How to sell your crafts locally

There’s nothing more personal than handmade products; they show the maker’s love and care for the process. When you put everything into your work, it’s just as important to make sure each piece finds a good home.

Whether providing someone with a gift to give or a way to brighten their own home, there are plenty of ways to reach customers. To find what works for you, explore a few options and try them for yourself.

This guide discusses how to sell crafts locally, which includes:

• Fairs and festivals
• Pop-up stalls
• Gift shops
• Open houses
• Online marketplace

Many areas host craft fairs in halls, schools, churches or community centres. These are often organised between small businesses and the local council, so speak to your authorities and ask them if any are coming up.

The essential advantage of a craft fair is that everyone who attends will be there because they love handmade products. Those willing customers can be drawn to your own stall and you can show off what you offer. 

A downside is competition you have, especially if other crafters there create similar things. But that’s a reason to use your creativity to stand out, using things like colourful banners.

There could be music festivals or family fun days on in your area, that’ll attract lots of people. Even though they may not centre on crafts, they could still be perfect to sell your goods.

Think about who would attend each event, as it can help you decide what products to offer. For example, a country music festival would be perfect for selling belts and western hats.

When it comes to how to sell your crafts locally, pop-up stalls are a great alternative to opening a physical store. They let you test the retail waters without long-term commitment –– simply pack up if an area isn’t busy.

Pop-up businesses are often associated with Christmas in the UK. They benefit from the increase of shoppers in town or city centres over the holiday season. 

But you could also set up stalls in the summer near beaches, where you could sell things like surfer jewellery.

To set up a pop-up store, you’ll need to speak to your local council and might need to apply for a vendor licence. 

For more information on pop-ups, see: How to write a business plan for a pop-up shop.

If there’s one great group to target for how to sell crafts locally, it’s tourists. When people go on holiday, they buy souvenirs to remember their time or give to friends and family.

That’s why gift shops are everywhere, from:

• Museums
• Galleries
• Zoos
• Hotels

They are often full of craft products that visitors can pick up. Speak to the gift shops in your area and see if you can supply your products to them.

If your crafts are related to the venue or the area, you might find that they suit the gift shops more. Alternatively, garden centres could be an option if your products would be a fit for the outdoors.

The decision of how to sell your crafts locally could lead you to open your home up to the public. Open houses or shopping parties are popular for direct selling businesses like Avon, they could also work for your handmade goods.

If customers can see just how good products look in your home, it’s easier for them to imagine them on their own. 

A big selling point of your business is the personality you put into the pieces, so show people how you make them and where the magic happens.

You might not live in a suitable home, like if you have a small apartment. Ask a friend or family member to use their house, offer a percentage of the sales in exchange for the space.

The best social media platform when it comes to how to sell your crafts locally is Facebook. It helps you connect with groups within your area and even has a marketplace feature, which lets you sell things to people near you.

You can post the products that you offer through Facebook for free, and people can offer to buy each item. Either ask people to pick them up from you or deliver them to their homes.

Similarly, local marketplaces like Shpock and Gumtree are also ideal for that kind of selling. The people that would buy from you would be local, so you won’t need to worry about shipping.

Any community approaches to selling your products mean you also need to think about local ways to spread the word. Get as much attention as possible before you even attend an event or open your stall.

The possibilities may depend on where you live, like the option of local radio which could vary in costs place to place. You could print posters and flyers, to hand out in shopping centres or supermarkets.

Social media is another choice, and in addition to Facebook, Instagram or TikTok could be perfect. Those video platforms can help you show off your process and get people to engage with your craft.

If you don’t keep up with the costs of marketing, as well as event supplies or materials, your accounts can become jumbled. But with one essential, financial management can be seamless.

Countingup is a business account with built-in accounting software in one handy app. Its receipt capture feature lets you use your phone camera to scan paper billings and add them straight to your expenses.

Get started for free.