CRAFT hobbyists may want to consider going into business to earn from doing what they love.
Tantan Fortich, 28, did just this. Her tiny but lucrative business, Idiosyncratic Crafts, sells small, handcrafted items such as bags, wall quotes and notebooks.
“This used to be just a hobby. I made stuff for family and friends. Eventually, it felt like I needed to justify my crafting and spending on materials to make things. I needed to make it more lucrative,” she said.
The business began in September last year with what Fortich calls “hoop art.”
Popular quotes from known movies or pop culture are cross-stitched into cloth and hung in a hoop. Since then, she has ventured into other forms of crafting, such as making books and screen-printing bags.
This has not only provided her extra pocket money, but has also helped break the monotony of her job.
“I work for our family business. Sometimes my work is very monotonous. I wanted something different,” she said.
The craft enthusiast also said that although she takes bulk orders or commissioned works, many of the crafts she does is a reflection of what she is currently into.
To expand her business even further, she started asking local establishments for consignments. With the consignments, Fortich generates more exposure for her work.
Majority of her customers are millennials or the young professionals. However, as it is with other small businesses, orders are not consistent and usually pick up during holidays or large-scale celebrations.
“I can’t really say anything about the foot traffic. I got really busy during December and January, but summertime is pretty slow,” she said.
“It’s okay if it doesn’t get that big. I wouldn’t say that I wouldn’t want to expand but I’m very careful because this isn’t a first priority for me. This is more like a third priority. I have my job and other things to do first,” she added.
Idiosyncratic Crafts can be found on Instagram, at idiosyncratic.crafts.