Handmade goods: online shop and craft fairs

Gift buyers, people decorating their homes and shoppers who like to buy local and handmade, especially around the holidays.

You earn the difference between the price of each item and what it costs to make and sell it. Craft fair stalls and custom orders can add sales, and holiday seasons are often the busiest.

• A craft you can make to a consistent standard
• Product photography and simple online listings
• Pricing and keeping track of costs
• Friendly selling face to face

• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST once your sales approach the small supplier threshold, and check your province's rules on provincial sales tax
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what market organizers require, such as a vendor fee or insurance
• Consider product liability insurance, especially for candles, soaps, children's items or anything worn or used on the body
• Check Canadian labelling and safety rules for your product type (for example textiles, candles or children's products), and French labelling rules if you sell in Quebec
• Sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for slow months

Estimated startup costs are typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on the craft you make, your materials and tools, and how you set up your online store and market stall.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on your products, pricing and how often you sell. Sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for slow months. The idea assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check whether you need GST/HST registration as sales approach the small supplier threshold, and your province's sales tax rules. Also check home-based business licences, market requirements, product liability insurance, and Canadian labelling and safety rules, including French labelling in Quebec.