I believe that there is a market for any well-made craft, whether decorative or useful. Many crafters face the problem of how exactly to go about selling them, or more accurately, finding paying customers. The fact is that there is an awful lot of competition out there.

My business got jump-started by my ?circle of friends?. My friends noticed and liked my calling cards and began to ask me to design and make cards for them. Starting with just the American Greetings CreataCard program, I was soon earning a nice supplemental income in just a few hours a week.

It probably helped that I was retired and live in an area dominated by retirees. But I think that everyone has a ?circle of friends? either socially or at work.

Of course you don't want to impose on their friendship by making a hard sell, so use or display your crafts in front of your friends to see if they draw any interest. If they do and if they're priced right, you're on your way to craft retailing for profit. If your ?circle of friends? market starts extending to friends of friends, you're probably ready to tap the general marketplace of craft retailing.

Craft Show Retailing

Most crafters are aware of the periodic craft shows put on by local groups or even by the local Parks Departments. These usually cost little or nothing to join and should give you a fair idea of whether there is any broader interest in your craft. What better way to jump into craft retailing?

There are also organized craft shows that tour the country, most of which charge an entrance fee for participants. Check your local papers, especially the free shoppers, for information about upcoming shows.

There are websites, such as Arts and Craft Shows, which provide a searchable database of upcoming shows throughout the country with little icons that give you an idea of what the theme of the show is. They're usually free to use.

Or The Crafts Report Magazine contains a list of most of the major craft shows throughout the country.

The local flea markets that spring up in every community just about every weekend are another venue for craft retailing. Again the entrance cost is usually minimal. The only other thing you need is a little craft retailing savvy. However this is also a venue for bargain hunters, so crafters may not be able to charge the best prices.

These types of shows require that you display your crafts attractively, even if it must be on a card table. Use tablecloths or pieces of fabric draped over the table and over an arrangement of empty boxes to provide various levels of display.

With most of your craft items placed on the horizontal surfaces and smaller items hanging from the vertical surfaces, you can maximize your display space in a very eye-appealing fashion. I also bring along a folding wicker screen to which I attach hooks and hangers. It makes for an effective portable display for larger lightweight items like tote bags.

Craft retailing at shows may seem easy but actually requires quite a bit of physical labor ? lugging your crafts and display items, setting up, rearranging your display throughout the day as things sell, just being on your feet for several hours, and then disassembling your display and lugging the remnants back home.

I say ?on your feet? deliberately. If you are seated behind your display waiting for customers to search you out, forget it. Most will walk past quickly with only a cursory glance.

Craft retailing at shows also requires a good bit of psychic energy. You want to greet all passers-by cheerily and try to engage them long enough that you can hold up or point to your various items and describe their uniqueness and why they are ?just perfect for ? your coloring, your style, etc.?

Detailing the quality or source of your raw materials often makes the item more appealing and interesting. If you don't consider yourself a ?natural salesperson?, take heart ? neither do I! You'll be surprised at how adept you become telling your crafting story.

No one knows your crafts like you do. Customers who frequent craft fairs and shows generally appreciate the charm and quality of handmade items. They often can't imagine making anything so ?beautiful, imaginative, complicated ?? themselves. And they're interested in how you do it, how you got started, etc.

You have to sell yourself as well as your crafts.