Home-Based ceramics wholesale catalog

Independent gift shops, boutiques, cafes, florists, home decor stores and small hotels that want unique pieces in bulk.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a markup, with minimum order sizes. Repeat orders from the same shops each season are the main source of income.

• Spotting products that sell
• Selling and following up with buyers
• Organizing stock and shipping
• Basic bookkeeping

• Get an EIN and check your state's rules for a resale certificate so you can buy stock without paying sales tax
• Check with your city or county about a business license and any home occupation permit, plus HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home
• Tableware that touches food may need to meet FDA rules on lead and cadmium in glazes, so ask suppliers for test documentation
• Fragile goods: plan good packing and check your insurance, including general liability and product liability
• Cash tied up in stock, so start with small orders until you know what sells

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your packing supplies and your line sheet and ordering setup. These are estimates, and starting with small orders helps limit the cash tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your product range, prices and how many shops you win as regular buyers. These are estimates, not guarantees, and revenue is not the same as profit after stock costs.

Get an EIN and check your state's resale certificate rules. Check your city or county on a business license, home occupation permit and HOA or lease rules. Ask suppliers for test documentation on lead and cadmium in food-contact glazes, and check insurance.