Many folks
have a flair for crafting and art, but aren't sure how to get started
or where to sell their work. Here we've gathered some sites from around
the Internet where you can turn that creative stream into a revenue
source. Good luck, and we hope to see your work online soon!
Crafting
companies, by their nature, will receive mixed reviews based on the
abilities
of the individual crafter -- speed, work quality, and satisfaction with
the project all factor in to the overall experience. As many
advertisers state, "results may vary," and that certainly rings true in
the crafting world.
(All sites have been screened; some links are affiliate links.)
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Art
Fire
"We
have crafted a complete market place and community for handmade artists
and those who love handmade items where artisans can list handmade
crafts for sale, absolutely free of charge! There are No listing fees,
no final valuation fees, no fees, no kidding!"
Fees:
Not for the basic option; upgraded options available
CafePress
For
every artist or philosopher who has ever thought, "I'd love to put that
on a T-shirt or bumper sticker," CafePress provides a FREE outlet and a
sales platform.
The print-on-demand feature means you never have to purchase inventory
on speculation to sell your original artwork or
quotes on
T-shirts, apparel, gifts for the home,
stationery, gear, and other customizable items.
Also for free, you can set up an online store to display and sell your
items. Cafe Press handles printing the purchased items on demand,
payment transactions, shipping, and returns, and sends you a check for
your mark-up.
Fees: Not for the basic option;
upgraded options available
crowdSpring
"crowdSPRING
is an online marketplace for creative services. For buyers, crowdSPRING
is a place to post a creative project, watch the world contribute ideas
and choose the one they like. For creatives, crowdSPRING is a global
stage for creativity where title and experience don't matter."
Fees:
None that we can see, but we'll keep looking!
DaWanda.com
(France,
UK, Germany)
DaWanda.com is a marketplace
where you can sell unique and handmade products.
"Creating
your shop is free. When you sell a product we take 5% commission from
the sales value. We do not charge commission on shipping fees."
Fees:
5% commission on the sales price of the item sold
Disciple's Cross
The Disciple's Cross made its
debut when Survivor:
Thailand contestant, Pastor John Raymond,
wore one on air. On his return to the US, he was inundated with
requests for these crosses, and he started this business to meet the
demand.
Though the "buy-back" program
(where they buy back your finished crosses) is not as robust as it was
previously, many people are still doing quite well creating
these items and selling them on their own (as fundraisers, to churches
and Christian shops, at flea markets, online, etc.).
The DCProducers Yahoo list
is an excellent resource for Disciple's Cross crafters to share their
experiences, tips, suppliers, and more.
Fees:
Start-up kit costs $69.95
Ebay
The auction site known 'round
the world can be an excellent place to sell your handmade items. In
fact, Ebay has a Guide to Selling Crafts
for crafters of all kinds.
Fees:
Listing fees apply
Etsy
Etsy is a
popular online marketplace for handmade items.
"We connect buyers with
independent creators and shop owners to find the very best in handmade,
vintage and supplies."
Fees:
20 cents to list an item for four months, plus a 3.5%
transaction fee on items sold
Magical Gift Company
Overall, we have heard very
good things about Magical Gift Company (as with all jobs, some people
will do better than others depending on their abilities, speed, etc.).
Choose from a variety of
projects, including sewing, glue gun, wool, jewelery, clay, paint, and
others.
"We pay $1-$2.00 per piece
depending on how long it takes to complete each project."
Fees:
Approx. $45 for start-up kit; refunded after you create 250 acceptable
pieces
Note: We have heard that paying for expedited shipping may not be worth
the extra expense.
SmashingDarling.com
In their own words,
"SmashingDarling is the online destination for anything new and
emerging fashion, bringing together independent fashion designers with
individuals who seek a unique fashion edge."
Set up an online boutique (or
several) at this fashion-focused site, and sell your unique clothing
and accessories. They
are not looking for household items.
Fees:
Free to set up; 18% transaction fee on all sales
YouCanMakeThis.com
If you're great at coming up
with great new projects, and can capture the details in an
easy-to-follow how-to, you may be able to sell your patterns and crafting
directions at YouCanMakeThis.com.
Fees:
Profit-sharing model
Zazzle
An on-demand, made-to-order
marketplace that's perfect for anyone who has a great idea for
customized clothing, mugs, magnets, buttons, skateboards, and more!
No need to purchase inventory.
You can create a free online gallery to showcase your products.
Fees: Free
