Hobby Turned Craft Business

A lot of times a craft business actually happens by accident. Several people have a hobby turned craft business. When you find something that you are good at making, or you make one for yourself, oftentimes, when you show off this proud piece of a handmade creation to someone else, they will ask you, can you make me one?

The words then follow…. I will pay you.

This scenario happens often too many times with me with all the very different crafty things I have got myself into or tried.

Being a craft business owner, I have to know for sure if it’s just a one-time thing or if it is actually going to be a craft product that I offer in my shop.

When you get started out with having a craft business, it usually is a hobby turned into a business.

When this transition occurs there are many different things you need to think about before you actually get started. Anyone can start selling their craft to anyone, but only a few last and are successful.

My advice is to just make sure that you have all your ducks in a row when if you decide to start a craft business.

Lucky for you – I have done this in all different realms and happy to share what I know with you.

Deciding to Start A Business

For me, when I first started my craft business I started making jewelry.

Initially, I started making jewelry when my hand was broken in a car accident.

In the beginning, making jewelry was for therapy, and then it became a way just to see if I could actually make something decent enough to want to wear in public.

Once I got good at it, people wanted to see what I was making. And the question they were asking next…. “can you make me one?” “Or can I buy that from you?” “I will pay you.”

And my business was born.

My first business name was Layney Bug Bead Designs. Then I got a little less cutesy and changed it to Layney Dasher Jewelry. I’ve changed names a few times, now being Crafty Life Mom.

In the beginning, I made a few pieces here and there and sold them to friends, my mom, and coworkers. It was great because I had a few extra coins in my pockets, and it fed my habit or rather a hobby.  I had what you call a hobby-business.

This is fine and dandy – but if you want to make real money, serious money with your crafts and actually have a business that pays for more than just coffee, like some of the bills or even all of them if you dare to dream, then you have to get serious about it.

Taking your Craft Business Seriously

You need to take your business seriously. Treat it like a business. Give it the respect it deserves, and it will respectfully make you an income you deserve.

Pick a serious name. File the proper business name licenses and tax ID requirements and get a business checking and savings account.

Get too legit to quit!  (haha – see what I did there?)

When I became more serious about my business I changed my name to something I loved, ordered business cards, got the proper IDs and business accounts.

When I changed business names I did it because I was getting more serious. I wanted to create a brand where I could add additional types of products over the years that would grow with it. And that’s what I’ve done.

I crafted beaded jewelry then personalized jewelry, which then led to personalized gifts.

The first gifts I added were monogrammed items, which then led to vinyl and embroidery services. Once I got the hang of doing the same items it over and over, I not only had a jewelry business but full spectrum personalization handmade business.

And I still have and run that side of the business today.

It’s ever growing and ever changing but one thing I love most is offering products that are personalized and handmade to my customers. And over the years I’ve realized that my customers also want to create and personalize things for themselves as well.

And that’s where my little handmade business (that’s sold thousands and thousands by the way) meets up this blog where I offer my stories and experiences to others who want to also start and run their own craft business.

Related Post: Finding Your Purpose

You Can Do It

I’m living proof that anyone can do something they dream of doing. You can take that hobby and turn it into a business.

You just need to plan it out. A hobby turned craft business needs to be taken seriously.  Give it room to grow, nurture it, and hustle it like nothing else. If it is your dream to work for nobody else but your self-doing the one thing you love – then you must do that thing.

Do you love making soaps, then you must make soaps and find a way to turn that into a business.

If you love making leather goods, then you must make leather goods and find a way to share those good to the world.

Do It Scared and Never Look Back

Ruth Soukup from Living Well Spending Less less, who also teaches Elite Blog Academy, always says to do it scared. (EBA is only offered one time a year – but you get on the waitlist here). She actually just started a Do It Scared podcast where she talks about what it means to actually do it scared and take action to create that life you love.

Related Post: Start A Money Making Blog in 5 Steps

I don’t know about you, but that is pretty amazing, and Ruth knows exactly what she’s talking about. She’s done it and I could not recommend her enough to anyone wanting to do something more than just surviving in life. SHe even has her own planning for goal setting and brainstorming your goals into actions. I truly love her planner and you can check out the planner bundles she offers in her Living Well Shop. 

Putting it all together

Once you’ve decided to move forward with your craft business, and your take it seriously, and hit the ground the running there is really not stopping you.

I encourage you to start moving towards that goal today. Even if you do just one thing to start, it is a start!

The hardest thing to do in is to just get started.

That phrase has been stated so many times and in so many books, and courses, all for different niches and reasons. But it is true!

So just start!  If there’s even just a tiny part of you that wants to take that craft hobby and turn it into a business that makes you money, then do it! Do it for you, for your family, for whatever cause is dear to your heart.

Just get started!!

To even help you along the wrong path, I have created a Craft Business Quickstart Guide and Workbook. This workbook is being offered right now through the summer at an extremely low introductory price. Come Fall, I will be updating this post article with a new link to a higher price. So take advantage of it today!!

If you get the bundle, let me know! I’d love to help you out any way I can or answer any additional questions!

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