Online indigenous crafts store and market stall

Gift buyers, collectors and visitors to markets across Canada, plus buyers elsewhere if you ship internationally.

Retail margin on stock you buy, or a commission on consigned pieces, sold through your website and at market stalls.

• Product photography and writing
• Building trust with artists
• Online selling and packing orders
• Friendly customer service

• Authenticity: sell only work made by Indigenous artists and be open about who made each piece
• Some wildlife-based or feather items may be restricted or illegal to sell or ship, so check federal and provincial rules before listing
• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality, and your sales tax and GST/HST obligations by province
• Product and general liability insurance, especially for market sales
• Shipping costs, breakage and cross-border customs if you sell outside Canada
• Market stall fees and winter slowdowns can eat into earnings

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your opening stock, website, photography and market stall setup. Stock can be stored at home, which avoids a shop lease.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your range, online traffic and how many markets you attend. Shipping costs, breakage, market stall fees and winter slowdowns can eat into earnings.

Check that every item is made by Indigenous artists and be open about who made it. Check federal and provincial rules on wildlife-based or feather items before listing, plus home-based business licensing, GST/HST and provincial sales tax, insurance, and customs if shipping abroad.