Music, photography, visual art and comedy

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector support

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for Craft NI support. On their website, you can find up-to-date training, support and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.