Me & Dingle were wondering....Hobby to a Business ...

[WhizzzBangWhizzz]

OK you crafty people, here's a thread to get you pondering. I know a lot of us sell bits & bobs to friends but how many people run their crafting as a proper business - ie. registered, paying tax etc. How did you make that jump & is it still fun?

I log what I buy & sell (basically to stop myself getting carried away & buying too many beads !) but I don't consider myself a business (even though strictly speaking, as soon as you sell something - you are classed as trading apparantly) - hence I feel I can't advertise anywhere or actively sell via Etsy / other outlets for fear of the taxman.
What are your thoughts on the matter, fellow crafters?

[HairyIrene]

cant you keep records and try it out..
the tax thresehold is over £4000 i think, so if you kept all documentation you can put it through but not pay any iyswim..

however it may take off big time ... if you dont try etc..

[moonmother]

I'm actually going to take the leap after Xmas,I would have liked to have started up in time for Xmas but my Ds has just started nursery so thought it best to get him settled first.

I have sold quite a few pieces already to friends,family,school fayre's and craft fairs.A lady that runs a local Bridal shop is very interested in stocking some of my designs as well,and already bought a couple of pieces.

I've been busy researching everything needed to start up,tax,registering the business,domain names,bank accounts etc as well as suppliers for the components I need(best prices etc).

I've made up samples of what designs I will do as 'standard',as well as 'one off ' pieces,this has helped me 'cost' ready for going onto the website ,which we're busy working on at the moment.

I'm also booked into a couple of 'starting up your own business' one day courses after Xmas(the earliest i could get) and with one of these you get a free business adviser,who I'm hoping will be a great help.

I've also started ordering the beads,findings etc I'm going to need to make up some stock.

To be honest I'm feeling very impatient at the moment...I just want to get up and running

[Nbg]

I'm glad you started this thread Whizzz.

I've got my shop on mumzmall and sell odd bits to friends etc.

I know for a fact that I'm not anywhere near the £4k threshold though.
Its things like tax credits that bother me as your supposed to declare any extra income.
Not that its really an income yet

[Dingle]

Thank you Whizzz! I had a very quick look on Etsy last night but haven't made any comparisons betweeen that and Ebay. I do occasionally put a few toppers on Ebay but like any crafting, by the time you have covered the cost of fees, you are hardly covering the cost of the materials. I haven't put any on for ages what with the extension..shame really as I had built up a few regular "customers!"

Yes, it's the tax credits that is an issue for us. I am now working 6 hrs a week,mimimum wage, term time only..and next year Tax credits take 37% back! Trying to find work that fits into family life is hard enough, but with DD having a disability it's as good as impossible. BUT I feel trapped, I need to do something for ME!!!!

[CountessCadburyOfBournville]

Sorry, have no advice re business - just saw Dingles name and wanted to take the opportunity to wave from across the valley and ask how you are?!

Much love,
Cadbury

[Katz]

can i suggest that you contact business link if you are interested in starting a business, there are grants and things out there too, not sure if craft businesses would get them but they do exist! also there are parts of the country which get additional funding, known as objective 1, south yorkshire and south wales are too places that i know of.

business link

if you go to the support and funding

[Dingle]

Oh...thank sound scary,,but thanks Katz, I'll take a look later!

Hiya Cadders!!! I haven't seen you around for ages but it's all been a bit hit at miss at this end. After about 18 weeks the extension is almost complete. We had a flood and had to replace the emersion tank, blew up the PC, followed by the TV..on top of all the building works!! On a good note DD is settled into Y1 and after 3 years of battling with school and LEA she has support in the classroom!!
How are you!!!!!!!?

Sorry for hijack!