Expert: Shasta McLaughlin - 4/28/2009

Question
Dear Shasta.

For a very long time I have been passionate about doing creative activities. I love painting over terracotta pots or lamps. Decorate stuff, create something out of scrap items. I am wondering if I can take it as my fulltime career. Also I want to know what kind of professional training will help me here. I mean what kind of course should I take up, I am no way into arts background, i just love to do it.

Kindly guide me on my career, education and business prospects in future.

Thanks so much.
Best Regards
Kajal
India

Answer
Kajal,

Any one can make their artistic talents their career if they are willing to make the effort.  It may require working your day job, taking classes and creating your crafts in the evenings and selling them on weekends which can be exhausting.

The key to making any business successful lies in choosing the right product.  

First you need to know that you are selling a product that a large number of people want.  You need to know that they are willing to pay a high enough price for you to make a decent to sizable profit and that you don't have a high number of competitors working to get your buyers money.  

What I'm saying is you need to know what people want to buy.

When you've chosen a product then you need to perfect your craft.  People want to buy high quality work and are willing to pay more if it won't fall apart next week.

Take classes that will help you make your chosen product better, more interesting, etc.  For instance if you choose to do pottery you could take ceramics classes or you could learn to throw pottery on a pottery wheel.  You could also take classes on painting techniques, glass mosaics, beading because each of these things could improve the finished look of your pottery.

The classes you take will depend on what product you want to make and sell.  

Do you have a university nearby, how about adult education classes, craft stores, specialty craft shops such as pottery, etc.?  Many of these places offer classes check out what they have available.  Also other artisans often offer classes, as well as art and craft guilds.  Join a guild if there is one for your chosen product.

Also ask at a nearby college or university if they offer business classes.  They will better understand the business requirements for India than I would.  The courses they teach will guide you in what you need as far as licenses, how to find merchandise to sell, market research, marketing/advertising, displays and so much more.  Also call your city administration offices (in the U.S. also call county and state offices) to see what requirements there are for your area for businesses.

In the meantime you can continue to play with your artistic skills by making gifts for people, decorations for where you work, pieces for your home, etc.  When you give the gifts or set out the decorations watch how people react, ask questions and begin to learn what people really will pay for.

You can see more about selling arts and crafts in an art or craft show booth (based on my experiences here in the U.S.)on my blog at http://extravaganzacrafts.com/Blogs

Good luck and after you've chosen what you want to sell if you need more help please contact me again.

Have a great day,

Shasta
The Extravaganza Craft Productions
www.extravaganzacrafts.com