Crafting for Profit Series

Ah, yes. We at Organize Craft Supplies heard your pleas. How to make money being a crafter! And kicked off the whole series: Crafting for Profit.

Oddly enough, we aren't advocating any one craft over another. In fact, the buying world is hungry for handmade, hand-crafted items. Of many, many different types. So, it matters not what you craft. It matters more that you craft you items to the best of your ability and get them in front of the buying world.

The Crafting for Profit series will address many aspects of the business of crafting. Some will involve how to store your crafted items once you make them. Others will involve how to photograph those items to their best light.

We will also spread the focus between selling crafts online and selling crafts via festivals, art fairs and booth space. Either way you want to sell, you will need to understand the business of selling. That will another topic covered in the series.

Since we are all about organizing, that will be a huge aspect interwoven throughout many of the articles. Keeping your tools, supplies and finished products organized is just one part. Keeping your records and information organized is another. But, let's not forget organizing your promotional material and activities. All of these will be part of the series.

Crafting for profit is a business. As such, it will need good business practices. Keep a watch on our series as we continue to help you make a business of your crafting. You asked and we are busy answering.

Create Your Own Unique Scrapbook Calendar

As crafters, we are just plain ole creative. The fun of taking that creativity into our calendars for 2014 is something we can all enjoy. How many times I have wanted to design my own calendar to work the way I like to work. With scrapbook calendars, that becomes easy.

Since crafters are typically visually creative, we like to add little extra colors and designs into most parts of our world. I'm one of those who tends to add stickers to special days of the year and highlight events and activities in bright colors. My usual calendars are colorful.

With a scrapbook calendar, I can set up everything I want with ease. Use special papers that are a delight to my eyes, include fun stickers, stampings and even photos.

I am also working on a gift idea with my scrapbook calendars. Every member of the family is going to get calendar with all the birthdays, anniversaries and special family dates marked for them. I'm even customizing the calendars for each of my family's needs. For example, my oldest daughter likes smaller calendars, so I'm making hers from the Smash Book supplies, while my youngest always hangs a large wall calendar in her kitchen. Yep, hers will be a nice big size.

Scrapbook calendars are so flexible that you can create one just for yourself and your crafty needs, then go on to create great gifts for your family and friends.

Crafting for Profit: Business Cards

If you are one of many who has decided to sell your crafts and handmade items, your success does depend on how you promote your business. Make no mistake, this is a business for you. And you want it to be successful, like we all do with any business.

Whether you have just made the decision to sell you crafts, or you have been in business for years, promoting your handmade work is one of the most valuable things you can do. The old adage, build it and they will come, frankly isn't true. You need to be the one to tell them where to go.

That's where business cards come in handy. They are probably the most valuable tool in your promotions arsenal. Your business cards will be used in many different ways, so make sure you have plenty available.

There are multiple ways to sell your crafted items. For many of us, we used a variety of ways. We sell through a booth in a craft mall, at every local craft fair possible and online through sites like Etsy and eBay.

With a physical presence, your business cards need to be available to all who stop by. Customers, of course, but also those who are just browsing. You want them to share your information with their friends and relatives.

For an online shop, your business cards will also be a valuable addition. Send your card along with every single item you ship. People will want to have a way to contact you again for additional orders, gifts and more.

In working your craft business for profit, you want to alert everyone you can to what you have for sale. Business cards are one of the best ways to do this.