Category: Tips for Crafters

Wouldn’t it be great to know for sure the answer to the question “Which hand made products sell best?” To know exactly the market trends of the next six to twelve months and be able to produce the perfect products which will sell like hot cakes? Unfortunately, none of us can do this. And while we can certainly look back retrospectively at the hand made craft products that sold best in the previous year, and even look at what is currently trending, this should be a guide only, not a straight jacket with which to steer us in a pre-determined direction.

So, what has been trending over the last months/years? Health and beauty products and jewellery often come out at the front, alongside consumables, personalised clothing and art work.  However, market trends and consumer preferences fluctuate, so it cannot be guaranteed that these will always be at the top. A browse through Etsy or Pinterest and a quick Google search will reveal the top selling products at any one time. Maybe a more pertinent question to ask though,  is how this knowledge could impact your decision making. Do you jump onto the crest of the current trend, hoping your products will sell amongst all the others? Or do you step out and start up a completely different line, knowing it’s not amongst the top sellers? Will you try to find a niche within the trending markets?

Most crafters would agree that the business grows out of our passions, natural abilities and vision. It would simply not make sense therefore for someone who loves to work with wood and makes exquisite household utensils or children’s toys using this skill, to throw it all in and start making bath bombs instead, just because they rank highly in the selling tables.

On the other hand, what if you are already creating products in the top selling range? How can you make yours stand out from the rest? If you are selling at craft fairs, can you include demonstrations as part of your sales pitch? Could you allow for customers to be involved in a small part of the production process? For example could they choose the beads on a simple pair of earrings and watch you put them together? On social media, reels or videos are trending over pictures, so can you translate this enjoyment of watching action into your craft fair stall?  Your enthusiasm, expertise and love of your craft will shine through and act as a honeypot for the bees! Remember you will need insurance for crafters when attending fairs, so pick up the phone and we’re here to help find the best fit for your needs.

As with all small businesses, do the market research and find your niche within it. For example, hand made toys may not hit the trending list, but there is a market for them, and within that people will pay a premium for a product which is not only well made and has longevity, but also brings with it a comforting sense of nostalgia.

Whatever your chosen direction, ensure you get good competitive insurance quotes, which will not only give you the necessary foundations for your business, but will be cost effective. We are here to advise on the best insurance for crafters, and thus help you get your business onto a good footing.

Back to trending products. While it would not necessarily be a good idea to change your direction simply to be in line with current top selling craft products, you may be able to adapt your individual line in that direction. For example, if you know that jewellery sells well and you are a potter, could you make stands on which to hang necklaces or ear rings? Or burners for wax melts? Or could you expand your skills and make bath bombs to sell in gorgeously decorated bath shaped pottery receptacles?

Likewise, being aware of seasonal selling trends is also important to maximise on sales. Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day all need careful consideration, and although many of us might wish they were not so commercialised, it can work to your advantage. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of our throw away culture, and may well be looking for gifts which are more sustainable, support small businesses and will last more than a few weeks (unless of course we’re talking about mouth watering handmade chocolate fudge!)

On the subject of sustainability … it’s on everyone’s lips at present and top trending products often capitalise on this. We are also a nation for whom the desire for authenticity is on the rise.  Consumers will value an item which has genuinely been made locally and with sustainable products. Even with the current squeeze on finances, customers will still pay a premium for such products. So, can you look at where your raw materials are sourced, how workers are treated, and what chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. Can you reduce the gap in some way between the producer and you the consumer? For example, if you make wax candles can you source your wax from local beekeepers? Or use locally grown herbs for beauty products? Ultimately, it’s more about what hand made products of yours sell best than about top selling products nationally. You can chase after the current trends, but if these do not reflect your abilities and passion then they will not work for you. So, be confident in your own skill set and vision for the direction of your business. Ensure you have good insurance for crafters in place, and then set about making the best products you possibly can with enthusiasm and enjoyment.

Turning your crafting hobby into a business gives rise to several questions that need to be answered. It can be an exciting time for you as you look to make a such a big change to your working life. However, as with most challenges, being prepared is the best way to approach it. If you can get these key elements correct then you may be well be set up for a successful business and you’ll feel fulfilled by it too.

Location

It can’t be stated enough that the location where you base your craft business is a key element to how well it’s going to perform. Most craft businesses are run single-handedly and if you don’t have a happy and relaxed workspace how are you going to be able to produce the best work that you can sell to prospective and existing customers? Therefore, you need to plan out your space carefully. There are so many factors to consider when it comes to location.

Making space work for you

Firstly, you need to manage the practicality of the space in relation to you own wellbeing. Consider how you want to work. Will you be sat down for long periods of time? If this is the case then you need to look at a comfortable chair for you to support your back and legs. Make sure that you have the time and space to move around at regular intervals to keep muscles moving. In contrast, if you are standing for long periods then you will need a comfy chair to rest in for a bit.

Is everything where you need it?

If you have specialist equipment for your crafting, then this has to be allocated space. You will need to be able to navigate around the room easily. With that in mind, it’s also essential to make sure that you have you crafting equipment near to hand. The last thing that you will want is to waste valuable time moving from one side of the crafting room to another searching for materials. Ensure that your most used items are grouped together and are easily accessible. Also, if you have a pre-existing back condition you may want to consider asking an occupational therapist to come in and check your working environment for you. 

Light bulb moment

One factor that many people find is that having natural light coming into their work space is of paramount importance. If natural light is an issue you can buy bulbs that replicate sunlight, which may be a good option.

Many creatives do their best work with a view of nature or of something similarly inspiring. For example, a cityscape can be just as rewarding to look at as a landscape in some cases. If this is not an option, place art that you like or fresh flowers around the room. A word should also be said about secure storage of certain items. Some things that people work with need extra care and protection.  For example, craft insurance for candles is available to help support you in the creation and sale of these types of products.

Equipment

What you use to create your crafting masterpiece is also dependent on the tools and equipment you use. It may be tempting to try and cut costs at the start of the business by looking at buying cheaper or budget-based options. This may seem like a prudent financial approach, but it can work out to be a false economy in the long run. If you buy a cheap piece of equipment, you may well find that it breaks or needs replacing soon after you have bought it.

The best approach is to look at a decent piece of equipment that you know you will get many years of service out of. It will depreciate, but at a much slower rate than a budget option. The key element here is to shop around, look at testimonials from other users or speak to them directly. It’s ok to get a rep in to show you the benefits of the equipment and how it’s going to fit into your operation. Also remember that early equipment costs can be reclaimed through your tax filing.

Storage and stock control

There are 2 elements to address here. They relate to the location that we looked at earlier. Firstly, a computer based stock system for your materials and products may be needed. There are plenty on the market and it could be a simple spreadsheet. Secondly, how you store the products may have to be considered from a safety perspective. As we mentioned before when it comes candles, a popular crafting choice, there are several storage options to be aware of. Covering yourself for accidental loss through craft insurance for candles is a very good idea. General insurance for all of your crafting business should be a top priority. You will need to consider the physical storage options such as boxes and shelves.

Your wellbeing

Lastly, you need to consider yourself in all of this. This is your business and along with craft insurance for candles, cards or whatever items you choose to produce and sell, you should make sure that you look after your own health and wellbeing. This may mean taking time out during the day to relax and enjoy a nice walk or it may mean having items in your crafting space that inspire you and that bring you some joy. You should also think about ensuring that you have easy access to refreshments and water in particular. If you work on your own for long periods of time you may also want to consider the security that you have in your space. It might be appropriate for you to have an alarm or a camera installed that will allow you to see who is coming and going.

It’s so easy to get stressed out as a small business owner and it’s a relief to know certain everyday choices will help us to manage the ups and downs. We specialise in craft insurance for UK artists and crafters to help with any unexpected ‘downs’, but, we thought, why not come up with some reminders to help multiply the ‘ups’!

Starting a small business means freedom and being the boss. Freedom, however, doesn’t necessarily mean we can do anything and everything. Everyone has the same amount of time, but how we spend it dictates the results we are living with. In fact, spending time doing certain activities might be quite unhelpful!

Our priorities differ from person to person, however, if our overall aim is to keep the business on an even keel and stay sane we need to prioritise accordingly. Saying yes to one thing is going to mean saying no to others. We have to be selective about what we spend our time on.

Here is a list of some of the things that might be helpful to prioritise:

Waking up early

Getting a head start on the day sets a great tone for the rest of the day. The peaceful mornings allow much-needed focus time, free from disruptions. The desire to crawl back under the covers can be combatted by getting rid of the snooze button!

Also, if we know in advance that we have a difficult item to cross off our to-do list, it can be tackled first thing in the morning to avoid that sense of dread. Then get ready to usher in feelings of accomplishment and a readiness to conquer whatever else comes across our path throughout the day.

Things that prevent us from waking up early can be de-prioritised, such as binge-watching Netflix series until late, stargazing or that extra glass of wine! 

Planning time and scheduling in priorities

As a small crafting business owner, have you ever complained that there are never enough hours in the day? The problem here might not actually be a lack of time, but lack of a schedule. A schedule helps you to plan, anticipate, and keep your life organised. Then, just as you schedule time for certain tasks you need to get done, you can schedule free time too. Taking a break allows the brain to take in new information and to generate creativity.

Working to a routine.

With a regular routine, you know what to expect, which leads to a sense of peace. Your body also likes a routine — your internal body clock dictates when you feel tired or energised and can impact your ability to focus. If your energy and concentration dip around 3 p.m you could schedule a walk or a workout to feel re-energised.

Having less clutter around.

A cluttered home and work-space, can really affect how you feel about everything. It can result in overwhelm and brain fog when you have so much disorganisation to contend with. A deep clean once a week, with a bit of general ‘upkeep’ throughout the week should suffice to keep the clutter down. Why not schedule it in?

Learning to Say ‘No’

When you start out, you say yes to everything because you don’t have a choice, but as time goes on and you have had your share of negative experiences, you start to recognise the warning signs. Sometimes it’s because clients overstep your boundaries and you realise too late that you didn’t set them effectively in the first place. At other times it’s because you took on a job or a commission that you didn’t really have time for and now it’s impinging on other areas of your life. You are allowed to say no. Remember that your time is limited and it’s best to work on your terms. Ask yourself: “Is this something I want to do and do I have time to do it? 

Becoming a delegator

All small business owners will remember the time when they had to do everything. However, as you learn to work ‘smarter’ you realise that many tasks can be easily outsourced. If you’re trying to do it all, then you’re probably not doing a good job at every single thing. That’s why outsourcing parts of the business will even help you to scale your business.

Think about the things that you struggle with…is it the social media, the admin or even the decluttering? These things can all be outsourced as your business grows. Ask yourself: Which tasks do you want to spend your time on and which ones would you rather avoid? The truth is that you’ll probably waste time trying to do the things that you aren’t so good at, so outsourcing will free you up to do things that you enjoy doing and are successful at.

Unplugging from the phone

Everyone needs time away from emails and looking after customers. Whether it’s reading, going for a walk, or talking with others, they’re all great ways to engage a different part of your brain and help restore you.

And also, don’t forget about powering down devices to avoid blue light at least an hour before bedtime. Apparently, people who do this sleep better and are more rested and alert the next day.

Insuring yourself against the unexpected

Knowing that all aspects of your small crafting business are covered against the unexpected will bring peace of mind. If you aren’t sure whether you are covered in a worst case scenario, why not contact us at Craft Insurance? UK crafters tell us that getting insured with us is simple and very easy to organise. With Craft Insurance, UK artists and owners of small crafting businesses can get a tailored quote online to receive proof of insurance in minutes.

Having an awesome summer! We hope you all have a lovely break and a chance to recharge your batteries.

Artists and crafters spend large amounts of time creating their products. These could be items sold on a large scale or even those designed on a bespoke basis. Depending on the type of item created, the artist or crafter could spend large amounts of time sitting or standing in the same position. This can cause stress and strain to occur on many parts of the body. It is important to look after your own back health and the health of anyone who works with you. You may need to look at your small craft business insurance policy to see whether you need any other policies in place to support employees.

Some of the most common areas affected are the back, neck and shoulders. The longer that we sit or stand in one position, the more likely it is that our posture will start to suffer. It is when we begin to slouch that added strain occurs on our muscles and joints.

There are several parts of the crafting process, that can see problems occur with the strength and health of your back.

Set up

Your crafting set up will have an impact on the way you sit or stand and how much pressure occurs on your joints. It is important that you have the right set up for your specific craft, rather than try to make do with a dining room table. There are lots of options available, such as adjustable desks and easels for artists. Other crafters can also find tables that suit their needs, such as work benches.

It is also important to ensure that you are sitting on chair or stool that will support your posture. It can be tempting to use a dining room chair but these are not designed to support your body for long periods of time. Instead there are chairs on the market that have been created to be ergonomic, specifically for crafters. In the case of those people who refer to stand whilst they are working, standing desk can be utilised.

Where possible you should ensure that you are sitting upright in your chair. When creating intricate items it can be hard to prevent yourself from slumping forwards. You can rectify this by using table mounts and risers that will help lift your work up higher.

A chair with lumbar support, moveable armrests and wheels, will help you to move around freely in your workspace. It will also allow you to create a set up that sees all your materials placed close to hand. It is important that you think about a safe way to store your items and you should always have small craft business insurance in place.

Breaks and stretching

One of the best ways to help prevent back pain and issues such as sciatica from setting in is to ensure you take regular breaks. It can be difficult for those working in creative fields to ensure they take enough breaks. This is down to the fact that when in the creative zone, you tend to forget everything else going on around you.

Set a timer to notify you when a hour has passed. You should then, where possible get up and take a short walk. This can be popping to your kitchen to make yourself a drink. Keeping hydrated will also help to prevent muscles spasms from occurring.

Other stretches that you can do throughout the day include the following:

Arm stretches – take your arms above your head and gently reach up. Next take your arms out to the sides and stretch. You can also pass each item across the opposite side of the body and stretch. This helps to release tension in the upper back and shoulders.

Waist twist – take a gentle rotation to each side of your body. If you are using a chair with armrests you can place your hands on the side you are turning to. This helps to give you a gentle shoulder twist as well as release pressure on your lower back.

Wrist circles – working with your hands can lead to cramp in your wrist. Taking a gentle wrist stretch by circling your wrists in both directions can release the muscle tension.

Selling products

As well as looking after your back whilst creating your products you also need to think about what happens when you sell your products. If you have an online store you will probably spend a lot of time entering items into your shop. The above stretches will help with long periods of time sitting at the computer.

If you have small craft business insurance in place that allows you to sell items at fetes and fayres, you will need to support your back during these sales. Most of these fetes will see you standing for long periods of time. Where possible you should try and walk around your stall and limit the amount of time you stand in one place. If possible, have a family member or friend at the event with you so you can each take breaks during the day.

Exercise and strengthening

Prevention is always better cure and if you build up the strength in your back, you will find that you experience less pain. Many exercises help support your spine and the rest of your musculoskeletal system. Some of the best one are walking, swimming and yoga. They all help to support your core strength which in turn helps to support your spine.

Plan time into your week to enjoy some gentle exercise and you will notice that you have less problems with pain and discomfort in your back whilst crafting.

Close your eyes for a minute and imagine a small wooden railway engine, bright red with a set of smart carriages following on behind. Next, picture a knitted rabbit, just the right size to fit into a small child’s hand, it’s sparkling button eyes giving it a surprised but friendly look. Or what about a rag doll, dressed in a freshly pressed pinafore, her knitted plaits neatly tied with sky blue ribbon? Next, imagine a couple of children poring over an exquisitely made wooden puzzle of the British Isles, learning the counties and cities as they carefully set each piece in place.

What do these pictures conjure up for you? Good quality, something that will last, an investment and a good dose of nostalgia.

This is a good place to start for those who are considering selling handcrafted toys. Your products, although more expensive than their factory produced counterparts, will exude confidence, reliability and value for money. Buyers who are willing to spend a bit more will do so because they want to give a gift which will last, and the very uniqueness of your product will be a selling point.

Where to begin?

Below are some practical points to consider about selling hand-crafted toys.

Firstly, allow yourself to dream and your creativity to go wild! What would you love to make? How do you see children playing with your toys? What comments would you like to hear from the adults who buy them?

Then rein it in and do some research. Is the market already flooded with the hand-crafted toy you are planning, or is there a gap? If there is a gap, is it because there would be no market for it, or have you hit upon a great new concept? Can you give your product a twist which makes it stand out from other similar toys? For example, if your customers are ordering online, could you paint the engine’s name on the side and call it after the child who will own it? Or give the new owner of the doll an opportunity to choose its name and then embroider it on her dress?

Next build a business plan. Here at Craft Insurance we can give you individual advice to help you work out the best insurance product for your hand crafted toy business.

Have fun choosing a name and logo for your business, something with strong brand potential. Practice photographing your products and if you’re selling from a website or through social media, find ways to make your site stand out from the rest.

It’s worth mentioning pricing at this stage. While you obviously have to be competitive, don’t undervalue yourself and your product. Take into consideration your time, costs of selling and marketing, electricity bills if you’re working from home or rent if you’re in another building, and materials. As your products will probably be small, you may be able to source raw materials at a reduced price, eg offcuts of wood.

Next there are the legal requirements which might seem overwhelming but if tackled methodically can be achieved as part of your set up strategy. Check out the legal requirements in the UK regarding registering with HMRC and ensure you register within the required time framework.

Similarly, you will need to research the process around CE marking, a requirement for those selling toys within the EU. This is a self regulating process and can be completed by yourself at little or no expense. There are some helpful websites to guide you through the process in addition to the government website which lays out the requirements.

If you have come up with a completely new concept for a toy…how exciting and well done…you will probably want to consider patenting your idea. For this, it must comply with several requirements; these are around the novelty aspect and it’s ability to be replicated. Check out the official websites if you think this might apply to your idea.

Consider your marketing strategy. How will you be selling handcrafted toys? Online, at craft fairs or at other venues? You will probably be asked for public liability insurance to sell at craft fairs, and it’s worth picking up the phone and speaking to us about both this and product liability insurance needed for face to face and online selling. We are confident that, as a friendly, family run business we can help you to find the best insurance package for your business, and we look forward to speaking with you.

Consider the seasonal aspect of toy selling. Obviously Christmas is a high point for toy sellers, but could you adapt your toys to appeal at Easter, as an alternative to chocolate? What about modifying your product around the seasons? Using warm red and rich green colours for that toy engine in the winter time and blues and paler greens in the summer? Or use colours and patterns to reflect the seasons as you dress the rag doll or knit the rabbit.

Finally, your customers will be drawn towards your product because of its uniqueness, its quality and the sense of nostalgia it brings. In a fast paced world, a solid, well made toy brings with it a sense of a bygone era, when life was less complicated and more stable. Customer care is thus a big part of the buyer’s experience. If you can convey a feeling of reliability in both your marketing and customer relations, this will enhance the whole purchasing experience. By selling handcrafted toys you are giving your customer so much more than the single purchase; the gift of imaginative play, opportunities to develop problem solving and interpersonal skills through play and the making of memories that will last.

It’s a wonderful feeling when inspiration, time and resources all align, our creative juices flow and a new concept or product emerges. While we hope that this happens as a steady stream, realistically the routine tasks of producing existing lines, processing orders and staying on top of all the other daily mundane tasks of running a craft business can squeeze our natural creativity to a slow trickle. In order to nurture it we need to both be aware of its source and give ourselves space to allow it to flourish. Broadly speaking, we can categorise these as inspiration and time. Below are ten tips which can help you to look after your creativity.

• We still start at the beginning…how we approach our day makes a difference as to how we deal with the challenges we face throughout it. Mornings can be a busy whirl of juggling for many, but it is well worth getting up a few minutes earlier than the rest of the household and so allowing yourself a time of quiet before the rush begins. This is a time to lay down any of the anxieties about the day ahead and to fill your own reserves. For some this might be going for a run or workout and for others a quiet cup of tea with an inspirational reading and time of reflection. This is the time to tap into the source of our creativity for the day ahead. For those with a faith, it is time to pray and read your holy book, others may find contemplation and poetry a source of inspiration.

• Nurture your own soul. In the same way that a teacup needs to be refilled so it can offer us that refreshing cup of tea, so our souls need to be filled and nurtured in order to keep giving out. If we are going to produce beautiful products we need to put ourselves in the place of beauty. This will mean different things for each of us, but some suggestions are; visit an art gallery or a craft exhibition, read books which stimulate your mind, try out a new recipe and enjoy it with friends, go to a concert or listen to a variety of good music at home. Find out what inspires you and do a little more of it.

• Spend time gaining ideas and inspiration from other crafters. You will probably have discovered the wonderful world of craft fairs and if so will know what a great source of inspiration and connection they can be. If you are selling at one, do remember to ensure you have your handmade craft insurance in place. However, visiting fairs occasionally not as an exhibitor but just to browse, can be a great springboard for new ideas of your own.

• Nature itself is a great source of inspiration. Spend time looking closely at a flower, a leaf or a small bug. Despite their size, they are intricately designed; many engineering solutions are based around design found in the natural world.

• Take time to walk; whether this is in a park in the middle of a busy city, or a ramble in the countryside, the combination of walking and being in a green space is good on so many levels.  Look up at the sky, watch the clouds, breathe deeply and then slow down. The combination of green and blue are so restful for the eyes. (Imagine if the sky were purple and grass was red!). Allow the beauty and amazing design of our natural world to seep into your spirit.

• Many people find journaling a helpful way of processing thoughts, concerns and ideas. There are a plethora of blogs written with suggestions on how to journal, so we will not go into detail here. Suffice to say, using bullet points to jot down things you are anxious about can be helpful. Once down on paper, it may be easier to find solutions for some of them. For example, peace of mind about your business footing can be gained by ensuring you have handmade craft insurance in place. Once you have expressed the concerns topmost in your mind, you are then free to allow your thoughts to ramble as you express ideas, concepts and daily happenings. Out of this, creativity flows!

• Ring fence time to experiment with new ideas, lines and techniques. This comes back to your  basic admin. Ensure that the foundations of your business are secure, including having    handmade craft insurance in place, setting time for processing orders, communicating with customers and marketing your product. This will then free you up to have specific time to experiment and work on new ideas.

• It may sound strange, but boredom is actually good, or even essential for creativity to flow. In our super charged world, where we are not only permanently busy but also have a steady flow of information coming thorough our ears, we have to resolve to have times of quiet. If you commute to a place of work, or as you go to the shops, try travelling without the radio, podcast or music. As you spend time doing daily chores, be mindful of sometimes doing them in silence. Our brains need space in order to create and we need to allow them to have this.

• We are all completely unique individuals and so will all be inspired and restored in different ways. For some, time alone curled up with a book and a cup of tea is life giving, for others vigorous exercise will leave them feeling fresh and ready to take on the world, for yet others a cup of coffee and chat with friends or a night out leaves them buzzing with ideas. Work out what tops you up and so puts you in a good place to be creative.

• Finally, we come to rest. We are not designed to work flat out seven days a week, and   something will give eventually if we do. Make rest and fun part of your weekly rhythm. This will pay dividends as you feel refreshed and your creativity flourishes.

Maybe pick a couple of these suggestions and start to put them into practice. And remember, our creativity flourishes when we aren’t carrying excess anxiety. So, if you’ve not done it yet, give us a call and put your hand made craft insurance in place. Then, go and get creating!

When you start out selling handcrafted items online, whether it’s handmade bath bombs or wax melts, you’ll probably be asking a thousand questions about sales, marketing and advertising, as well as, “Do I needcraft insurance for wax melts or bath bombs?” It’s definitely a good idea to get craft insurance for wax melts and bath bombs if you are making them, and we’d like to help you with some of those other questions too, if we can.

We picked the brains of our friends at Cre8ion for some ideas to help you out with the marketing of your handmade products. They told us that when you sell online, video is a great way to do your wonderful handcrafted items justice (as well as still shots) because online customers love to watch film!

So, we went and got some tips on how to use film to promote your items and yourself more effectively. Remember, there is no absolute right and wrong as the creative approach will differ depending on the desired end result. Essentially, it’s all about telling the story of your product. Think about the journey the product had to take to get from its raw materials into the hands of the customer and what you did along the way to make it all happen. 

Where do I start?

Ironically, the first thing that you need to get right when taking video footage of your products or interviewing your customers for great testimonials, is not the picture, but the sound. Viewers will forgive a poor picture but never poor sound. Great sound gives viewers an emotional connection with what they are seeing, so, the better the soundtrack, the better the connection. Remember the film Gladiator? An unforgettable soundtrack elevated that film to a sublime experience! 

You too can elevate your video by buying yourself a Bluetooth microphone, they aren’t that expensive and they do a great job. If your product is a cold drink, you can have the mellow sound of liquid sloshing into the glass and ice cracking to complement the visual experience.

Which Camera?

You probably have a camera on your phone already that can be used for taking great videos to use on your website or for social media. Today’s phones are more than adequate and can be used with tripods and gimbals to achieve even better footage.

Top Tips for making videos of yourself and your products ‘in situ’.

1.) A great idea to add value to your products and take your customer on a journey with you is to video yourself in the process of making them. Allow people to see the different stages of your process and the time it takes. Ideally, your videos should be 60 seconds in length to use for Instagram, other social media and for your website. 

2.) Although it’s down to personal preference, most products will look better in softer light. You can make a DIY light diffuser to soften the light you are using by shining your light through a plain white shower curtain or even through baking paper. This makes the light appear to wrap around the subject rather than creating harsh shapes and shadows.  

3.) Experiment with different shots and angles when showing your product in its own environment. Why not try an aerial shot, a top-down shot from directly above? Give a bird’s eye view of your product or of yourself working, with all your materials laid out. This kind of a shot works well as an establishing shot or as an ‘A roll’ to set the scene. 

4.) Think outside the box. How about placing your product in the background of the shot with a prop to frame the shot in the foreground? For example, you could film your product through the petals of a pot plant or through a gap in a tool box… 

5.) When filming your product against a plain background, use a textured background such as wood or concrete, something with a grain to make the shot more interesting. When filming a top-down shot, or what is known as a “flat lay”, to give the shot depth don’t place the object right up against the background, leave room between the objects/background to create more depth, subtle but effective!

6.) Include other elements in the shot that complement your product or feature, its ingredients and associated ideas. For instance, if you are making honey bath bombs don’t just film the bath bomb but include shots of dripping honey, maybe even with the sound of bees buzzing in the background. If your product contains a perfume from a flower, include shots of those flowers swaying in the breeze.

Top Tips for making videos of your customers. 

Start filming people who have tried your products and had a really positive experience. 

1.) The best way to film your subject is to film them at an angle. Make sure that the room is well lit. If you are interviewing a customer, for example, don’t sit them in front of a lighted window as they will be silhouetted. They’ll look more like an anonymous witness on a crime report and you won’t be able to see their face clearly. So, use as much natural light as possible, seat them near the window, at a slight angle so they’re not facing the camera, but still facing forwards, so that the light falls on their face. If you are adding artificial light, then use your DIY light diffuser to give a softer light that wraps around the subject. 

2.) If you are filming your subject on your own, provide the subject with a focal point for them to look at, don’t have them staring right down the barrel of the camera. It should look as if they are having a conversation with someone who is off camera. Still nod and respond at the right places as it will help the subject.

3.) Make it interesting. You need to grab the attention of the viewer in the first couple of seconds. Give them a question to answer that will pique the viewers’ curiosity and make them want to find out more. Also, set the scene of the shot to be as visually interesting as you can, but not distracting! If someone is seated in a neutral environment, have a pot plant with a pop of colour on the desk to give the viewer something else to look at, and bring the shot to life.

Now you know how to take great videos and attract more customers to buy your bath bombs and wax melts we can help you to answer the next question, “Do I need craft insurance for wax melts and bath bombs?” Please get in touch for a quote.

Craft fairs are a great way for handcrafters to sell their items and get noticed as a brand. They can help to build up the profile of a handcrafting business and they are a good way to get started. It is important that when thinking about attending craft fairs you look at locations. You should find those that are suitable for your products. It is also essential that you have the right public liability insurance for craft fairs in place.

Choosing craft fairs

To assess the viability of craft fairs, you should think about the kind of customers that are likely to attend. If you sell handcrafted, high-end jewellery, you might not find your ideal customers at a school summer fair. Look at the options you have available. You want to make the most out of the opportunities available. It is also important to give yourself the best chance of making sales on the day. You can also assess which craft fairs to attend by looking at the price you are being asked to pay for a table. If you sell small items priced in the low pounds you will have to sell a lot of products if you choose to attend a craft fair that costs £100 a table.

Once you have decided which craft fairs you are going to attend you will need to think about how you can encourage people to attend. If the craft fair has its own social channels, make sure that you follow them and share the posts on your pages. Let your customers know that you are going to be at the fair. You can also share some teaser images of the products you are going to be selling.

Next, you need to think about how you are going to display your products at the fair. Also, look at how you are going to make your table stand out to your customers. As well as looking at the aesthetics of the table you should also make sure that you have all legal requirements as well. This can include correct labelling of your products and a list of ingredients. You will also need public liability insurance for craft fairs in case someone is injured as a result of your attendance at the fair.

Here are a few tips to help you make your crafting stall attractive to buyers.

Table covering

At most craft fairs you will be given a plain table. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to improve this is with a tablecloth or a sheet. If you have brand colours you may want to have a tablecloth in these colours. But, it is important that you think about the products that will be displayed. Often, you are better choosing a plain white, cream or even a black table cloth to help the colours of your products shine.

Other ways you can cover a table include using jute bags that you cut open and layout across the table or even using fake grass panels. It is important that you choose a covering that is going to reflect the products that you create and your overall brand.

Branding & Marketing

People will visit your stall and may not buy anything. But, this is an opportunity for you to get your brand in front of them. By having your branding on your products and creating a shopping experience for them, they are more likely to remember you in the future. It is also important to have business cards and any other marketing materials that you use, so customers and prospective buyers can take these away with them.

Examples of marketing materials include:

• Business Cards
• Banners
• Leaflets
• Promotional items such as branded sweets and bags

Display products

Instead of laying out your product directly on the table, think about how you can display them in an eye-catching way. This could be using interesting items to place your items on. Examples include:

• Natural wood blocks
• Cork placemats
• China plates or cups
• Jute or fabric baskets and boxes
• Jewellery stands made from natural materials

Play around with different heights and depths and create a stand that incorporates many different elements. Think of the back of the table as the area where you will place the highest items and work your way down in height. If you plan on standing at the back of your table, create a small area in the middle that will allow you to speak with your customers.

It can be nice to have some elements of the materials that you use to create your items or elements of nature on your table. This could be in the form of flowers or some of the raw materials that you use such as balls of yarn or strips of metal and wood. Lights can also be used to help create the illusion of depth. They can also help you highlight and illuminate certain products on your table.

It is important that all the elements you use on your table is safe and secure. This is to ensure the safety of customers and yourself. Public liability insurance for craft fairs is important. It helps to protect you should any items fall from your stall and cause injury to any of the visitors.

Clothing

Never underestimate the power of the clothing that you wear to craft fairs. If you have a business logo you might want to think about having some branded clothing created. Or you could simply wear something that matches the colour of your branding or is related to the items you make. Another important tip is to make sure that you wear and use your own products. If you make jewellery, wear some on the day. Remember that you are your businesses best asset.