. Or, you could focus on the wood itself, maybe showing a little about the method and process of growth, the management of woodland, the process or felling and the work of a saw mill to produce planks of wood. All from a tiny seed … 

Once you have established some wood crafts for beginners, built your initial stock and either booked yourself into a fair or decided upon an online platform, you will need to consider insurance. Craft insurance can sound a little daunting, but it is really very straightforward. If you are just starting out and have no one working for you, the main two types of insurance you will want to consider are public and product liability insurance. 

Product liability covers you for any claim made that your product has caused harm or damage to a member of the public or their property. Even if it is not your fault, the insurance will cover compensation and legal costs. It covers both online and in person sales. Public liability covers you at any event where you are selling, demonstrating or teach in your craft. If a claim is made that you are responsible for harm or damage to a member of the public, it covers legal costs and compensation. For example, this could be a slip or trip hazard at an event. 

Both public and product liability cover you for incidents which are completely unforeseen and which no amount of risk assessment and careful planning can prevent. If you sell at a craft fair, organisers will ask that you have them in place. We call them our ‘sleep easy’ insurances, as they work quietly in the background and are there it you need them, ensuring you are free from worry and enabling you to get on with what you do best; creating gorgeous handmade products and building a business through which to sell them. 

The third type of insurance you could look at is Stock Cover. This is particularly relevant as you expand and your store of tools increases. Without your stock or your tools, your business cannot run. So, it makes sense to insure it all. Craft Insurance Stock Cover can include a wide range of business items, tools, materials, stock, fixtures and fittings, display stands, card readers, laptops, iPads, etc. Basically, you can insure as much or as little as you want against loss and damage. 

Have a look at our website and then either drop us a line or pick up the phone. As a family run business ourselves, we communicate directly with our customers… no long call queues. Either Sam or Naomi will be here to speak with you. We look forward to hearing about your growing business! 

It’s a sad sight in springtime to see a dead tree with no leaves or buds in your garden, when everything else is blossoming.

It’s a sensible idea to engage a professional to remove a dead tree from your garden to safeguard your property and your possessions. After all, you wouldn’t want it to fall on its own. But for those who like to live a little on the wild side? Well, having a dead tree to dispose of could be an opportunity to try out some woodworking craft ideas. Or even a nudge to dip a tentative toe into the exciting, increasingly popular world of chainsaw carving!

Of course, chainsaws are one of the most dangerous tools you are ever likely to get your hands on, so let’s not throw caution completely to the wind!

A good place to start if you are interested in having a go is to find someone with a lot of experience to show you how to use a chainsaw. Why not find a carver in your area and go for some lessons or at least ask them to allow you to watch some carving in person?

Or, failing that, you could make your way to one of the major UK chainsaw carving events still to take place this year:

• Countryside Lincs: 19th April 2026 (Lincolnshire Showground) – Live carving and displays.
• English Open Chainsaw Competition: 3rd-5th May 2025 (Sandringham Craft, Wood and Food Festival) – Features international carvers.
• Bath & West Show: 30th May-1st June 2025 (Shepton Mallet, Somerset).
• Royal Three Counties Show: 13-15 June 2025 (Malvern) – Five top UK carvers competing with daily speed carving.
• West’s Wood Fair: 20th-22nd June 2025 (Chichester).
• Historical Vehicle Gathering: 12th-13th July 2025 (Powderham Castle, Devon).
• Cheshire Game and Country Fair: Aug 24-25, 2025 (August Bank Holiday) – Hosts the Cheshire Open Chainsaw Competition.
• The Oak Fair: 24-25th Aug 2025 (Stock Gaylard Estate, Dorset).
• Carve Carrbridge: 5th September 2026 (Scottish Open Championship).
• Garnock Valley Chainsaw Carving Spectacular: 12th September 2026 (Dalry, North Ayrshire).
• Lincolnshire Food and Gift: 29th-30th November 2025 (Lincolnshire Showground)

You’ll see the relative speed with which chainsaw carvers work. Unlike traditional hand-carving or stone sculpting, which can take weeks or months, a skilled artist can rough out a large sculpture in minutes and finish it in just a couple of days.

You’ll also see that chainsaw carving represents the sweet spot where woodworking craft ideas meet with a full-body workout! Finishing large pieces of work at pace requires some level of fitness.

So how do you become a chainsaw carver?

The Certificate (For Technical Competence & Safety)

In the UK, professional chainsaw carvers are not legally required to hold a specific, named “chainsaw licence” (as no official licence exists), but they are legally required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and PUWER 98 to be adequately trained and competent.

In practice, holding a Certificate of Competence (often NPTC City & Guilds CS30/CS31) is crucial for securing public liability insurance and is a mandatory requirement for entering official competitions. These certifications verify that you can safely operate, maintain, and cross-cut wood with a chainsaw.

The Gear

Then, with a certificate under your belt (and before you start looking for a chainsaw to purchase) it is vital to invest in the right protective clothing.

Carvers must wear specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), including cut resistant chaps, steel-toed boots, and heavy-duty gloves. This is all important, as without the right protective clothing on, you could be seriously injured, or worse. 

A respirator or a dust mask needs to be worn to prevent fine sawdust and wood particles from irritating the lungs and causing long-term respiratory damage. Also, noise-cancelling headphones or ear protection are essential to prevent hearing damage. Chainsaws produce the kind of high-decibel noise that can cause permanent hearing loss over time.

The Saw

Ideal beginner saws are often electric or battery-powered (rather than their bigger, stronger, noisier petrol-powered cousins) with high-speed, low-kickback performance for carving wood. There are plenty of recommendations online from established chainsaw carvers for brands that they would recommend to beginners. Most new chainsaws sold to consumers come as a complete package that includes the power head, guide bar, and chain – so you don’t have to buy a bar (blade) separately and put it together yourself.

The Wood

Once you have your tools, you’ll need a reliable source of wood. Getting to know good, reliable tree surgeons/arborists would be helpful as the byproduct of their work can become the source of quality crafting material for you!

The Finish

Wood will last indefinitely if it’s kept dry and indoors. You can apply any finish you want to keep it from getting dirty with fingerprints, etc. that are hard to clean off.

For finishing outdoor chainsaw carvings, Spar Urethane (an oil-based wood-finishing varnish originally developed for coating the spars of sailing ships) is often cited as the best choice. It offers high durability, UV protection, and flexibility, allowing the wood to expand and contract without peeling.

The Insurance

If you intend to sell your chainsaw carvings (or any other woodworking craft ideas) you will of course need to consider insurance. Our handcrafted product protection includes public and product liability insurance which covers you for any claims of damage made against you or your products; even if it is not your fault, it covers your legal costs. It’s our sleep easy insurance as it covers you for those completely unforeseen incidents which you cannot predict or prevent, thus giving you peace of mind to throw your all into what you love doing; creating. It’s quick and easy to set up, and as a family-run firm ourselves we communicate with each of our clients directly… no call centres. So, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to find the best package of handmade product protection for your unique crafting business.

Have a look at the work of one of our wonderful UK chainsaw carvers…

https://www.facebook.com/p/Andy-Burgess-Wood-Sculptor-100063364900627

There is something deliciously ironic about being a crafter in summer. The very season that fills knitters and crocheters with the urge to make, create and produce is the same one that makes your usual materials feel entirely unappealing. Nobody wants to sit with a half-finished Aran sweater over their lap when the mercury is rising. The wool tends to get put away. The knitting needles go quiet. And for a few blissful, sweltering weeks, the question becomes: now what do I do with my hands? 

The good news is that summer craft activities are a world of their own – lighter, breezier and often just as satisfying as the cosy indoor pursuits of autumn and winter. The long, unhurried days of July and August are a wonderful opportunity to explore creative territories we might not normally venture into. So before declaring a crafting holiday to spend the summer months horizontal in the garden, read on! 

Why Summer is a brilliant time for crafters 

There is a tendency among committed crafters to think of summer as a creative gap – a pause between the productive seasons on either side. But that rather undersells what the warmer months have to offer. Natural light is extraordinary for colour work. The outdoors becomes a studio. Children are home and looking for things to do. And the relaxed pace of summer lends itself beautifully to crafts that are portable, sociable and unhurried. 

Here are some of our favourite summer craft activities to keep your hands busy and your creativity alive. 

Summer craft activities worth trying this year 

Pressed flower art 

There is something almost meditative about pressed flower art, and summer is when the raw materials are at their most abundant. Take a slow walk – through the garden, a hedgerow or a local park – and collect flowers, leaves, seed heads and grasses that catch your eye. Press them between the pages of a heavy book with a layer of absorbent paper, and leave them for two to three weeks. The results can be genuinely beautiful. Pressed botanicals make stunning greetings cards, handmade bookmarks, framed wall pieces or even decorations for hand-poured candles. It’s also a craft that costs almost nothing and produces pieces of real charm and originality. Children take to it with enthusiasm, which is always a bonus during the long summer holiday. 

Leaf printing 

One of those crafts that sounds deceptively simple but produces results that genuinely surprise. Gather leaves of various shapes and sizes – the more varied the better – and apply a layer of fabric or acrylic paint to the underside where the veins are most pronounced. Press firmly onto paper or fabric, peel back carefully, and you are left with a natural print of extraordinary detail. Repeat across a piece of cotton and you have a piece of fabric that looks entirely original. Use it for a tote bag, a cushion cover or a tea towel. It’s also a wonderful way to record the season – a print made in July will look quite different from one made in September as the leaves change. 

Watercolour painting outdoors 

Watercolour is the quintessential summer medium – lightweight, portable and perfectly suited to capturing the quality of summer light. A small artists travel kit, a pad of watercolour paper and a jar of water is all you need. Take yourself outside – into the garden, onto the beach, or to a local view you’ve always meant to sit with – and simply look. You don’t need to be an accomplished painter to find the process deeply satisfying. Loose washes of colour, impressionistic landscapes, abstract studies of light on water: watercolour is wonderfully forgiving when you let go of the idea of precision and just play. If you’ve never tried it, summer is the perfect moment to start. 

Friendship Bracelets 

Don’t let the name fool you into thinking this is only for teenagers. Friendship bracelets made with embroidery thread or fine yarn are genuinely absorbing to make, completely portable and deeply satisfying to give. The knotting patterns range from simple chevrons — which you can pick up in an afternoon — to complex woven designs that take considerably longer. They are ideal for crafting in company: at a garden table, on a blanket in the park, or waiting for the bus. The repetitive rhythm of the knotting is genuinely calming, and the finished results make lovely, thoughtful gifts. 

Decorated Tote Bags 

A plain cotton tote bag is a blank canvas waiting to happen. Using fabric pens, fabric paint or screen-printing inks, you can create something entirely individual — a piece of functional art that is actually used every day. Sketch a design in pencil first, then work with paint or pens to build up the image. Florals, typography, abstract patterns and illustrated portraits all work beautifully on fabric. A heat-fix with an iron makes the design permanent. These make wonderful gifts, sell well at craft fairs, and are a genuinely satisfying way to spend a sunny afternoon. 

Tie-Dye 

A perennial, saleable summer favourite. The basic spiral, bullseye and crumple techniques are easy to master, and the results have a wonderful unpredictability to them — no two pieces ever come out quite the same. Rubber-band your fabric, apply your dye in sections, wrap in cling film, leave for several hours or overnight, then unwrap to see what you’ve made. T-shirts are the obvious starting point, but there’s no reason to stop there. Socks, tote bags, pillowcases, tea towels and even canvas shoes all take tie-dye beautifully. A sunny afternoon’s work can produce a wardrobe of originals. 

Air-Dry Clay 

Air-dry clay asks for very little in the way of equipment but offers a great deal in the way of satisfaction. Roll it, pinch it, sculpt it and press textured objects into it to create patterns. Make small pots and bowls, keepsake trinket dishes, simple figurines or decorative tiles. Press leaves or flowers into the surface before it dries for a natural, botanical finish. The clay dries hard at room temperature over 24 to 48 hours (so ideal for outside drying) after which it can be painted with acrylic paints and sealed with varnish. It’s a remarkably versatile medium and particularly good for summer, when the warm air helps it dry evenly. 

Macramé Plant Hangers 

Macramé has had a quiet but very thorough revival in recent years, and for good reason. It requires no specialist equipment, produces results that look genuinely architectural, and suits the summer aesthetic beautifully. Sell these as the perfect gift for green-fingered friends or family members to help them grow trailing plants or herbs in pots. Ideal for someone who only has access to a smaller area such as a porch or a balcony.  

Using cotton cord in varying thicknesses, a small repertoire of basic knots – the square knot, the half hitch, the gathering knot – when combined, will enable you to make increasingly intricate patterns. Add wooden beads or copper rings for a more contemporary finish. The results will make any space feel considered and alive. 

And if you need a craft break altogether… 

Sometimes the creative well needs to refill. If that’s where you are this summer, you’re in good company. Why not use the slower months to catch up on competitors’ social media, sketch out new product ideas, plan a marketing campaign for autumn, learn a new skill, or do the studio housework you’ve been putting off. Or sleep! There is no shame in rest. It tends to produce better work. 

One thing that doesn’t take a summer holiday 

Whatever you’re making – or not making – this summer, your craft insurance should be quietly doing its job in the background. Whether you’re selling online, at a workshop, attending a summer fair or just experimenting with new materials at home, it’s worth knowing you’re covered. 

At Craft Insurance, we provide specialist cover for UK crafters of every kind — hobbyists, sole traders, craft clubs and registered businesses alike. If you’d like to find out what’s included, or if you have questions about the right level of cover for your summer craft activities and beyond, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us by phone or email, and have a chat to Sam or Naomi, both of whom understand what crafters do. 

While we often spend weeks in the run up to Christmas, preparing food, buying gifts, decorating our homes and organising gatherings of family and friends, Easter has a habit of sneaking up behind us and going largely uncelebrated. However, this needn’t be the case. Fortunately, apart from being assailed with displays of chocolate eggs in every supermarket we walk into, it doesn’t have the same commercial push as Christmas and we have the gift of a long weekend which we can fashion in whatever ways will best nourish ourselves and our families. 

Maybe it will be largely quiet and restful, spent with immediate family and enjoying good food, a walk in the spring countryside and watching a golden oldie or two… why not try ‘Easter Parade’ with Fred Astaire if you’re not seen it before. Or maybe it’s an opportunity to get together with friends and neighbours to catch up over tea, hot cross buns and even a traditional Simnel cake. Or, perhaps it calls for an outing to a local historical house, garden or castle for an Easter egg hunt with the children. 

Here at Craft Insurance, we love the Easter vibe. It is not just the chocolate, but the fact that it coincides with the coming of spring and alongside that a fresh sense of hope, new life and new beginnings. 

Blossom is bursting forth in all its blowsy abundance, vibrant green leaves are silently unfurling on bare, skeletal branches, lambs are hopping and skipping around their patient mothers and chickens are in full laying production after the scarcity of winter. It seems like new life is springing up all around us and it’s good to take time to savour it and allow ourselves to be restored by the spring sunshine and a hope filled weekend. 

Easter has its foundations in Christian tradition taking people from sadness on Good Friday to celebrating resurrection on Easter Sunday. So historically, Easter was a time of huge celebration, upbeat activity and a focus on new life and rebirth.  

There are so many reasons (the Spring weather and heightened activity in nature included) why Easter time feels like a prime opportunity to hatch some ideas of things to create and sell, whether this be online or in person, at Easter markets and fairs. Here are a few of our ideas of things to create and sell which could become part of a set of Easter traditions or add a sprinkle of wonder to a child’s Easter this year. 

The tradition of giving eggs has so much mileage when it comes to creative inspiration! How about bolstering your offering at craft fairs with a set of exquisitely decorated eggs? Eggs can be purchased so you don’t even need to blow them (though it is fun to do so), Sets of reusable plastic eggs are fun, longer lasting, and when transformed into decorations they can be used and loved year after year with no fear of breakages! They could even be hung on a simple Easter tree! (A simple wooden tree frame could be made to slot together.) Imagine small hands eagerly opening the box each Easter and sighing with delight, as the decoration of the Easter tree heralds the beginning of a set of another well loved family tradition! 

Another suggestion, also mirroring the Christmas tradition, is to create Easter wreaths. These are catching on in popularity but certainly not to the extent of their Christmas counterparts. A medley of coloured eggs, dried flowers and breezy, gingham ribbons all combine to form eye catching wreaths which welcome visitors at the door and hint at the celebrations that await within. 

Come to think of it, Easter decorations could be marketed as the next new thing! It would certainly be fun to gradually accumulate Easter themed decor in the same way as at Christmas. These treasures could then be brought out each year. Think bright and cheery appliqué cushions and soft, crocheted throws to curl up in on a chilly spring night; decoupage tea trays with a vintage, farmhouse vibe on on which to pile stacks of hot cross buns, some mugs of tea and a small bowl of chocolate eggs; cracked egg themed ceramic candle holders to add a gentle glow to a cool Easter evening. All these will add to the ambience of a tranquil and vibrant Easter. 

What about things to create and sell for children over Easter? Bath bombs are always a winner, and at this time of year an egg box filled with pastel coloured, egg shaped bath bombs would be a great gift for a child and an alternative to an excess of chocolate. Easter egg hunts are also greeted with much excitement and can become part of the tradition of this season. 

For many of us, painstakingly weaving sugar paper into Easter baskets at school is etched into our childhood memories. Easter baskets are a lot of fun to make and can be crafted from scratch from an array of different textiles or made by using wicker baskets as a base, which you can then line with fabric, decorate and embellish. 

Cute and cuddly Easter chicks or cheeky Easter bunnies, crocheted, knitted or felted are another alternative to chocolate, maybe with a bright ribbon tied around their necks or a flower poking out from behind their ears. Or, what about decorating some straw hats with ribbons and flowers and designing pretty Easter bonnets to be worn with big smiles by excited little girls. 

Another idea for things to create and sell which could become good impulse buys, are small hanging decorations. These can be wooden, textile, ceramic; egg shaped, chicks or rabbits. Let your imagination run wild and your creativity flow. 

We hope this has sparked some ideas of things to create and sell and that if you’re not doing so already, you’ll be booking yourself into some craft fairs or setting up an online store. You’ll need to think about insurance, so give us a ring or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will be here to answer your questions. 

In the meantime, and in the midst of the uncertain times in which we are living, we wish you a peaceful and happy Easter weekend, filled with good and beautiful things. 

From YouTube channel to online store? Have you made the leap? For some of us, hosting a YouTube crafting channel is something we only dream of, yet for those who have researched, worked hard at creating compelling content and grown their channel to showcase YouTube crafts, linking to an online store is an effective next step towards monetising crafting skills. If starting an online store is something you are considering, you’re in the right place. So, settle yourself with a warm cuppa and let’s combine some dreaming with a few nuts and bolts of practical advice.

Start with a vision. What would you like to sell? How would you see your online shop working? What level of customer interaction would you envisage? And how would you want your customers to feel as they pop over to your store? What kind of aesthetics would you imagine? Who would be your main customer base? These are only a few of the many ingredients which will blend together to set up your dream store.

There is obviously a whole line up of practical actions you need to take to expand your YouTube crafts into an online store, and lots of excellent videos and articles from which you can glean advice. We’ll look here at a brief overview and then give you the lowdown on insurance, which is our area of expertise.

The best advice is always hearing someone else’s story; the ups and down, the challenges and joys, the mistakes and the top tips. Do you know anyone who has opened their online store already? If so, have a chat with them in person or search for those practical generous souls who share their hard-earned expertise for free in online forums such as Reddit. It’s helpful to learn from each other and good to then be able to share your experiences as you go along.

You’ll need to find your niche, both in terms of customer base and of product. From your videos you’ll be able to identify the most popular crafts, so it’s probably a good idea to start with them. Another tip is to start fairly small and do everything as simply as possible.

Here are a few considerations if you plan to link your YouTube crafts channel with an online store: (n.b. It can be easier to sell with an online platform that takes care of these considerations in a straightforward manner, although you will need to take into account that there will be a monthly subscription to pay or a percentage of your earnings to relinquish!):

· Setting up a separate business account for your online transactions is always a good idea to keep everything in one place.

· How are payments going to come to you? You’ll need to set up a secure way of payment; again, go for something as straightforward as possible to begin with.

· Working out a shipping method which will fit in with your all your other daily commitments is foundational.

· You’ll need to decide upon pricing. Look at similar products sold online and remember to include postage (unless you decide to charge separately for this) and the transaction fee charged by your payment platform.

There are also tasks which will allow your creative flair to be let loose such as creating your brand and logo and then running them through your website, communications and packaging.

The next questions are: do you need insurance? And if so what type? As specialists in craft insurance, our packages include public and product liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, professional indemnity and individual business items cover. We tailor the insurance to the requirements of each individual or business.

Public and product liability are our most popular insurance packages. Public liability covers you if you are out and about demonstrating or teaching your craft or selling your products. This is highly advisable if you are likely to combine selling at craft fairs or similar in person events with your online selling.

Product liability, on the other hand, while not a legal requirement, is definitely a prudent investment if you are selling online. This covers you in the event of any customer making a claim that one of your products has caused harm or injury; even if it is not your fault, it covers legal defense fees and any compensation required.

You might also consider taking out individual business items cover. This covers crafting tools, any electronic equipment needed for your business (especially pertinent if you sell online), raw materials and saleable stock. You decide what level of cover is right for your own unique business.

If your business grows and you take on staff to work for you, you are legally required to have employer’s liability insurance. Employees include family members or volunteers.

If this is new to you, it can sound a little daunting. However, can we assure you that it is in fact quite straightforward? As a family business, we have experience and knowledge which has been passed down the generations, and we can in turn pass it all on to you. Take a look through our website and then get in touch. We communicate directly with each of our customers, so you can either pick up the phone or send us a message, whatever works best for you. From our end, either Sam or Naomi will be here to chat through the insurance best suited for your unique business needs. During these times of financial pressure, you don’t want to be buying an insurance product you don’t need, so let us hear about your business and then talk you through the various options.

Linking your YouTube crafts channel to an online store is an exciting step to take! We look forward to hearing all about your new business as well as a virtual pop-in to your store!