Product Description

The UK handmade market is currently riding high as our attitudes to shopping and the products we want to buy are changing. With this change comes a new wave of manufacturers - small, local and talented.

If you are a producer of handmade products, or you have a craft hobby and are thinking about taking the next step and wondering how to do it, then this book has the answers. In it you will find out:

- How to turn your hobby into a small business

- Where to sell your products, both on and offline

- How to price your products

- How to develop a unique and recognisable brand

- Where to start with visual merchandising

- How to use social media to market your business

This book not only takes you through these points in no-nonsense plain English, but also has quirky craft activities to complete along the way.

Jam-packed with top hints and tips from real-life crafty small business owners in the know, this book is essential reading for anyone looking to craft their way to success!

Table of Contents

My Story
Awards and Achievements
Thanks to ...

ONE: Why Choose Crafting?
What skills do you need?
Activity #1: Handmade Card

TWO: Is the Price Right?
Working out your cost price
Activity #2: Fresh Face Mask

THREE: Branding
Fonts
Colours
Packaging
Repetition
Personal Branding
To Sum Up
Activity #3: Two-tier Nappy Cake

FOUR: Where to Sell
Market Research
How I Started
Selling
Online Craft Sites
Your Own Website
Useful Information for Selling Online
Craft Fairs and Markets
Selling Wholesale
Sale or Return
Galleries
Activity #4: Dribble Bib

FIVE: Visual merchandising
At craft fairs and markets
Images
Activity #5: Apron

SIX: Marketing
PR
Social Media
Facebook Page
Twitter
Blog
Conclusion
Activity #6: Granny Harris's Everyday Marmalade

Conclusion and Case Studies
Conclusion
Case Studies
- Caroline Watts
- Erica Martyn
- Nadine Thomas
- Viv Smith
- Laura Renton
- Jamie Fry
- Andrea Palluch
- Branding
Resources

Joanne Dewberry started her first business Charlie Moo's just before the birth of her second child Megan in 2008. Disheartened by the party bags that Charlie had received at parties she decided she could do better and so Charlie Moo's was born. Not a natural crafter nor had she sewn before, Joanne soon discovered how therapeutic sewing could be. Along the way she has learnt many new business skills which she is passionate about sharing with small business owners and in particular mums. With 3 children under 5 years herself Joanne understands the constraints on mums in business. Her passion and dedication earned her the title of Dorset Business Mum of the Year 2010 along with numerous other business accolades in the past 3 years.

Joanne is passionate about small business and writes a blog www.joannedewberry.co.uk providing small businesses training, advice & networking in areas of social media, marketing and juggling children and a business.