Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.
bookkeeping tax
Worried about sales tax on handmade items? If you sell on Etsy, good news: Etsy handles it for you. Here's what you still need to know.
inventory management
Thinking of tracking your handmade inventory in a spreadsheet? Here's what craft inventory spreadsheets can and can't do for your Etsy or handmade business.
LLC or sole prop? Here's the quick decision guide for handmade sellers — with a comparison table, tax breakdown, and a clear framework for when it's worth forming an LLC.
Wondering if your handmade business is considered a hobby or a business? This article will explain the IRS 9-factor test, the tax implications for each classification, and what it means for makers who are just starting out.
Etsy shipping label costs go in Part V (Line 27a), not COGS. Shipping supplies go on Line 22. Here's how to find your totals and fill out Schedule C correctly for 2025.
If you are just starting your craft business and need some advice, or need some guidance on what to do next in order to grow your handmade business further then definitely consider arranging a mentor meeting with SCORE.
If you store your inventory and product samples at home in a dedicated location, you should be eligible to claim for business use of this space without needing to meet the usual "exclusive use" test.
We explain what Etsy sellers need to know about the 1099K form, what you'll need to do with this form and what to do if you don't receive one.
Etsy scatters your financial data across several reports. Here's exactly where to find your monthly statements, payment history, and order data in the current Etsy UI.
As a maker, one of the first things to realise is that you are not just a retailer of your goods - you are also a manufacturer of them. Why does this matter? Well for starters, it changes everything about the way you need to report your end of year revenue and expenses to the IRS.
Not sure whether to use FIFO, LIFO, or weighted average cost for your handmade business? Here's what each method means in practice — with real maker examples — and which one Craftybase uses automatically.
The IRS doesn't care how small you are. If you make products from raw materials, you're required to track inventory. Here's what Publication 334 says — and the best way to keep track of inventory for your small business.
Cash vs accrual accounting: what's the difference, and which one should a maker actually use? Here's what you need to know — including how your choice affects your COGS and inventory tracking.
Most craft sellers track materials — and miss half their actual costs. Here's the full list of expenses to track for your craft business in 2026, including the Etsy and Shopify fees that quietly eat your margins.
Find the right NAICS code for your craft business. We list the most common Schedule C activity codes for soap makers, jewelry makers, candle makers, potters, woodworkers, bakers, and more.
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Because they don't know what their products actually cost to make.
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