Is it a good time of the year to be Selling Craft Business?
I have a habit of collecting my sterling silver scrap metal so I can eventually send it to the refiner to be recycled. It’s just the nature of the beast that some metal from a sheet is not going to be used – and some of these pieces are just too small to incorporate into anything else. Plus it’s a good way to recoup some cash from inevitable workshop mistakes. Refiners will buy back scrap metal, which can make a significant decrease in your cost of goods sold. However, it’s also a good green practice for metalsmiths. I was just amazed when I read statistics from the EPA recent Toxic Release Inventory report . They report that metal mining is the worst pollutant activity in the USA – accounting for 34% of all waste disposal. If you buy sheet metal from huge online merchant Rio Grande, you’re probably familiar with their buy-back policy. However, most precious metal manufacturers who sell castings and findings also buy back scrap metal. So save money and save the planet by recycling your
Selling crafts can be profitable no matter what time of year it is, although based on my experience summer time and the time leading up to Christmas tend to be the best times for craft shows. I had a craft business that I ran full time for over 7 years. The summer months were always very good for me because I would hit all of the summer festivals and craft shows to sell my items. I also set up a booth at the local Farmer’s Market and did quite well there. Part of what makes the summer time profitable is that there are many different shows and selling venues that you can choose from. For me, though, the most profitable time of year was from the beginning of November through Christmas. People love to buy handmade items to give as unique gifts, and if you can get in on some pre-Christmas craft shows you can do very well. Even selling crafts online during the holiday season was quite profitable for me. I sold much of my stuff through eBay when I was doing it. I decided to close my business
