Category: Tips for Crafters

What is Black Friday and how did it start?

If you’re anything like me, your inbox is probably filling up with dozens or even hundreds of emails from companies trying to entice you to enjoy their Black Friday Sale. What started as a single day of madness across the Atlantic appears now to have evolved into a month-long tirade against our better judgement, tempting us to part with our hard-earned cash for the sake of an exciting ‘deal’.

While there are multiple accounts as to the origins of the term ‘Black Friday’ I think the most likely and certainly most relevant appears to date from 1950s Philadelphia. The city’s police force used the term to describe the post Thanksgiving chaos that ensued when the centre was flooded with shoppers and tourists.. the crowds and traffic meant shoplifters were able to take advantage, adding to the strain on their departments on that day. Why on earth retailers would want to jump on this bandwagon as a positive thing is beyond me! Oh yeah,,, making money!

Why does Black Fox Metalcraft not have a Black Friday Sale?

For a small family-run business like Black Fox Metalcraft who designs and manufactures all of its products in the UK, Black Friday can actually be really damaging. The constant aggressive marketing around Black Friday Sales has altered people’s expectations of what Christmas shopping is, and what represents good value. This puts pressure on small businesses and hand makers to offer discounts when actually our margins are tight all year; as a UK business is it hard enough as it is competing with mass produced products online before you factor in Black Friday.

Our weathervanes and hanging signs are sold at a fair price all year round with enough to earn a wage but little margin for profit after that. Any discounts would mean we wouldn’t make enough to earn even a small wage, plus I also think it sets the wrong tone with our customers so it’s not something we want our company to be involved in at all. The entire internet seems to go completely frantic with pages trying to push their Black Friday sales on you, meaning that small businesses not able to offer this are hidden from view. As Black Friday has grown exponentially from a single day 10 years ago through to pretty well an entire month in 2024, it’s become harder year on year.

Goods being sold at inflated prices all year round enabling impressive-looking discounts for a couple of weeks in November can give the appearance of a good deal, but I’d urge people to look beyond this. Most online companies offering Black Friday discounts are doing drop shipping, where they have no real overheads or costs and are as such able to reduce their margin, sell more and still enjoy the same profits.

What is dropshipping?

Drop shipping is where something is ordered through a website but sent directly from the wholesaler abroad. This means that the seller does not incur any costs other than admin and the marketing of a website, so if they sell twice as much stuff at half the profit, it makes negligible difference to them in terms of time and costs.

This extravaganza of excessive consumerism takes customers away from UK makers who genuinely create what they sell and cannot compete. More often than not, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are just an exercise in putting money in the pockets of Jeff Bezos and similar Chinese counterparts, rather than back into the UK economy.

We are not helped by marketplaces like Not on the High Street who insist on promoting these increasingly excessive events; they are supposed to be championing small local handmakers and instead add to the problem by putting pressure on to reduce our prices. Our metalwork is made to order with care; it is bespoke and cannot be mass-produced in advance, so even if we wanted to take part, we are just not that sort of business and never will be, not without compromising on the quality or value that we offer for the other 11 months anyway!

Last but by no means least importantly there is the environmental impact to consider – can buying and shipping tons of cheap mass-produced items all over the world ever be anything other than detrimental?

What can I do to help crafts businesses and retailers in my area to survive?

• Black Friday deals may seem tempting, but ask yourself do I really need this? Is the deal as good as the website wants me to believe? Where is this item being manufactured and where is it shipped from? If you are purchasing online, try to buy from UK businesses where possible, even if it means spending a couple of pounds extra.
• Buy gifts from your local high street, or see if there are any craft fairs coming up nearby. Or make a day of it like people did not so long ago and spend the day in your nearest city centre, enjoying the atmosphere as we head into the festive season.
• Try to buy direct from the maker so they can avoid paying the sometimes huge commissions taken by some online marketplaces.
• Make something! There is no bigger antidote to mass consumerism than a home-made gift.

I’m not saying that mass production or buying from overseas is entirely a bad thing, clearly there can be plenty of value in both in the right situation. However, the extent that it has taken over in such a short period of time is a direct cause of the closure of many high street retailers and craft businesses in the UK, and the only way to change this is to support them. So why not try to buy a couple of gifts locally this year?

This blog was written by Black Fox Metalcraft and you can visit their website here.

Traditions often disappear with generations, their origins forgotten or their significance only vaguely remembered. Some traditions, however, live on regardless as an occasion for celebration. One such celebration, much anticipated by children all over the UK, is nearly upon us – Guy Fawkes Night!

Guy Fawkes Night on November 5th, marks the anniversary of the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his group of conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I.

His motive? He wanted to get rid of the King and his administration because they were Protestants and Guy hoped to restore Catholic rule in England. At the time, the religious turmoil in England often resulted in Catholics and Protestants inflicting death and suffering on each other.

Guy and his co-conspirators slowly amassed gunpowder in the cellars under Parliament from the summer of 1605 and Fawkes was given the job of igniting it on the night of November 4th. He would have succeeded had it not been for an anonymous letter sent to the authorities. Royal guards were sent to search the cellars and in the early hours of November 5th, Fawkes was caught and arrested.

In the Tower of London, he was tortured for information about the rest of the group and the plotters, including Fawkes, were sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. However, Fawkes, weak from torture, managed to climb high enough up the ladder at the gallows to die from a broken neck on his fall rather than having to endure the full horror of his sentence whilst still alive.  

In the years that followed, after the king’s narrow escape from being blown sky high, he encouraged national remembrance and celebrations on the anniversary of November 5th. People willingly joined in and it became an occasion to show loyalty to the king and for Protestantism. Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day, as it was known, became an English state commemoration where people celebrated into the night and burnt effigies of popular hate figures, such as the Pope!

Over the years, November 5th often erupted in scenes of public disorder but decorum was eventually restored as the festivities eventually lost their religious and political edge and morphed into a fun occasion for families to enjoy.

Organised entertainment became popular in the late 19th century, and 20th-century pyrotechnic manufacturers renamed Guy Fawkes as Firework Night.

Guy Fawkes Night also became known as Bonfire Night and any bit of land that could be used was commandeered to build a bonfire. Wood or any other combustible material would be piled up there with youngsters stealing wood from rival bonfires to enlarge their pile or setting fire to someone else’s bonfire before the night of the 5th. These days, however, with our increased awareness of health and safety, bonfires tend to be more organised affairs at sports grounds and public parks across the country, although some people still enjoy a bonfire in their back garden.

Other Guy Fawkes traditions thrived, such as ‘Penny for the Guy’’ where children would make a ‘Guy’ out of clothing stuffed with straw and newspapers. The idea was to take your ‘Guy’ around the streets on a small cart and then ask for a ‘penny for the ‘Guy’. In reality, the penny wasn’t for the ‘Guy’ at all, it would be spent on sweets, sparklers and small fireworks.

Guys would be taken into schools to be shown off and prizes would be offered for the best dressed ‘’Guy’. Then, when the night of November 5th came, the Guy would be thrown onto the bonfire and burnt. This fun tradition has largely died out although you might see the occasional Guy on the bonfire at public events.

Nowadays, burning effigies and rioting have both been replaced by a modern-day Guy Fawkes Night which is an altogether warmer and cosier celebration, quite different from its turbulent origins. Wrapped up warmly in scarves, hats, and coats to ward off the autumn chill, families and friends huddle around bonfires, and watch fireworks roasting marshmallows or sipping hot chocolate.

Crackling bonfires, colourful fireworks bursting overhead, the crowd emitting a chorus of soft aahs – it’s a shared spectacle of warmth, family and community. Many people nowadays also associate Guy Fawkes night with traditional nostalgic treats like toffee apples, jacket potatoes, or treacle toffee, a time of simple pleasures and friendly, family fun.

One of the few outdoor winter festivals that we celebrate in the UK, Guy Fawkes Night offers a great opportunity for sales of homemade woollens. Here are a few ideas…

1. “Stay Warm by the Bonfire” Bundles

Offer discounted sets of woollen goods, like scarves, gloves, hats, and blankets for staying warm and cosy while watching fireworks or gathering around the bonfire. Maybe include some sachets of hot chocolate or a thermos flask!

2. “Bonfire-Ready” Themed Products

Design a limited-edition line of woollen products specifically for Bonfire Night in festive autumn colours or patterns inspired by fireworks.

3. Collaborate with Local Events

Reach out to the organisers of local Bonfire Night events and partner with them, so that you can set up a stall and sell your woollen goods there on the night! If you are going to do this, make sure that you have your product liability insurance for crafters in place!

4. Bonfire Night Giveaway

Host a Guy Fawkes-themed social media giveaway in which people share their best Bonfire Night memories or plans. Offer a free set of woollen goods, like scarves or blankets, to a few winners.

These ideas could help tie your woollen goods to the cosy, communal feel of Guy Fawkes Night, making your products an essential part of the celebration.

If you are just starting as a seller of handmade woollen goods you should obtain product liability insurance for crafters to protect your new business against any possible claims. Why not give us a ring and either Naomi or Sam will advise you as to the right kind of cover? We have many years of experience providing product liability insurance for crafters and we would be delighted to help.

As you begin to read this, just stop for a moment and think of a time when, as a customer, you have been dissatisfied with a purchase or service. Next, think about what caused your dissatisfaction, and then how it was resolved. There are many useful articles online giving sound and helpful advice about how to avoid business nightmares by ensuring you have good customer service protocols in place. Check them out! We are not going to repeat them here, but rather look at what might lie behind good, or poor, customer satisfaction.

At the heart of your business is yourself; your creativity, your dreams, your vision, your personality and your resources. The products you make are an outpouring of yourself, and thus they have much more of an emotional pull on you than if you were, for example, selling someone else’s products. Some even talk about their business as their “baby” and certainly the process from the embryonic idea through to the first product sold can have similarities with pregnancy and labour. Thus, if something goes wrong it can feel personal. Here lies our first suggestion for avoiding craft nightmares; if you have an unhappy customer, it isn’t personal. It might not even be valid, and if it is it could be your error or it could be just one of those things which make up the multi-coloured kaleidoscope of life.

So, if you have a customer complaint, try to take a deep breath, pause for a minute before responding and get ready to listen. Do what you can to get a clear picture of what has gone wrong. If it is something simple, maybe you can fix it there and then with a smile, an apology and a replacement. For more complex problems, think back to that situation when you were the dissatisfied customer; how was the issue dealt with and what strategies worked? We would suggest that fairly central to a good resolution is that the customer feels heard. Can you discern what is behind your customer’s complaint? If it is unreasonable, can you fathom anything else which could be causing the grievance? Once you have done all this, it is usually possible to find a mutually acceptable way forward.

To encourage you, most issues can be dealt with by listening to the problem and taking some practical action to put it right. A friendly attitude, some empathy and good problem-solving skills will stand you in good stead. However, occasionally there will be an unforeseen incident, completely out of your control, and this is where up-to-date public liability insurance for crafters UK is your best friend. While it is generally in your best interest to replace a broken product or refund something which hasn’t met expectations, it is not possible to take on legal fees or compensation if someone claims against you or your product. Public liability insurance for Crafters UK covers you for any claim made that you, your volunteers, staff or products have caused damage to a member of the public. It will cover any legal defence costs and compensation you owe, thus giving you peace of mind as you deal with a difficult situation. While it is not a legal requirement, it is a real “sleep easy” insurance to have. As a family-run business ourselves, we know our customers are central and therefore we like to communicate directly with you. So, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to talk with you and find the best public liability insurance for crafters UK for your unique business.

Having looked at some of the skills needed to resolve a difficult situation, let’s now take a look at what you can do to prevent such situations arising. Obviously, high-quality products, clear descriptions and competitive pricing are a solid foundation for satisfied customers. However, on top of this, we recommend keeping your relationship with your customers as central. We are relational beings, and if your customers can feel they know a little about you and like you as well as what you do, there will be more flexibility when it comes to resolving any tricky issues that may occur. If you sell online, make sure you include a good write-up on your website featuring your business story, how you started, your inspiration and your vision. If you sell in person, you might like to include a business card with each purchase, pointing your customers to your website or social media. Face-to-face selling enables you to build up good customer rapport with each sale. There are plenty of YouTube videos with pointers as to how to achieve this; why not check them out?

Gaining your customers’ trust is key to good customer relationships. Be as transparent as you can with your product descriptions and make sure you promote raw materials which are locally sourced and environmentally kind, as well as any charities you support. You might also consider sending out regular emails to your customers, letting them know what you are working on and any snippets from your daily life as well as product updates. Admin can be hard to squeeze into a busy schedule, but ensuring you follow through on queries and get orders out within the stated time will all help with building good relationships which have trust at the centre.

If you sell locally, a good reputation is invaluable within the community; your business will expand by word of mouth and you will not only retain customers, but they will recommend you to friends. So, keep the communication channels open, allow your natural warmth, friendliness and enthusiasm to shine through and watch your business continue to flourish with loyal, local customers.

Imagine, if you will, a perfect winter morning; cold, crisp air, clear blue skies, a slight hoar frost giving a satisfying crunch to each step and the delicate silhouettes of leafless trees. A morning like this beckons us outdoors, inviting us to adventure and inspiring us to take on new challenges. However, now let your mind wander back to many winter mornings which greet us here in the UK. Depending on where we live, we may walk out to a grey world, often with a slight drizzle and accompanying wet slushy puddles. Opening the curtains to a day like this makes curling up with a good book, a mug of tea and a sweet treat very appealing. However, here in our green-pastured nation, we have faced the variables of the British climate for centuries, often with resilience and good humour making the most of each day as it comes.

As crafters, the winter months offer good opportunities for selling at craft fairs and markets, so whatever the weather, we encourage you to head out and make the most of these days. If you are new to selling at fairs, your first task is to find a few which are local to you and book yourself a place. Do some research beforehand; what customer group will this event attract? It could be families with children, in which case you might like to consider taking some pocket money items, or it could be an evening event with more time to browse, and thus budgets might be higher. Organisers will ask if you have public liability insurance UK for craft fairs which covers you for those completely unforeseen events when an accident happens and a member of the public makes a claim against you. Even if it is not your fault, this insurance will cover you. Insurance, especially if you are new to selling your crafts, can seem a bit daunting. However, as a family-run business who have been working in this area for several decades, we can guide you through the process and ensure you get the best cover for your unique business needs. So, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will talk you through Public Liability Insurance UK for craft fairs.

For those of you who are craft fair veterans, you will probably have a well-rehearsed pre-fair routine of what you need to pack, what you need to arrange and the best order in which to do all this. You may not need many extra suggestions, but we would like to offer one additional tip which you may not have included on your “to-do” list; take care of yourself. These days can be tiring in themselves and usually come after a hectic period of stock production. Unless you are very organised they may also necessitate a late night the day before. So, think about what you will eat and drink while there; try to ensure you have a good breakfast and take a nutritious packed lunch with you, as well as a refillable water bottle. Maybe treat yourself to a warm drink and a tasty snack during the day. If it is likely to be cold, remember to take some extra warm layers, possibly a woollen shawl which is both comfortable and looks stylish. You may not be a make-up wearer, but some lipstick can add to your confidence levels while a small pot of lip balm and some hand cream will moisturise your skin. All these are little things in themselves, but together they speak quiet words that you matter, that you are worth looking after. This added confidence will then spill over into your conversations with customers!

If you are new to the wonderful world of craft fairs, here are a few suggestions of practical items you can consider adding to your “Craft Fair Inventory”. Firstly you will need to get your stock from your vehicle to your display table. Check out parking restrictions at the venue; many crafters find a set of wheels helpful in transferring stock even if parking is readily available.

Next, think through your display. Find out the size of your table and look for a cloth which will not only cover it but will also reach down the front and hide boxes and other items you might want to store. This will give your stall an uncluttered look, drawing customers’ eyes to your beautiful products rather than to a pile of cardboard boxes! Investing in a table covering is an important foundation for your display, so think through colour and texture. It may also be advisable to bring a few “crocodile clips” to discretely secure the cloth to the table; you don’t want a curious child pulling at it and inadvertently causing your whole display to come crashing to the ground! Lastly, consider how you will display your items, how to add height and light and whether you will have any display boards to compliment the products themselves.

As you come to sales, you will need a cash box and float, and a means of card or other payment. Remember to take your sales and order books and a couple of spare pens. Once you have made a sale, how will you wrap your product? Many crafters use paper bags, but you may also consider tissue paper, especially if it ties in with the colour of your brand. It can also be a good idea to pop a business card into each package, so remember to bring a good supply with you.

The days are long and busy, but in between customers, you may be able to work on your craft, thus adding further interest to your stall.

Craft fairs involve some hard work and planning, but are generally very worthwhile, not only in terms of sales but also in the connections you make, the conversations you have and inspiration you imbibe. Remember to get your public liability insurance UK for craft fairs and get out and about in the craft fair circuit!

As autumn slowly meanders its way towards winter, our thoughts will be turning towards Christmas and the many marketing opportunities this brings for individually made and uniquely crafted products. While selling online will increase at this time of year, it is also an ideal time to step out and look for venues where you can sell in person. While Christmas can be a springboard for this search, you may well wish to continue selling in this way throughout the following year.

There are many advantages of selling locally and in person. Not all of us can boast of being a whizz with tech, so it might be a relief that selling face-to-face doesn’t require too much growth in that area! It will, however, be a fantastic outlet for those interpersonal and communication skills, giving you the space to get to know your customers. If you can engage with them, sharing the story of your business and introducing them to your products will begin to raise your profile locally. It may be that you also run workshops or experience days, for which you can have some attractive leaflets printed giving details of these to distribute or details on your Facebook page.

Meeting your customers and speaking with them provides invaluable insights into what they appreciate about your products and may spark some ideas for new lines. It’s a great opportunity to ask some open questions and enjoy doing a spot of market research. A good reputation locally will be built not only on the quality of your products but also through good customer relationships. Use in-person selling to build a rapport with your buyers, maybe offering a discount if they recommend you to a friend. Word of mouth is a very powerful marketing tool in a community.

In addition to the traditional craft fairs and markets, there are many more local avenues you can explore to sell your product. If you are fairly small or just starting out, why not look out for some local fundraising events. These could be for any number of organisations from scouts and guides through to primary schools and churches. You will be asked to pay for a table and most probably required to have craft fair public liability insurance but one advantage of these events is that the table cost is usually quite reasonable so you are likely to easily clear it and come away with a profit. In addition, it can often be a good way to network with other crafters in your area.

Another suggestion is to check for any Arts Weeks or similar in your area. The idea of these is for local artists and crafters to exhibit their products, maybe in studios or galleries but sometimes in their homes. The organisers produce a map of the different venues and their opening times and the public comes to visit. This can lead to sales but is also a good way to raise your profile and market your workshops.

Farmers markets and farm shops will often have openings for locally produced, unique, good-quality craft products alongside their own locally produced food and drink. This can be a win all around and a great shopping experience for customers. They could, for example, purchase locally reared meat and organically grown vegetables plus hand-crafted soap and bar shampoo and in addition come away with a gift of a candle for a friend, all within one easy-to-access shop.

You might also like to explore options for selling your products in local craft shops or independent stores. If you live in a tourist area, there may be gift shops which will like to promote locally made crafts, especially if they reflect the area in some way. It could be worth checking out National Trust properties or other similar venues near you as they will often host popular craft fairs and local food markets with good footfall.

Moving away from local marketing, it could be worth searching for craft-specific fairs and festivals around the country. These might be more suited to established businesses as the stall price will probably be greater than a local market, but if the footfall is good, it could be worth the investment. These will also be wonderful networking opportunities and you will come away buzzing with new ideas and brimming with refreshed creativity.

With Christmas fast approaching there will be a plentiful supply of Christmas markets and fairs, from large, well-established events in our cities to smaller town hall affairs in our local communities. As you consider booking for these, remember to do some research beforehand to find out the customer base you are most likely to be serving. For example, a daytime fair based in a school or a small town outdoor Christmas fun afternoon is more likely to have customers looking for gifts in a lower price range than a Christmas craft evening in a stately home where a glass of wine is offered with admission.

Alongside your booking fee, you will also need to consider craft fair public liability insurance as most organisers will ask that you have it. Insurance might sound a daunting prospect, but as a family business that has been working with crafters for several decades, we are committed to ensuring each of our customers get the best package for their unique business. So, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will be here to walk you through craft fair public liability insurance. We look forward to hearing all about your business.

We hope this has provided you with some practical suggestions for the array of venues at which you could sell your crafts. Let us know of others you come across. As well as creating high-quality, unique products, you also have a completely unique and fascinating story to your business. Selling face-to-face is a great way to share this. So, be bold and confident in what you are doing and get yourself and your products out there!