Home studio sculptor taking commissions

Private collectors, homeowners wanting garden or interior pieces, gift buyers, and local galleries or gift shops that sell on consignment.

Sales of finished pieces and custom commissions, usually with a deposit upfront. Smaller editions or prints of designs can add steadier income between larger sales.

• Sculpting in at least one material
• Developing a recognisable style
• Pricing your own work
• Basic photography and social media

• Check your municipality about home-based business licences and zoning, especially for noise, dust or kilns
• Dust, fumes and heavy materials such as stone or resin: check ventilation and safety equipment
• Winter heating for the studio, since clay and some materials suffer in the cold
• Check home insurance covers studio equipment and stock
• Register for GST/HST once sales pass the small supplier threshold and keep records for tax

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your materials, tools and studio setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $200 to $2,500, depending on how many commissions and pieces you sell.

Check with your municipality about home-based business licences and zoning, especially for noise, dust or kilns. Also check ventilation and safety equipment, whether your home insurance covers studio equipment and stock, and GST/HST registration once sales pass the small supplier threshold.

Skill in at least one material helps, along with a recognizable style, pricing your own work, and basic photography and social media. Estimates suggest at least around 10 hours a week to get started.