Do you earn from the crafts you make?

I have been earning money for my jewelry making craft since 1992. I have earned a good sum of money online and offline. I'm not constant when it comes to jewelry making. I will create for a few years then stop for 6 months to a year then start again. I am always learning new methods threw books and trial and error. I'm not sure if I want a website online now for this because the last time I had a page I was so busy filling orders I had time for nothing but making jewelry and I have a child with a disability so it would be hard for me to maintain a page now. But maybe again in the future. I love making things in general. I guess I have been lucky and been able to sell almost everything I have made but i do tend to keep some for myself sometimes. If you want to make money with your craft you have to get your art out there . It's more easy to make money online then it is offline because the whole world is your customer base. Use social networking sites to promote your crafts. Make a name for yourself on myspace and Facebook and get a Blogger page and start a online portfolio. Also Paypal has a shopping cart feature you can add to your craft web page to sell your goods with.It's a full time job to market yourself online but it's worth it when your super busy creating things you like to make and your earning a good sum of money for it. Also learn some web 2.0 marketing methods to promote your craft/art and you will surly get a customer base threw this method. You can also do craft shows but anymore it is super expensive to have a booth at most craft shows. Oh and also. Keep on perfecting your art and don't stop learning. Good ideal's on what type of craft's to make for money ? practical and really pretty things seems to sell well or practical pretty things, antique looking things..lol( stain glass, jewelry,mosaic tile art, decorative painting,creating unique clothing or handbags & home made natural beauty products.. Just go to a good bookstore and spend some time going threw their craft book section to get ideals and to get inspired. Also buy a few books on learning how to run a small crafting business. Amazon is a great place for crafting and small business books also.

My Uncle makes good money from going to Crafts Shows selling the birdhouses that he paints with scenic views! They are really breathtakingly beautiful! :) I have an Aunt who quilts magnificent quilts, but I am not sure if she sells them or just makes them for herself and for family and friends. :) I do not have the crafty gene! :( Even though my Mom crochets and knits pillowcases and scarfs and tablecloths, etc. And she also sews things like curtains and lamp shade covers, etc. My only creative talent is writing poems and songs. :) And, you just do NOT make money from doing that! :( Most poetry contests are scams! :( I am in the process of trying to find legitimate poetry contests that don't make you pay entry fees. I mean, if my writing is good, why am *I* shelling out money? *LOL* Anyway, didn't mean to ramble... :)

i have made gift tags and sold them plus, i am currently doing some scrapbooking for someone and getting paid for that. i do a lot of crafts also that i use for presents (like cross stitching or crocheting scarves.)

There's actually a website out there that is like eBay- but for handmade items! It's called Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/ It's pretty cool. I currently do clay sculpting on the side, but have yet to make something worth selling. My daughter even joins in with me. It's a great project for us to do together. I'm sure that when I get the chance, and she lets me, i'll make an Etsy account and sell her and my stuff together. I love doing crafts and it's a great stress reliever.

im starting to make pots and selling them but i have had no sales yet, but we will see what the moths to come bring for me lol

Yes, I make afghans and pillows and I sell them. I do very well. It has helped my income.

I'm trying to sell my crafts on Etsy. So far, no sales, but it is only a matter of time. Newspaper baskets sounds interesting. Can you explain further?

Where I live, the fall and winter are a great time to sell your stuff at craft fairs. My sister knits a lot of stuff and sells them at these fairs. Sometimes I go with her and manage to sell a few things myself. I have found that the things that sell the best are things that are useful, like scarves, mittens, and hats.

I design and make teddy bears, and have been selling them for the past 23 years. I don't earn enough to make it possible to quit my job, but it is a wonderful addition to my income. In the economy situation the U.S. is in for the up coming Christmas, I am completing teddy bears that are under $10. I find that people will spend money for items that they get change back from the purchase. It's a psychological thing. Some of the buying of hand crafted items is impulse, so I figure that I can encourage the impulse by keeping my prices low. Also, at the first show I ever did, another lady had teddy bears. I figured that she would do a wonderful business and that I would take home what I had. It was the exact opposite! I sold out and she took all her bears home. I couldn't figure out why I did so well until I went to her booth. Her attitude was horrible!! She didn't smile, greet people or even say a word. There were signs everywhere "DON'T TOUCH THE BEARS!" People are tactile. They need to touch items to feel what they are like. If they can't touch the item, they can't see if they like it. Thanks to that lady's negative attitude I sold out and she went home with all of her bears! She came over to my booth to grouse about the fact that she didn't sell anything and try to make me feel bad that I did...it didn't work, and she wouldn't listen to my suggestions. Oh well. Having a good display is another plus. If you don't have an eye catching display, people just walk by. I don't know where you're from and if they have craft shows, but that has been the best way for me to get started in selling my crafts. Right now, it would do well to find something useful to sell, like scarves, trivets (scented hot pads for the table when you bring a hot dish in to set down), kids clothes, tote bags (which would be great for carrying groceries) etc. Try to keep your prices within reason for the economical situation. If you have a small batch of cheap treats to throw in with the purchase (Like if you do the trivets, make small sachets that won't cost too much to toss one in...people love getting a little gift as a thank you for the purchase.) I don't know if any of this has helped, I hope so. The biggest thing I have found helpful in selling my crafts is to be friendly! No matter if they buy or not smile and thank them for stopping by. It could change their mind about a purchase.

I create handmade jewelry, using old, discarded jewelry. I'll break down the piece and use what I can for supplies. I also purchase glass beads, semi-precious gemstones and sea glass. I also beachcomb near my house for sea glass and I can be found on the beach year round (OK, not so much in the winter, but my hubby is out there on certain days no matter what the weather is) I also knit and have purchased large sweaters & scarves and reused the yarn to make a new piece. Sometimes, I'll mix it with a new yarn and create an entirely different look. I love to craft. I find it very theraputic after a long day at my J-O-B and I wish I could make a living from crafting...but I can't. It is a decent part-time job sometimes though. I do craft fairs and shows and have an online shop that keeps me busy all year long.

I have no tips, but i have made money off of things i have crocheted. My baby blankets are always a big hit. I can make anything from blankets to purses to book covers. Oh and my scarves are a big hit at christmas time. I feel kind of sad because i haven't really made anything this year. I think the only thing i have really made this year is a queen sized blanket for a friend of mines little girl, but that was for fun I didn't get paid for it. I always feel bad for charging people for the things i make because i do it for fun.

THere is always a market for that homemade touch that only geniune homemade crafts bring :) Esty.com is dedicated for homemade items, ebay, sell.com even craigslist! Try fleamarkets (I'm not sure where youre located...) craft shops sometimes are looking for vendors. Good luck!