How to sell handmade cards

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Posted on 12th October 2016 by Papermilldirect
Filed under How To Sell Handmade Cards

Selling Handmade Cards 700

When you create a handmade card for the first time, there is a little kick of excitement.  Not only did you thoroughly enjoy the time it took (crafting is amazingly theraputic!) but you can also give it to a friend or a family member.   Ten or twenty handmade cards later and I'm sure you are familiar with the feedback

 "you should be selling these cards!"

Handmade 3d card with butterfly

Handmade Card from Ruby Wren Designs

 

You're flattered of course, but in reality it's something you have been considering for a while - turning your craft hobby into a fully fledged card making business... So what are the realities of selling your handmade cards online and at craft fairs? We can provide the card and paper - but you need to work hard on the rest!

It's going to be hard work of course - but immensely rewarding, turning something you love to do, something creative and fun, into a profitable business that you can run from your own home. This series will be looking at all the various aspects of turning your card making hobby into a small home business!  Just keep reading, we'll be posting every week and finding some experts to offer advice along the way  :) We will be addressing all of the above questions and more, but we would love your help to get us started!  If you are a handmade card maker, whether you are already selling your work or not, could you let us know in the comments section, which areas of selling on and offline and building  up your handmade business you find most difficult or worry about the most? What is it that is stopping you from actively selling your handmade cards? We're all ears! I'll be hanging around in the comments area below, pouring the tea and doling out the choccy biscuits - looking forward to hearing from you.

Tagged: selling cards at craft fairs, how to sell cards, selling handmade cards

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20 thoughts on “How to sell handmade cards”

Jasmine

26th June 2018 at 11:14 pm

I recently started making cards. I love the cards that I am making and I think others will like them too. I just changed jobs and now have a MAJOR cut of hours that I wasn't expecting. I would really like to turn this into a side business but I just don't know where to begin. Where would I sell the cards online? What could I charge? I'm a complete newbie at all of this.

Nisa

19th January 2018 at 8:33 pm

Hi, I make sketched cards and have sold some at a market and some care homes. I am doing a istudy course online at the moment, so I am planning to make alot more. I find it a relaxing hobby to do.

doll blog Craft Chat craft blog Crafts dolls

06th June 2013 at 3:36 am

MORE, MORE, MORE PLEASE!!!

Anita Howell

03rd June 2013 at 12:06 pm

I was wondering if anyone knows when you have to register with HMRC? I have sold some cards but am not making a profit as yet. Thanks Anita

Ferdinand Kruczek

08th April 2013 at 1:54 pm

It is a fine summer morning and you are in a happy mood. You have just returned from a long and important overseas business trip and you have attended a number of seminars and exhibitions. As you sit down with a cup of coffee your secretary enters and hands you a stiff piece of rectangular paper. She announces that a well-dressed man had come to meet you regarding an important business deal and had left behind his business card. As you glance through the card, you are impressed by the quality of the board used to make the card. What strikes you is the superb color combination the logo and the lettering of the card uses. Your eyes are riveted to the same and you just cannot take them away... Our favorite homepage <",http://www.beautyfashiondigest.com/makeup-brush-set/

shamlina ahamed

31st January 2013 at 5:50 pm

Hi, i started to make cards but still i can't find a market for that. I like to sell the cards if any one can help me.

Julie Hobson

22nd January 2013 at 4:02 pm

Hi Sian, It was good to see your comments as I too am now out of work and considering making a small business out of my hobby of cardmaking. I also write poetry and short stories so may consider combining my skills. The problem is where do I start, I have a 'craft room' full of cards but am not sure where to start selling. The large car boot closed down in Leeds and keep looking to see when local church fairs are on but they cost about £15 for a table and I don't think I would make any money in profit. Any ideas would be welcome. I would be interested in sharing ideas and craft hours with anyone in the Leeds area who shares my enthusiasm for crafts, love Julie x

Enid Hinton

27th November 2012 at 8:17 pm

I have been making cards for 3 years. I am retired and have time to pursue this hobby. I have come up with an idea for cards which I've not found on the internet at present. My main concerns are a) that I am more impressed with my idea than everyone else will be! or b) that if I had a website, the reverse could happen and I could have more orders than I could cope with. I don't like the idea of selling face to face at Craft Fairs - is it absolutely necessary to do this? I am finding your information on card selling very informative. The idea of seeing my cards sold is a pleasant one - although I am unsure how many hours I want to commit to? I have visited your sales tables at various shows and thank you for your very informative website?

Johanna Ready/Lets Get crafty

08th November 2012 at 2:49 pm

I started of making cards for family and friends what was once a hobby is now my full time business. I have recently opened a little Craft shop in a Little Town called Bridgend in South Wales and I have customers that I sell their cards for them, I make them money for more craft stash. Thanks Jo

Liz

25th July 2012 at 8:28 pm

Hi everyone, loving the blog, looking forward to some more tips and info, I LOVE cardmaking, and have some 300+ cards to sell, I make bespoke cards occaisionally for friends at work, have been to table top fetes without success, I'm wondering if it's the wrong venue or whether my prices are too high.A6-£1.95,A5-£3.95, A4-£4.95, all other sizes £2.95, any thoughts would appreciate some feedback:)

Mel

25th July 2012 at 12:15 am

I am new to selling cards and need as much info as poss, so thanks for this blog. The question most on my mind is how to start a blog in the first place where do I go, how do i start up without spending any money , my own website etc. I have decided to start with a farmers market and a craft fair but how many cards do you take with you and should I make cards in front of people. Do you sell one type of handmade cards or loads of different kinds, Help is most appreciated in this matter !!!!! thanks xx

Kimberley Evans

24th July 2012 at 10:47 pm

Hi everyone! I've been making cards for 7 years and selling for about 5 years. I've managed to keep my costs down by having stock given to me for Christmas/birthdays (this year I got a HUGE box of paper mill card in loads of lovely colours!) and using PaperMill card as much as I can as it's so much cheaper than buying pre made cards. I have tried selling at craft fairs but found that people really weren't interested in buying cards at those kind of events. I sell successfully on facebook (come and find me - KJ cards handcrafted cards and stationery) and selling wholesale to local shops. I've managed to keep my costs low by saving every scrap of paper and card and finding uses for things you would normally throw away! I sell wholesale for £1 a card if 30 or more are ordered and sell privately for £1.50 for a A6 card, £2.50 for larger styles. I've built up a reputation locally for being able to provide bespoke cards you wouldn't find in the shops, lots of my cards are personalised and made to order.

Jane

24th July 2012 at 3:34 pm

I am lucky that my hairdresser, who is also a friend, allows me to sell my cards through her salon.I charge £2 per card or £3.75 for 2. This venue has been the best for me - much better than fairs where there's lots of competition.

Kandis

24th July 2012 at 2:21 pm

Hi, I have been making cards for years and I have sold to friends of friends and those have all been personalised. I have been getting despondent in as much as I have loads of cards with no outlet. I have a blog but that was just to showcase my cards. I have been thinking of a local craft fayre but wouldn't know what to charge or how much stock to take and what if I don't sell anything at all. It is difficult to take the plunge especially if you don't have an outlet.

Ronnie

24th July 2012 at 11:31 am

Kathleen .Thats hard to say .You need to cover your costs Eg card envelope and decoration and cost of venue and some for your time. If you can go to a few craft or farmers markets and look to see prices and if they seem to be selling. Good luck I hope you do well

Kathleen Bagley

24th July 2012 at 11:19 am

I would like to know how much to charge for cards. I have been card making for a few years and would like to start selling them. Could anyone help please!

Ronnie

24th July 2012 at 10:29 am

Hi I have been making and selling my cards for ages Even help run 3 craft fairs a year in Waltham Abbey . I sell in the cript at the Abbey giving half to the church just covers the cost . I also run the church cafe at weekend in the summer were I sell a lot of cards as people come back and can buy 10 at a time . Ive tried most ways boot fairs schools fetes and demos all with odd results at times . I think its harder to make money lately . My advise is keep them cheap and smile even days that go bad . JUST HAVE FUN Ronnie

carol robertson

24th July 2012 at 8:24 am

Hi I am card making tutor and I only sell my samples at school fairs or on commission's requested... not getting an 'income' from my business .... returns on sales and classes pay for the next lot of materials required.... Pi insurance etc

Sian

24th July 2012 at 8:22 am

Loving the new blog! I have been making cards and things for as long as I can remember and I really enjoy it. I recently found myself out of work and have been seriously considering selling my cards/starting up my own business. I think, as was mentioned already, the price that I can charge to actually make sales is going to cause an issue as its unlikely that anyone will pay enough to cover the time and materials involved (the time mostly!) however I am not letting this put me off! Something else I have yet to decide on is whether it would be better to sell at craft fairs, from my blog etc or to try to get stands in retailers. Choosing the right retailers will also be extremely important! Thank you for presenting this series, I'm very interested in gleaning as much information as possible and seeing what those who have already taken the plunge have to say :)

Gaynor

23rd July 2012 at 10:51 pm

I have been making cards since 2006, I only started selling them 3 years ago, I work in a hospital and I have a lot of customers there, I also have a blog and design for several challenge blogs and this generates business for me aswell, and sometimes I sell on Ebay and Etsy. I love my hobby and all the cash I make goes back into my stash. I haven't looked into getting a stall.

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