If you have a Cricut machine as I do, I’m sure you had many projects in mind when you bought it. I did. My husband bought it for me upon my request for an anniversary gift. He thought I meant a cricket until I explained to him that some words sound the same but are not spelled the same and have different meanings. He’s a writer, he knew that already. So that was just a little hyperbole for ya’.
After you opened your Cricut and got it all set up, I’m sure you finished all the home projects you had envisioned for yourself right away. Now what? I bought my Cricut with making money in mind. I craft for a living so all my tools need to be profitable to me.
Before you decide what it is you want to make, do some market analysis. That’s a sophisticated term for research. In this case, go shopping. Visit your local craft fairs to see what is selling. Not what there are a dozen people making – what is selling. Peruse Etsy for the same purpose. You can see how many of one item has been sold. Take a stroll through your local home décor and department stores. I do this often and I take pictures of what I see so that I remember and have a reference if it’s something I want to make.
If you’re completely at a loss, here are a few ideas that might spark your creativity.
Signs and Décor Items
Oh. My. Goodness. Signs are everywhere. Hobby Lobby has aisles of them. All sizes and shapes. I make a lot of signs because people buy them. I want to have a high-profit margin though and wood is expensive. I have a strategy that works for me. I buy the signs that Hobby Lobby has already made. I wait until they are clearanced at the end of every season. My Hobby Lobby has a few aisles of 75%-90% reduced merchandise several times throughout the year. I scoop them up, paint out the face and replace it with my own design. Here’s more good news! If you’re looking for a great source of graphics- look no further than Creative Fabrica. They have the best selection I’ve seen, and you have an unlimited commercial license. There is a lot of competition and people everywhere are making money with their Cricut machines. Take your designs and creativity to the next level and use the fonts and graphics available to you here. Your items will stand out in the crowd. Everything you need to run a successful Cricut business is right here.
Don’t limit yourself to premade signs though. You can buy frames and apply vinyl to the glass for a beautiful high-end look. You can also purchase wood and make your own signs. Wood pallets are free and if you search Facebook marketplace you can probably find some right now. I also shop the 70% off cart at Home Depot for discounted wood. I always find something I can use.
Add-on Items
By this, I mean things that pair well with something else. Mommy and me tee-shirts are a great example. And as I stated above, you’ll find all the graphics you need right here on Creative Fabrica. His and her gifts are another example. Offer a few things that you’re willing to customize. Mugs, Christmas pajamas, or baby apparel have a huge market appeal. The good news here is that you’ll use a lot less vinyl to customize a mug or a baby onesie than you will on an adult size tee-shirt. Try JPI Blanks for your vinyl needs. They have the best prices I’ve seen, and they run weekly specials.
Years ago, when my daughter was a cheerleader, I bought so many customized hair bows, shoes, and even a cheerleader’s bag. Establish yourself with the local ball fields and you’ll make a killing designing images for the little athletes. Of course, you also have the advantage of creating an online presence. If you’re interested in selling your items online, take great pictures and use the product mock-up options that you can access online. The options are endless when you decide to market yourself online. Make a business page on Facebook when you’re serious about creating a for-profit and post often. It will make a big difference.
Holiday Items and Smalls
People are always willing to buy and spend more money around the holidays. There are customized ornaments in my newsfeed on Facebook all day long. People will order them for every member of their immediate family, so you’ve made several sales with every order. Offer a new style every year, and those customers will come back each year for their traditional ornament purchases.
There are holidays throughout the whole year that you can make customized items for. Easter baskets with a child’s name are always a hit. And don’t forget the add-on. Customize a bunny’s ear with that child’s name and offer your customer options.
I always made matching tee shirts for my kids for our annual Fourth of July party and every time we went to Disney World. It was well worth the effort to be able to identify my kiddos quickly in a crowd of people.
Small items are another item I would focus on if I were starting a Cricut business. Earrings are a huge item I see at every show that we go to. Use genuine leather so that you can offer a quality product and people will buy it for themselves and as gifts for others.
Acrylic or wood keychains are an inexpensive item that sells well for us at every show. It’s easier to build a business when you offer everybody an opportunity to shop. Keep a wide range of prices and products if you can.
If you’re interested in putting your Cricut to work for you, get started right here on Creative Fabrica. You might have to spend a few dollars to get started. Market yourself and make a superior product and you’ll be on your way to running a successful business. Until next time – happy crafting!
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