Factory Direct Craft Supply's Blog

Crafting a Living- Part 4

Part 4 of Crafting a Living - Keeping up on Trends

 

Crafting or creating items for sale is about knowing and keeping up on trends. The craft industry follows the fashion industry. So, just as you wouldn't wear a dress you wore in the 80's you wouldn't want to do 80's crafts!

 

The latest in crafting is all about the "primitives"- people love the old grungy look, it gives them a warm fuzzy feeling. Primitive crafts and premade primitive items are sure to be a hit with your customers and easy for you! Add some embellishments to a premade item, and wah-la you have made it your own. Mix new items in with old antiques or yard sale finds to make your home or your craft fair booth look great.

 

The other new trend is Altered Art. Factorydirectcraft.com offers a variety of books on the subject. One of our favorites is Altered Surfaces. Take an old book you find at a yard sale or thrift store and with a little work it  becomes a work of art.

Work hard, save, invest, change with the times, never accepted "no" for an answer, and modify. When your previous plans do not work learn from them and learn from the mistakes or success of others. It is fun to be "Crafting for a Living"......

Crafting a Living- Part 3

Part 3 of Crafting a Living - How do I price my items?

 

If I buy an item for $1 and sell it for $1 what have I made? Answer: NOTHING! That is simplistic enough, that anyone can understand it.But what price you decide to sell at, can sometimes put you at a loss.

 

When pricing your items you need to take into account the cost of the supplies you have used and your time. Don't forget, if your craft uses partial quantities of something, such as glue, remember to add this cost onto your total cost of your item. Of course you wouldn't add the entire cost on, but you still need to account for that item; say you used 1/10th of the bottle of glue that cost 2.99 you would add .29 onto the total cost of your craft.

 

Also, take a look at similar items or types of items and see what they are going for. Everyone loves a bargain so price yours slightly under your competition. There is also the thought that price it higher than the competition then sell your customer on the "value" of your fine creation. Sometimes your personality alone and your interaction with your customer will sell your item.

Crafting a Living- Part 2

Part 2 of Crafting a Living - Where to sell my Arts and Crafts

 

Ok, so I've created all this beautiful arts and crafts. Where do I sell it? There are a variety of places to sell your arts and crafts:

 

Craft Shows, Festivals and Fairs. There is usually a craft show or festival going on somewhere near you most of the yea. While the Fall season, leading up to the Holidays, is usually the most profitable, you may want to try other festivals, fairs or craft shows at different times of year. Two of the more popular festives in our area(Dayton/Cincinnati) are the Spring Maple Sugar Festival and the Americana Festival on the 4th of July. Check out all the Festivals in your area.

 

Online. You can create your own web site and sell online, or you may wish to try a site that has a little bit more web traffic. Of course Ebay comes to mind, as the #1 auction site; but you may also want to try the Art site Etsy.com, known as "your place to sell all things handmade" or IOffer.com, "the place to buy, sell or trade". All these sites allow you to list your items and create your own store to sell your items.  

 

Flea Markets. Flea Markets aren't what they used to be. Many are set up as weekend-only shopping malls. By being open on weekends, this allows you to create your items all week, then sell them on the weekend. If you have a "job-job" this will work well with your schuedule of doing both your job and your craft. The flea markets biggest advantage is traffic; a lot of customers in a short couple days. The more customers there are, the bigger your chance to sell your creations.

 

Friends, Family and Coworkers. You may have sold Girl Scout cookies for your daughter or popcorn for the PTO, at work or to your family at one point. Why not show the arts and craft items you have created to friends, family or coworkers? Many people are often looking for something different to give as a gift, or simply want something new to decorate their home. They may enjoy dealing with and purchasing from the person who has taken their time to create a unique one of a kind item.

 

Many of FactoryDirectCraft.com customers make a living from the items they create. They sell them in a variety of places and ways, perhaps it is time that you too start "Crafting a Living"

 

Crafting a Living- Part 1

Part 1:Craft or Art?

 

The difference between crafts and art. "Art is the ability to make something and sell it!" Wow, some smart person actually made that quote! In today's tough economy many people are finding out what arts and crafts are all about. They are able, in either their extra time or as a full time vocation, make a variety of arts and crafts and sell them. This creates extra income for their family and a pride in knowing they made it themselves. Many arts and crafts businesses were formed (including Factory Direct Craft Supply, formed in the unstable 1980's economy) from one individual "crafting a living".

 

You too can be a part of this trend. You may have made craft gifts for family and friends, so why not make "art" to sell?

 

Watch for our next Factorydiretcraft.com Blog - Where to sell my arts and crafts

 

Super $ale-- EVERYTHING 49cents!

If you like $ales, we have one for you! Everything in our super $ale section at www.factorydirectcraft.com is .49 cents! YES, just .49 cents! Everything from scrapbooking and stencils, candle cappers, and bear clothes or what about wedding favors?! Its all on there....so make sure to check it out because once they are gone, their GONE!

Super $sale at FactoryDirectCraft.com

New SUPER SALE!!!

Make sure you check out our Super Blow Out Sale...up to 90% off!!

Updated daily and great items! Make sure to buy now, because once they are gone...they are gone!

Items like these:









www.factorydirectcraft.com
800.252.5223

We Have a Wholesale Division Now!

A wholesale program for retail shops & professional crafters.

Our commitment to our customers is to provide the best possible value at a minimum price. For professional crafter's and retailers, we have a wholesale program. This program gives you 20% off our already low, discount prices. In order to have access to the wholesale program, your account must meet the minimum required purchase of $250.00* per order. Orders less than the $250* purchase per order will not receive 20% off. Wholesale orders will be charged actual shipping FOB Franklin, Ohio.

Methods of payment accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Paypal.

To take part in this program, you must provide us with the following information:

• Your Business Name
• A Copy of Your State Tax ID Number
• Shipping Address and Contact Information (including daytime phone number)
• Your Business Email Address

Send your information by mail to:

Factory Direct Craft Supply, Inc. - Wholesale Accounts
315 Conover Drive.
Franklin, Ohio 45005

You can also fax this information to the following fax number: 937-743-5500. We will process your information within one week from the date we receive your application. If you qualify you will be notified by email with your company account number. This will provide you with a 20% discount off all of your future purchases both on our web site and by phone. (Ebay purchases are not included in this offer)

We must have a copy of your business/contract license/permit on file.

FactoryDirectCraft.com Purchases Grace Publications Inventory & Domain

 

FactoryDirectCraft.com recently purchased Grace Publications inventory and domain. Over 75,000 books were shipped from the Grace Publications warehouse to us here at FactoryDirectCraft.com!

For 27 years Grace Publications has been "Your Source for Creative Ideas". Grace publications was known for a selection of quality, user-friendly, instructional craft, painting, and paper crafting and scrap booking books. Artist like Jan Way, Pat Olson, Pat Saunders, Linda Peterson and others have designed books for Grace Publications.

When Grace Publications decided to close their doors FactoryDirectCraft.com purchased all their remaining inventory.  FactoryDirectCraft.com now has a wide selection of both rare vintage titles and newer favorites. Books like Poly Pens Polymer Clay by Linda Peterson and Gourd Gatherings by Margaret Hanson-Maddox are among some of the titles available.

And the best part is the books have been discounted to some unbelievable prices. Check out all of the titles at www.GracePublications.com

New Items!!!

Check out all our new items! The holiday stuff is starting to arrive and you dont want to miss it!

www.factorydirectcraft.com

About Factory Direct Craft Supply

Q: Who is Factory Direct Craft Supply?
A: Since 1985 Factory Direct Craft Supply has been providing smart shoppers with our vast selection of Craft Supplies,Wedding & Bridal Accessories, & Primitive Home Decor. We import many of our items directly from overseas suppliers. Whether you are an individual, professional crafter, retail store, or home based business we are here to serve you.

Factory Direct Craft Supply loves to help our customers! Have a question regarding an item? Need help placing an order? Customer Service representatives are here to help with any questions before you order.

Give us a call 1-800-252-5223 Monday-Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm EST

Q: How can I place an order?
A: We want to make it easy for you! You can place your order online, phone, fax or mail. Info is Below.

Order Online:
Using our online shopping cart: As you browse our product pages, click on the photo of the item for more information regarding that item. Then, if you wish to purchase this item put the quantity of that item in the quantity box. Then click on the "Add to cart." link. When you are done shopping, review the items in your shopping cart, you may make any necessary changes at that time, and complete the ordering process. Questions? Please feel free to phone us at 1-800-252-5223 Monday-Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm EST

Order by Phone:
US Inquiries Toll Free: 1-800-252-5223

Local/Overseas Orders & Inquiries: 1-937-743-5855

Operators are available to take your orders Monday-Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm EST. We are proud that our operators are based in the US & speak English.

Order by FAX:
You may fax your order to:

US Fax: 1-800-269-8741

Local/Overseas Fax: 1-937-743-5500

You do not need a special order form to fax your order. Just be sure to include your name, address and a daytime phone number (in case we have a question regarding your order) along with method of payment.

Order by Mail:
Mail your order to:
Factory Direct Craft Supply
315 Conover Dr
Franklin, Ohio 45005

Place your order online as you normally would. Then when you are finished shopping click on checkout. Then simply click on the print and send your order link. Be sure to include your name, address and a daytime phone number (in case we have a question regarding your order) along with method of payment.

Going to be in the Franklin, Ohio Area? Visit our Warehouse
You are also welcome to visit us and shop our 36,000 square foot warehouse.
We are located just off of Interstate 75 in Franklin, Ohio. (between Dayton & Cincinnati)



Shop our warehouse 7 days a week!
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9-6 EST
SATURDAY 9-6 EST
SUNDAY CLOSED