Learn Calligraphy and Sell Your Works
Learning the art of calligraphy may take some time and effort but it is well worth the time and effort you put into it. Many teens enjoy learning new and interesting techniques for art and writing projects. Whether you learn from a friend, teacher, online or a book that you have borrowed from the library, calligraphy is a great art form to freely express oneself.
Calligraphy readily lends itself to self expression. As a teen entrepreneur Calligraphy may well be a great business idea that will provide you with a great income that you do in your spare time
The most commonly used venue for calligraphy is invitations. Brides to be are always looking for unique invitation styles. As a teen entrepreneur you could easily start your own business in hand written wedding invitations for older siblings, family and friends. Calligraphy not only looks unique, it is. Creating unique one of a kind invitations is a great way to set yourself apart from all the other companies that offer invitations.
Hand written wedding invitations may be more time consuming, but for the bride to be that is willing to go the extra mile, this will be a memory of a life time. You can provide the bride with shower invitations, wedding invitations, RSVP cards, Thank you cards and even place cards for the reception. Another great idea is you could write the vows in calligraphy for the bride and groom. This could be framed and will look great on their wall for many years to come.
One young teen took this a step further and uses colored pencils and colors in parts of the words as her own unique twist to calligraphy. The results are frameable works of art hanging in many homes in her local community.
Venture out further and offer birthday invitations, Christmas cards and even personalized notes for your friends and family. Once your friends and family see what you can do with a calligraphy pen, you will be in business in short order. Your friends and family may well come up with even more ideas for your calligraphy.
Try silk screening calligraphy on a tee shirt or a hat. Create frameable artwork and take the time to frame it.
The word Calligraphy is derived from the ancient Greek word of Kallos meaning beauty. Calligraphy is a very artistic form of writing often taking on a shape all its own due to each individual’s technique or style.
There are many great ways to use it as your own business. Set up a booth at a local fair and with some nice parchment paper charge a fee for a frameable art expression of a persons name. Charge either by the letter or every so many letters and add in the cost of the fancier paper and you will be in business. Be sure to have some samples on hand. You might even want to go ahead and have some fairly common names ready for sale if you have enough advance time.
To advertise your work create a beautiful poster done in calligraphy. Make some copies and post the poster around your local town or at craft and local fairs.
You could set up lessons as well. Teaching your friends and family how to write in calligraphy won’t necessarily give you more competition since everyone has their own unique style. It might even come in handy when you get that 250 wedding invitation order. Charging a nominal hourly rate to teach friends and family this can become a doubly lucrative teen business.
Calligraphy can become a very profitable business for a teen with the right determination.
Selling Knit or Crochet Items Makes a Great Teen Business
If you’re a teen who enjoys knitting or crocheting, you have an amazing business opportunity at your fingertips. Knitting and crocheting are great pastimes that you can do while you’re watching TV, listening to music, or visiting with your friends. Whipping up knit and crochet projects are easily portable making it something you can take with you wherever you go.
To begin, you’ll want to have an inventory of items for sale. Some items that are easy to stock up on are:
• Bookmarks
• Christmas Ornaments
• Decoratively Edged Towels
• Dish Cloths
• Doll Clothes for Barbie, Cabbage Patch or American Girl Dolls
• Dolls
• Fashion Scarves
• Hats
• Mittens
• Pot Holders
• Purses and Totes
• Simple Stuffed Animals
• Vests and Other Quick Clothing Items
Of course, you’re free to make whatever suits you, but these are proven sellers. Having a large variety of items to sell that work up quickly and easily is the most important part of running your knitting and crocheting business.
As you begin making your items, think about the different places you can sell them. Some areas have a local street fair or similar event that readily lends itself to setting up a booth or sharing a booth with a friend to sell crafts.
Holiday bazaars are also a great way to plan to sell your handicrafts. You may even want to create a special holiday collection showcasing a specific theme and room of the house. For some this might be a set of dish cloths with matching pot holders and place mats. For others it may mean Christmas tree ornaments that work up quickly and easily.
You can also do wedding accessories as a specific collection. Brides are always looking for new and unique gifts for their bridesmaids or even for party favors.
To price your items, take a look online at sites that sell similar merchandise. Remember, you want to be competitive and still make a profit. You might also look at what other booth or bazaar stall owners sell their similar items for. Price your items similarly, allowing enough to cover your materials and still make a profit in order to get the best customers and get your sales started.
Spread the word. Chances are, as you’re working on your projects people will comment about what you’re doing. They might mention that they haven’t seen anyone knitting or crocheting in a long time or that it’s a “lost art.” They may be especially surprised to see someone so young doing this craft.
Take advantage of these comments! Share with them that you make these items to sell and give them a business card or flyer you made up on the computer. Let them know when you’ll be at the next annual street fair or holiday craft bazaar. Tell them that you also take custom orders. This is your chance to get some free advertising so take advantage of it!
If you’re having trouble coming up with good ideas for what to make, take a look online at hand crafted items. Be specific, looking at hand crocheted items and hand knit items such as scarves, dish clothes, and other things you’d like to sell. Pretty soon you’ll have a great idea of what’s selling and what’s not. Be sure to check out online auction sites and etsy.com as well.
Give business to your friends and family and invite them to order gift items from you. Ask them to hand out your cards to people they know as well. Be creative and let your business card provide plenty of information so people can get in touch with you easily whether it be by phone, email or even a blog or website.
Check local shops in your community. Many of them love to carry handcrafted items, and the fact that a teenager made them is an added benefit. Again, take advantage of it!
Shop owners will generally ask for a small percentage of your price as a commission, so raise your prices slightly to reflect amount. Ideally, get them to buy your inventory, but if they’re not willing to do that, opt for them selling some pieces on consignment for you. Just be sure you have a signed agreement in advance so you know what happens if your items are damaged, stolen, or—ideally!—when they sell.
Use whatever methods you have available to get your products out there so people can see them and buy. Just be sure to provide a quality item with pleasant customer service and dependable delivery, and before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to building a great teen business selling your knit or crocheted items .
