It’s easier than ever before to turn your passion into profit! Earning extra income could help you save up for that trip you’ve been planning, alleviate stress when tackling your monthly bills, or allow you to cover the costs of your needle felting supplies.
In this mini-series, we’ll go over some of my top tips to help you start making money with your crafts. Thanks to the internet, the barrier to entry is virtually accessible for all—making this the perfect time for you to take a leap and try something new! I mean hey, what’s the worst that could happen?
So many creators get trapped in the mindset that they can’t start making money from their work until they’re an “expert.” But here’s the thing, everyone has to start somewhere, and there’s no true way to gain that experience other than jumping in the water.
Before you can make money from your crafts, first, you have to find your “people.” Whether it’s fellow crafters, creators you admire, or people who just love crafts—from needle felting to quilting, you need to think about where these people hang out online. Next, you have to start building your community.
If you’re passionate about crafting, this is the easiest part. Chat with other crafters, trade tips & techniques, root each other on, and most importantly, start documenting your work!
Before a potential customer buys a piece from you, they want to get a sense of who you are, and the best way to do that is by giving them a sneak peek into your processes.
You don’t need a fancy videographer, crazy editing skills, expensive equipment, or loads of experience. All you need is a smartphone and patience!
Check out these tips and start documenting your work. There’s a whole bunch of people out there who are amazed by what you do. Show ‘em what you got!
Tutorials
We’re in the information age, and there’s no shortage of Youtube pros who can teach themselves everything from car mechanics to painting, all from tutorials on the platform. This is a perfect opportunity for you to become a resource in the community.
Are your skills at an intermediate level? That’s fine. Teach beginner basics! Show viewers how to make a piece that you’ve perfected, or take it macro & hone in on a specific part of a project, such as creating legs, or the body shape for a mouse.
Go step-by-step, talk slow, be concise & detailed, and of course, upload your video with a clear title that lets the viewer know exactly what they’re going to watch. Something like this: How to Needle Felt Perfect Bear Arms. Yep, it’s that simple!
Before & After
If you’ve ever watched a fitness or health care company trying to sell you a product, you’ll notice that these advertisements have one thing in common, they always use “before & after” photos.
I think it’s safe to say that as a society, we can’t get enough of these transformation pictures. It’s probably the same reason why home renovation shows are so popular!
When you’re documenting your work, don’t be afraid to be transparent and show your mistakes and your progress. If you have a particular weakness when it comes to your crafts, double-down and show your audience just how challenging it is for you.
Not only does this open the possibility for fellow crafters to give you pointers, but it also gives you awesome before & after footage of your progress and dedication.
When I first started needle felting, there were so many things that challenged me. I wish I had documented those early projects to show just how far I’ve come. We’re all works in progress. But get this, with a world full of filtered, edited content, your audience would love to see you be real!
Pictures
Do you know what a flat lay photo is? (Hint: It’s a picture just like the one at the top of this page!) If you’ve been on Instagram, you’ve certainly scrolled by at least a dozen in five minutes.
Flat lay photos are pictures you take from above, usually with miscellaneous items sprinkled around the focal point of the image. When done correctly, they’re so beautiful and they catch the eye.
Taking these photos is easy, and learning to master the flat lay photo could uplevel your online presence. The best part is that there are no rules. If you want to take a picture of your needle felted pieces, place them at the center of your photo.
Next to your work, place your tools and supplies nearby, or perhaps the coffee mug you always drink out of when you’re crafting—maybe even let your cat sneak in. The idea is to create aesthetically pleasing photos while bringing the viewer into your world.
Go Live!
Have you played around with Facebook or Instagram Live? It’s a quick, easy, and FREE way to start building an audience and engaging your community of crafters.
Get your craft supplies out, set your smartphone up at a good angle where your movement is easy to see, and go live! Viewers can pop in and out as they please, ask their questions, or lend their compliments. I know this might sound a little nerve-racking at first, but I promise, after you get a few under your belt, it’ll feel second nature to you!
I love to help my fellow crafters find their groove, and I’m so excited to share tips on how to make money from your crafts—something I sure could have benefited from in the beginning!
If you’re not quite at a place where your work is ready to be showcased for the world to see, I can help you reach those goals. My Bear Creek Felting Academy is full of amazing crafters looking to take their art to the next level, whether it’s for passion, profit, or both!
Won’t you join us? We’re a tight-knit community of crafters from all over. And with videos, tips, techniques, and feedback from me, you’ll start to master advanced projects and intricate details, the stuff that craft dreams are made of.
Click here to learn more about the academy, and drop a comment below if you’d like more tips on how to build a community or earn an income with your crafts!
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