SolveYourProblem
Article Series:
How To Start
A Craft Business
Specialize
In a Unique Craft Item
by SolveYourProblem.com
These days there are more people than ever
trying to make their living as crafters. Whereas a few years
ago, there might have been one or two people selling polymer
jewelry at a local craft show, now there are probably at least
five or six or even more than that. With so many people
producing the same kinds of crafts it is often difficult to
make your
products stand out. The best way to distinguish your self as
a crafter is to specialize in a unique craft item.
Already you’re thinking; how I can specialize in a unique
craft item when I can’t even think of one unique craft item!
It can be daunting at first to try and come up with an original
idea. It is a process that takes some time, a bit of research,
lots of experimentation and a little bit of luck.
First of all, give yourself time. Don’t
expect that original idea to come to you right off the
bat. If you expect immediate
success, you’ll probably end up very disappointed. You should
begin to brainstorm ideas, but it might take you a bit of time
to hit on just the right one. Just don’t get discouraged –
a good idea is worth waiting for.
To help in this process, do
a bit of market research. Attend
local stores and browse in local gift stores. You will be able
to see what kinds of products are out there and what sort of
things are selling. You don’t want to copy though – remember
that you are trying to come up with a unique product that will
appeal to the same kinds of buyers. Copying another crafter
will not set you apart as an individual and will do nothing
to help establish your reputation.
Another way of researching your market is to talk
to family and friends. They can give you a good idea of the kinds of
crafts they are currently buying and what area they think is
lacking.
Next comes the fun part! Once
you know what field you want to work in you can start experimenting
with different materials
and techniques. You don’t need to invent an entirely new craft
field; you just need to fine a unique product within a field
that is already popular and selling well. Consider the polymer
clay example we discussed above. The majority of people started
off making and selling jewelry. Then came little animal figurines
and magnets and now there are all sorts of different things
done with polymer clay including lampshades and mosaic tiles.
How did that come about? People started experimenting with
the clay and new techniques like stamping and painting and
the result was the creation of a really diverse range of products.
It just someone to try stamping the clay or transferring pictures
to re-invent that particular type of crafting. Figure out what
category of craft you want to work in and then try making it
new!
This
applies to any sort of craft product there is - so
factor in some chance in terms of its popularity. Whether
you want to consider it luck or savvy marketing, sometimes
a new product will just
take off. Often success comes with marketing or selling your
craft in the right place and reaching the right customers,
but sometimes it is hard to explain why something sells and
why something doesn’t. If you do enough market research and
price your craft within a reasonable cost range, you should
have no problem selling your new product. It may not be an
overnight success, but you should be able to make back your
investment with a bit of persistence. The most important thing
is to establish yourself as someone who does something a bit
different than all of the other crafters in your area. Your
reputation will stick and people will begin coming to you when
looking for something a little out of the ordinary.
If you do come up with a truly original idea, you may want
to consider copyrighting your idea. You may not have heard
this, but craft designs do fall under copyright protection.
All you need to do is register your copyright after your work
is created. It’s as simple as that!
# # # # # SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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