Category: Tips for Crafters

It might seem early days to be talking about January sales when the celebration, colour, noise and busyness of Christmas hasn’t even started yet! However, once the hustle and bustle has begun, we’ll all be held in its thrall for a couple of weeks and we’ll be distracted from thinking about the year ahead. Then, when it’s all over there’ll be that familiar sense of sadness; a warm oasis of time with family and friends in the midst of an ever more crazy world and everyone is back to their everyday challenges and the reality of what needs to be done in the new year!  For some of us, January comes as a welcome relief; for all the fun and festivity of Christmas, it’s good to clear our homes and lives and settle back into our normal routines. For all of us, it is a good time to reassess, not only our own habits and rhythms, but also our business vision and goals. So let’s talk about it ahead of time. 

January can be a gloomy, grey month, but there’s much beauty to be seen in the silhouetted trees, the stillness of the damp air and the mist that hangs over our towns and countryside. In a fast-paced world, it can be tempting to view January as a time of deep hibernation, a time to regroup, to rest and be still. For craft businesses, however, January doesn’t have to be a slow month, it offers a raft of opportunities! January is a great time to reassess the direction of your business, where you want to be heading this year and set some goals to help you get there. 

Looking at your sales strategy, one question it is good to re-examine is where is the best place to sell handmade items UK? This will obviously differ for each business, depending on your size, your location and your products. You may sell mainly online, with January a perfect time to apply discount codes to your website or online shop or start exploring the world of Google or Facebook Ads to promote your products to a wider audience. You may be plugged into a local crafting community and sell locally, or you might concentrate on larger national fairs. Most small business will grow with a combination of all of these, plus any other marketing opportunities which present themselves. As you look to expand your business it could be helpful to think strategically about your customer base, how to expand this and how to keep loyal customers while encouraging them to spend more. One of the ways you can do this is by using incentives, rewards and offers as part off your marketing strategy.  

Everyone loves a bargain, but for you as a small business owner these have to be financially beneficial to yourself. If you are looking to attract new customers and are selling mainly online, rewards for referrals, reviews and for new customers are all worth considering. Using social media to your best advantage is a savvy move as it offers you so many opportunities to build your audience organically as well as using campaigns to push seasonal product lines or goods; as well as your website, ensure that you are making the most of your Facebook page and Instagram account. Customers often have to see an offer several times before they will act on it, so be consistent in posting and use Instagram stories regularly. New customers may be reluctant to buy online as they can not actually see or touch the product. They may like to know a little more about you and the company, and this is an area in which you can excel as a small crafting business. Make sure you have plenty of detail in your “about” section on your website, popping in a few personal touches to enable customers to relate to you, and also be sure to promote your sustainable and community-focused credentials. All this will start to build up trust between you and your customers. You might consider sending out emails with updates on the business, new lines and include a January offer with a discount code for anyone who signs up to receive these.  

One way to get the word out there about your products and discounts is through advertising; this can be pricey but you can widen your reach considerably using Google or Facebook Ads. Also, check out local paper magazines or consider writing a short blog post for a crafting blogger with wide readership in return for advertising your website and offer. Make best use of Instagram stories by asking friends and followers to tag your current product and offer in exchange for tagging them straight back. A win for everyone. 

All the above will work particularly well for attracting new customers, but what about rewarding loyal customers or encouraging them to look at your new range? Targeted offers can work, also the “three for two” multi-buy offers and straightforward discounts, maybe on a new range. These can be sent out via email if you have collated a mailing list.  

So far, we have mainly discussed online selling, but as we ask where is the best place to sell handmade crafts in the UK we need also to look at the very many options of face-to-face sales and the advantages these bring, especially with a tempting offer attached. January is a good time to plan for craft markets, fairs and seasonal events. Explore your options, decide which to go for and pop them on your calendar. You can then look towards which ranges you will aim to sell at each event, and can plan discounts or incentives. For example, your display and offers for a family event at which there will be children with pocket money to spend will be different from that of an artisan fair.  

One last factor to consider when looking for the best place to sell handmade items UK, planning your annual marketing strategy within this and organising customer incentives around it, is seasonal selling. As a nation, we can boast a bold list of celebrations; celebrations of the everyday and ordinary, as well as big, full-on, festivals. These include Candlemas (there is a gradual resurgence of this light-filled festival in February), Easter, Mothers’ and Fathers Days’, May Day, numerous regional summer festivals, Harvest, Bonfire night and Christmas. All these are opportunities to pop a discount onto one of your stunning handcrafted products, go out to meet the public and sell with confidence.  

A final note : remember to check your insurance is in place for the year ahead. Drop us a line or give us a call and we can ensure you have the correct insurance backing in place as you head out into the New Year as the owner of a growing craft business, selling unique and high-quality products.  

Collaborations with influencers have become crucial for brands trying to increase their visibility and connect with new audiences in the digital age of social media. This is especially true if you are a creator of products. Influencer marketing enables brands to leverage the dedicated followers of influencers and gain valuable exposure by having them use or actively engage with their products. However, convincing influencers to promote your brand can be a difficult journey.

How can I get influencers to work with me?

When it comes to influencer marketing, you must execute correctly. It’s essential to select appropriate influencers and approach them in a manner that matches your brand’s values and objectives. When beginning your influencer marketing campaign, you must take your brand’s image and values into account and find influencers that fit with these to ensure the collaboration works. To do this, you can research potential influencers within your niche and assess their style, audience and engagement levels.

Social media listening platforms can help find the ideal match for your brand. Building an authentic relationship with influencers is crucial. Interact with their content, show your appreciation for their work, and start a conversation with them. When reaching out to influencers, make sure to send a personalised message that explains how your product aligns with their interests and their audience’s needs. Clearly state the benefits of a collaboration and why you admire their work.

Remember, influencers are more likely to collaborate when they see value in the partnership. Offer them products to try out and experience firsthand. Allow influencers creative freedom in how they incorporate your products into their content, as long as this fits with your brand’s values. Encourage them to create content that reflects their authenticity, as that’s what their audience follows them for. You do not have to focus just on national influencers. The world that the influencers work in is a truly global market, and those abroad can offer you a much larger sales space than you could originally imagine. This does open you up to the need for security, and international public liability insurance is something that should be considered and will be discussed in more detail later. 

Be fair in your negotiations, whether compensation, free products, or other incentives. It’s important to work with influencers who respect their worth and professionalism. You should use analytics tools to help track the performance of your influencer collaborations. Make sure to monitor key metrics such as the reach and engagement of your posts, and sales generated from the partnership. By analysing this data, you can evaluate the effectiveness of each collaboration and refine your strategy.

To summarise, it is important you know that asking influencers to exhibit, use, wear and even do a live unboxing of your products involves a combination of research, relationship-building, and offering value. Choose influencers who align with your brand’s values, engage with them authentically and provide a fair collaboration offer. Monitoring and analysing the results will help refine your influencer strategy over time.

Do I need international public liability insurance to work with influencers?

Public liability insurance is established to protect businesses in case of legal claims related to injury or damage on their premises or due to their products. Whether you need international public liability insurance when your influencer strategy has successfully expanded your reach to a global audience is a question that requires careful consideration. Here are some things to keep in mind: The need for international public liability insurance depends on the scope of your business operations and whether you’re selling products worldwide. If you’re shipping products internationally and promoting your brand to a global audience, it’s wise to consider international coverage.

Additionally, if your influencer collaborations result in a significant increase in international sales, you may be exposed to a higher level of risk. Accidents or product-related issues in different countries could lead to legal claims, making global coverage essential. Some countries or regions may have specific legal requirements for businesses operating within their jurisdiction.

You should consult with legal or insurance experts to ensure compliance with these regulations. If your influencers are promoting your products internationally, any issues or defects in those products that cause harm to consumers could result in liability claims. International public liability insurance can protect in such cases. You should assess any risks that are associated with your business activities and the specific countries you target. Different regions may have varying legal standards and levels of risk. Tailor your insurance coverage accordingly.

To reduce the likelihood of legal claims related to product defects, ensure that your products meet international quality and safety standards. Proper quality control measures can reduce the likelihood of legal claims related to product defects.

To determine the extent of coverage you need, it’s advisable to consult with an insurance expert. They can provide insights into your specific situation and guide you in choosing the right policy. It may be that international public liability insurance is required to protect all parties involved.  

We have seen that the world of the influencer has become a vital marketing and advertising tool. The incredible leverage and audience that a successful influencer can reach is truly astounding, but when harnessed in the right way, as noted above, the possibilities for a supplier that is picked up by them have almost limitless potential. They have the potential to exceed what can be achieved through regular marketing channels and then some. Be sure to have a strategy in place to allow you to reach out to the right influencers and make the most of the collaboration. A good strategy will then let you set goals and assess how well your collaboration is working to achieve those goals.

As our nights are drawing in, the days are shorter and our contact with the outside world is often limited to rushing between buildings and vehicles, it is time to turn our thoughts towards the season of twinkly lights, laughter-filled gatherings and gift-giving: Christmas! Much as we love Christmas here at Craft Insurance, we know it is not all glitter and tinsel; those festive gatherings can be stressful, we can become overtired and financial anxieties can overshadow the festivities. However, despite all this, and maybe even because of it, we are here to offer some suggestions of how you as crafters can not only find inspiration for a range of Christmas gifts but also how these can bring the real essence of Christmas to your customers. With all the busyness of the holiday period there is much to juggle; now is a good time to get your handmade craft insurance in place, leaving one less thing to do as the days fill up.

In the United Kingdom, we have a plethora of quirky and delightful traditions. Over the years, these have been woven into the fabric of our Christmas festivities, bringing giggles and smiles from children and a sense of stable familiarity to us all in a fast-changing world. However, the pressure to incorporate many of these traditions can, ironically, lead us away from not towards the true meaning of Christmas. So, is there another way that we can enter fully into the joy and sparkle of Christmas without succumbing to an overload of expectations which surround it? Maybe there is, and the key could be that it is in fact not just a UK celebration but a worldwide one.

As we consider this, our focus turns from the inward pressures of producing a perfect Christmas period to a broader outward gaze which digs into the root of a worldwide festival. The thread, of course, which runs through each country’s Christmas traditions is the historical birth of a baby to a yet-to-be-married teenage girl. This happened in a small town in modern-day Palestine, Bethlehem. The baby was born not in a warm cosy room, but in abject poverty, possibly in a cave room where animals were kept. Yet the birth of this child changed the course of human history and has been celebrated with joy through millennia. Can we recapture some of this joy? Can our gifts reflect the gift of Jesus to a broken world? A brief glimpse at Christmas traditions from around the world can offer inspiration for our own gifts.

In the Netherlands, St Nicholas is celebrated. He was a bishop in Turkey in the third century. He suffered and was imprisoned for his faith, but continued to do all he could to serve those in need. Many stories arose after his death, one of them being how he gave dowries to three girls whose father could not afford them. The tale goes that St Nicholas threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney which landed in the girls’ clogs, set by the fire. Today, children leave their shoes out on the night of December 6 in the hope they are filled with treats. This is a beautiful custom based on generosity. Could you use it to inspire a range of gifts? If you work with ceramics, what about small clogs which will fit a few chocolate pennies? This would be a fun, inexpensive tradition for families. Or, what about making a money box in the shape of a clog, taking the tradition back to its routes by giving children the opportunity to save a few of their pennies to help someone in need. Clogs could also be the theme of Christmas tree decorations in a variety of different media.

On a related theme, a large red candle is lit and placed in the window of Irish homes on Christmas Eve. This was traditionally either to guide Mary and Joseph on their journey or to welcome in those who needed shelter. The custom of lighting an Advent candle during the four weeks preceding Christmas was possibly started in Germany. Children all over the world enjoy this ritual now. Both these are opportunities for a candle-making business.

Another, most endearing candle-related custom is the celebration of St Lucia. St Lucy was one of the earliest Christian martyrs and is remembered all over Scandinavia on December 13. The eldest daughter in a family dresses in white and wears a wreath of candles in her hair. She serves coffee and baked treats to the rest of her family. This is such a lovely custom that it has been adopted in other countries, including the USA. Could this be a springboard for another range of gifts? Candles, hair wreaths, a basket within which to place the treats and possibly even a white cape?

An interesting aspect of international Christmas celebrations is that different nations celebrate with gifts on different days. For many European countries, the big day for presents is Christmas Eve but in Hispanic countries, it’s January 6th. This is the feast of the Three Kings, remembering the arrival of the Wise Men to visit the child Jesus. It also marks the last day of the Christmas period for us and often a dreary trudge back to work. However, jump on a plane to Spain or a Spanish-speaking nation and you’ll see fireworks, parties, presents and large-scale family celebrations. This represents an opportunity for crafters looking to sell online to Spanish-speaking customers who will be buying gifts in preparation for this date. With the technology that is out there to create ads in other languages, the sky is your limit!

In all the hurry leading up to Christmas, don’t forget to ensure you have the correct handmade craft insurance in place. We ourselves are a family-run business and as such understand many of the values and aspirations you have, as well as the challenges and financial decisions you will be making. Be assured that we will advise you of the handmade craft insurance that best fits your unique company.

Needless to say, here at Craft Insurance, we are quietly excited and looking forward to getting started to prepare for a wonderful Christmas!

In these times of financial squeezing, is it still possible for small craft businesses to flourish? To that question, we reply with a resounding “Yes!”. One of the great advantages of owning your own business is the freedom you have. You can mull over and research a new direction or opportunity, and if it looks viable and beneficial, you can follow your rainbow. This is true also for for your creativity; as you allow your imagination to run riot and come up with new designs and concepts you are free to develop them through to their fruition in a new product. You also have the opportunity to seek out the best place to sell handmade items UK to ensure your quality products can reach a wide customer base.  

This is all good, but in the equation, there is also the reality of producing a profit margin. In these financially challenging and uncertain times, we need to think out of the box to find ways to add value to our products. This, arguably, may be easier for a small company than a large one. To use a nautical analogy; it is easier to change the direction of a small sailing dinghy than a great ocean liner. So, as small craft business owners, this may well give you a competitive edge.

One of the ways in which you could add a twist to your work and thus add value can be to mix the media with which you work.  For example, have you ever considered how your beautiful watercolours would look on a cushion? Or how block printing might work on napkins or floral prints on tablecloths. If this is something you’ve not tried before, it is well worth doing some research. Maybe you might be able to team up with a fellow crafter who works primarily with textiles and the fusion of your products could be a real winner for you both.

As we approach the season of gift-giving in a time of financial constraints, consumers will be looking for gifts which are both original and good value. As any entrepreneur will tell us, circumstances which are generally perceived as a threat to most can, with some out-of-the-box thinking, be an opportunity for a few. Thus, harking back to the small dinghy analogy, this could be an opportune moment for some creative thinking and novel ideas.

This blending of media can be used to bring elegance and warmth into any home.  For example, quality table linen decorated with stunning watercolour motifs will add an effortless charm to the dinner table. Table cloths, runners and napkins all provide gifts across the budget range, and combined with a unique watercolour print or motif will produce a thoughtful gift which can be treasured down the years.

As a pet-loving nation, pet portraits are popular and most certainly unique. Transferring a painting of a family’s much-loved pup onto a cushion could provide the perfect present and the recipient is guaranteed not to receive a duplicate! A similar concept could be applied to a family; a simple line drawing of the family group, transferred onto a cushion would be sure to melt a mother’s heart.

Another good outlet you might consider is the wedding gift market. Most wedding lists contain a selection of tableware. Family and friends who are seeking out a memorable gift will be willing to pay a little more for such a special occasion. This could also be an opportunity for a bespoke service, creating artwork reflecting the bride and groom’s unique story.

If you work with acrylics, have you ever considered what your designs might look like on a T-shirt? Clothing makes a popular gift, and in times of financial constraint, it is a particularly good choice as it is useful as well as fun. And, why limit yourself to T-shirts? You could create a whole range of child and baby wear, including baby all-in-one vests, bibs, bunting for the nursery and bags for mum to carry the multitude of essentials needed by babies and toddlers.

Once you have produced your range of high-quality and beautiful products, you need to market and sell them. So, where is the best place to sell handmade items UK? Online is certainly a good option and one many crafters will use. You can explore sites such as Etsy and Folksy, and it may well be worth building your website and selling directly from there. Then, there are the in-person options. These include craft fairs, markets and local fundraising events, e.g. school fetes or charity fundraising open days. For all of these, you will need the correct insurance; probably public and product liability.  As a family business ourselves we know the importance of offering a good service to our customers. So, drop us a line or pick up the phone and we can talk you through the best package for your individual craft-selling needs.

In a competitive market, another way in which your hand-crafted products can be ahead of mass-produced items is in the area of sustainability. As you use ethically produced or local raw products and employ staff from within your community, your businesses will have an authenticity which can be seen. Be sure to promote this well on your website, which might become the best place to sell handmade items UK, and any other locations where you see, all your products.

In our current climate, there is so much in favour of small handcrafting businesses. Your products are not only unique and of good quality, but they will often have a longevity which their mass-produced counterparts do not. So, be confident; be bold in your fusion of techniques as well as your mixing of media, and make sure you get your products out to a customer base who will love them!

When it comes to finding places to promote your handmade crafts, there are lots of different options to choose from. Not only can you look at selling crafts online directly from your website, but you can also use some of the many social media channels to make sales. Some of the most popular social media platforms for selling products are Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. They all have very similar styles, and it is possible to use them very effectively when it comes to getting your products in front of new people. 

However, there is a new social media platform that is worth looking at when you start out selling craft online – Threads.

Threads is a social media platform that empowers crafters and artisans to showcase and sell their handmade products in a visually engaging and community-driven way. It leverages the power of social media to create a unique and compelling space for crafters to connect with their target audience and turn their creative passions into profitable businesses.

At its core, Threads is designed to provide crafters with a user-friendly interface where they can easily upload photos and descriptions of their handmade products. These products can range from handmade jewellery and clothing to home decor, artwork, and more. Threads encourage crafters to also engage with their audience by commenting on other people’s threads. 

One of the critical features of Threads is its emphasis on storytelling. Crafters can share the inspiration behind their creations, the materials they use, and the craftsmanship that goes into each piece. This storytelling aspect adds a personal touch to the shopping experience, making customers feel more connected to the products and the artisans behind them. Crafters can also post updates and behind-the-scenes content to engage their followers and build a loyal customer base. This can be done by updating an existing Thread or starting a new conversation.

The platform also encourages interaction and community-building. Crafters can connect with other artisans, share tips and advice, and collaborate on projects. Customers can follow their favourite crafters, comment on posts, and ask questions about products, creating a sense of community and fostering trust.

At present, you need to have an Instagram account in order to have an account with Threads. The set-up is effortless, as it takes all of your existing Instagram information and sets up your profile. You can also follow all of the same people as you do on Instagram. This, therefore, speeds up the process of finding others to follow and also lets your existing followers find you easily. Your Thread profile will also be displayed on your Instagram page. 

Another option is that of X. This is the rebrand of Twitter, and it is a fast-paced social media platform that allows for the selling of products as well as building connections with your customers and your potential audience.

Crafters can effectively use X as a valuable platform to promote and sell their handmade products by implementing various strategies to reach a broader audience and engage potential customers. It is important that as well as posting on X, you engage with other people’s posts. This helps to boost your profile and enables you to build a community on the platform. 

 Crafters can make the most of X by working through the following steps:
1. Create a Professional Profile: Crafters should start by setting up a professional X profile. This includes using a clear profile picture, an engaging header image, and a concise bio that highlights their crafting expertise and products.

2. High-Quality Visual Content: Crafters should share visually appealing images and videos of their products. High-resolution photos that showcase details and craftsmanship can attract attention and entice potential buyers.

3. Engaging Descriptions: Crafters should pair their visuals with engaging and informative product descriptions. Explain the materials used, the creative process, and any unique features of each item.

4. Use Hashtags: Utilise relevant and trending hashtags in tweets to increase the discoverability of your products. Research popular hashtags within your crafting niche and incorporate them into your posts.

5. Consistent Posting: Crafters should maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep their audience engaged. Regular updates about new products, work in progress, or behind-the-scenes glimpses into their craft can help keep followers interested.

6. Engage with Followers: Interacting with followers is essential. Respond to comments, questions, and messages promptly. Building a personal connection with your audience helps to build up trust, and this can then lead to repeat business.

7. Promoted Tweets: Consider using X’s advertising options to promote key products or special promotions. Promoted tweets can help you reach a broader audience, and you can target specific demographics that align with your customer base. This can be perfect when you are looking at selling crafts online.

8. Run Contests and Giveaways: Organise contests or giveaways to boost the engagement on your posts and to increase your follower count. Encourage users to participate by sharing your tweets or tagging friends, which can help expand your reach.

9. Collaborate with Influencers: Working together with influencers can help you increase your followers by utilising the following that they have. Influencers can endorse your products through reviews or sponsored posts, driving traffic to your profile.

10. Pin Important Tweets: Use the pin feature to keep a specific tweet at the top of your profile. Pinning a tweet that features your most popular or newest product can ensure it’s the first thing visitors see when they land on your profile.

11. Share Customer Testimonials: Retweet and share positive feedback from happy customers. Authentic testimonials serve as social proof of your product quality and customer satisfaction.

12. Leverage Twitter Lists: Create X lists to organise and follow potential customers, influencers, and competitors in your niche. This allows you to stay updated on industry trends and engage with your target audience more effectively.

13. Track Analytics: Utilise X Analytics to monitor the performance of your tweets. Analysing data such as engagement rates, impressions, and click-through rates can help you refine your marketing strategies.

By employing these strategies, crafters can leverage X as a powerful tool to not only showcase their handmade products but also connect with a broader audience and drive sales. Building a strong X presence requires consistency, engagement, and a strategic approach to marketing and promotion. And, when you have become an ace at selling your craft online, why not call for some expert help with your Craft Insurance? We’d be delighted to help you.

It’s the dream of many; a business based on your hobby, working hours which suit you with people you like and turning over enough of a profit on which you can live. Is this only a dream, or can it become reality? A brief scroll through our Instagram page or an internet search will tell of many such stories; homegrown businesses which started as kitchen table projects. How did they achieve this? What are the hurdles and challenges they have had to overcome? Are there any secrets to their success? We will look at some answers to these as we hope to encourage you to work towards your dream business!

If you ask anyone who has started a business from scratch what contributed to their success, most of them will respond with a wry smile and the response, “sheer hard work!” There is no getting away from it; you will need to put the hours in, and then some more. This will probably mean making decisions about how you spend your time and may mean some sacrifices of previously enjoyed free time. You will need to be disciplined and organised if you are to see your dream become a reality. However, this is something we can all do, it just takes some intentionality and streamlined thinking.

Before you start your business, it is important to ensure you have some solid foundations in place. These are the more mundane things, like an efficient computer filing system, ordered accounts, platforms for promotion and selling and of course the correct craft insurance for small businesses. While, in your enthusiasm, it would be easy to overlook these more tedious aspects of a business, making sure you have these in place will save you time and quite possibly money in the long term. A house built on solid foundations is much more likely to withstand the occasional storm.

You are probably raring to go by this time; you have talent, creativity and a vision. Yet it would be wise to show still more restraint as you do a little market research. Again, there is much good advice online which we won’t repeat here. It is worth looking for gaps in the market, who your potential customer base might be, marketing strategies and how your business could expand and diversify from its initial small beginnings.

Having done all this, you are ready to go! You can start creating and building up your initial stock. Bear in mind to whom you will be selling, when and where. For example, if you are launching pre-Christmas, there will be a plethora of fairs and markets you can sell from as well as online outlets. The type of fair will determine to some extent your range of stock. For example, a school fete will attract children and distracted parents, so it’s probably best to go for low prices and high sales while a more artisanal fair would draw in customers from a larger radius looking to pay a bit more for a unique and beautiful gift. Remember to make sure your craft insurance for small businesses is in place before you start selling; pick up the phone or drop us a line and we will talk you through the best options for your unique needs.

Many homespun businesses begin alongside a day job, with the intention that they will, in time, become the main source of income. Although this requires long hours and not much time off, it does minimise the financial risk. It also allows for your hobby business to develop organically, at a pace and in a direction which suits you, rather than having to make decisions out of financial necessity which could draw your dream business away from your initial vision.

Another pathway towards a thriving kitchen table business is one walked by many women at home with small children; in search of some additional income and with latent creative talents, they turn their hands to their chosen craft. Starting with a school fete, they grow in confidence one fair at a time and as their children grow so does their fledgling business. This is a way of life common to countless women over the centuries, who have combined caring for their children and running a business around their families. Generations of children have been brought up by strong and resourceful women who have managed to be present for their families while also bringing in an income from home. One example is the classic cottage industry of the pre-Industrial Revolution where mothers spun or made lace whilst running their homes and caring for their children. A cautionary note is that, in our current fast-paced world it is important to put rhythms and boundaries in place to avoid burnout. However, with the slow, organic growth of many a successful home business, this is more likely to be avoided.

A few final tips to keep in mind as you determine to turn your hobby into a hustle. Make time to talk to real people who have done exactly that. While we can glean a good deal from reading others’ stories online, it can’t replace real-life conversations and the connections that can be made from these. Finally, in the midst of all the hard work, carve out time to restore yourself. This isn’t selfish, it is ancient wisdom. You may even choose to take one day of rest a week, completely away from your business. Until the early 1990’s trading was not allowed in the U.K. on a Sunday and our nation did indeed slow down. This rhythm of regular rest is often cited as a key ingredient by entrepreneurial businessmen and women.

So, as your dream business develops, allowing you to work around your family or chosen lifestyle, employing staff from your local community with a work ethic which you decide, take time to pause and look back at how far you have come, and forward to where your vision could lead you next!

And remember, we are here to support you so drop us a line and make sure you have your craft insurance for small businesses in place.

How resin is fast becoming a versatile, inexpensive craft material of choice

What comes to mind when you think of a cottage industry? Maybe it’s a gentle-faced woman, hands rough through many years of hard work, spinning peacefully and quietly in a small nook of her overcrowded home. Maybe a group of similarly clad women might come to your thoughts, chatting and sharing their joys and worries as they dextrously manipulate their lace bobbins. Or maybe it’s more up to date; a friend of yours whose online handmade soap and bath bomb business started at her kitchen table. Or a potter with a kiln in the back garden, decorating a set of crockery before the next craft fair. The great news is that all manner of cottage industries have survived and thrived throughout the ages and with the ever-expanding range of textiles, tools and raw materials which can be used in our homes, they are set to continue to be an income of choice for many.

One material that is becoming an increasingly popular choice for crafters is resin. Natural resin is not a new substance; it can be found in the bark of trees, in herbal flowers and the buds of some shrubs. The ancient Greeks used it for oral hygiene, chewing it for its antibacterial properties. Other ancient civilisations used it as a fixative for weapons. However, it was not until the 1930s that resin composites were discovered and their commercialisation began. Since then, we’ve seen it used in a vast array of products, from aeronautical and marine components, and industrial and electronic applications, to the everyday adhesives and coatings we find in our homes. While it is utilised extensively in industrial settings, it can also be used in non-factory locations and thus lends itself to the cottage industry of the twenty-first century.

There are numerous types of resin composite, but epoxy resin, used initially for dental and industrial purposes, became popular within the art community in the 1940s and 1950s. Whereas plastic requires heat to fashion it into the required shape, the resin can simply be poured into a mould and left to harden; a chemical reaction, rather than heat, causes this to happen. One niche market that has made excellent use of this is the miniature reproduction model industry. Cast your mind back for a minute to the last time you saw a model railway. Focus on the tiny, perfectly constructed houses, complete with fine detail brickwork, roofing tiles, vintage features and roses around the door. It is the resin that allows for such keen attention to detail. Resin miniatures are also essential now in the world of fantasy or historical modelling, an area in which there has been a resurgence since the rise in popularity of games such as War Hammer. Dungeons and Dragons has also undergone a resurgence in the number of young players, and while many play online, there are in-person games too. Part of the delight of these is the huge range of exquisitely detailed miniatures available.

Away from the gaming and miniature modelling world, the use of resin in creating handmade jewellery in the UK has opened up a wonderful plethora of creative opportunities. With the addition of powders and colours, glitter and botanicals, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a unique range of jewellery. If you are new to resin and considering stepping out and starting your own business selling handmade jewellery in the UK, there are a plethora of tutorials and blogs online to inform and encourage you. While resin is generally easy to source and use, you will need to become familiar with the different types of composite and which ones are needed for a particular use or product. For example, a casting resin, used to pour into a mould to create a ring or pendant is different to a resin used to coat a surface with a glossy finish. If you have not experimented already, have a go and have some fun!

Another advantage of building a resin-based business is that it requires relatively low start-up costs. You will need some basic resin supplies and a few tools, but this really can fit around your budget, meaning you can start with what you can afford. Much of your initial promotion and selling can be done online at minimal cost to yourself. You will need to ensure that you have the correct craft insurance in place, both for selling online and if and when you branch out into craft fairs and markets. As a family business ourselves, specialising in craft insurance for several decades, we have learnt from those who have gone before us and are continually listening to and learning from our customers. As such, we are confident that we can talk you through the insurance needs of your business and offer you a package suited to your unique circumstances. Pick up the phone or drop us a line; we look forward to hearing from you.

As we continue to look towards times of financial squeezing, many are looking for ways to supplement their income. Customers are also looking for gifts within a tighter budget. Using resin to create stunning and unique handmade jewellery could tick both boxes. As we have recognised in previous blogs, the handmade jewellery UK market is fairly full, but given the small financial investment required, it is something to consider. Have a go at designing something unique … take a look at what is already out there and go for something different. Develop your range of products. With Christmas not too far away, gorgeous jewellery that won’t break the bank may well be the answer for many a shopper.

We’ve only touched here on a few of the multitude of uses for resin. It is an amazingly adaptable and versatile substance and in the hands of a creative and resourceful individual could prove the foundation for a flourishing cottage industry whose products will delight many.

Social media plays a huge part in most of our lives and the majority of us are aware of Facebook and LinkedIn. However, those of us who hail from the older generations might not be quite as conversant with new players on the social media block. One such player, it would be fair to say, has shaken up everything in its field (and in the world of crafting too) becoming a major player on the social media scene. I am of course referring to TikTok.

The rise of TikTok

The reason why TikTok has become so popular is that it works purely on a short-form video format. In other words, you don’t need to write anything to get your point across, you can just make a video about it. This has meant that there is a whole new audience out there to reach and also to view. Initially, people used TikTok to put out amusing videos about aspects of their lives or even their pets’ lives. This has given rise to an army of content creators who are all vying for the attention of the public and an ocean of entertainment for young people to dive into, only to surface at mealtimes!

However, this social aspect has started to run alongside the business applications of the app as well.  Goods and services can easily be promoted through TikTok without the need to spend any larger amount of money on advertising and marketing. The question of Where to sell handmade crafts UK-wide or anywhere else for that matter has another answer: it can be sold on the internet via a TikTok account.

What is TikTok exactly and how can it help you?

It was created in September 2016 by a Chinese company called Bytedance and allows users to make and share videos over a short period. The average length of these videos is anywhere between 15 to 60 seconds, which might be a contributory factor to short attention spans.  There is also the option to discover new videos as well as make them, enabling people to spend entire evenings watching short TikTok videos instead of regular television. TikTok has captured the younger market initially as it seemed like a good alternative to Facebook which had become dominated by older generations. However, the same situation (the encroachment of savvy oldies) has begun to occur with TikTok and a more mature audience is beginning to understand the technology and use it to its advantage.  As with any social media, the algorithms behind the app begin to sense what the viewer likes to watch.  Every time that someone is on the app it registers what they have seen and begins to offer these as a preference later on. Therefore, if you produce a video based around your crafting there is an excellent chance that people who have already viewed it once or viewed similar content will be directed to you again.  This means that the question of where to sell handmade crafts in the UK, or internationally, becomes considerably easier as you will be reaching your target audience without even having to look for them. If you can produce a TikTok video of you making something, rather than having to reach out to your existing and potential customers, there’s a good chance that they will come to you.

The advantage of TikTok is that it features a particularly user-friendly interface so that it is simple to pick up quickly and use effectively. It also has a wide back catalogue of visual and sound effects that you can utilise and, if your video is picked up by a considerable amount of people, it offers the chance for an idea to become viral quickly and reach huge numbers, globally, in a relatively short space of time.

This gives the crafter an immense opportunity to be able to sell and exhibit their wear without even having to leave their crafting studio.  We have already talked about the advantages of having an online shop for your products, but this is one way to enhance sales dramatically.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to take people through your process? Many people ask if they can see how you create your work. It’s not the case of revealing secrets, but simply showing people how you can achieve the wonderfully artistic results that you do. With TikTok, you can begin to show people how you produce a piece of work and if you have already sold something you can review the stages of the commission to your customer as you go through.

TikTok acts as a marketing tool so people can see the amount of work, effort, skill and love that you put into everything that you produce. This will convince them that your product is worth purchasing because it has so much credibility behind it. The premise would be that you would release a short video at each stage of your production or produce a longer video and fast-forward the process with additional captions to show where you are in the making of the product. Given TikTok’s global reach, the possibility of being able to show your work to people outside of the UK and beyond becomes an actual reality. It also allows you to be able to communicate with people who are doing similar work in our country and beyond.

If you can follow the principles of using TikTok and make sure that you consistently put out videos with content, you will begin to gain a following. People will want to know where your products are, so knowing where to sell handmade crafts (UK) becomes a much easier prospect. Watching the platform will also allow you to understand what trends are out there and what your contemporaries are creating so that you can adapt or follow suit.

Using TikTok will allow you to be able to become part of a much wider community and also allow you to influence others in what they make and produce. The short videos will also bring authenticity to your work that simply inviting someone around your workshop or merely talking about at a craft fair could never hope to reach in the numbers that this platform can.