| With a metal embossing Craft business you have the | | | | purchase an item or two or learn how to make their |
| opportunity to quickly turn a profit if you learn how | | | | own. This is your cue to offer the tools and |
| to sell your embossed items. Unlike some other | | | | accessories needed to get started in the craft of |
| crafting businesses metal embossing is relatively | | | | Metal Embossing. Several of the guests will probably |
| uncomplicated and simple to do. | | | | be willing to host a craft party for you as well. |
| It is essentially a copying art. Most of the effort and | | | | At arts and crafts shows, crowds turn up in the |
| artistic inspiration goes into creating the Tracing. This | | | | thousands to buy metal embossing items, paintings |
| finished tracing is then faithfully copied or transferred | | | | and other crafts. For crafters who like to mingle and |
| onto the metal sheet of your choice. | | | | learn how to work the crowd, doing craft shows |
| The Craft of Metal Embossing follows a simple four | | | | part-time or full-time can be an extremely profitable |
| step process. | | | | way of selling. |
| Step 1. First having decided on a design you want | | | | Also at arts and crafts shows you have a group of |
| emboss on to metal you must create a tracing of | | | | like minded people all under one roof which creates |
| the design. | | | | further opportunities, such as the possibility of Joint |
| Step 2. Place your metal on a rubber pad or sheets | | | | Ventures with other crafters. I did this in the past |
| of news papers and place your tracing on top. Now | | | | with wood turners who created circular frames for |
| transfer your design with light pressure to impress | | | | me to frame a particular embossed piece. It was a |
| onto to the metal. When completed remove the | | | | win win situation for both of us. |
| tracing. | | | | Renting a booth at a craft fair can be a cheap and |
| Step 3. I now begin to work on both sides of the | | | | effective way of displaying your wares to the world. |
| metal. Adding texture and flattening areas as needed. | | | | It also allows you to pass out business cards, collect |
| I will push out from the back using a paper stump | | | | email addresses and mailing addresses so you can |
| and tidy up from the front using a refiner tool. When | | | | establish bonds with potential customers and create |
| I finally am satisfied with the detail and the height of | | | | mailing lists to advertise your newest offerings, giving |
| the raised areas I move on to next step | | | | you the chance to turn these casual shoppers into |
| Step 4. I will decide on what finish or polish to apply | | | | long-term buyers. |
| if any. The finished work is now mounted or framed | | | | A number of different local groups such as churches |
| or glued onto your selected item. DONE! Easy as that. | | | | and schools may sponsor periodic craft shows, |
| Your chosen designs can then be incorporated into | | | | especially during fairs, parades and other seasonal |
| many different attractive areas of decoration | | | | events. Some larger organized craft shows tour the |
| including picture frames, journal covers, photo | | | | country while local flea markets are usually open all |
| scrapbooks, and wall hangings. Metal embossing items | | | | year. |
| can also be used to enhance furniture and other | | | | Selling Online |
| home décor projects. You are only limited by your | | | | Selling online has quickly become a convenient way of |
| imagination. With a metal embossing home based | | | | getting crafts and crafters seen in front of a wider |
| business, both online and local options should be | | | | audience than that available locally to most crafters. |
| considered to help generate more sales. | | | | Every crafter serious about making money should |
| Selling Locally | | | | start by setting up a business website. I set up my |
| This is where most Crafters start. Your first method | | | | own Craft website with SiteBuildIt or SBI. Believe me |
| of selling is likely to be by word of mouth. Most | | | | I had no website building skills whatsoever and |
| crafters start casually by showing their metal | | | | couldn't be happier. It's an excellent service for |
| embossing crafts to family and friends who visit and | | | | anyone wanting to create their own website for any |
| decide to make purchases. Some also give away | | | | type of business. |
| smaller crafts as gifts to help generate interest. This | | | | More and more individuals are looking to purchase |
| can help create a network of interested buyers. | | | | crafts online because of the wider selection available, |
| You can also set up shop right in your home. Crafters | | | | convenience of online shopping and access to |
| with a garage, free bedroom or other reasonably | | | | higher-quality crafts. Having your own website and or |
| sized space separated from the main living space in | | | | web store will give your crafting business a |
| their home can turn this empty space into their own | | | | professional appearance and make it easy for buyers |
| little selling area for their crafts. | | | | to contact you and ask questions or commission a |
| Zoning laws and other regulations may exist for | | | | specially designed piece. |
| those who actually want to open a store front from | | | | Even if you don't choose to offer a full inventory |
| their home however. At the very least, you can use | | | | online, you can use your website to list dates and |
| this empty space for storage and as a quiet area to | | | | locations for when you will be selling products at local |
| work on your crafts. You could also choose to open | | | | craft fairs or the locations of where your products |
| up a retail store, but the overheads for this method | | | | can be find at local consignment shops. |
| can be expensive. Most crafters prefer to sell on | | | | Remember if you set up your own website then you |
| consignment to local retail stores and some set up | | | | are in control. |
| yard sales in front of their homes on the weekends. | | | | To set up a basic website you only need to come up |
| One method of selling crafts that has really kicked | | | | with a domain name, design the website and pay for |
| off in recent years is that of crafting parties. You can | | | | the cost of hosting. To accept payments online most |
| throw a few parties in your own home but you will | | | | crafters use PayPal or Google Checkout. |
| probably get better results by having friends and | | | | Even with a website, don't forget about online |
| family members host parties at their homes and | | | | auctions such as eBay and online crafting vendors |
| invite their neighbors and friends, allowing you to | | | | such as Etsy. These sites have massive numbers of |
| constantly interact with a new group of potential | | | | daily visitors and can make it easier for a new |
| customers. | | | | business to develop their online presence by getting |
| Craft Parties should be a social event but with a | | | | good ratings and helping generate traffic to your |
| business slant and typically offer snacks and drinks; | | | | website. Selling through these sites requires a fee for |
| you can also choose to give brief demonstrations of | | | | listing your crafts and you may have to pay a |
| how you make your metal embossing crafts. Party | | | | percentage for when the craft sells. |
| goers will typically be impressed and want to | | | | |