What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Price Crafts and Things You Make to Sell -- Formulas and Strategies for Arriving at Profitable Craft Prices for Selling Online or Off, Wholesale or Retail
Thinking about selling those crafts you’ve been giving away as gifts or maybe you are just running out of rooms to put them in? Sites like Etsy.com are reporting record sales of handmade items. But craft makers taking the initial leap into starting a home business share a burning question: “how to price my handmade products so I make a profit?”
James Dillehay, author of the new book How to Price Crafts and Things You Make to Sell says that the key question you need to focus on is this: “how much will people pay for products like mine?”
Dillehay’s book offers a wealth of guidance into how to price crafts and unique personal creations. Here are some of his best ideas on getting it right quickly.
James Dillehay, author of the new book How to Price Crafts and Things You Make to Sell says that the key question you need to focus on is this: “how much will people pay for products like mine?”
Dillehay’s book offers a wealth of guidance into how to price crafts and unique personal creations. Here are some of his best ideas on getting it right quickly.
ebook
53 people want to read
About the author
James Dillehay
42 books3 followersCraft business expert James Dillehay writes for those who want a profitable, creative lifestyle. Follow him at https://craftmarketer.com
What James has accomplished:
--Marketed more than 200 handmade products at highly competitive art and craft fairs, in galleries from New York's Soho district to the Grand Canyon, and online at Etsy and Amazon.
--Started and ran a gallery-gift shop selling art and crafts near one of America's top tourist destinations, Santa Fe, NM.
--Produced and presented craft business courses for the University of Alaska, The Learning Annex, Sageways, and the Boot Camp Marketing for Artists.
--Coached clients on how to grow their craft business getting publicity on top-tier TV shows including the Today Show, MSNBC, Success Magazine, and others.
--Appeared as a guest expert on one of HGTV's most popular series, The Carol Duvall Show.
--Authored sixteen books, interviewed in major media including The Wall Street Journal, Family Circle, Working Mothers and top-tier consumer magazines.
--Contributed to three books in the best-selling GUERRILLA MARKETING series sharing insider tips for growing your dream venture starting with few resources.
What real people are saying about James Dillehay.....
"James is by far the most qualified and talented marketer for the craft industry. His knowledge is only outweighed by his honest desire to help people." - Phoebe Welburn, Vice President, Welburn Gourd Farm, Inc.
"Quite an expert....Very informative. I wish we could keep you for the next three days." -- Carol Duvall, HGTV, The Carol Duvall Show
"Should be viewed as the blueprint for success in the crafts industry." -- The Crafts Report
"James was a guest speaker on our Guerilla Marketing conference call and he blew me away with what he knows about selling." -- Jay Conrad Levinson, best-selling author Guerrilla Marketing
Read less
What James has accomplished:
--Marketed more than 200 handmade products at highly competitive art and craft fairs, in galleries from New York's Soho district to the Grand Canyon, and online at Etsy and Amazon.
--Started and ran a gallery-gift shop selling art and crafts near one of America's top tourist destinations, Santa Fe, NM.
--Produced and presented craft business courses for the University of Alaska, The Learning Annex, Sageways, and the Boot Camp Marketing for Artists.
--Coached clients on how to grow their craft business getting publicity on top-tier TV shows including the Today Show, MSNBC, Success Magazine, and others.
--Appeared as a guest expert on one of HGTV's most popular series, The Carol Duvall Show.
--Authored sixteen books, interviewed in major media including The Wall Street Journal, Family Circle, Working Mothers and top-tier consumer magazines.
--Contributed to three books in the best-selling GUERRILLA MARKETING series sharing insider tips for growing your dream venture starting with few resources.
What real people are saying about James Dillehay.....
"James is by far the most qualified and talented marketer for the craft industry. His knowledge is only outweighed by his honest desire to help people." - Phoebe Welburn, Vice President, Welburn Gourd Farm, Inc.
"Quite an expert....Very informative. I wish we could keep you for the next three days." -- Carol Duvall, HGTV, The Carol Duvall Show
"Should be viewed as the blueprint for success in the crafts industry." -- The Crafts Report
"James was a guest speaker on our Guerilla Marketing conference call and he blew me away with what he knows about selling." -- Jay Conrad Levinson, best-selling author Guerrilla Marketing
Read less
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 11, 2025
How to Price Crafts and Things You Make to Sell is a practical, no-nonsense guide every maker should read before selling a single item. James Dillehay breaks down pricing with simple formulas, real examples, and strategies that actually make sense in the real world, online, offline, wholesale, or retail. It’s empowering, clear, and immediately useful. If you’ve ever hesitated about how to set profitable prices for your handmade products, this book removes the guesswork and gives you the confidence to earn what your work is worth.
December 11, 2025
James Dillehay delivers a smart, focused handbook that demystifies the toughest part of running a craft business: pricing. This book shows you not only how to calculate your costs, but why customers will pay more when you position your work correctly. The formulas are easy to follow, the strategies are practical, and the guidance is grounded in real experience. A must-read for anyone ready to turn handmade items into a profitable, sustainable business.
October 8, 2012
Novice crafters will get an insider’s look into how to market and sell their product. When trying to sell a handmade craft a buyer’s perception is everything. James Dillehay gives details on how to improve a buyer’s perception of you, your product, and storefront or booth. A local economy and demographics can also influence your success. So, one has to make a choice when and where to sell crafts.
Bringing attention to detail and materials is important when pricing a craft one is selling retail or wholesale. He gives suggestions as to where to sell online, what to look for in your area, and travel. Tax and bookkeeping are kept to a minimum. This is an area of interest that I wish was covered in more detail. Most people do not know how to keep proper records for taxes and it would have been a great help for any novice crafter just starting a business. However, tax advantages are covered.
Dillehay also provides valuable pricing formulas based on material cost price per unit, shipping, and hourly wage you pay yourself for a crafters profit after the sale. He also goes into overpricing and how to remedy the situation. One of a kind art pieces, as in sculptures and paintings, are also considered in this book and their markup should be taken into account.
Thanks Todd for this fabulous review.
Bringing attention to detail and materials is important when pricing a craft one is selling retail or wholesale. He gives suggestions as to where to sell online, what to look for in your area, and travel. Tax and bookkeeping are kept to a minimum. This is an area of interest that I wish was covered in more detail. Most people do not know how to keep proper records for taxes and it would have been a great help for any novice crafter just starting a business. However, tax advantages are covered.
Dillehay also provides valuable pricing formulas based on material cost price per unit, shipping, and hourly wage you pay yourself for a crafters profit after the sale. He also goes into overpricing and how to remedy the situation. One of a kind art pieces, as in sculptures and paintings, are also considered in this book and their markup should be taken into account.
Thanks Todd for this fabulous review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews