Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Saturday, 15 September 2012

Do you want to improve your business? - Handmade Workers

Every week I offer tips and hints to help handmade craftspeople improve their business.  There are so many quality items produced by the home workers, beavering away in their studios or spare room - but so often they just don't know how to market it.  There's only so much that can be made without the need to sell some of your wares - and this is where my handmade silver jewellery blog will help.



Listen to what your customers want
Why not ask your customers what they think about your products?  Try doing this every six months and ask them what they think are the good and bad points. You can contact them by email or at the events you attend.  Conduct market research to see what you should change.  Then take action!
Not only is this a good way of improving your products, but it makes your customers feel that their opinion is valued and they are more likely to want to do business with you.

All business is not necessarily good business!
Whilst you might want to please all the customers you have conducted market research with, you don't have to.  If a customer has stated that they would like something that will take hours and hours and hours to make, but they wouldn't be willing to pay the price for your time - then can you afford to do it?  If you're trying to turn your hobby into a business, then the answer must clearly be a resounding 'no'. 
Customers and projects which are causing you sleepless nights should be reviewed and you should decide if you want to put yourself under that pressure.

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Handmade Saturday Showcase - Business Tip for crafters

What is it about handmade work that people like?  Most of all it's the individuality of each item - for genuine handmade craft no two pieces can ever be the same.  Secondly the buyer knows that much love and care has gone into it - Can money put a price on it?  In all honesty it's most likely priceless to the artist, but I have trawled the UK and found some exquisite items which ARE for sale and I have compiled a showcase of these items here today.
Does anyone want to try and guess my theme ?

1.  Bird cage tidy - Pin and Pen
2.  Hand dyed cotton art - Downland Originals
3.  Owl cushion - Charming Jewellery and Accessories
4.  Butterfly keepsake box - Kippers Keepsakes
5.  Cotton print handbag - Ann Chandler Originals
6.  Pin cushion - The Home Made Boutique
7.  Silver pendant - Handmade Silver Jewellery UK
8.  Bowl clock - Wonky Fox 
9.  Oak Tamper - Works-in-Wood
10.Hand thrown deep bowl - Epple Bay Ceramics


Handmade
The designs for the items featured remain the intellectual property rights of the artists who have made them.  Any infringement of their rights could result action being taken.

Business Tip for Crafters
Donate your expertise
Your chosen skill probably has plenty of associations / organisations which distribute newsletters or have blogs. By offering your opinions and expertise  by writing an article or being a guest blogger is a great way to boost your business.  It will attract new customers and show that you are a leader in your field.
Articles offering hints and tips, best practices, questions and answers or case studes always prove interesting to the reader.

Saturday, 18 August 2012

Go Green! - plus a business tip

The birthstone for August is Peridot - a stunning green gemstone. So, drawing inspiration from the month we're in - I'm running a green blog this week.  How many people thought I was running an eco friendly blog this week then?

I have delved into handmade items from around the UK to find my favourites in the colour green.  Enjoy!

1.   A collage - Loganberry Photography
2.   Green Man - Daves Woodcraft
3.   Flower Studs - Grass Fields
4.   Gecko Picture - Handmade by D.
5.   Humming Bird - Rustic Green
6.   Cushion - Courtyards Crafts
7.   Peridot Earrings - Silver Jewellery
8.   Felt Rosette - Hooperhart
9.   Original Fabric on Canvas - J.A. Wilson
10. Hand knitted Dress - josknits


All the items which I have chosen to feature are the property of the  designers who've made them.  As such, they will own the rights to their designs and this prohibits any copying - accidental or otherwise.

Business TipFor the craftspeople who are running their own business - I hope you find your weekly business tip useful.

Do you have a tough decision to make?  If so, go and do some exercise!  Sound odd?  Well, studies have shown that people who work out regularly are better decision makers. One study tested 80 people over an 9 month period and results showed that the exercisers ability to make complex decisions had increased 70% over those who weren't exercising.

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Going Green with UK handmade items!

And so to a very worthwhile theme this week.  Making the most of items which otherwise would be discarded.  Recycled items at their best, hand crafted and made into something beautiful for those that care about the environment or just simply because they love something a little quirky or different!

1. Recycled Bunting - peony and thistle
2. Recycled Cushion - Slowlane Made
3. Recycled champagne bottle - Abundant Glass
4. Silver Recycled Torque - Lesley H Phillips
5. Wood Mouse Recycled Card - Ethel and Iris
6. Floral recycled lace brooch - Recycled Bird
7. Recycled Bridal Fascinator - Borganic
8. Recycled Comic Paper Chain - Lucie Kate & Hazey Jane
9. Recycled pussy cat doll - PollyKrafts
10. Recycled Record Bowl - RescuedRags

Please do note that these images and the designs are the property of the designers and makers (named above), they own the property rights to them and any infringement of their rights could be pursued in court.

I think you'll agree that I've chosen a great selection of recyled items this week - I love them!  I hope you do too.  If you wish to purchase any of the items they are for sale on the above links.

Naturally as I have an interest in recycling, I have a little selection within my Green Collection too!
Handmade Silver Jewellery UK - Green Collection

Saturday, 12 May 2012

AHOY there! Sail away with this wonderful handmade craft

Take a browse at the marvelous handmade items that I have discovered this week.  If you love what you see then do take a look further by choosing the number and seeing the artist who's made the item. There is a wealth of creativity in the UK and I'm finding it for you to enjoy.



1. folksy.com/-Photograph-art-print-Ships-Hull
2. folksy.com/-There-are-Big-Ships-and-Small-Ships
3. folksy.com/items/-Baby-Ship-Garland-personalised
4. folksy.com/-Boy-s-Transport-Digi-Stamp-Backing-sheet-Boat
5. folksy.com/items/-Stained-glass-boats
6. folksy.com/Collection-of-Mosaic-Cornish-boats
7. silver-Boat-Earrings
8. Three-Little-Boats-Cushion
9. folksy.com/-Adult-apron-sail-boats
10. /folksy.com/Fishing-Boats-Handmade-Canvas-Postcard

Next week the theme is all about recycling.  So if you like what you see and feel that your items would look great in the blog, then do join in and let me know about your products.  Obviously I can't promise to feature them but I can't if I don't know you're out there!