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Arts and crafts

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Original poster

What crafts can you actually make a living from?

32 replies

MarionCole · 06/03/2011 18:08

I am seriously considering retraining and starting a new career. Having thought about what I enjoy and what I'm good at, I have realised that it's 'making stuff'.

So what could I do that would make a living, say £1,000 per month? Will happily train. My thoughts so far:

Silversmithy - good jewellery sells
Dressmaking - possibly, probably not much money in it unless you can get into the wedding dress market
Upholstery - not sure there's much money in it
Erm... Now I'm struggling.

Anyone have any thoughts / experience?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 06/03/2011 18:19

i imagine it's very hard to make a profit at first with any sort of craft - dressmaking could be a possibility maybe if you copy designs cheaper etc

Jellykat · 06/03/2011 19:24

I'd say don't go near dressmaking..I used to do it, ££'s per hour it doesn't work, you need to factor in fittings etc, because it's not off the peg..and generally people do not want to pay the extra for handmade quality (unless you're in Savile row Smile), when they can get something similar at half the price.. Alterations may be a possibility however,and making curtains etc

It's highly unlikely you'd get a £1000 a month though!

Are you any good at cooking? people always like good food..but you'd have to factor in the 'Health and safety' certificate,or whatever it is you need for food preparation,with that one.

Original poster
MarionCole · 06/03/2011 20:17

I am a good cook and I love doing it, I'm worried about the unsociable hours though! I had thought about private chefing but it would take me away from home in the evenings which i dont fancy. .

OP posts:
Jellykat · 06/03/2011 20:28

Well i was thinking more along the jams/pickles/cakes front...
There was a lady on a 'setting up a new business' course i went on last year,who is doing it, and she's doing really well!

OiVaVoi · 06/03/2011 20:36

my big goal at the moment is to give up my day job and make a living from selling silver jewellery. sometimes it seems like an impossible dream and other times more achievable...
do you know bout etsy? its an online market place and it has a very helpful and supportive community, lots of advice for first time sellers.

good luck!

Original poster
MarionCole · 06/03/2011 20:43

Yes jelly, far more achievable! Actually you have reminded me - I had thought about home made sweets - fudge etc. Loads of people seem to supply farm shops and delis with cakes, but no sweets.

I do know easy, I love it. Have just discovered folksy too, similar but smaller and far more UK focussed.

OP posts:
Original poster
MarionCole · 06/03/2011 20:43

ETSY, bloody predictive text.

OP posts:
Bearcat · 06/03/2011 20:47

Curtain / blind making.
This has sometimes crossed my mind if I lose my job as I have done curtains and latterly quite a few roman blinds for my house.
Not sure if I could cope with the stress of making those scissor cuts in someone elses expensive material though!
Once made a bathroom roman blind with some leftover (thank goodness) material and had cocked up on width measurement so it wasn't quite wide enough to cover window. Gutted after several hours work.
On the plus side, it fitted my SIL's landing window and she gave me a bottle of gin for it!

Mirage · 06/03/2011 20:47

A friend makes curtains and she is always busy.

Can you teach anyone else to do something? There is quite a market in running day courses where the customers make something and take it home the same day-if you are a good cook,you can supply lunch and charge a little more for it.

Original poster
MarionCole · 06/03/2011 20:49

Bearcat - or you could broaden it to interior designing / decorating. I am crap at wallpapering though.

OP posts:
Original poster
MarionCole · 06/03/2011 20:52

I must admit, I am shocked at the price of curtains. I always make ours. DSD's mother sent her home (to our house) with a pair of curtains for me to hem a few months ago Hmm so clearly a lot of people don't know where to start.

OP posts:
pippop1 · 06/03/2011 22:51

OVV you have to be very careful about claiming jewellery is sterling silver in the UK. Unless it is v v light, it needs to be hallmarked (which costs money)properly. Otherwise it is illegal to advertise it as sterling silver or even just silver. You can call it white metal! This is inspite of what you will see in markets, craft fairs and on websites.

Stillchuckingit · 06/03/2011 23:05

Wedding cakes??

spikemomma · 08/03/2011 11:54

Prostitution. Grin

Sorry, couldn't help myself! just the cost of craft/raw materials these days makes it so hard to make a profit from anything.

Keep thinking, there's got to be something...(frowns brow and meanders off with finger on chin... occasionally glancing at own undercarriage... seriously, i wouldn't get a dime! Shock)

nagynolonger · 08/03/2011 12:02

A good friend of mine decorates cakes. Wedding cakes are her main earner, but she does birthday cakes too. She also makes cakes for the cafe at the local garden centre.

Original poster
MarionCole · 08/03/2011 17:41

spike Grin

OP posts:
Jellykat · 08/03/2011 19:18

PMSL at spike Grin

PlentyOfPrimroses · 08/03/2011 19:23

ceramics?

ruralmum1 · 10/03/2011 11:57

I love doing hobbies, arts and crafts, cooking, gardening alongside my main job but I'm beginning to think the same as 'MarionCole' who posted a while ago - that maybe a job change would be good now, doing something I really really enjoy. Maybe opening a little deli selling my homemade food or a vintage shop selling arts and crafts. But have never really had the guts.

But I think I might now - I subscribe to Country Living and have just had my copy through the door - they are running a competition called 'Kitchen Table Talent Awards' with lots of categories to enter if you have a hobby such as sewing, cooking, writing etc and the prizes are courses to help start your business in this area, advice and other things. if you also put yourself forward for Kitchen Table Talent of the Year award then you could also win mentoring from a business advisor. It's only a fiver to enter, may as well give it a go! Do you think you might enter 'MarionCole' and others on this discussion? Could be a good chance for a lifestyle change!

Have a look - www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Kitchen-Table-Talent-Awards-categories-and-prizes/v1

DuplicitousBitch · 10/03/2011 11:59

i don't think you can approach this sort of thing thinking 'i need to make 1000 a month' you need to be doing it cos you love it. it is hard with so much mass produced stuff. you need to be niche and you need to be good.

memphis83 · 10/03/2011 12:03

we have a few customers that do alterations and repairs to clothes they make a lot of money and are always back logged with work

KatharineClifton · 10/03/2011 12:13

I think that if you do something that you are VERY good at then it will make money but only if you market it right.

nagynolonger · 10/03/2011 13:56

If you can do something 'wedding conected' and are good at it you may be onto a winner. Not just the dresses (often silly money), but the cake and cateering, photos or the flowers. It maybe seasonal but it's one thing people always splash out for.

MosaicTree · 11/03/2011 12:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

ninedragons · 11/03/2011 12:43

I know of someone who does very well making stained glass windows.

She is phenomenally talented and booked up for months in advance.