25 Essential Handmade Business Tips | For Etsy & Beyond.

I've been running a handmade business since 2008, and today, I'm sharing 25 essential tips that will help you to start and grow a successful handmade business - no matter where you sell, or what you sell.

Want to have a thriving online handmade shop?

Over 1,200 makers have already taken my #SetUpShop course and learnt how to systematically set up a stellar online shop to sell their craft.

Wanna join in?

The next class starts September 6th, 2021 (if you see this later, I run the course 2x per year).

It's super-affordable, and suitable for beginners or those who'd like to revamp an existing shop.

#etsy #handmadebusiness #etsytips
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I'm wearing my own jewellery in this video.

All of my sterling silver jewellery is available from my own website, and on Etsy.

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Want me to critique your Etsy shop or other online shop/website?

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Get your FREE Etsy Resources:

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Join my membership community & educational hub for makers:

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I have a podcast for makers, too!

You can see all the Create & Thrive Podcasts here:

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G'day!

I'm Jess Van Den - a former school teacher and science communicator - and I've wanted to make a living online since 1998. But it took me another decade to figure out how...

I've been 100% self-employed ever since.

I also love learning & sharing more about health, happiness, plants, and how to be more effective as a work-from-home, full-time self-employed creative - so I have all the time I need to do all the things I love.

You can follow me on instagram:
Handmade business help: @createandthrive
Sterling silver Jewellery: @epheriell
Houseplants & garden: @plantifying
Personal feed: @jessvanden

~ Jess

[sippa]

It’s wonderful that your husband is supportive! My ex-husband was not at all and I realized I had to pick my battles. As a result I ended up getting more business experience by working in a sales department and it also boosted my social security payments when I finally retired. The passion to
make things and be in businesses never left me and now in retirement I am loving the work and I have the freedom financially to pursue the work. Longevity is in my genes, so my goal is to work till at least 85 years old and longer as a hobby.

[MyBohoChicStyle]

Hi Jess! This is one of my favorite videos ever, and I've saved it to my playlist so I can easily find it! It's not only educational, it's relatable, and uplifting and encouraging! | love your message and the tone in which you deliver it!
Thanks so much for what you do! Tina 🥰♥️

[ParteneValentina]

Omg!You are sooo wonderful and powerful women!I was looking to your video and almost crying becouse i swo myself in your explications.I just open a small bussiness and i am block, unable to start and post my first product.I always found diferent reasons, in some days I want to quit, i cry and i comeback.I think is just about give time to learn and take step by step...This is what I learned from you today.Thanks!
ps.Sorry for my english, i am not native language speaker

[NCottageDesigns]

Jess what is your thoughts on opening a General Store on Etsy. Read on and I explained.I have a YouTube Channel where I mostly make Gnomes. I have been selling them at Craft Shows for 6 years, and people love them, but there are a lot of people that look and say, " Omg those are so cute and then don't buy. I know not everyone is not a lover of gnomes and won't buy. I have wanted my own business selling my crafts other than craft shows for years. I have looked and did research on gnomes that sell on Etsy, and
I don't see them selling thousands and thousands of gnomes to be able to quit their full time job. Maybe I'm wrong.
I don't think by just selling gnomes is going to give me the freedom to quit my full-time job and have my own craft business. I love to create/make just about anything. I love sewing, wood working, and more. If I opened an Etsy shop I would like to have a General Store and sell more then just Gnomes. I have started working on and creating other items to sell besides gnomes.
Or would having my own website be better for me where I can sell many different products. But what E-commerce site. I do have over 10, 000 YouTube subscribers, I have a business Pinterest page, but have not became verified on Pinterest, I have that opportunity to. But still looking into that. I have signed up for your upcoming course, Set up Shop. Please let me know your thoughts.love where info you you cover everything about starting your own business. Thanks for all the great videos and info.❤

[christinafernandez]

Thank you for your advice! I just started my crochet business, TicaKnot and find my days working more on the logistics rather than actually crocheting lol~ so glad I found your video!

[angietham]

you are so wise giving wise advice .I will watch this several times to remind me of very important points

[angelacampbell]

Thank you so very much for your amazingly helpful videos! I am doing everything I can To get A craft business started incorporating resin To preserve nature In jewelry and gifts. I live in the beautiful state of North Carolina. I love to hike and adore nature photography. My dream is to find a way for my business to marry my nature photography and my love of creating preserved nature products. many ideas lol but soooo much to learn!

[hannahbalderas]

I have a Native beading business, ReeMix Beadwork. My values consist of show personality, continuing cultural art, and family life. Ive been selling mostly via Instagram and Facebook since 2018 and have been branching to doing craft fairs and wholesale. I make things when I want to and sell them but also take orders. I make anything from keychains, necklace, earrings to medallions and name plates. I’ve started being more full time with it since June 2022.

[angelamelville]

I took notes and I am so grateful. I was happy to find a lot of what you said has been what I thought. It was like your motto "money is time and time is life" you just did that for me. I know you may never meet me, but honestly you are my saving grace and heaven sent. I hav watched many others and I give them their flowers too but you get the biggest bunch. I don't need to check any others and would love to attend your workshops. Thanks Jess! It's 02:30 and I am going to watch more of you - I am excited!

[angelamelville]

Thank you for sharing. I tried to download the resource pack from the link in one of your other videos but was not able to. I would love to support you and get moving with my business start-up.

[jen_crochetfun]

All great advice! I still struggle with bookkeeping, photography, and organization. I just opened a third etsy shop, so I really need to nail those down. I have gotten better, but there is still a ton of room for improvement.

[unikreations]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience of starting a business. You’re so humble and wonderful. I feel so connected with you and your wonderful persona.

[RogueRocker]

Your advice is inspiring. Thanks and Best of luck to you.

[billyraysmithuploadyours]

thank you from THE WORKING CHOICE FOOT POWDER COMPANIE

[peggykirby]

Everything you said is so important. Ty!

[JoVan]

Thank you, Jess. just saw your video, and I have watched two so far !! I want to start a handmade hair accessory business ( not hair bows) . You tips are golden !!. I'm thinking of selling in beauty salons and places and online. I'm in the process of making samples and I make different styles.

[suzpjr]

Thank you so very, very much for this amazingly informative video. I am new to your channel, but I have learned so much from you in the short time I have been here. 🥰

[alishacherie]

Thanks you for this. I love your hair btw 😍

[jordanwthatcher]

This is really great information, thank you for sharing! I have so many things figured out as someone just starting out: product, reason, market, brand, values...but my photos are terrible which I fear is killing my ability to really start gaining credibility as a business.

[karynpuckett]

I am a bit late to the party since this was posted a year ago. lol. I want to start a business of making tie dyed chemo caps for people who experience hair loss. This video is very helpful, thank you. Do you have any videos on how to source wholesale materials?