Category: Tips for Crafters

Your website is your online shop and there are many ways you can recreate online the methods you would use to sell your craft offline. In this article, we are going to look at how you can make your online shop more of a hub of communication and a place customers want to return to!

One aspect of selling arts and crafts is that it is personal, and getting out and about to fairs and shows brings with it the pleasure of meeting lots of lovely people who appreciate and want to purchase your beautiful handmade items. But how can you replicate this personal aspect of your trade online?

Well, there are various methods you can use that enable you to open up that communication with your audience and one of the best is via email. Creating a list of addresses of the people who have shown an interest in your products is a great idea as it will be yours to keep. Your website can help you to nurture and grow your email list so that you can continue to have conversations with your customers, long after they have left your online shop. This means that they are much more likely to come back to you and consider buying from you again.

Think about it, if you had a shop in the high street, then bumped into your customers regularly and chatted about how business was going, how they were doing and the latest news, they would be most likely to come to you if they wanted to buy a special gift or a handmade item. That’s how an email list works. You can have those conversations regularly with the people who have already visited your website.

But how do you obtain the email address of someone who has simply visited your website?

Well, the answer is that you have to give them something of value to obtain an email address. On arrival at the home page of your website, your visitors will be pleased to find that you are giving something away for free that might help them, and they certainly won’t mind giving you their email address to receive it. That’s how the conversation starts.

So the first thing to do to build your list is to:

Create an attractive lead magnet on your website

A lead magnet is something you offer in return for contact information. It could be a “how to”, a pattern, a cheatsheet, a discount code or even an ebook. The visitor then gains access to your free resource by giving their email address. You send them the resource automatically and they are added to your email list. When they receive the free resource, trust between you starts to build which allows you to begin a relationship with your subscribers.

It’s a good idea to position the free resource on your homepage or one of your high-traffic website pages in the form of a pop-up. You can time the pop-up so that it doesn’t appear immediately – it’s up to you to set the number of seconds before it appears. In the same way that you would not leap on a customer and start talking to them the moment of entering a shop in the real world, most people don’t want a pop-up appearing before they have had a chance to look at the website page. In a real shop, you’d want to give them a few moments to have a good look around at your well-crafted items before politely asking whether you could help or if was there something specific that they were looking for..? Pop-ups too can be polite and less obtrusive!

Now you have your lead magnet on your website housed on a high-traffic page (often the home page) in an attractively designed pop-up. Your customers are starting to leave their email addresses because they all want to know ‘How to…….”

So let the conversations begin!!

It’s entirely up to you how you choose to engage with your email list. Many people create a newsletter to give people regular value related to their products. Depending on how busy you are, you could send out an email weekly, fortnightly or monthly with insights, updates, stories or discounts around the times of year when people are most likely to be looking to spend with you.

Then once you have shared a bit about yourself, let your audience have their say!

Host an online webinar!

Webinars are the go-to learning platforms today and offer an excellent opportunity to build your email list. As an expert in your field, you can host a free webinar on your area of expertise. Imagine being able to show a demonstration live online, as you would at a craft fair, of the wonderful time-proven process you follow to produce your amazing crafts.

People love to be let into the secrets behind what goes into creating a thing of beauty (you don’t have to reveal all your secrets of course if your process is part of your USP!) Furthermore, these days you can even buy webinar software that allows you to host live events with attendees, and it will all run seamlessly without a hitch.

Not only this, your participants can comment in the live chat, giving you invaluable insights and the opportunity to answer and engage with them in a way that you would not otherwise have had.

The best part about hosting a webinar is that people don’t mind signing up for them since they’re free and require little to no investment (except of course of their time, but this is time well spent, learning).

As long as you provide enough value in your webinar, people will have no issues giving you their email address in return. 

• Plan the details of your webinar—topic, platform, date, time, and duration.
• Create a landing page mentioning all the details for the webinar with a sign-up form. Make sure to include a short form with fewer fields—best to have the name and email address only.

When you have done all of the above you can promote the webinar via social media and spread the word in your network. Then, as you now have the email addresses of the participants, you can set up an automated email series to send them your event link, a reminder on the day of the event, a thank you email to the participant for joining, and then another email to say thank you once the event is over.

Finally, once you have created all of this new business, don’t forget to make sure that you have your insurance for artists and crafters in place! If you are new to selling arts and crafts online, why not give us a call and Naomi or Sam will talk you through the insurance for artists and crafters that we offer. Craft Insurance have been providing insurance for artists and crafters for decades, so please do get in touch and we’ll help you to find you the correct insurance tailored to your unique requirements.

Five Inspiring Ideas to Boost Your Creativity!

September often brings a sense of renewal. Children go back to school, the days begin to shorten, and the air gets cooler. For artists and crafters, this shift can be an invitation to reconnect with your creativity and breathe new life into your projects. The joy of creating something beautiful is, in itself, deeply rewarding. But let’s be real: for many of us, it also needs to pay the bills! Whether you’re a full-time artist or crafting to supplement your income, merging creativity with a sustainable business model can be both challenging and incredibly fulfilling.

Your handmade art holds a unique power—it provides people with items that are not only beautiful but deeply personal. In a world where mass-produced goods are the norm, your craftsmanship fills the void for those searching for something special. Each piece you create carries a personal touch, a story, and a sense of individuality that simply can’t be replicated. This is your unique selling proposition (USP) and it sets you apart. No one else can do what you do, the way you do it.

However, creativity can ebb and flow. Sometimes it’s a burst of inspiration, and other times, ideas take time to form, like seeds needing to germinate. If you’ve been feeling a little stuck or just want to expand your creative horizons, here are five strategies to help boost your creativity this September!

1. Learn and experiment with something new

One of the best ways to ignite your creativity is by learning something new. The more you know, the more your brain can draw on when coming up with fresh ideas. Learning a new skill—whether it’s painting, photography, pottery, or even something unrelated to your craft like cooking or coding—can open up new ways of thinking. These new perspectives can be integrated into your work, giving you fresh creative energy.

For example, if you’re a ceramicist, learning the basics of painting could inspire you to create more intricate designs on your pottery. Or, if you’re a jewellery maker, exploring the world of textile design might inspire you to incorporate fabrics into your pieces. The possibilities are endless. Expanding your knowledge base often leads to new combinations of ideas, making it easier to innovate and stay ahead of trends.

Besides, new tech tools can also be a game-changer. While they can’t replace human creativity, tools like digital sketching apps or software that helps you simulate designs can speed up the process and give you more time to create. By staying up-to-date with the latest tech, you can find more efficient ways to work without losing your creative touch.

2. Collaborate with others

Creativity thrives on collaboration. Joining or forming a group with other artists or crafters allows you to share ideas, receive feedback, and exchange techniques. The energy of working alongside others, whether in person or virtually, can stimulate new ways of thinking. Plus, you get the bonus of expanding your network and meeting like-minded creatives who can inspire and support you. Most crafters would agree that attending craft fairs is an inspiration, as seeing other people’s creative ideas on display is so refreshing.

If you have children, spending time with them can also be a powerful creative boost. Children have a fresh, unfiltered perspective of the world and aren’t bound by the rules and “shoulds” that often limit adult thinking. You’ll be surprised by the unexpected ideas they come up with—ideas that could inspire your next masterpiece! Their natural sense of wonder can remind you to stay curious and keep your mind open to all possibilities.

Don’t limit yourself to just other artists, either. Collaborating with people outside your field, like musicians, writers or chefs can bring new perspectives that you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.

3. Listen to uplifting music

Music is a powerful tool for creativity. According to Time Magazine, certain kinds of music, especially upbeat or classical tunes, have been shown to activate areas of the brain responsible for divergent thinking, which is the key to coming up with innovative solutions. A study in PLOS ONE, stated that listening to “happy” music—typically defined as uplifting classical music—can help you think outside the box, make unexpected connections, and generate new ideas.

4. Change Your Environment

Sometimes, your surroundings can limit your creativity. Sitting in the same space day after day can lead to a creative rut, so try shaking things up by changing your environment. You don’t need to go on the holiday of a lifetime to feel inspired—small changes can make a huge difference.

Start by rearranging your workspace, adding new artwork to the walls, or simply bringing in some fresh plants. Even moving to a different room or working outdoors for a day can help break the monotony and give you a fresh perspective.

A change of scenery can stimulate new ideas. When your surroundings shift, your brain starts making new connections between things that were previously unrelated. This can lead to creative breakthroughs and help you see your work in a whole new light.

5. Set Limits on Your Work

Sometimes, creativity thrives when you impose constraints on yourself. While it may seem counterintuitive, setting limits can push you to think in new and innovative ways. For example, you could challenge yourself to create something using only two or three colours, or to complete a project within a short deadline. These kinds of self-imposed constraints force you to think more creatively within the boundaries you’ve set.

Brooklyn based artist, Damian Correll explained in the Behance Blog that constraints often lead him to think in ways he wouldn’t naturally consider. He limits his colour palette and prefers shorter deadlines to prevent overthinking and second-guessing himself. By relying on his gut instincts, he finds that the pressure to make decisions quickly actually helps him produce more creative work. Similarly, you can impose your limits to see how they fuel your creativity.

Make September Your Most Creative Month Yet

September is the perfect time to reset, recharge, and reinvigorate your creative spirit as well as attending the excellent craft fairs that take place at this time of year. Finding fresh ways to express yourself and increase productivity will see you breezing off to these events with your sails full! And while you are doing all this, if you need help to find one off event public liability insurance tailored to your unique requirements please do get in touch! You will not be lost in a queue of clients; whether you contact us by phone or email either Sam or Naomi will be here to answer your query and find the correct one off event public liability insurance. We look forward to hearing what works for you to get you into that creative space!

So, whether you’re creating for the joy of it or selling your work to support your household, with your one off event liability insurance in place, we hope that this September is a month to remember!

Happy creating!

Autumn will soon be here in all its glory; golden and auburn leaves spreading a rich canopy over every woodland area, berries of scarlet and black bedecking our hedgerows and forgotten wasteland areas, and squirrels ready to fill their hideaways with nuts for the long winter months ahead. There is something so wholesome and warm about autumn that makes us want to hold onto its beauty and abundance as long as we can. However, the nip in the air starts to increase, morning and evening, and as the days themselves start to get cooler, it signals a time to move on. In times gone by, these were industrious weeks where the last of the harvest was brought in, produce was bottled and preserved and houses were filled with the aroma of bubbling chutney or sweet jams. Prior to the advent of electric freezers, meat was hung, smoked and salted to provide for the family throughout the winter. In many a farmhouse kitchen a hunk of bacon was hung from the eves, the more fat the better, as this sustained the labourers through the biting, snowy winds they faced as they tended their animals. Girls and women would forage the last of the nuts and berries and all would be stored away. A careful inventory of clothes would be taken, to ensure there were hats, coats and woollens enough, and that boots were watertight for another winter.  

In our day and age, with supermarkets and twenty-four-hour internet shopping, we fortunately don’t need to prepare for winter in this way. However, might there be something good for our mental well-being in taking some steps to prepare for the colder, wetter and greyer days? This could involve learning one new skill in preserving food…making blackberry jam or perhaps foraging for sloes and turning them into sloe gin for Christmas presents. Or it might entail buying a couple of scented candles to fill your room with a soft glow and comforting fragrance at the beginning and end of each day. We will all need to check our winter wardrobes and most mothers will know the last-minute angst of searching for missing gloves or lost hats before school on that first really cold day of the year.  

For knitters and crotcheters autumn is a season of preparation as you continue to add to your stock of warm winter woollens, blankets and accessories. If this is your first winter of selling your gorgeous products, you will be thinking about how and when you will sell. Do check out previous posts about admin and marketing as ensuring your business foundations are solid will save you time, energy and possibly money in the future. Late autumn/early winter is a good time to consider selling face-to-face as there will be an increase in markets and fairs leading up to Christmas. As well as checking your stock, gathering table decor and enlisting any help you may require, you will also need to look at craft show insurance. Craft show insurance mainly comprises public and product liability insurance and most market and fair organisers will ask that you have the correct insurance in place. If this is your first time dipping your toe into this arena, craft show insurance can sound confusing. However, as a family firm who have worked within crafting insurance for several decades, we really can give you the benefit of our experience and ensure you obtain the insurance you need at a competitive cost. As a small family firm we deal directly with our customers so pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to talk you through the craft show insurance you need for your unique business. 

Knitting or crocheting has many advantages for the small craft business owner. Start-up costs are low, you do not require any special workspace (though a rocking chair and set of drawers to keep yarn, needles, hooks and buttons would be good), and it is portable, allowing you to create stock around your daily life. Building up a wonderful array of products may well come fairly naturally, but how and where to sell might be a new experience and outside of your comfort zone. You could begin by taking a look online and seeing how others market their products. If this is your first winter selling, take a look too at what fairs are happening locally in the lead-up to Christmas, decide which would best suit your product range and take the plunge by booking yourself a table!  

For example, if you have a collection of gorgeous baby woollies, you could consider a school Christmas fair or maybe a local antenatal or nursery fundraiser. Baby and children’s jumpers, cardigans and accessories will sell at a lower price bracket than adult products, so they could be a good and encouraging way to start.  

If you sell online, remember to add your environmental credentials to your website. You might want to champion British wool, its durability, warmth and comfort as well as the support each real wool garment provides to British sheep farmers. Make sure your customers know what sheep the wool you use comes from and it’s particular benefits. For example, Aran wool has been used to make jumpers for Scottish fishermen for generations and is known for its durability and warmth. Lambs wool, while more expensive, is super soft. Remind your potential buyers that sheep have been grazing our hills and vales for thousands of years and in the face of a throw-away society, offering garments and blankets made from real wool, while they will be more expensive initially, will be more durable and much warmer than their synthetic counterparts. They are a fantastic investment; maybe your gorgeous garments will be a part of a real wool revival.  

So, as the days become cooler, top up your mug of tea and continue to prepare for winter sales of warm woollens, snuggly blankets and cute hats and mittens. Your creations will not only keep their owners warm during the colder weather but will also bring many a smile on an otherwise grey day.  

Autumn is approaching. Flower borders are changing from the vibrant colours of summer to the more subtle tones of oranges, reds and mauves. Hanging baskets are looking somewhat bedraggled. The nights are closing in and there is a chill in the evening air. The days may begin with a low mist hanging over the land, but this has usually cleared by mid-morning and we often enjoy the generous warmth of a sun lower in the sky. Our hedgerows are heavy with scarlet berries and white, fluffy old man’s beard scrambles wherever it can find a hold. Juicy blackberries are found in country and city alike, and the ground underneath hazel and beech trees is strewn with nuts where squirrels are at the ready to scurry them away to their secret stores.

Warm autumn weekends beckon us outdoors. Wherever you live, why not take some time to immerse yourself in the beauty of the autumnal colours, scents and sounds? Maybe you could head to some woodland; take some containers for blackberrying, a steaming flask of tea and a sweet treat. It’s a great time to hunt for mushrooms and toadstools, although not a good idea to forage unless you are certain of what you are picking. If you do have some knowledge of what you are looking for, the variety of colours, shapes and textures of fungi is huge. Take some photos and maybe explore with a guidebook in hand. It is no wonder that fungi have provided vast inspiration for both artists and crafters alike over the years.

Some of us will be donning our walking boots and taking a ramble across the fields and down some country lanes. If you do, you will likely find dark red hawthorn berries, scarlet rosehips, cloudy black sloes and clusters of shiny black elderberries. Traditional rural remedies use many of these to make syrups and cordials to boost vitamin C levels during the winter. Sloes, together with sugar, added to gin, make a perfect Christmas gift, by which time they have all seeped together to create a deep purple sloe gin to pour into small bottles.

Autumn also holds many delights for children, such as collecting conkers from horse chestnut trees. There is something magical about finding a green, prickly seed case, gently applying pressure, and then prying it open to reveal the shiny tan-coloured conker within. They are fun to collect and although they turn darker brown with age and lose their shine, they work well in conker fights or as a decorative item around the home! Country lore says that spiders do not like the smell of conkers so you may sometimes see them placed on windowsills to deter unwanted eight-legged visitors.

There are many distinctive smells associated with autumn. If you are a chutney maker, the mouthwatering aroma of vinegar, sugar, spices and your homegrown produce will be one you look forward to. If you live in the countryside the scent of a bonfire, wafting across neighbouring gardens is a sure indication that autumn is here. If you live near a park, the sound and smell of freshly fallen leaves as you scuffle through them may bring back childhood memories of glorious leaf fights amidst peals of laughter.

The tastes of autumn are numerous. A delicious apple and blackberry crumble, a casserole simmering on the hob, a crunchy hazelnut eaten straight from its casing, a bowlful of warming pumpkin soup and a mug of spicy mulled cider are all synonymous with the season. For our forebears, autumn was an immensely busy time when they prepared their homes, gardens and store cupboards for the long winter months ahead. While we don’t need to gather and preserve in the same way nowadays, autumn often prompts us to focus on our homes. It can be a time when we look to making them snug and cosy, maybe adding some new cushions, throws, candles or crockery. It is also a time when we reassess our wardrobes, amassing hats, scarves and woolly jumpers to keep out the biting winds to come. With the multitude of colours, textures, tastes and smells to inspire your autumn ranges, and customers on the lookout for some warming extras, you will want to promote your autumn-themed products.

If you mainly sell face-to-face, it could be a good time to try out some markets before you fall headlong into the Christmas rush. This will give you time to work out what you need, how to display your products to their best advantage, and whether you may require some extra help over the next couple of months. Sales may already be starting to increase online as Christmas orders are placed, but with the autumn sunshine still lingering, don’t be shy about promoting your autumnal range. For both online and face-to-face selling, you will need to take a look at craft makers insurance. Craft makers insurance will often comprise product and public liability insurance, both of which are highly recommended if you are selling to the public. Indeed, many craft fair organisers will require that you have insurance in place. As a family firm with several decades of experience selling craft makers insurance, we’ll talk you through the best options for your unique business. We value each of our customers and love the creativity you bring to your businesses. Pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to chat with you and answer your queries.

Once you are ready to sell, you might consider packaging some of your products up into an autumn-themed gift box. Or, you could join with another crafter to create a box containing, for example, a couple of autumn decorations, a fragrant candle or wax melt and some autumn-themed bunting. Or, maybe a pamper box with candles, lip balm and a bath bomb.

Amidst all the busyness, we hope you have time to head out yourself to enjoy and be inspired by the beautiful colours, textures, scents and tastes of autumn.

Harvest is the season of mellow fruitfulness, of warm sunny days and evenings spent in storytelling around the fire. A season of rich colours, laden hedgerows and golden, stubbled fields. It’s a season of heartfelt gratitude, where rural communities traditionally flocked together to give thanks for a harvest safely gathered in, to raise church rafters with well-loved hymns and feast their eyes on the abundance of fruit, vegetables and harvest loaves which bedecked the pews and walkways.

Here in the U.K., we don’t have a set day to celebrate harvest. Depending on what crops are grown, the gathering usually begins in August and is finished by late September or early October. It is very weather-dependent and even in these days of much technology, can be held back due to inclement conditions. The harvesting season is hard work for any farmer today, but in decades past the whole community was involved. So much so, that our first universities, Oxford and Cambridge, set a long summer break in their studies to allow students to go home and help with the harvest. Once the crops, fruit, vegetables and foraged foods were gathered safely in, it was time to celebrate. This usually coincided with the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest to the autumn equinox, around 21-23 September. Many stories and paintings have been inspired by the harvest moon, and it is fun to look out for it each September. It looks bigger than normal and has an orange tinge. This is because it is nearer to the horizon than in other months, not because it is larger. When you see a beautiful harvest moon and the stars alongside it in our night sky, it feels good to be reminded that, in our seemingly increasingly unstable world, there are still some comfortingly constant things.

Most harvest celebrations take place towards the end of September or into October. In previous centuries these were often raucous affairs with an abundance of food, freely flowing ale or cider (depending on the region), folk music, dancing and a lot of celebrating. Surviving the cold, barren winter was dependent on a good harvest and the work of sowing, growing and harvesting was arduous, so celebrations were truly earned. Churches held special harvest festival services; the school children were often involved in decorating the buildings, making corn dollies to hang at the end of each pew, and the womenfolk used their creative flair to arrange flowers and produce on every windowsill, nook and cranny. A harvest loaf was often made, in the shape of a wheat sheaf. This hearkens back to the days when most of the grain harvest was done using scythes and the wheat was bound together in sheaves.

Today, many rural communities host an annual Harvest Home supper. Traditional folk music is being revived in many areas and these are great times of celebration for the whole community. Children and young people from the local school, guiding and scouting groups are often involved and again this is a steady anchor in the rural year.

The timings and customs of celebrations vary across the country, depending on the crops grown. In Kent, for example, the hop harvest provided an opportunity for families to leave London for a few weeks to “go hopping”. It was hard work and living conditions were basic, but it may have been the only time when the children were able to run freely in green space, breathe unpolluted air and enjoy the variety of farm animals. In the South West, apples were, and still are, harvested and the local cider made from the orchards added to the celebrations (and still does).

The colours, textures, smells and sheer abundance of harvest have inspired many artists, poets and crafters over the years. Monet’s “Haystacks” and VanGough’s “The Harvest” both offer us a glimpse of harvest in previous times. More recently, quilters have told the story of local harvests with their needles and textile and ceramic crafters have produced a glorious array of harvest-themed, unique and gorgeous products.

Apples and pumpkins, as well as wheat sheaves, vegetables and the bounty of the hedgerows all make for wonderful motifs on throws, cushions and blankets, cute hats for children, deliciously scented candles and stunning wood-turned decorations. If you are creating your harvest of products, you will be looking for craft insurance cover. Wherever you are selling, whether online or at markets and fairs, you will need to consider both product and public liability craft insurance cover. Most craft fair organisers will ask that you have public liability craft insurance cover, and it is well worth considering both of these for online selling too. As a family business ourselves, we know the relationship we have with our customers is foundational. We communicate with you, so if you are new to the world of selling your crafts, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will talk you through the most appropriate craft insurance cover for your unique business.

These days we are not dependent on bringing in a good harvest, and for those living within our large towns or cities, the concept of harvest may seem far away. However, there are always themes those of us living in an urban environment can glean from this ancient tradition which is still celebrated in rural areas. Maybe you could look for your nearest Harvest Home supper or Harvest festival service and make it a source of inspiration every year. Or, maybe you could take a walk in the beautiful autumn countryside and gather some berries, nuts, and leaves with which to decorate your own home and even boil up some blackberry jam to enjoy in those long winter months. Whatever you decide, we hope you will be able to celebrate the goodness and abundance of our bountiful earth in some way this autumn.

The full moon on 19th August, the eighth full moon of 2024, will also be a blue moon, (more about that in a bit) and will be visible from 20:48 BST. For anyone needing to dust off their astronomy, the moon will be full as it will be exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. It will also appear slightly larger than normal as it will be close to the closest point in its orbit to the Earth when it becomes a “Super Moon”.

There are two types of blue moons, monthly and seasonal, but neither of them is blue, just standard grey! A monthly blue moon is when there are two full moons in a calendar month. A seasonal blue moon occurs when there are four full moons in one astronomical season, instead of the usual three. When this happens, the third full moon of the four is called a seasonal blue moon and this is what we will be seeing on August 19th.

In North America, this approaching full moon is also known as “The Sturgeon Moon” as it is easier to catch Sturgeon in the Great Lakes in the summer months. So, if you happen to be near the Great Lakes on holiday, it’s the best season to see one of these monsters!

The expression “once in a blue moon” comes from the fact that blue moons are relatively rare, occurring about every two or three years, and running your own business, you may recognise the feeling of waiting for a blue moon to “catch your big fish”. Lovingly crafting your products, serving clients faithfully, posting to social media, paying taxes, taking the time to compare the market for craft insurance and, all the while, hoping for that special opportunity to arise that will see your business grow exponentially.

Although not many of us will know what waiting for a sturgeon to bite under a blue moon feels like, most will know how it feels to wait for your big break. Most of us also know that we have to learn to do whatever it takes to make our big break come sooner and bring those opportunities within our reach.

One of the best ways to create opportunities for your craft business is to present your products online in an optimal way. They have to be easy to find and presented in their best light. The good news is that, even if you are not a professional photographer, you don’t have to wait ages for the right conditions or purchase expensive equipment to get some great shots of your products! A mobile phone and a few useful tips will help you create professional-looking photos of your craft work, making your creations stand out and attract attention. Taking great photos of your craftwork using a mobile phone can significantly enhance the way your creations are perceived by potential buyers.

Here are ten handy hints to help you capture your craftwork beautifully:

1. Good Lighting:
   Use natural light whenever possible by shooting near a window or outside during the day. Avoid direct sunlight as it can create harsh shadows, whereas overcast days provide even lighting. If natural light is not available, use soft, diffused artificial lighting.
   
   
2. Clean Background:
   Use a simple, clean background with solid colours or plain textures that won’t distract attention away from your crafted items. Using a lightbox for smaller items controls the background and lighting.
   
   
3. Steady Your Shot:
   Keep your phone steady to avoid blurry photos. The best way to do this is by using a tripod or placing your phone on a stable surface. It’s also a good idea to use the timer function to reduce camera shake when you are taking a photo.
   
   
4. Focus and Exposure:
   Tap on your crafted item on your phone screen to set the focus and adjust the exposure. Also, always ensure that your main subject is sharp and well-lit.
   
   
5. Use Grid Lines:
   Enable “grid lines” in your camera settings as it will help with composition, then follow the rule of thirds to create some balanced and visually pleasing shots.
   
   
6. Avoid Zooming:
   Using digital zoom will reduce the photo quality so it’s a better idea to move closer to the subject if you need a closer shot. If you need a detailed close-up, you could use the “macro mode” if your phone has one.
   
   
7. Try Different Angles:
   Experiment with various angles to find the most flattering perspective for your crafted items. Try shooting from eye level, from the top down, and at a variety of different side angles to see which highlights your work best.
   
   
8. Edit Your Photos:
   Use photo editing apps to enhance your images. You can adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to make your photos pop and crop out any unnecessary elements to focus attention on your crafted items.
   
   
9. Use Props Wisely:
   Props can enhance your craftwork and add context but it’s a good idea to use them sparingly. Ensure they complement rather than overshadow your main subject. Always choose props that are relevant and scale-appropriate.
   
   
10. Show Details:
    Capture close-up shots to highlight the intricate details and textures of your craft.
    Take multiple photos from different distances to showcase both the overall piece and its finer points.

Rather than waiting for opportunities, why not give your online presence an overhaul with updated images of your wonderful craft?

You could also take some time out to look at your insurance and compare the market. Craft insurance has been our speciality for decades and we’ll ensure that you have the right insurance package in place for your unique needs.

Having prepared your online presence, as you spend quality time this summer at craft fairs selling your unique products, you’ll feel secure in the knowledge that you are pointing customers to an online store which looks its best and you’ve also taken the time to compare the market for craft insurance to be prepared for whatever comes your way! Basically, rather than waiting for those “once in a blue moon” opportunities, you’ve taken steps to set yourself up for success this summer!

As a craft insurance company, we try to share ideas that will help craft businesses to grow. So here’s an idea…

Why not use the same narrative formula that Hollywood uses to make blockbusting films to put together some great testimonials on your website? You can use it to showcase your lovely handmade products and tell the story of the people who are happy with them…

A great way to describe the value of your handmade products is to create a story around them that people want to read. Everyone loves to hear a story about overcoming difficulty and the reward of finding a good solution.

We have been trained by cinematographers over the years to follow the line of a story in a film, and we expect that the story will unfold familiarly. When we hear a story or a case study told in this way it meets our expectations and we feel satisfied that a problem has been solved and an objective achieved – it all feels right somehow!

The Hollywood Story Arc

The most familiar pattern for storytelling used in films is the Hollywood story arc and it looks something like this:

1. The characters are introduced
2. They have a goal they want to reach
3. The adversary is the problem or obstacle they face
4. The plan is how they are trying to get around the obstacle
5. They experience various attempts and failures
6. They regroup
7. They make a new plan with the same goal in mind
8. They fulfil their goal and experience victory!

This method can also be used to frame case studies on your website. Use each step to create a questionnaire to give your customers as a feedback form then use the answers to craft a couple of great testimonials/case studies. Each testimonial will then follow the Hollywood story arc by including the right elements. Your feedback form could look something like this.

1. Name
2. Product purchased? (We’ll call it ‘x’.)
3. What are you looking for when you buy ‘x’?
4. Where do you normally go to find ‘x’?
5. Have you had any difficulties finding ‘x’ in the past?
6. How did you hear about us?
7. What do you like most about our ‘x’?
8. What mark out of ten would you give to our ‘x’? Why?

Testimonials/case studies written in this way can deal with objections before they even come up. Each story will show potential buyers how your products can help them to achieve their goals and allay any fears they might have about purchasing. You can even use these case studies as the script for video clips. Some happy customers may even enjoy being filmed to leave a video testimonial on your home page.

Here’s an example of a case study written according to the Hollywood story arc- it’s a bit longer than your average case study just to get the point across, but you get the general idea!

Sue, a busy, working Mum, struggles every year to make time to find Christmas presents that are meaningful, lasting, unique and memorable. She doesn’t want to get into debt every year, but her experience has often been that finding a special gift at the eleventh hour has meant paying over the odds. Christmas has started to feel a bit of a chore and one that needs to be tackled earlier each year (even in the summer sales) in order to find acceptable gifts that don’t cost the earth. Sue’s dream would be to find a shop or online outlet (different to the one that everyone else is using) where she could find an original gift for each family member and friend. An even better scenario would be a discount for buying all of her presents with them.

This year, during in a conversation with a friend about the forthcoming festive season Sue opened up about how she was dreading the whole thing. Sue’s friend told her about ‘x’ website and online store.

Sue wasn’t expecting much, but after an initial perusal of the website she realised that she was onto something as she started to find beautiful handmade gifts straight away that suited the tastes and interests of her different family members and friends.

This year, Christmas has been a very different experience for Sue. The gifts were easy to find all in one place and easy to purchase with a discount for the number of items she bought together. Sue was then free to spend more time enjoying the season with her loved ones without the worry of presents yet to be bought lurking in the back of her mind. What’s more, when Christmas arrived, the quality and beautiful craftsmanship of the items received universal and rapturous approval from the family. Sue was inspired by the way that one conversation can completely change an entire season and she started to share her experience with her friends. Now, Sue cannot recommend a handmade Christmas enough.

Another great thing about a well-written case study is that you can use excerpts from it for social media. Sharing valuable content makes consumers want to follow you on social media. You could turn morsels from these case studies into social media graphics for Instagram or LinkedIn.

Sharing success stories helps you to build trust and relationships. People can learn more about your company and a case study of this nature will serve to answer frequently asked questions too. There’s nothing better than an impactful case study to show people that they can trust you to provide a quality product or service.

Our craft insurance company has seen several decades of experience of working with crafters to ensure they have the correct cover. We have had lots of happy customers over the years and we want to continue to give the best service that we can to all. If you have an enquiry or you are looking for a craft insurance company, the easiest way to find out more is simply to drop us a message or pick up the phone and either Naomi or Sam will be here to help answer your questions.

It may seem somewhat counter-intuitive to begin planning for Christmas in the middle of the summer holiday season. However, there are a number of reasons why it can in fact be good to do so. Firstly, as we discussed in a previous post, time out and about, away from the routine jobs and inspired by new places, spectacular scenery or gentle countryside, can be a great springboard for fresh creativity and also provide some headspace to begin thinking forward to Christmas stock. Secondly, the Christmas buying season, as we all know, begins well before December and being organised will maximise sales. Thirdly, as you juggle a business with home and personal life, a little advanced organisation will help you to approach the holiday season with less panic and more excited expectation, less exhaustion and more joy. So, while we hope you are taking a well-earned break and enjoying some summer beauty, good food and stimulating culture and history, we hope this blog post will give you some ideas to mull over for when you get back to work. We have put together a list of suggestions to help you in your Christmas planning. Some will be relevant and some not; take what is useful to you and use it as a prompt to build a planning framework for your unique business.

Start by taking a look at last year’s Christmas sales. When were the peaks, when did the sales begin, if you sell online can you learn anything from promotions, postage practicalities or customer feedback?

Have a think about your customers. Has anything changed since last year? Have you enlarged the scope of your customer base ie. reaching out to teens as well as children? How has the current economic climate affected your target audience?

Once you have completed a thorough overview, it is time to create your own Christmas crafting calendar. You could include dates by which you would like to have certain stock completed, dates by which you aim to have Christmas stock uploaded on your website, dates for sending out emails to your customer base, dates for markets and fairs, and don’t forget to book a date for a Christmas work celebration!

Christmas is an excellent time to sell at fairs and markets so take a look at what is around and book yourself in. You could also start thinking about any attention-grabbing displays or offers which will make your stall stand out for the others. If you will need help for the day, it might be advisable to find someone soon as we all get so busy in the lead-up to Christmas.

With craft fairs in mind, it is good to ensure you have the correct insurance in place. This will depend on how and what you sell. To illustrate this, we will take jewellery as an example. Your first question might be “What are the legal requirements of selling jewellery UK?” There are no legal requirements for selling jewellery or any other hand-crafted item at fairs, but many organisers will ask for it. You may sell online or have other retailers sell your stock and wonder “What are the legal requirements of selling jewellery UK?”. Again the answer is that there are none, but that we strongly advise that you have both product and public liability in place if you are selling in any way to the public. While you will put everything in place to avoid any potential problems, the whole purpose of insurance is that it covers you for the unexpected, for those situations you cannot possibly foresee. As a small family business, we place high value on our own customer relationships and communicate directly with each of you. So, as you start the countdown to Christmas, drop us a line or pick up the phone and either Naomi or Sam will be here to answer your questions about insurance, including “What are the legal requirements of selling jewellery UK?” and enable you to get this one ticked off your “to do” list.

Once some of these structural foundations are in place, you can start getting creative! What are you going to sell this year? Will you have some seasonal themes and limited edition products? What message are you wanting to portray? For example, if you make bath products you may focus on self-care with a good conscience; if you make candles, you may have a cosy vibe; for those who create ceramic tableware, you may want to convey the homely message of families gathering round the dinner table over Christmas.

As you come up with a marketing strategy you might consider what promotions or giveaways you could offer. For example, could you include gift wrapping if the orders are in by a certain date? If you decide to do this, make sure you have the required gift wrap in plenty of time; any leftover can be used for your own wrapping, or saved until next year.

If you sell online, you could consider gift vouchers. If you are selling at fairs locally, you could think about offering workshop vouchers to be used in the New Year.

Finally, as you release your stunning and unique products into the world over Christmas, you can have the satisfaction that they will bring delight to those who receive them, they will have a longevity which their mass-produced counterparts may not and they will have been produced locally and with a care for the natural world in which we live. As well as all this, you could think about giving a donation to a charity from each sale. If you do this, make sure you put details and a link to your chosen charity on your website, and if you sell at fairs, have some handy information at the ready.

We hope this has offered you a few prompts to set you on course for some great Christmas sales. In the meantime though, make the most of and enjoy all that the great British summer has to offer!

Holidays can be a wonderful source of inspiration for our creativity; the combination of time away from the ordinary, mundane tasks of life, away from the usual frantic connectivity of our modern lives and the richness of seeing and experiencing new places all blend together to produce fertile soil for new ideas. With the advent of cheap air travel and low-cost package holidays in the 1970’s, many of us choose to leave our green and pleasant land for a summer holiday, and while this will almost certainly guarantee better weather, it can mean we have overlooked some of our own nations’s fascinating history, rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and unique regional variations.

Just let your mind wander with me for a moment over the majestic mountains and lochs of the Scottish highlands to the wild Atlantic coastline of Cornwall, from the wide skies of the Norfolk Broads to the sandy, windswept beaches of west Wales, and from grand old period homes and medieval castles oozing with history to quiet country lanes and gently flowing rivers. What a feast our nation offers with an infinite number of opportunities to explore, admire, learn and be inspired. The huge geographical variety within one small island is quite remarkable and it is little wonder that this abundance has inspired so many artists, writers and composers over the centuries.

In the nineteenth century, John Constable, for example, took inspiration from the tranquil landscape of his native Suffolk, producing the picturesque pastoral scenes familiar to so many. A couple of decades later, JW Turner’s paintings combined this traditional landscape of England with the rapidly changing scenery introduced by the Industrial Revolution, giving us a unique insight into how these changes were perceived by the population. For example, his “Fighting Temeraire” depicts an old sailing galleon being towed up the Thames for scrap by a new, steam-powered tug. His stunning sunsets alongside the then new steam trains are now iconic and can be contrasted with the quietness and slowness of pace depicted in Constable’s paintings just a few decades earlier.

Staying with the theme of the Industrial Revolution, we can trace the growth of the Staffordshire Potteries from the early eighteen hundreds right through to the mid-twentieth century. The regional availability of clay, coal and other natural minerals led to the building of hundreds of fairly small factories and kilns producing ceramics which have become synonymous with the area, such as Spode and Wedgewood, and have made their way into homes across our own nation and beyond. Today a visit to the heritage ceramic factories to learn their history is a truly inspiring experience for potters or anyone interested in the craft.

On a much smaller scale, the peaceful wetlands of the Somerset Levels have delivered a plentiful supply of willow for weaving into baskets, trugs and hampers for centuries. Traditional techniques combined with innovative modern design, inspired by the serene natural beauty of the area have ensured this ancient craft continues to thrive.

A little further north, the gently rolling hills and butter colour cottages of the Cotswolds provided the backdrop to the Arts and Crafts movement. Influenced by his Cotswold country retreat, William Morris and his friends began a movement in home decor based on traditional craftsmanship and inspired by nature. The Cotswolds remain a much sought-after, if increasingly pricey, holiday destination with their quaint villages and snug pubs and cafes.

Travelling the spectacular western coast of the the Scottish islands and highlands is guaranteed to be a memorable holiday as vista after vista open up of wild, often untamed landscape, looming mountains and windswept fishing villages. For knitters, these hold a special interest as it was in these very communities that the tradition of Scottish knitting patterns for jumpers originated. The Fairisle and the Sanquhar are both patterns which continue to be used as a springboard for designs with a modern twist. Journeying around this area it is easy to see how the original “gansey” jumper was created out of a need to keep the fishermen warm and how the many subsequent patterns were inspired by the tones and hues of the surrounding seascape, moorland and mountains.

A holiday in Wales will guarantee a rich helping of culture and history, an abundance of green hills and quite possibly a few showers of life-giving rain. Dotted over these hills are a plentiful supply of sheep, so it is no surprise that Wales produces woollen garments which are sold all around the world. Traditional techniques can still be seen in a heritage mill where it is possible to watch the weavers at work, making these unique blankets, throws and bags. Or, why not visit the National Wool Museum where you can chart the journey of fleece to fabric?

Having had some time away and been re-inspired by all you have imbibed, you will be busy creating new stock, maybe looking towards Christmas sales. There are many markets and fairs at this time of year, and if this is your first time selling face to face you will need to consider one-off event public liability insurance. If you are planning on selling throughout the year, then you will need cover for the whole twelve months, but if you are just planning on a few events, then one-off event public liability insurance may be the most economical option. Either way, as a family business we value and talk directly with our customers and will do our very best to ensure you get the best deal for your business. So pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Naomi or Sam will be here to guide you through which insurance is best for you; one-off event public liability insurance or annual cover.

In the meantime, we hope you are able to take some time out to visit one of the many unique regions of our nation where natural beauty and fascinating history collide to inspire creativity.

There can be few things which, throughout history, have captured the essence of summer as much as the archetypal English country garden. Music has been composed, paintings created and both poetry and prose written, all inspired by this rural idyllic. We will all have a unique image spring to mind when we think of an English country garden. For some of us, it will be a formal garden, with sweeping lawns overlooking wide open spaces of wheat-filled fields, beautifully planted wide herbaceous borders guaranteeing a feast for the eyes, spacious paths leading to carefully planned vistas and quiet benches overlooking pools or fountains. For others of us, it may be the jolly scramble of a cottage garden, where blowsy flowers compete with an array of vegetables, hens peck around under an apple tree and sweetly fragranced roses tumble over the doorway of a thatched cottage.

However we perceive an English country garden, flowers will be central; early in the year, this will be tiny snowdrops poking their white heads up in the depths of winter to herald the coming of spring, followed by cheery yellow daffodils and then by bright red tulips standing tall as soldiers. As spring gives way to summer, bold pink magnolias burst forth, bluebells sway daintily in the warming breezes and daisies run wild and wonderfully uninvited over our lawns. Summer brings the greatest display of floral abundance as annuals such as blue cornflowers appear, competing with lavishly trailing red and yellow nasturtiums. Bold perennials such as geraniums and phlox make themselves at home in our borders and hollyhocks and delphiniums tower over them all. Roses in all their abundance and glory reign in our summer gardens, with their sweet fragrances and delicate petals of all colours and sizes. The variety and beauty of flowers are truly breathtaking so it is little wonder they have inspired so many artists from all walks of life over the years.

Current crafters are no exception and summer sees a proliferation of handmade gifts with a floral theme. Maybe you work with textiles and create beautiful and colourful knitted or crocheted flowers which are used to embellish bags, garments or blankets. Maybe you work with needle felting and create stunning pictures encapsulating the essence of an English country garden in full bloom. Or you might embroider pictures of a summer flower border with the intricate detail your skill allows. With an increase in interest in learning crafting skills, home kits can also be a great option to add to your stock. If you sell online, needle felting and embroidery kits are popular, as well as folded origami kits to make flower-themed decorations. These all make thoughtful gifts, offering both a stunning end product and also the satisfaction of learning a new skill.

In an age of quick-fire texts and messages, the art of letter writing has seen a decline. However, it seems we are missing this form of communication and it is slowly seeing a resurgence as we realise the value of “snail mail”. We all love to receive a card, with a personal message inside and it’s even better if the picture is a gorgeous floral illustration which can be popped in a frame and enjoyed for years to come.

With the summer wedding season in full swing, flowers will take centre stage in the decoration schemes of many venues. However, weddings at other times of year need not miss out, with dried flowers making unique and environmentally kind wedding favours, stunning botanically inspired bunting bringing a touch of outdoors inside and floral table runners and napkins to bring beauty and colour to each table.

With all this abundance of creativity, you will need to find an outlet to sell your amazing stock. This could be online, at craft fairs and markets, or other local events. All of these will involve some financial layout, as well as a consideration of product liability insurance costs. When you are weighing up product liability insurance costs, keep in mind that this kind of insurance covers you for any complaint a member of the public may make about one of your products and will cover your legal defence costs. While these situations are not a regular occurrence in your crafting business and you will do all you reasonably can to avoid them, it is exactly the unpredictable nature of complaints for which we have insurance in place. We call it “sleep easy” insurance; you know you are covered, so you can dismiss any concerns from your mind and focus on the important matters of creating your stock and building your business.

As a family business ourselves we place a high value on our customers and work hard to ensure they get the best deal possible, both financially and with the service we give. We are sure that as you compare product liability insurance costs you will find our quotes very competitive. In addition, we are always at hand to talk with you; either drop us a line or pick up the phone and either Naomi or Sam will be here to chat. We look forward to talking with you and hearing about your business.

With all the activity that summer brings, we hope you find time to be inspired by the floral abundance of the season. Pick any wayside flower, a daisy or buttercup will do, and take a few moments to study the intricacy of its design and beauty. Maybe too, you can pack up a flask and a picnic and head out for the day to a garden open to the public. Allow your eyes to feast on the colours and variety of the floral displays and let the beauty of nature calm your busy souls.