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Yesterday, I shared my thoughts about starting a business immediately after getting a Silhouette, Cricut, Glowforge, xTool, or other crafting machine. If you didn’t get a chance to read that yet, read 6 Reasons to Wait to Start a Craft Business, but know that I recommend you wait at least 6 months.
Wondering what path I do recommend you taking as a new seller?
Table of Contents
6 Steps to Start a Craft Business
Get to Know Your Machine
Get your machine out everyday and experiment with it. Create as many different projects as you can. Find out what you enjoy making as you discover your niche. During this discovery time, you’ll also learn what to do when your machine isn’t quite working correctly.
Start Gifting your Craft Projects to Your Friends and Family
After you’ve redecorated your house twice with your creations, made your kids 32 shirts each, and hosted five parties with handmade decor – it’s time to start giving your crafts as gifts. Gift to your most honest, brutal family members who will give you their unbiased opinions about your work. Now is a good time to learn how to take constructive criticism, too. Trust me on this: Not all customer feedback will be positive.
Sell to Your Friends and Family
Start getting to word out to your family and friends that you will take orders and make products for them. And, it won’t be free. Find out why you should charge your family and friends full price.
Sell to Strangers
If you are still enjoying making and selling products, get yourself out there and start selling to strangers. I recommend using apps like Craigslist, Nextdoor, Mercari, Instagram, and Facebook groups to start. It’s also a good time to focus in on your niche and pick a good business name.
Start an Etsy Shop
I think Etsy is a great place to start your handmade business because there’s plenty of customers. You’ll be able to get the hang of regular orders and dealing with customers. You’ll be tied to deadlines and you’ll have an opportunity to work on your photography skills and branding. Want free listings on Etsy?
Move to Your Own Website
As you master your craft and become an expert in your niche, it’s time to save yourself some fees and move to your own website. I really recommend you keep both your own website and your Etsy shop; since Etsy can help push traffic to your own site. I prefer a WordPress based setup, but services like Wix work well, too.
I’ve put together this plan based on years in the handmade world as a seller, then as a blogger who works with craft business owners on a daily basis. Think you’re ready to get started? Ask yourself these questions.
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also enjoys teaching other crafters how to create digital SVG designs, available through the Design with Me series.