How to Start and Run an Arts & Crafts Business

Introduction

Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's own hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" (doing things the old way) and the rest. Some crafts have been practised for centuries, while others are modern inventions, or popularisations of crafts which were originally practiced in a very small geographic area.

The specific name Arts and Crafts movement was also given to a design movement of the late 19th and early 20th century, whose proponents included William Morris and Edwin Lutyens. They believed that medieval craftsmen achieved a joy in the excellence of their work, which they strove to emulate.

These activities are called crafts because originally many of them were professions. Adolescents were apprenticed to a master-craftsman, and they refined their skills over a period of years. By the time their training was complete, they were well-equipped to set up in trade for themselves, earning their living with the skill of their hands. The Industrial Revolution and the increasing mechanisation of production processes gradually reduced or eliminated many of the roles professional craftspeople played, and today 'crafts' are most commonly seen as a form of hobby.

Most crafts require a combination of skill and talent, but they can also be learned on a more basic level by virtually anyone. Many Community centres and schools run evening or day classes and workshops offering to teach basic craft skills in a short period of time. Many of these crafts become extremely popular for brief periods of time (a few months, or a few years), spreading rapidly among the crafting population as everyone emulates the first examples.

The term craft also refers to the products of artistic production or creation that require a high degree of tacit knowledge, are highly technical, require specialized equipment and/or facilities to produce, involve manual labor or a blue-collar work ethic, are accessible to the general public and are constructed from materials with histories that exceed the boundaries of western art history, such as ceramics, glass, textiles, metal and wood. These products are produced within a specific community of practice and while they differ from the products produced within the communities of art and design, the boundaries of such often overlap resulting in hybrid objects. Additionally, as the interpretation and validation of art is frequently a matter of context, an audience may perceive crafted objects as art objects when these objects are viewed within an art context, such as in a museum or in a position of prominence in one's home.

Artisans and Craftpersons are part of the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code of 31-33, Manufacturing. The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and materials-handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, are also included in this sector. The actual six digit code assigned is based on the end product that is produced.

There are a variety of ways people make money from arts and crafts. The field of arts and crafts includes many types of businesses. The best way to learn more about the viabiiity of operating a particular business model is to participate in associations and workshops, subscribe to magazines that are related to your interests, and read books that give more in-depth information about the business.

Types of Arts/Crafts

There are almost as many variations on the theme of "arts and crafts" as there are crafters with time on their hands, but they can be broken down into a number of categories:

Crafts involving textiles

Crafts involving wood, metal or clay

Metalworking
Jewelry
Pottery
Sculpture
Woodworking
Cabinet making
Chip carving
Marquetry
Wood burning

Crafts involving paper or canvas

Bookbinding
Calligraphy
Cardmaking
Collage
Decoupage
Marbling
Origami
Papier-mâché
Pergamano - parchment craft
Quilling
Scrapbooking
Stamping

Crafts involving plants

Basket weaving
Corn dolly making
Pressed flower craft
Straw Marquetry

Other crafts

Balloon animal
Beadwork
Doll making
Dollhouse construction and furnishing
Egg decorating
Etching
Lapidary
Mosaics
Pioneering
Stained glass
Toy making

Professional Resources

American Craft Council
A national, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft.

American Needlepoint Guild
An educational, non-profit organization whose purpose is educational and cultural development through participation in and encouragement of interest in the art of needlepoint.

American Sewing Guild
A national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity. Members enjoy the benefit of discounts for sewing-related materials and tools, Notions Magazine, the ASG conference which members attend for a discounted price, the latest news from the sewing industry, a national membership which allows our members to attend any ASG meeting anywhere and the special camaraderie that comes with sharing with other sewers.

Associations, Guilds, and Societies
Extensive lists of online and offline associations that support various facets of the arts and crafts industry.

Basketry Business
Business and marketing information including informative articles on business related aspects of crafting along with links to the products and supplies needed in displaying and marketing your basketry.

Craft Organization Development Association
Works to strengthen craft organizations and to do research, public education and advocacy.

Craft Retailers Association of Tomorrow
Promotes awareness of American made craft through marketing, networking, education and communications programs. The Association serves as the voice of the industry through organized legislative efforts, participation in standard setting organizations and distribution of industry information.

The Crafts Report
The Crafts Report is the premier business magazine for the crafts professional. Published monthly, TCR provides information on: marketing, growing your craft business, time management, studio safety, retail relationships, artist/retailer profiles, industry news and more.

The Crochet Guild of America
A not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of crochet. The main purpose of the Crochet Guild of America is to educate the public about crochet, provide education and networking opportunities, and set a national standard for the quality, art and skill of crochet through creative endeavors.

The Embroiders' Guild of America
Fosters the art of needlework and associated arts.

Handweavers Guild of America
Brings together weavers, spinners, dyers, basketmakers, fiber artists and educators. HGA provides educational programs, conferences, and an award-winning quarterly publication, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, to its members as it seeks to increase awareness of and appreciation for the fiber arts.

The Home Sewing Assocation
Brings together weavers, spinners, dyers, basketmakers, fiber artists and educators. HGA provides educational programs, conferences, and an award-winning quarterly publication, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, to its members as it seeks to increase awareness of and appreciation for the fiber arts.

Hobby Industry Association
Serves the interests of over 4,000 member companies engaged in the manufacturing and merchandising of craft and hobby products. Their annual trade show is one of the largest in the world.

National Academy of Needlearts
An organization devoted to the advancement of embroidery as an art form.

National Art Materials Trade Association
An international organization whose members are engaged in the art and creative materials industry. Its purpose is to provide its members with forums to exchange information, resources to enhance their effectiveness and opportunities for growth.

National Association of Independent Artists
The NAIA serves as an advocate for artists. It has become the artists' collective and most effective voice as it continues to grow and gain recognition. Artist membership is open to artists who design and produce their own work and derive a significant portion of their income from the sale of their art.

National Craft Association
An information and resource center for the professional arts & crafts Industry.

The National NeedleArts Association
An international trade organization representing companies specializing in needlearts products and supplies. TNNA's membership is comprised of businesses that create and market handpainted needlepoint canvases, hand-dyed and specialty crochet and knitting yarns, embroidery, needlepoint and cross-stitch, kits, embellishments, furniture, notions, gifts, books, publications, accessories, tools and more.

The Shaw Guide to Art and Craft Workshops
Detailed descriptions of hundreds of art and craft conferences, seminars and workshops worldwide. Searchable by state, country, specialty, keyword. Includes calendar of upcoming programs.

National Textile Association
Industry association for American textiles.

The Textile Society of America
International forum for the exchange and dissemination of information about textiles worldwide, from artistic, cultural, economic, historic, political, social, and technical perspectives.

TextileWeb
Provides reliable, up-to-date information to encourage business activity among buyers and sellers in the global textile marketplace.

The Arts & Crafts Business