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10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting a Handmade Business

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As of this month, I've been fully-self employed as a maker for a whole decade!
It got me thinking - what are some of the things I wish I'd known about running a handmade biz when I got started?
Things that surprised me, challenges that I didn't expect - and some of the things that made all the difference between failure and success over the long term.
That's exactly what I'm sharing today - 10 things I wish I'd known when I started my handmade biz - Epheriell - back in 2008 (and yes, for those noticing the maths - I only went full-time in Jan 2010 :D).
💡 If you enjoy this video, please consider giving me a thumbs up, and make sure to subscribe if you'd love more content on having a thriving and profitable handmade business, and a happy & healthy work-from-home lifestyle.
Thanks for your support!
Jess :)
#sellingonetsy #sellingonline #howtosellyourcraftsonline
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💡 WHO AM I?
G'day, I'm Jess!
I started my craft business Epheriell.com as a hobby in 2008 - and in 2010 I went full-time.
I've been 100% self-employed ever since.
In 2013 I also started createandthrive.com to help other makers turn their handmade hobby into a thriving business.
I also love to learn and talk about happiness, health, and how to design a life you love.
💡 For business inquiries: jess AT createandthrive.com
💡 Affiliate Disclaimer - some links I include in my video descriptions may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on sales made via the link.

Опубликовано:

20 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 89

@harshikachauhan7104 3 года назад

1) It does get easier 1:06 2) you need a niche and micro niche 2:29 3) photos are everything 5:13 4) you're never finished marketing 7:11 5) SEO is very powerful 9:11 6) you'll be learning more time than making craft 7) Energy and passion wax and wane 8) you can not compete on price 9) when you turn your hobby into a business you need to find a new hobby 10) How important your story is and how important it is to share with your customers You're welcome!

@Iloveyou-lz7rr 3 года назад

You can't imagine how this helped me. I started Selling my handmade jewelry and I'm all over the place. I make waist beads, loc jewellery, tribal necklaces, button earrings. Etc.etc 🤯 I just love them all. Now I'm confused and burnt out . Everything you said is what I needed to hear. Especially number two. Niche down! Lol I can now pause and focus on doing exactly that. Excellent content!!! You got a new subscriber.

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

So glad to help, Jewel! I went through the same thing with my jewellery making in the beginning. Finding my niche made a huge difference!

@RealiTeaV 2 года назад

Just saw your comment. It’s uplifting to see another Black jewelry maker. 🥰 I’m just starting out so wish me luck!♥️

@beautifultransformation9490 2 года назад

I' am 1.38 seconds into this video and I had to stop and comment this is the absolute first time I felt like someone knew exactly what I was going through it's like you feel my pain lol every single thing you just named I can resonate with so before I push play I just wanted to say thank you for the hope " IT does get better" If I don't learn anything else after I push play I heard the most valuable thing I needed to hear today with those 4 words THANK YOU!!!!

@JessVanDen 2 года назад

So glad to hear this!

@talori5417 2 года назад

I make 100% cotton crochet textured rugs (but I also crochet, & hand knit blankets, floor poufs and other decor items, macrame tents, etc. Can I say I make handmade textured decor items?? This is sooo hard!!!!

@21_f_aus 4 месяца назад

Ihave an etsy shop from 2016 but it's been in holiday mode for a few yrs I've now started to try new crafts to reopen my shop and see what sells and what doesn't, I still have to sort out an issue with payment first 😅

@rafeyaawal77 3 года назад

Jess, I stumbled accross your Video, thank you thank you, for Giving me a Positive Vibe, i could listen to you all day for tips. I am looking to Start my Business, I'm not sure If its a late start as I have Older kids now, single mum but I am an optimistic person who wants to succeed, and today you have given me that boost 😊

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

You can do it Rafeya!

@rachelspoons8465 3 года назад

Girl go for it! I am 35, have 5 kids and recently started my own handstamped spoon jewelry business. You will succeed! Sending you good vibes sister ✨

@adrienne_12thorpe 3 года назад

First time hearing this. Very helpful. Feel like I was the only one going through this. Finally after 20 years of jewelry making finally getting into the business with a new avenue.

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@suewarry3915 2 года назад

This is the best video on this topic I have ever seen. Thank you Jess. As a craft worker 2 years in, I agree with everything you say. So many videos want to hype up SEO etc. as the be all and end all, but customer rapport and niche within niche is of so much value……and lots of patience and hard work. Lots of work.

@JessVanDen 2 года назад

Wow, thank you!

@pmgreatorex 3 года назад

Hi Jess! I watched your video at a critical point in starting up my jewellery business and your advice is so reassuring. It’s very early days for me and the business and marketing side is a whole new world, after forty years of teaching! It’s also great to hear from an Aussie! I live in Brisbane and I feel more comfortable now, having heard from a very successful crafter who is working in the same state and who is generous enough to share her wisdom. Onwards and upwards! Pam

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Best of luck, Pam! We have a great crafty community in SEQ. Definitely look up BrisStyle!

@cathychats 6 месяцев назад

Hi Jen can you do a video about Shopify tips? I like the way you explain "stuff" :DD

@annaksyonova1106 3 года назад

Thank you Jess!! Seconds before I watched your video I was thinking that it`s not normal I`m spending less and less time on creating things and more and more on marketing etc. Hahaha I`m glad to learn this is a part of process! :)

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

It really is :)

@LennyYT Год назад

Great video. Would love you document that special sale learnings. Have you ran giveaways and could share tips? ty!

@h2t26 2 года назад

I wanted to start one, but after two weeks of looking into it I decided it's not worth it for me. I love my job and wont quit, so this will be something on the side. I don't have the room for even a doesn't different items. I have no time for social media and no interest in it, and the list goes on, not to mention the cost of insurance (600 per yr), LLC (900 per yr), mail box (220 per yr) etc which may seem like something for down the line but with my situation and product I could loss everything with one lawsuit. So since I can't put the time into it, since I don't want to make it big, and the other reasons it's not worth it. I really thought it would be for me and help support my hobby, but it seems its not like a farmers market online, its where the little guy has to look big all the time with the best packaging, best marketing, best pictures, best etc. I will shop there from time to time and might consider it closer to retirement when I can put the time into it but not now. This experience has taught me a lot though, so not a complete waste.

@JessVanDen 2 года назад

Well done on making this decision! It really isn't the right choice for everyone (at least, perhaps not the right choice right now).

@jenniferkoistinen1159 Год назад

Wow, these points are all so true! I have felt all of these ways and it's such a relief and helpful to hear someone further along the line talk about working through these struggles with success. I'm in the first year of my art print business and I just keep telling myself to keep on going because it gets easier, but it's hard some days I wonder what the heck am I doing and should I give up. Thanks for sharing your experience, this helps keep me going during the difficult beginning phase.

@JessVanDen Год назад

So glad it helped, Jennifer!

@SadbhW 2 года назад

Wow, just amazing advice, thank you. Such an underrated channel, subscribed.

@JessVanDen 2 года назад

Thanks for the sub!

@Slimm_Sheedah1 3 года назад

Thank you for this video. I’ve watched hundreds and you make the most sense. Oh and the photos are indeed the hardest for me.

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

I'm so happy it helped!

@somethingbronzie Год назад

Thanks Jess glad I found your channel. The rollercoaster does get a bit much sometimes. Currently in a dip. Appreciate that many other creatives can relate

@anothercampervanchannel 2 года назад

Some great points made, thank you 😊

@jillmiller7552 3 года назад

Delightfully helpful. Thank you!

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Glad it helped!

@puspamatthews4436 3 года назад

Very informative .Thank you

@eileenosullivan4748 3 года назад

Thank you Jess that was very informative all the very best

@Janicesimpson63-vy4ov Год назад

The most helpful videos..thank you so much..

@Jan-wv7rk 4 года назад

Hi, thank you for this very helpful video! Congrats on the 10years!

@JijjysMaison 3 года назад

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable tips with us. They will come in handy. I feel highly motivated to continue with my small handmade bushiness....xxx

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

You got this!

@JijjysMaison 3 года назад

@@JessVanDen Thank you Jess 🌻🌻🌻

@maharlikabebz2249 4 года назад

hi Jess! You judt dont know how happy I am to have found this video of yours. Your words are very inspiring. Thank you for also letting us know about the difficulties this journey entails and not just the happy part. please don't get tired of sharing to newbies like us! I just subscribed :-)

@marcinszewczyk2083 3 года назад

Smart list, thanks for this vid. Greetings from not so sunny Cornwall ;)

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Thanks for watching!

@andreleonard4754 3 года назад

@Jess...thank you for making this video. It was really informative and I learned a lot. Thank you Jess. Hi, my name is Andre and I live in Barbados, way across the globe. I am now starting my small business selling leather goods, primarily belts and wallets. I am struggling to name my business, but you last video gave me a lot to think about and I believe I am closer to naming my business and running it well. Thanks for the tips, I find them really helpful. Buy for now.

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Good luck with your business, Andre! I have a video on how to name your biz if you haven't seen that one.

@andreleonard4754 3 года назад

@@JessVanDen I did saw that video also and took alot away from it. Thank you for making that one also.

@santinasanchez1496 3 года назад

Great and helpful video, blessings from Spain 😊💖🙏

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

So glad you found it helpful!

@taranazare2633 Год назад

Great tips - thank you!

@JessVanDen Год назад

You are so welcome!

@redtalks9094 Год назад

Fantastic info

@chimeraranch 3 года назад

thank you

@masuraki 3 года назад

The most helpful video!!! Thank you!!!

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@catilynjalette8733 2 года назад

How do you really get word out? Like what's the best way you found to get your stuff out there cause I'm trying to do the same with my resin crafts. Any advice would be appreciated. I know a lot of people like my work but like little to almost no sales so I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if I just need to be patient and make little changes

@JessVanDen 2 года назад

There is no simple answer, I'm afraid! It depends on your business model, product, ideal customer, and your preferred method of marketing. But it is all about being slow and steady - good luck!

@catilynjalette8733 2 года назад

@@JessVanDen thank you

@LibermanConsultingLLC 2 года назад

If you just started, just create and list. If you sell on your own website, sell on Etsy, Mercari, and Ebay. Push your creativity to come up with new products you could create from each raw materials of yours that line up with your business model. Overtime, you would create a lot of products and would have a lot of listings. If one product fit more than 1 category in Etsy, list it more than once with different titles and pictures. (if you have to think twice when choosing a category for a new listing because two categories describe your item, take note of the second category you didn't choose and create a second listing where you choose that category). Combine products to create gift set listings. Once you start selling and receiving reviews, read your reviews and take note: who are buying your products? how they use them? who they buy them for? what features of your products they like? See what other products you can create they might like? Use these notes to update your existing reviews. Or duplicate listings and update the title and description with the ideal user of the products, who could buy them, and what occasion they should buy them for, and the best features of the products. Once you start selling your products regularly, revaluate your products line and take note of: products that make you profit products that sell well for you products you sell most of products that are easy for you to make products for which you have easy access to their raw materials products you enjoy making products you can make in short amount of time. From that point decide to eliminate some. You would slowly and naturally narrow your production tailored to your audience. Like Jess said it, it takes time. Just be patient and don't give up. There is a lot of videos that show other sellers that are successful within one year from starting their business. It may not be like that for everyone. Just give up. Good luck Catilyn! Thank you Jess for your videos!

@Thekookykudii 3 года назад

thankyou so much for this video

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

I'm so glad!

@rachelspoons8465 3 года назад

Thank you for this video! Great content

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

@thereseandhoney 3 года назад

Jess this was really helpful thank you ✨

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@ScribblebytesWorldwide 3 года назад

Congratulations!

@maharlikabebz2249 4 года назад

I just have a question jess, How long do you suggest a person must have patience before their handcraft business even make sales?

@JessVanDen 4 года назад

It really depends, but it can take a few months for that first sale!

@alexg8460 3 года назад

Great vid! a question, we are strating a handmade doll business and already have 2 orders and havent even offered them. Were getting website ready and a couple collection dolls, what happenes if we cant full fill them in time beacuse they take about 3 hours to make from scrath. Should we invest and have about 20 or 30 premaid before starting to market them or just wait and do 1 order at a time and have customer wait in line sort to speak? What would you do?

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Making after receiving the order is the 'made to order' model of business - this is what I do in my own handmade business. Just make sure your production time is long enough so you have time to make the dolls.

@yodelissosa7791 3 года назад

I think you should do Both. Keep some dolls in stock for some buyers and allow others to be made to sell, this can help for personalized/custom-make dolls & designs!! That is if you're making several collections and different styles!! 🥰🥰 GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY!! 💖💖

@Mass-jab-death-2025 Год назад

My niche is I make antique oxidised Stirling silver jewellery drunk while underwater with hollowed out ping pong balls on my fingers. As far as I know I am the only one doing this so I expect great success if I don’t drown first.

@1o1Sabby 3 года назад

Fantastic video, subbed :)

@rebekkah69law 3 года назад

Hi Jess, i watched your video, I started handmade business making unique scrunchies and blankets been up for month and half still not getting any sales, i get visit but no sales. I am going to buy better camera because my camera is old doesn’t take very good pics. Had some people telling me to lower my prices to almost nothing, but still no orders. I dont like the effect my prices are lower than any other shop. Than my daughter tells me i should go back to selling them at the price I originally selected. Have any advice

@JessVanDen 3 года назад

Do work on those photos, don't underprice your work, and have patience, it can take a long time to see sales come in. Good luck!

@rebekkah69law 3 года назад

@@JessVanDen , thank you. I sa video where you were offering online step by step on Estes setting up shop but video was back in 2019 do you still offer this class

@Jess-kx7ew 3 года назад

@@rebekkah69law yes, it's actually running again in a few week's time: createandthrive.com/setupshop

@PlushandPetal 4 месяца назад

Hi Jess! Love your content, super helpful and inspiring. Random question - do you happen to have a P.O. Box for your followers to send you things we make? I crochet velvet scrunchies and I recently made one I LOVE in my hair and thought you may enjoy one also. 🤗 I’d love to gift it to you.

@JessVanDen 3 месяца назад

Thanks, and I do! P.O. Box 6327, Mooloolah Valley, QLD, 4553, Australia.

@PlushandPetal 3 месяца назад

@@JessVanDen Awesome!! Thank you!