10 Things To Think About When Starting a Crafty Business

Dreaming of turning your creative passion into a thriving business? Whether you're knee-deep in paint, stitching up a storm, or crafting the perfect soap bars, starting a crafty business is an exciting adventure! But let’s face it, turning your hobby into a paycheck takes more than talent—it takes a little strategy and a whole lot of heart.

Don't worry, though—I’ve got 10 game-changing tips to help you get started (and skip a few of the rookie mistakes). Let’s make that dream a reality!

10 Things To Think About When Starting a Crafty Business

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Why I Wrote This Post

One of my newsletter peeps sent me the nicest message asking about turning her crafting into a business! She asked things that are particular to her and what she is doing, but reading through I could see some universal things that could help ANYONE thinking about turning their hobby into a business.

So here are ten things to think through before diving into the "selling your crafts" business!

1. Define Your Crafty Mission (What Lights You Up?)

What’s your big WHY? Do you want to make some pin money or are you trying to feed your family? Those two extremes will go a long way to determining how much time and money you are going to be willing to spend on this new endeavor!

The gal who emailed in was selling junk journals AND also considering hosting a space with other crafty friends. Those are two different businesses so being super clear about what kind of product, service or other things you want to do will help you get going faster!

Additional Resource: Online Class - Design and Sell Junk Journal Elements with Canva

2. Online vs. Offline: Where Should You Start?

This is the big one, and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re looking to build relationships and connect with your local community, offline might be the way to go. Vendor events, local crafting workshops, and even selling on Facebook Marketplace give you the chance to meet people face-to-face. The good news? Platforms like Facebook Marketplace make it easier than ever to sell locally without the need for a permanent storefront.

On the other hand, an online business lets you scale beyond your local area. A Facebook page is a great starting point, but you can also expand with Instagram, TikTok, or a simple website. No matter where you start, pick what feels most doable—you can always add more as you grow!

Here are some places and ways to sell online:

Shopify - Super simple store setup and can handle from tiny to huge stores. (benefits are easy to use, this is the one that I use, drawbacks monthly fee and no built in customer base)
Etsy - Etsy is touch and go lately with many sellers, but I still have a store on there selling my artwork. (benefits built in customer base, easy to use, drawbacks not focused on smaller sellers)
Ebay - You may be surprised to know how many people sell crafts successfully on Ebay! (benefits built in customer base, easy to use)
Gumroad or Thrive Cart - If you already have your own website, these are two shopping cart softwares that my friends use. (no opinion because I have never used them myself)

3. Find Your Ideal Customer: Who Are You Creating For?

Knowing your ideal customer is a GAME-CHANGER. Are your products for busy moms, homeschool families, or maybe fellow crafters who need supplies?

Think about who’s buying and why. Once you’ve figured that out, it’ll be easier to create things they love and market your products in the right places. (Bonus: This helps prevent you from trying to please everyone and burning out!)

4. Vendor Events 101: Prepare Like a Pro

Ah, vendor events. They’re equal parts fun and exhausting. If you are selling in person, more than likely you will sometime join a vendor event like a craft show, networking or other in-person event!

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the next one:

Invest in a good table display that’s eye-catching but not overwhelming.
Bring plenty of business cards or flyers with your contact info.
Don’t forget essentials like a portable heater, snacks, and layers if you’re outdoors in winter or a battery powered fan and lots of water if you are in the heat of winter!
Keep track of what sells and what doesn’t—this will guide your product line moving forward.

And don’t forget to follow up! Posting leftover products online can turn into a surprise sales boost!

5. Pricing Your Craft: Know Your Worth and Your Costs

Pricing your products is a tricky balance. You don’t want to undercharge and feel like you’re working for free, but you also want to stay competitive. Start by calculating your costs (materials + time), then research what similar products are selling for.

Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth—confidence is key, and people will pay for quality handmade items!

One of my besty's niece sells soap on Etsy and she has A LOT of sales, but she is making very little income. Make sure if you are turning your craft into a business that you charge enough to make all the time you spend worthwhile.

6. Social Media for Crafters: Building a Community, Not Just a Page

A Facebook page is a great start! The key now is to post consistently and engage with your audience. Share your process, behind-the-scenes photos, and even craft fails—people LOVE authenticity. Use hashtags and join Facebook groups related to your niche to connect with potential customers.

I also promote my Etsy store on Pinterest which is a platform that keeps your pins for an average of 14 MONTHS instead of the days that posts can live on Facebook or Instagram!

Additional resource: Awesome Pinterest Course For Ecommerce Sellers

7. Payment and Profit: The Best Tools to Keep Your Money in Check

When it comes to payment, the options can be overwhelming. If you are wanting to build an online store I would use the the resources I mentioned above, but if you want to just take payments in person you can use tools like PayPal, Square, or even Venmo for easy transactions.

For financial tracking, programs like Wave (free!) or QuickBooks can help you keep everything organized without the headache. Trust me, staying on top of your finances from the start makes life so much easier down the road.

Another tip I will give is to use one business checking account and one business credit card. That way you can plug them into a program like Quickbooks and not have to deal with all the individual transactions that occur on a site like Paypal or Etsy!

8. Turn "Leftovers" Into Sales Gold

After every event, don’t let unsold items gather dust. Post them online, bundle them for special deals, or turn them into giveaways to boost engagement. Sometimes, the things that didn’t sell in person can shine online with the right audience.

I was just talking with my besty the other day and this is how we do it:

Figure out your bestsellers and make more of those or similar items... for example if your bee journals fly off the shelves and you come home with all the dragon ones, make more bee journals and try dragonflies and lady bugs too!

Then figure out your bottom sellers and use them as loss leaders or giveaways and get them off the books! Most times the things we think are going to sell like hotcakes are duds and then the weird things we try take off like rockets! You are not your customer so make ONLY what your customers like!

9. Collaboration Over Competition: Find Your Creative Tribe

Connecting with other small business owners, whether it’s through vendor events, social media groups, or local meetups can be a great way to split costs and grow a local support system.

Collaboration—like sharing a booth—can lead to unexpected opportunities and fresh ideas. Remember, there’s room for everyone at the crafty table!

Having like minded or even same product besties allows you to swap leads and referrals! There is never a time in my business that I tried to gatekeep my friendly competitors.

10. Confidence is Key: Embracing the Journey and the Wins (Big and Small)

Confidence takes time, but every small step builds it! Celebrate every sale, every kind comment, and every lesson learned—those are the building blocks of a successful business. Keep reminding yourself that you’re capable, and don’t let fear keep you from stepping into your dream.

Starting a crafty business is a journey filled with creativity, learning, and connection. Whether you’re selling online, offline, or both, the key is to take it one step at a time and enjoy the process. You’ve got this!

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