The 5 Best Reasons to Buy Handmade Products

The "handmade" movement is picking up steam in the US as people get more and more fed up with corporate giants like Wal Mart that move into towns and destroy local economies and local cultures just to bring in lower priced and lower quality goods. Consumers are recognizing that buying cheap goods imported from sweatshops in Third World countries isn't an ethical or cost effective way to shop. There are lots of reasons why customers are choosing to buy handmade, but the best reasons to buy handmade are these:

1. Buying handmade supports traditional arts. Throughout history artisans and crafters have developed methods and techniques to make items that are useful for everyday living beautiful and unique. Buying handmade supports the continuance of those arts. Without a market for handmade goods some artistic techniques that have been around for thousands of years might die out.

2. Buying handmade means buying one of a kind. In today's culture that has a relentless focus on uniformity buying handmade items helps you stand out from the pack and express your unique personality with one of a kind pieces of art and clothing. If you are comfortable with who you are and like being different from everyone else than buying handmade one of a kind items is definitely for you.

3. Buying handmade means buying higher quality. If you buy handmade items from a highly skilled artisan or high end crafter the item that you buy will almost always be of much higher quality than something you can get at the local discount store that was mass produced. Handmade items are made with high end materials and carefully crafted so that they will last and stay beautiful for a long time.

4. Buying handmade supports small businesses. Since most artisans and crafters use unique or not mass produced materials that are made by another artisan or crafter when you buy handmade products you're not only giving money to the artist but also to all the other artists that create the supplies to make that product. Paying more for a handmade item is really an investment because you are helping to support several artists.

5. Buying handmade makes a statement. Making a conscious choice to buy handmade products instead of mass produced ones says that things like quality, craftsmanship, and supporting small businesses instead of big retail businesses matters to you. When you buy handmade you are using your dollars to tell stores like Wal Mart that not every consumer can be seduced by the lowest price.

For more articles and info or to see my 2008/2009 collection of luxury handmade scarves go to: http://www.sonyascarves.squarespace.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sonya_S

How to Turn Your Handmade Crafts Hobby Into Cash

If you enjoy creating handmade crafts and you always hear people telling you that you should sell your creations, it may be time to journey into the world of selling your crafts for money.

Like starting any type of home-based business, entering the world of selling handmade crafts should be carefully planned out. There are many websites and venues where you can sell your crafts both online and off.

Before jumping right in to sell your crafts, whether locally through an online website, be sure to take some time and do research first. Ask yourself the following questions as you think about the idea of selling your crafts:

• Will people even want to buy my items? This is the most important question you have to ask yourself. If there is no target market for your products, you will have a hard time trying to sell your crafts, not because your items aren't nice, but they may not be in demand.


• Who is my potential target market? This is a continuation of the question above because you need to know who to advertise to and how to successfully draw your target market to your items. It would be a waste of time trying to sell baby clothes, for example, to those who do not have children.


• What will I charge for my craft items? Pricing is an important strategy. All too often, people underprice their crafts, forgetting to take into consideration the time and materials that go into a product. Make sure you account both the cost of the materials as well as the time and effort you put forth to create your goods. Also be sure not to overcharge. You may find that your items don't sell because they are over priced.
• Where will I sell my items?
  Sell Your Crafts Online
  Online websites are plentiful when it comes to selling handmade goods. There are websites such as Etsy and Artfire who only allow the sales of handmade crafts or the supplies needed to make them. eBay is also another popular venue to sell handmade goods. Be aware though, that you will be competing with the other goods that are not handmade and may be cheaper. A good description of the item and its benefits is always a good idea.
  Sell Your Handmade Crafts at Craft Fairs
  If you choose to sell locally, you can set up a local craft fairs. Craft shows are usually just a one or two-day local sale where you rent space or a table for the day. Other crafters will be there too so you can sell to the visitors and sell to other crafters.
  Partner with a Local Store
  Check with local stores that sell handmade crafts and see if they'd be interested in displaying some of your crafts on consignment. Be sure to get all of the sales terms in writing, especially if the store owner will be taking a type of commission.

It is very possible today to make some good money selling your crafts. With some work and planning, your handmade crafts hobby may even turn into a full time income source and you'll be able to "quit your day job."

About the Author: Karen Musselman and her husband set up at a several craft fairs during the year displaying their lighted wine bottles and lighted mason jars, as well as selling their crafts on eBay and through their own websites. Karen is also the author of two new craft books, Make Money at Craft Fairs: How to Turn Your Crafts into Your Gold Mine of Cash and Make Money with Craft Fairs: How to Make Money Hosting Your Own Successful Craft Fair.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_S_Musselman

How to Sell Handmade Jewelry Locally Using Free Publicity

Do you have a home business selling handmade jewelry? A jewelry home business is one of the tougher businesses to market because you don't have a storefront to show off your jewelry designs. Fortunately, you still have one of the most effective tools around for selling handmade jewelry - the power of free publicity.

Free publicity isn't hard to get if you have a new or novel product, but it can be difficult if your jewelry designs aren't unusually trendy or brand new to the market. Fortunately, it's not hard to find a unique angle to sell almost any product - even jewelry. Here are some ideas for getting people to talk about - and purchase - your jewelry designs.

Take Advantage of Current Happenings
One of the most effective ways to sell handmade jewelry using free publicity is to tie your jewelry designs in with an upcoming holiday. For example, write an article for the paper or a local publication on how to select jewelry to wear to a Christmas party. Of course, you'll want to mention your the special holiday jewelry designs you design at the end.

Adapt Your Jewelry Designs to the Local Market
Design a special necklace or bracelet that has the school colors of a local high school or university - or create a bracelet with charms that represent different things that are unique to the area where you live. Design for specific niche markets such as local sports teams and design jewelry using charms depicting their sport. It's not hard to get local publicity for these types of special jewelry designs.

Be Socially Conscious
Sponsor a jewelry show where you give a portion of your handmade jewelry profits to a local charity. This is almost sure to be worthy of publicity. Plus, the charity will promote the event also.

Become an Expert
Offer to write a column for your local paper on jewelry trends. This will establish you as an expert and create more interest in your jewelry designs.

Sell Handmade Jewelry By Giving it to a Local Celebrity
Give one of your designs to a local celebrity such as a popular,local newscaster. When she wears it, word will spread quickly about your jewelry home business and the beautiful designs you create.

Tell Your Story
Write about your struggles to start a successful jewelry home business. Everyone has a unique story to tell and newspapers love to publish stories about entrepreneurs who encountered challenges and hardships. Be sure to include photos of your jewelry.

The Bottom Line?
To sell handmade jewelry, find ways to tie your jewelry in to news and current events. Look for ways that your handmade jewelry designs are unique and use it to write an interesting story you can submit to local publications. Be persistent and soon your be selling handmade jewelry by the handfuls!

Kristie Leong M.D. specializes in helping handmade jewelry designers find new markets for their jewelry. She publishes a blog and has website full of information on jewelry marketing at http://www.jewelry-marketing.com. Find out how to make your home jewelry business a success!


( Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristie_Leong )

Starting Your Handmade Tiaras Business

One of every girls dream is to be a princess with nice-flowing gown and a beautiful tiara on her head. It is not possible as all girls and ladies are princesses and queens. On their prom night, the girl you once called as little princess has become a beautiful young princess and on their wedding day, the young princess has evolved to become the most stunning queen in the world.

Tiaras are part of the whole ensemble. And nowadays, many craftsmen and women are specializing on making tiaras to make the dream of every girl a reality. The design of tiara had changes since the days when it was used by kings from tall and cylinder shaped to today's designs which are semi-circular to circular which are often used by brides.

Making handmade tiaras are not as complicated as it looks and it is even easier once you started making one. You will need a bagful of crystals, depending on your style and taste you can use inexpensive crystal beads or the more expensive Swarovski crystals. You will also need a spool of silver or steel wire that can withstand the weight of the crystals, combs or bands to keep the tiara on your head, nose pliers and wire cutter. Add in your imagination, originality and craftsmanship, in no time you have a crystal tiara that you can wear as you walk down the aisle.

If you are thinking about making profit with handmade tiaras don't think twice especially if you believe in yourself. Start by sending your handmade tiaras to closest girlfriends who are getting married. From there, your tiaras will be noticed and possible of prospective clients are many. As soon as orders are coming in, make sure that the handmade tiaras are unique and individualized. It means that let your client decide about what she wants but be there to guide. Take orders that you can finish. Do not just take in for money; your company will have a bad record when meeting deadlines. Once you have established your business of handmade tiaras, you can start expanding.

There are various means to expand your business. One, join bridal fairs to showcase your handmade tiaras; there are a number of them in various states especially during summer as it is a perfect time for outdoor wedding and honeymoon. Second, approach local handmade stores and ask to consign your handmade tiaras in their store. It may be a slow way to earn money but it is a good way to introduce your handmade items to the public. Third option would be selling your handmade tiaras online. Nowadays, as you search for handmade buy and sell site on your search engine, millions of sit will flash back to you and among them is madeitmyself.com.

There is a lot of competition of handmade items but as long as your persistent and have patience, you will surely succeed.

MadeItMyself is a rapidly growing, unique and fun artisan online marketplace that lets you post your handmade creations and share them with the rest of the world. MadeItMyself provides endless possibilities for the people who love art and originality and want to make a good living from their respective trades.

( Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marianne_Navarro )

Vase Candle

This unique vase candle is a local handmade in mahogany material and finishing touch with melamine and other materials designed to have all the qualities that you look for in a candle. The vases stand between 12 and 38 centimeters tall.

You can have this beautiful and unique vase candle in affordable price for each set around US$.8,5 until US$.11 per set.

You can contact me for details when you have interest on these unique and precious handmade.

Tricycle & Bicycles Miniatures

With a length of 30 cm, height 20 cm and a weight of 1 kg make these tricycle and bicycles miniatures looks cute on your desk or even as a special gift for someone else. Just for your info, tricycle is one of traditional public transportation in Indonesia but nowadays these unique transportation is getting rare in Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia that I've live in)

You can buy these unique miniature souvenirs with affordable price of Rp 150.000 (or about US$ 15) for bicycle miniature and Rp 200.000 (or about US$ 20) for tricycle miniature. To see more detailed information, you can contact me via YM or visit the website here.

Unique Sandals

Let me introduce you to a local sandal handmade with brand name as "Sendal Batik Ukir". These sandals carving with batik motifs and characters are suitable for both ladies, guys or even children will loved it!

These carve sandals combined with a wide range of rope knitted in a soft plastic hose and you ladies will look more fun, fresh, feminine & fit ..

And you guys can use these carve sandals with rope material by using materials bis band rope (rope bag) make you the guy would feel more comfortable and impressed sturdy, yet not leave the shades of fun & classic ..

How about children? Of course they will crazy about it, I mean very very like it! ^_^

So, what are you waiting for. You can order these unique sandal only about Rp 35.000 / pair (or about US$ 3,5 / pair). And because it's handmade, you might need to wait about 3 days or more until you get these unique sandals into your feet.

If you need to find out more information and designs, you can chat with me or see it in their website here.