Category: Tips for Crafters

This month of July (for both the UK and the US) is a celebration of a cherished body of people who contribute so much to the economy and to their local communities – it’s Independent Retailers Month. As providers of craft business and artist insurance we understand the vital role that independent retailers play when it comes to creating jobs and adding to the richness and diversity of our communities.

Independent retailers contribute so much to the unique character and cultural fabric of our communities, giving us shopping destinations that reflect our local tastes and traditions. Our independent retail outlets are in fact deeply rooted in community as they offer us a more unique selection of products, often sourced from other local suppliers. As well as this, they often participate in local events and support local causes, which in itself fosters a sense of community and loyalty.

Independent retailers embody the entrepreneurial spirit, founded and run by passionate individuals who bring their unique visions and dedication to their businesses. How dull our lives would be without these brave individuals who bring their creative genius to brighten and enrich our marketplace!

Independents account for something in the order of 65% of the approximately 290,000 retail outlets in the UK and there are fundamental reasons why they are described as being “the heart of the community”. One is that the money that is spent locally tends to stay in the local economy, supporting local jobs and businesses, leading to a stronger, more vibrant community. A US study showed that each dollar spent at an independent business returned three times more money to the local economy than a dollar spent at a national chain and that whereas big businesses had a tendency to eliminate jobs, small businesses had a tendency to create jobs.

https://www.indieretailermonth.com/statistics

With retail spending under pressure, never have independent retailers needed our support more. It’s time to return the favour, as it were, for the aspect of community that independent retailers have created. It’s worth noting that the mere existence of independent retail outlets leads to personal relationships that enrich our lives. These relationships, built between independent retailers and customers deserve the loyalty that they generate. That high level of personalised service they provide, taking the time to get to know customers and catering to their specific needs is worth celebrating and that’s what this month is all about!

It’s not been an easy period to stick it out as an indie retailer either, what with the restrictions of the pandemic, the difficulties of lockdown and increases in energy bills, all in addition to the normal overheads of paying tax and craft business or artist insurance. It’s time to recognise and celebrate their stickability with our repeat custom and frequent word-of-mouth referrals.

Independent Retailer Month kicks off with Independents’ Day UK which usually happens around July 4th and this year is stretched across a full weekend, on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July. Independent’s Day UK have appealed via their website for the support of the general public…

How can retailers get involved?

Independent retailers can use Independent’s Day UK to promote their own businesses online and in their own communities by:

• Following and engaging with the campaign across social media platforms. 
• Sharing news of the campaign taking place with fellow retailers and customers.
• Downloading the Independents’ Day UK logo and sharing it on your website, on your own social platforms and in your shop windows to show that you are taking part.
• Getting in touch with Independents Day UK (https://www.independentsdayuk.org/get-involved) so that they can tell your story.
• Doing something special for the Independents’ Day weekend, like a unique offer/promotion, product launch or event with another local business to bring people into your shop (particularly those who may not have visited before)

How can shoppers get involved?

• As a shopper, you can show love for the independent retailers you value most both in your local communities and online by:
• Following and engaging with the campaign across social media platforms. 
• Sharing the campaign with your family and friends.
• Give a shout-out on social media to the independent retailers you love and value most and tag Independent’s Day UK in any post using the hashtag #ukindieday.
• Ask the independent retailers you visit or know if they are involved with Independents’ Day UK – if not, why not direct them to our website
• Make a list of one or two independent retailers that you’ve never visited before, or even local favourites you’re familiar with and pledge to spend some money with them on Independents’ Day weekend – your visit will make a world of difference.

We all want diversity in our high streets and the distinct character and service that independent retailers give to our towns. It would be a very sad state of affairs if the individualistic vibrancy and quirkiness of our independent retail outlets, both in our towns and online, were forever lost to the same lineup of chain stores.

As providers of craft businesses and artist insurance, we stand with our independent retailers and we look forward to brighter days together. Please do get in touch with us if you are looking to sell your handcrafted items in an independent retail outlet as we have had several decades of experience of working with crafters to ensure they have the correct cover. The easiest way to find out more about craft business insurance 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.

Crafting skills and techniques have been passed down from one generation to the next, since the days when you didn’t even need workshop insurance! Each generation has drawn on its predecessor, from the artisans of ancient times, to the guilds of the medieval period and the creative explosion of the Renaissance. This aspect of passing on skills in the crafting community continued despite the Industrial Revolution when machines began to take over from crafting processes and mass production reduced the overall demand for handcrafted items.

In the 20th century, crafting began incorporating new materials and technologies, such as plastics and computer-aided design (CAD). Then the arrival of the internet and digital tools in the 21st century heralded a crafting comeback with online platforms enabling crafters to share skills and techniques more than ever before.

Now, with accessible tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, the possibilities for modern craftspeople have extended yet further. Not only is it possible to engage with online communities to source ideas, troubleshoot issues, and get feedback on designs, but you can also take advantage of opportunities for collaborative 3D projects with open-source designs (there is a vast library of them).

For members of the modern-day crafting community, 3D printers offer a wealth of possibilities. They can be used to produce specialised objects at home, or in your workshop, and you don’t even have to design them yourself if you don’t want to!

If you are interested in the world of 3D printing, read on, we have provided here a brief exploration of the benefits of owning a 3D printer and an insight into some of the skills and techniques you can use to broaden your crafting capacity. As an aside, if you decide to invest in a more expensive 3D printer and need to discuss your workshop insurance as a result, please do give us a call.

3D Printers

A 3D printer is a device that produces three-dimensional objects using a digital modelling file. These printers create the desired object by squeezing different materials such as plastic, metal, resin, and ceramics layer by layer. If you are interested in having a go and buying a 3D printer for yourself…

• Make sure to choose a printer that is big enough to produce objects of the size you want.
• Be aware that the resolution of the printer determines the level of detail of the printed objects.
• Different 3D printers can work with different materials, so you need to choose a printer that is suitable for the material you plan to use.
• To help the design process, the printer must have software that is easy to use.

A 3D printer can be purchased from anything under £100 to over £10,000.
Take a look here.

Here are a few ideas for 3D printing that we’d like to pass on to you in good old crafting fashion:

1. Custom Tools and Moulds:

You can design and print custom tools, such as knitting aids, sculpting tools, or specialised cutters using your 3D printer. It can also be used to create moulds for soap making, candle making, resin casting, and chocolate moulds.

2. Prototyping and Design Testing:

Before committing to a final product, you can print prototypes to test your design concepts. This kind of rapid “prototyping” allows you to make adjustments and improvements.

3. Bespoke Components and Parts:

You can print replacement parts for tools or machines which can extend the life of your equipment and at the same time, reduce waste. Whether it’s hinges, clasps or handles, they can all be designed and printed to fit.

4. Personalised Creations:

Your 3D printer can create intricate, personalised jewellery that would be difficult or time-consuming to make by hand, as well as other bespoke items such as nameplates, ornaments or keychains.

5. Complex Structures and Geometries:

Highly detailed and complex structures that would be challenging to create using traditional crafting techniques can be achieved much more easily with a 3D printer, anything from architectural models to intricate miniatures for games. 3D artists can produce sculptures with complex internal structures and very fine details.

6. Material Experimentation:

You can use your 3D printer to experiment with filaments that mimic wood, metal, or other materials and these can also be combined with traditional crafting materials (e.g., incorporating printed parts into textiles, woodwork, or ceramics).

7. Batch Production:

Small batches of items can be produced efficiently, such as a stock range for your online store or components for larger projects. 3D printing allows you to ensure that multiple pieces of a project are identical in size and shape, which is particularly useful for items that need to fit together.

8. Enhanced Precision and Detail:

With your 3D printer, you can achieve the kind of precision and fine details that are difficult (or extremely time-consuming) to replicate by hand. Furthermore, it’s easy to scale designs up or down to create different-sized versions of a product without losing detail.

9. Designs are available online

3D printer owners do not need to know how to create 3D models using a computer modelling program to 3D print. There are websites online that provide access to thousands of 3D models created by other 3D printer owners which are easy to download and print! Have a look at Thingiverse.

Crafting skills and techniques have indeed come a long way from manual or guild-controlled production, and now, with 3D printing, there is a fusion of home or workshop-based crafting and digital processes.

With 3D printing it’s also refreshing to see that, notwithstanding all the modern technology, crafters still adhere to the traditional practice of sharing skills and techniques with each other, albeit online, fostering a diverse and vibrant global community of makers.

The world of 3D print is certainly an exciting, experimental and community-oriented environment to step into! With relevant insurance in place, such as workshop insurance, a 3D printer and an internet connection, this world truly is your oyster!

Creative people can struggle when working under pressure to hard deadlines. That’s when creativity becomes stifled and we stop dreaming our creative dreams. 

So, what is the secret of staying in that creative space? Inspiration can come from anything, whether it’s different experiences, conversations or pastimes. That said, it can be challenging in busy times, working a full-time job as well as making craft for sale, to find the time to try new things. However, a variety of experiences will fill our minds with fresh ideas, and these can lead to our best work. 

Don’t your best ideas come when you are doing something else? Often, a change of environment is what we need, along with a change of focus! We all have our favourite ways to unwind and refuel our creative tanks after busy periods of making craft for sale. Changing focus doesn’t have to cost the earth, it can be achieved even when times are more challenging.  

Here, in order to add to your repertoire, we have put together some ideas that you may or may not have thought of! Our aim is to suggest some excuses to get out and about this summer around our beautiful country, to breathe the fresh air and get those creative juices flowing..!  

1. Take a trip back through history and visit the following UK castles for free! 

• Alnwick Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in England. Its construction was ordered by William II (Rufus), who was King of England from 1087-1100 and his descendants (the Percy’s) are still living there today!  

• Harlech Castle was built by English kings in the early 15th century, as a stronghold to control Wales, it is perched on a dramatic rocky outcrop, with spectacular views over Tremadog Bay.  

• Kilchurn Castle is the oldest castle in Scotland, built in about 1450 and has been passed down through four generations of the Campbell family. Thanks to its picturesque location on the edge of Loch Awe, it is the most photographed castle in Scotland. 

• Eye Castle is one of the few surviving motte-and-bailey castles from the early Norman period, built shortly after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The castle site provides wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. N.b.The grounds of Eye Castle will be used for Outdoor Theatre this summer!  

2. Invigorate your senses with a dip in the surf. 

Whether you want to battle against some waves for a swim or to try surfing for the first time, you’ll come out refreshed! 

• Llangennith Beach on the very tip of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales is a three-mile strip of sand, ideal for catching any swells rising out of the west. This long beach is perfect for a day out in the water, no matter your ability. N.b. There is outdoor theatre taking place in Swansea Bay too this August! 

• Croyde, Devon Croyde Beach in Devon is a three-quarter-mile ribbon of white to which every year, many surfers flock, hoping to catch one of the famous barrel waves. This is a great spot for beginners to enjoy a day in the water. 

• The Wave off junction 17 of the M5 motorway in Easter Compton, Bristol, BS35 5RE, is a place where people can learn to surf on consistent waves all year round in a controlled environment.  

3. Get lost in nature 

They say that the best things in life are free and this is certainly true of the natural beauty with which we are surrounded. Taking time out to appreciate the wonder of the plant and animal kingdom, whether it’s in your own garden, a public park or further afield, is an absolute must for creatives. In the UK we are blessed with such an extensive and well organised network of public footpaths and cycle paths that it’s a shame not to go and use them!   

Who said lying on grass, looking up at a summer sky and letting your thoughts flow was a waste of time? Not in our book! It encourages creativity by keeping your brain engaged in a way that’s not demanding. It’s a perfect way to allow new ideas to percolate and you’ll come home freshly inspired to create more craft for sale! 

4. Let your imagination take flight! 

Speaking of the sky, birds have been providing us with inspiration since time immemorial. For a closer encounter with the avian kingdom, why not try a visit to one of the ten wetland sites around our UK coastland? For a modest amount each month you can become a member of the WWT (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) and experience countless species of wetland wildlife close up, not just in summer either but all year round. In the sheer variety of colours, shapes and movement and in the beauty of birds in flight you’ll see things that you’ve never seen before.  

WWT sites are located in Arundel, Caerlaverlock, Castle Espie, Llanelli, London, Martin Mere, Slimbridge, Washington, Welney and Steart Marshes. 

5. Focus on the future. 

As summer hits our shores, why not spend some time with the people you love, engaging in blue sky thinking? Having a clear vision of what we want in life is the fastest way to get there. Without knowing what we want, how can we possibly have it? Rather than protecting ourselves from potential disappointment by not dreaming, if we keep our expectations realistic, we have the power to make things happen!  

Time spent with our nearest and dearest doing things that we all enjoy is fuel to our souls, so why not set some time aside (outside or inside) to create a vision board for yourselves to include all the things that you’d like to do together. What things would you do together if you had the time? Well, once you have written them down or presented them in a format that everyone can see/read and stuck it on the fridge, you are half way to seeing those things come to pass! Every day you’ll all be reminded of the things you really want to do together and you’ll be much more likely to make the time to go and do them! It’s guaranteed that most people want to go and try something new, so why not make a vision board to remind you to make a plan and make it happen!  

For our part, we are inspired daily by all of our incredibly talented customers. That’s why we are committed to giving the best value craft insurance packages tailored to the unique requirements of each person creating craft for sale. Please get in touch, either by phone or email if you need insurance for your craft business and we’d be delighted to help you.  

The flights and accommodation were booked a few months ago as the biting winter winds and icy rain assaulted us whenever we stepped outdoors, passports have been checked and are in date and finally, the holiday countdown begins. You can almost feel the warm sand slipping between your toes as you walk barefooted along the beach, the light winds causing your sarong skirt to flap against your sun-tanned legs and the cool of the sea as you gently dip your toes into the lapping waters. In your mind’s eye, you can see the vivid pink of the bougainvillea sprawled over white-washed walls all under a sky with a depth of blue not to be found on our shores. You shake yourself out of your daydream; it’s time to get practical and to write your holiday packing list.

Holidays are a highlight of our year. We all need to rest, and getting away from our homes, work, emails and daily chores allows us to do this. Not all of us will be heading overseas. Some will be returning to a much-loved caravan parked on an idyllic spot of our beautiful British coastline, some may be negotiating the seemingly Herculean task of stuffing tents, camping gear and children into the car, some may be travelling light with hiking tents only and making for the mountain ranges of our national parks. Wherever we are going, we will need to pack clothing and other essentials for our trip. Holidays are special times; months of saving and planning precede them and excitement rises as they draw near. Adding some exquisitely handmade items to the holiday luggage will add a sense of luxury whether your destination is a family tent in the British Isles or a hotel on the Mediterranean. So, what will be on your holiday essentials list and can some of these be hand-crafted rather than mass-produced?

For those travelling overseas a travel wallet is essential. While there will be many factory-made ones on the market, a personalised one, maybe with the holder’s name or names of the whole family, will produce a smile even in those long airport queues.

Everybody will need toiletries, even those with the most streamlined of backpacks! Shampoo, soap and moisturisers made from natural ingredients which are both kind to the skin and the environment will add a sense of pampering to the holiday. Handmade shampoo bars can also be very useful for travelling as they last longer and avoid the risk of leakages.

For those heading for sunny shores, a beach bag is a must; something voluminous yet chique, able to hold towels, swimwear, books, sunscreen, water and anything else thrown in last minute, all with stylish elegance. This is an opportunity for uniquely designed and hand-crafted bags to shine!

With the beach still in mind, a light, washable, floaty wrap skirt to be worn over swimwear will be high on the list of clothes to pack. For those staying in more temperate climes, a stack of tees will be needed. For campers without easy washing facilities, an extra few for the children may well be required to see them through the holiday. If you live in a holiday destination within the UK you might like to consider making some T-shirts with a logo unique to your area; although necessity might initially drive the purchase of a new garment, the final choice may be decided upon by a design which is unique to the area.

Whatever the destination, a hat of some sort will be required, whether that be a floppy beach hat, a bucket hat or a cap. Hats brought for a holiday will also bring back memories of that time. One which is high quality, stylish and long-lasting will be a memento as well as a useful article of clothing.

At the end of a day on the beach, having showered and applied some handmade enriching moisturising lotion, it will be time to dress up and head out into a balmy evening for dinner. Jewellery and perfume will both add to the sense of occasion. We have some very talented perfumers and jewellery makers here at Craft Insurance and the summer holiday market is one into which you may like to dip your toes.

Whether you make perfumes, jewellery or another crafted item we have mentioned, you will need to look for a craft insurance company before you begin selling in earnest. There are many of these to choose from, but what makes our craft insurance company stand out from the crowd is that we, like you, are a small family business. As such we know and value each of our incredibly talented customers and are committed to giving you the best value insurance package tailored to your unique requirements. 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. So, if you are looking for a craft insurance company, why not get in touch? We look forward to hearing about your amazing business and the plans you have for it.

One final suggestion for a fun, hand-crafted holiday item, one which will certainly evoke memories; why not create a sand jar? This only needs to be small, giving just enough space for a tiny amount of holiday sand to be taken home. When those cold, dark evenings draw in again, holiday photos can be brought out, maybe a meal inspired by the local cuisine can be prepared and the few grains of sand can be poured into the palm of your upturned hand. A holiday can be remembered; the warm sun, the vivid colours, the dazzling sea and most of all precious memories made with those most special to you.

With ever-increasing numbers of users shopping on mobile devices, getting started with selling craft online is more important (and more straightforward) than ever before. If you’ve never tried it, then it is not too late to start. Why not use this short guide to throw yourself into it today and make up for lost time!

The first thing you need to do is be aware of which platforms and tools would work best for you in order to simplify the process. Here are some of the easiest and most popular ways to start selling craft online:

1. E-commerce Marketplaces

Often a starting point for online sellers, these platforms take away the complexity of having to maintain and market your own website or organise taking payments.

• Amazon is used by both new and experienced sellers alike and it has a vast customer base. There are a number of different methods for selling on Amazon, you can start with individual listings or open a professional seller account.
• eBay: Many people start their online sales journey with eBay. It’s great for auction-style listings and fixed-price sales, catering to a diverse audience. After you’ve gone over your free amount you have to pay fees which, on average, amount to between 10% and 15.55% of the final selling price.
• Etsy: The crafter’s choice, it’s user-friendly and it’s perfect for handmade, vintage, and unique items giving you access to thousands of customers. Drawbacks of using Etsy are the number of different fees that the platform takes and that sellers must comply with strict policies to avoid shop closures.

If you choose to use an ecommerce marketplace it is a wise approach to calculate what your fees would be for each and how much of your profit margin the fees would eat up. Then you can work out which price point to choose for your goods.

2. E-commerce Platforms

These platforms allow you to create your own online store without needing extensive technical knowledge. You won’t have to pay fees as you do with a marketplace but there will be a subscription fee to pay every month/annually. Calculating the cost of using an e-commerce platform is thus more straightforward.

• Shopify: A comprehensive solution with customisable templates, secure payment processing, and robust customer support. It’s known to be easy to use. A downside of Shopify is the pricing structure – for analytics features you have to pay more.
• Wix: Offers drag-and-drop website building with e-commerce functionalities, making it accessible for beginners. Creating and customising your own website could not be simpler. The main downside to Wix is that if you ever want to leave the platform you can’t take your website with you – you’ll have to rebuild from scratch.
• Squarespace: Known for its elegant design templates and easy-to-use interface, suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Squarespace’s downside is that third-party integrations and tools (known as plugins) are limited.

3. Social Media Selling

You can utilise social media platforms to reach customers directly with the advantage of not having to pay any fees for listing products or transactions.

• Facebook Marketplace: Allows you to list items for sale in your local area or to a broader audience if shipping options are enabled. It’s very, very easy to use, so ideal for digital refusers or sellers of large items (such as sculptures) but will entail meeting with a stranger to exchange merchandise.
• Instagram Shopping: Instagram is a highly visual platform that allows you to showcase products from multiple angles – great for artists, content creators and designers. Integrates with your e-commerce store and allows you to tag products in your posts, making it easy for followers to purchase directly by redirecting them to your website or another external link to complete payments.
• Pinterest: With Buyable Pins, users can purchase products directly from Pinterest posts. The great thing with Pinterest is that you can get started for free, see if it has a benefit for your brand, and move away from it without much of a financial investment if things don’t take off for you.

4 Shopping apps

Unfortunately, shopping apps that handcrafters were able to use, such as Poshmark and Mercari, are no longer available in the UK, although they are still going in other countries. Both were free selling platforms that let you sell just about anything, including handcrafted items, allowing you to run an online shop for free. On top of that, Mercari eliminated the need for in-person meet-ups by offering shipping or local delivery instead.

!! Perhaps there is a gap in the market here for UK app builders to provide a free space for selling craft online!!

However, you choose to sell online, make sure that you use relevant keywords to optimise your listings, attractive images, and comprehensive descriptions to make your listings stand out. Also, it’s important to treat your customers as well as you would if you were meeting them in person. Providing excellent customer service encourages positive reviews and repeat business. Finally, learning how to use analytics will help you to understand what’s working and what isn’t, and then you can improve your strategies.

Please drop us a line if you need help to get started with your craft insurance for online sales, we’d be delighted to assist.

Changes in our circumstances can bring about some of the most wonderful opportunities in our lives. This was the case with Akua Wood, the founder of the Shea Butter Cottage company who we are proud to name among our clients at Ian Wallace Craft Insurance. Shea Butter Cottage is an organisation that devotes itself to ensuring that its products are ethically sourced and created to strict, environmentally safe practices. For Akua and her company, whilst profit is an important consideration, it should never take precedence over the main aims of the organisation’s stated philanthropic work. Shea Butter Cottage’s way of approaching business is dictated by a set of firmly held ethical beliefs which Akua has held from the very origins of Shea Butter Cottage and were what originally drove her to undertake it.

Being of Ghanaian heritage, Britain’s cold and wet winters were a shock to Akua Wood, who first came here in 2002. Before coming to the UK, Akua spent a year studying in Italy, where the climate is milder and more welcoming. However, on arrival in the UK, Akua found the moisturiser she had brought with her was inadequate when it came to dealing with the harsh winters.

Akua wasn’t satisfied with any of the products that were available on the market at the time and did not feel that women were being given the protection they needed. She was also unsatisfied with how the skin care was being produced and tested. Convinced there was a better way, Akua first created Cioccolatina, a toiletry brand, in the late autumn of 2002 to address the need for natural skin care products on the market and start to address the lack of ethical practice in creating these kinds of products. Using her knowledge, she began to craft moisturisers that contained one of the most used in Ghana, the famous shea butter.

Shea butter is a natural ingredient and an excellent moisturising agent as well, so when Akua Wood founded the Shea Butter Cottage company in 2004, it was a natural decision to use this as the main ingredient. Time proved her decision to be a wise one, as the company would go on to win many awards for its products.

Apart from Shea Butter Cottage’s products’ excellent properties, perhaps the most interesting facets of the company are the ethics at the core of the company’s operational model. Akua was determined, and still is, that the Shea Butter Cottage company should remain steadfast in its ethical beliefs. All the materials are sourced and produced environmentally and ethically, and not only that, the company ensures that the producers of the ingredients are paid fairly for the raw materials they farm. The view is that everyone should share in the company’s success regardless of where they sit in it and the farmers who supply them are all part of community projects. That’s just a brief overview of the central ethics, but to understand the strength of the basis under which the company operates, a deeper dive yields some very interesting results.

Firstly, the company is sworn to only use ethically sourced products and ingredients to put in the moisturiser. Shea is the main component, and it is vitally important that this only comes from sources that do not damage the environment in which they are produced. Good ingredients should never cost the earth, and sustainability is paramount.

Secondly, these good products must also be natural. Akua was concerned about how many additives and chemicals were in regular moisturisers and was determined that this would not be the case with the products of the Shea Butter Cottage company. In addition, there would be no testing on animals at any stage of the development process.

Thirdly, Akua was determined to ensure that child labour would not be involved anywhere in the production process. Although other companies were allowing it in certain areas such as storage and packaging, Akua was set on prohibiting this practice in her company. This diligence shown by the Shea Butter Cottage company is remarkable and has become a benchmark for others.

Fourthly, Shea Butter Cottage would also have the highest standards of labelling, and this is a significant factor in its presentation. They are determined to show the whole of the ingredients to the customer so that they can make a completely informed choice.

Lastly, and above all else, the main ethical consideration driving Shea Butter Cottage is that everyone should earn a fair wage from the product and its production. This means empowerment for the men and women in Europe and Africa, where the products’ main components are grown. This kind of commitment to ethical trading supports the growth of local communities in Africa. For Akua Wood, philanthropy rather than profit is the key pillar of what Shea Butter Cottage company does. As they make abundantly clear on their website, the company exists to make poverty history.

To show how serious they are about making this their reason for existing, the Shea Butter Cottage Foundation was created to help and assist those in Ghana who need it the most. The foundation is an NGO and it’s Akua’s way of giving something back to the country that taught and gave her so much. Its primary goal is to assist autistic children in Ghana and to bring together artisan farmers under a collective so that they can work as one to produce the shea seed and the butter produced from it. The foundation represents a beacon of hope for everyone involved in the products that make up the Shea Butter Cottage range.

The approach that Akua Wood and the Shea Butter Cottage company take should be applauded. It is the ideal that we as crafters should all look to try and emulate. The idea of a business taking such a socially responsible note is one of great promise for the future, and it can only be hoped that others, including those in large industries and commercial concerns, start to follow suit. We have learnt a lot from our association with Shea Butter Cottage and are proud to have Ian Wallace Craft Insurance associated with such a fabulous company whose range of products achieves so much good.

The world of high fashion is renowned for its strategic foresight, with leading designers unveiling their collections months in advance to set trends and captivate the market. Fashion is an ever-evolving set of products and styles, and each is very different from the other. Women’s and men’s outdoor and indoor wear require meticulous planning even before a needle contacts the cloth. A fashion designer has to have lashings of vision and foresight when it comes to their upcoming collection and this proactive approach isn’t exclusive to the realm of runway shows. While this may be the most impactful and widely publicised element of fashion marketing, there are also minor shows and couture launches in larger chains and boutiques to consider.  Marketing teams, both in-house and external, use the perfect mix of vision and experience that will push their client’s looks to the forefront.

All of this is also an invaluable blueprint for craft businesses aiming to elevate their marketing tactics. Whether crafting bespoke jewellery, furniture, or artisan soaps, businesses can harness the rhythmic strategy employed by fashion houses to ensure their brand remains in the spotlight throughout the year.

Fashion designers are adept at planning and executing their collections precisely, ensuring they stay ahead of consumer trends. The process begins with anticipating trends, where fashion houses analyse upcoming style directions and materials informed by various forecasting sources. They do this by looking at the historic movements of products that have gone before and relying on what the designer feels will be the next big thing. Errors can occur, which is why you’ll need craftinsurance to cover yourself.

Following this, designers create their collections by selecting appropriate materials and defining unique styles that resonate with the forecasted trends. The marketing phase is critical, involving meticulously planned campaigns that leverage media, celebrity endorsements, and exclusive previews to generate buzz. Collections are launched well before the season starts, allowing time for the trends to permeate the market consciousness. Post-season, fashion houses reflect on their successes and areas for improvement, adjusting strategies to optimise future launches.

Although typically operating with smaller budgets, craft entrepreneurs can replicate this model by utilising accessible resources for trend forecasting. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are excellent for capturing emerging trends, while direct customer interactions through surveys or craft shows can provide deeper insights into consumer preferences. Seasonal changes also offer a rich source of inspiration, influencing the aesthetic mood and design choices for new collections. There is no reason why the crafter cannot seek to tailor their work in this way. Few crafters are in a position where they produce works that are incompatible with a seasonal period. As with the fashion industry, working a year or six months in advance with what you will make can also bring you considerable peace of mind. Such a marketing and production organisation can take the stress out of the work. Fashion houses work bi-seasonally with a Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collection feel. With the backup of craftinsurance, the crafter can focus on just Christmas lines, Easter lines and a colourful summer range moving into the warmer autumn colours. 

With a clear understanding of upcoming trends, craft businesses can begin the creative process. This involves detailed planning with mood boards to visualise concepts and scheduling production to ensure all resources are aligned for timely completion. Prototyping allows for early feedback, essential for refining products before a full-scale launch. The marketing phase is then initiated, focusing on generating excitement and anticipation. Businesses should plan their marketing activities around critical dates, using teasers and pre-launch offers to create buzz. Whether held online or in person, launch events should be memorable occasions customers eagerly anticipate. For the crafter, using smaller shows to trial and test out a series of products is one way of copying what the fashion industry does to refine and define its product base. Online also offers a brilliant approach to new ranges or even bespoke pieces that you intend to be trailblazers in the craft world. Of course, you will need craftinsurance in place to have a high degree of coverage for your products when they are out into the market. 

Strategically, releasing products ahead of the season, like a fashion show, can set a craft business apart as a trendsetter. Introducing products in phases, such as a limited edition release followed by the primary collection, can maintain customer interest and drive continuous engagement. Aligning promotions with crucial shopping periods and holidays can also maximise sales opportunities.

Finally, craft businesses should thoroughly review each season’s outcomes akin to the fashion industry’s reflective practice. Analysing which products were well-received and understanding why certain items did not perform as expected is crucial. Customer feedback is invaluable, providing insights that can be used to tweak products and marketing strategies. An ongoing commitment to improvement based on these evaluations ensures that a craft business remains dynamic, responsive and competitive in the market.

By adopting these strategic principles from the fashion industry, craft businesses can transform their approach to planning, marketing and selling their products. Embracing a forward-thinking mindset helps stay ahead of trends and engage customers year-round, ensuring the business remains vibrant and successful in a competitive market. Whilst it may seem, on the face of it, there are few similarities between how the craft industry and the fashion industry operate in terms of marketing. However, there are many things that both sides can learn from each other. The fashion industry might seem overly flamboyant to the regular crafter and their line of work, but the principles of getting the best from marketing are pretty similar. 

Nothing seems to pull our nation together like an international sporting event, and football must be top of the list for all in engagement. Even for those of us who are not avid sports fans, we can’t help but be swept up in the football fever we see, hear and feel all around us. It’s excitement on overdrive! For those who play football regularly from Sunday league through to semi-pro, those who are retired and all devoted fans, the expectation for the Euros is rising. Watching any professional sport is inspiring; the skill, character and sheer hard work of the sportsmen and women are astounding to see, and the games are exciting to follow.

Sporting events also offer opportunities to bring local communities together. This is usually informally, as friends gather in clubhouses, pubs and individual homes to watch the game together. In a world where there seems to be increasing division and polarisation, it is hope-restoring indeed to see so many individuals gathered in one room, most of whom are cheering on the same team, commiserating the losses and celebrating the wins together with one voice. Total strangers become passing friends as they ride the roller coaster of emotions during the highs and lows of the game. The local economy is boosted as food and drink are consumed and merchandise purchased to join in the general merriment.

It is also a time when, all across Europe, national fervour and pride are let loose as flags are waved, bunting is strung across our high streets and our team’s football chant is pelted out at full volume. We know that there will be a lot of focus on the upcoming Euros in June, so are there ways crafters can jump aboard and make the most of the opportunities this tournament provides? We think there are. Here are a few of our ideas.

Flags will be purchased in abundance. Most will likely be mass-produced elsewhere, but to support an English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish team, it would be great to fly a flag made in these particular countries. If yours is a textile business, this could be a great theme for a set of products. Individually produced flags and bunting which will have a longevity that mass-produced ones will not, could be a win. Make sure you advertise your ethical, local and environmental credentials as well.

It is also a time for machine embroidery to take centre stage. Shirts, shorts and hoodies will also be bought in abundance each with a unique crest. You might consider branching out into caps, bucket hats, beanies and even baby clothes, while at the lower end of the price spectrum, scarves could be a good memento.

The Euros could also be a springboard for some flag-themed workshops. While much of our population will be gathering to watch the matches, there will be others who, while enjoying the general euphoria, are not football fans and won’t be viewing the games themselves. A free crafting workshop might just fill this space, especially if the participants can return home with a product sporting their national flag, or even a flag itself to wave. (Even if you run the workshop for free you can use it as an opportunity to sell your products). Whether you set up a free workshop to tie in with the Euros, or at another time this year, be sure to advertise well. For those in your locality asking “Where is a craft workshop near me?”, their first port of call will probably be an internet search. So, it is worth ensuring that your event is advertised online so that when they type in the words “craft workshop near me” they will come straight to you.

The Euros, and indeed any international sporting event, are a great opportunity to celebrate our nations; our food, our music and of course our art and craft. We Brits tend to be rather unassuming when it comes to our own culture, yet there is so much to celebrate. For instance, each region of the U.K. has its unique food from Cornish pasties and Yorkshire puddings to Neeps and Tatties and Welsh Rarebit. Not forgetting Irish Guinness, cider from Somerset and many regional ales. Out of our shared history, some dishes have become synonymous with our nation; fish and chips and steaming mugs of tea come to mind. Amid the shock of a bombed-out street in World War II, a pot of tea was always rustled up, and seaside holidays in the Victorian era gave rise to the popularity of fish and chips today.

Any crafter knows that each region of our wonderful nation has its distinct crafting history and its products which we enjoy today; willow weaving of Somerset, ceramics of Staffordshire and Fair Isle knitting to name but a few. Other crafts are found nationwide and have enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades, as we have delved into our past to explore and discover our roots. One example of a tradition that has enjoyed a resurgence in our nation is the art of bodging (otherwise known as woodturning), with bodgers’ clubs now being found all across Britain. If you type up a search “craft workshops near me” you too could have a go at the ancient craft of bodging and celebrate a historical craft which is so deeply connected with the land in which we dwell.

We have a rich and unique cultural heritage, with a fascinating history behind many of our ancient crafts. A surface glance may not reveal much which links football to crafting, but dig a little deeper and we find that football fans often share an appreciation of what is good in our country, region or city. At a time when life is challenging for many, it does us great good to celebrate (the mere act of shouting for our team can be cathartic in itself) and the football and other sporting events might just give us the excuse to do so! So, whether we are cheering for Team GB or our national team, let’s wave our locally and ethically made flags and shout for our team along with the best of them!

As crafters, we know the numerous benefits of creating something beautiful and useful with your hands; the calm the process brings and the sense of achievement when your project is completed. Many of us have also seen how crafting has helped someone near and dear to us; maybe a child who struggles to concentrate and learn in a traditional setting but lights up when given a foraged stick and a craft knife and patiently whittles away for hours; maybe an elderly neighbour who begins to glow as, over a mug of tea, she demonstrates her knitting skills; or perhaps a friend who is going through a rough patch and begins to relax as you snip and glue to create stunning gift cards around the kitchen table.

Many crafters are using their talents and skills to benefit others in a community setting. We know that our own sense of well-being and mental health is boosted as we turn our attention outwards to encourage or support someone else. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some inspirational ways in which crafters have found a need and have put their time and talents into filling it. However, before we start, a quick word for context. We have different seasons in our lives and for some, maybe with a growing craft business, a young family and other commitments, this might not be the time for pouring yourself into a new project. Our intention is not to load on the guilt, but to inspire you and to recognise those who are doing amazing things with their crafting. Enjoy and be encouraged!

There are many cited benefits of engaging in arts and crafts. Some of these are physical; the development of fine motor skills in young children and maintenance of dexterity in the elderly. Some of these are cognitive, for example increasing problem-solving abilities, concentration and patience, helping with organisational skills and aiding in the management of emotions. Some will be emotional, offering an outlet for emotional self-expression and reflection and the resulting improvement in confidence and self-esteem. Yet others will be social. We have often talked about the benefits of sharing your craft with others in your community, and we must not overlook it here, too. Loneliness is still a major factor in the mental well-being of many here in the U.K. and the local Craft centres, Arts Quarters, workshops and groups in which many of our customers are involved in will be doing much to tackle this and change lives.

Some crafters have taken this a step further and have initiated community projects, such as those in partnership with Scrap Stores. In the physical space such a store provides, sessions for parents and toddlers, young children and the elderly can all be run, offering not only a creative outlet but a space to chat over a mug of tea. The nature and values of the scrap store initiative engender a caring working environment and we know of one store East Kent Mencap which is run by members of the local Mencap group, each of whom live with a learning disability.

Maybe some of the most grassroots ways in which crafters are using their skills to reach out to others are through local community initiatives run in churches and community centres. Buildings which provide a warm space, a hot meal, a shower and a postal address for those living without a permanent home often also run sessions such as “Knit and natter” or “Art for Well-being”. In these most un-ostentatious of settings, service users are offered respect and given dignity as they learn a new skill or develop existing ones. We each have our own story to tell and in a group where the focus is on the art and craft, not directly on the individual, stories can be shared in a gentle way, a small step towards healing and moving forward.

There are also an increasing number of business initiatives set up by entrepreneurs whose aim is to bring regeneration to deprived communities and hope to those whose lives need rebuilding. For example, one social enterprise SCT trains up those recovering from an addiction in woodworking and upholstery skills and then they use these newfound skills to upcycle vintage furniture. Another small business Lovewell sells high-quality beauty products handmade by women recovering from trauma. There are many more fantastic initiatives all across the country.

If you have been inspired by some of these stories, you might want to consider using your craft business to benefit some of the more vulnerable people in your local community. Or, you might decide to give a percentage of each sale to a local charity. It’s great to dream and to then hold on to and test these dreams, but we also need to look at practicalities. Most craft businesses either sell online or at craft fairs and markets, and for this you will need craft stall public liability insurance. If you are just in the initial process of turning your hobby into a business, you will need to know what craft stall public liability insurance entails. While it is not a legal requirement, most event organisers will ask for it. It covers you for all the completely unforeseen events which could lead to a member of the public making a claim against you. Here at Craft Insurance, we have had several decades of experience of working with crafters to ensure they have the correct cover. The easiest way to find out more about craft stall public liability insurance 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.

We hope you, like us, have been inspired by some of these stories. We cannot shift all the bad things in our world, but we can make a difference in the lives of those around us, brightening up their days and bringing hope and creativity, one small beautiful handmade product at a time.