A bit of good news...

I have been selling my cards in a few little boutique type shops (and on ebay) and am not doing too bad, nothing outstanding money wise but its keeping me busy. I will post some cards soon, lots are Christmas ones....forbidden just yet!!!! Oh and not to take it away from Karin as she is much better than me, but I too have been lucky enough to join the design team for our card class shop! Am going to be VERY busy

Anyway some more questions to you very knowledgeable lovely people

I am still not selling any where near enough for VAT purposes, but could be selling in more shops, hairdressers etcmdo I need to let Tax people know?

Should I be registered as self employed? I am looking at venturing out to do lots of other crafty things like 1st Christmas decorations (I bought these last year for £7.99 I thought I could easily do these for a bit cheaper) plus lots more ideas.

Someone else has asked me to make cards for her shop, now she would like me to make orders and she will buy outright for her to sell, instead of what I am doing now and just waiting for them to sell picking up a few pounds here and there, I would do slightly cheaper and she could sell at a bit of profit. She asked me if I could incorperate her name onto the cards, at the moment I have a little sticker saying Emphasis Designs by Emma. I thought I could maybe incorperate include Karmarita with designs by Emma underneath. Is this a wise move, I am just not sure about any legalities etc?

I think that is all for now, I am very busy trying to get a website up and running, I know there are loads out there and the competition is massive but thought I would look more professional with a website instead of just an ebay link on business cards etc. Plus it is a free trial for a month then £2.99 per month which isnt too bad, and I can cancel at any point.

GOSH sorry for the long post

Thanks in advance

My card kit and ATC will be sent out this week, they are done I just need to leave my craft room, computer and CBEEBIES for enough time to go to post office

Good to see you Emma, and well done for getting onto the team aswell.
Sorry I can't help you with the questions you ask cos I have never been asked to make for my family to give to their friends. sil asked once so I did it for free and mothers friend did pay me to do when I did parchment alot.
Good luck to you whatever you do do.

Is there any info on the tax site Emma, my understanding is that if its a hobby it doesn't matter really, but then I'm not 100% sure.

As for our DT stuff, you're very good you know, lovely cards and lovely ideas.
Silly thing

well done to you too emma .
i dont think its tax free if its a hobby to be honest otherwise the folks on ebay selling stuff they have bought at car boots could get away with it too . tax men are looking out for them .
if its just peanuts you are making out of it then it wil not count towards being taxed but if you are going to be earning more than you are spending on the stash ie making any amount of profit ,then it needs to be declared ,you may not have to pay anything or very little but its best declared for your own sake , especially as it seems as if it could be an ongoing thing which could potentially grow . id just keep figures in a more professional way for now and see how it goes ,then get tax advice if needed at a later date .that way you will have figures at hand that may prove you had paying any tax in mind if it comes to needing them at any time IYKWIM
as for the name on the cards ,id put something like ...

made by emma jones (?) for ......( whatever name she wants to use ). making sure you keep your own name in there totally as made by you and FOR her ,if you put it the way you said you are giving away your copyright i think .

Very well done Emma - go for it girl!!

Yes, go for it. Wish I had an outlet - agree with Kim's comment
about the credit...Made by Emma (+ what details you want) for......
Good luck with it.

I think you have to make over £1000 pa profit before you pay tax.
That's after your costs for ALL materials and equipment including time taken for purchases and petrol/busfares to shops, postage, phone calls. I think you might be a while before you even pay yourself the minimum wage let alone pay tax on it. You'd have to go some to make enough profit to get £5 an hr to pay yourself.
Nah, just enjoy what you do, it's what they call pin money.

Thank you everyone, a much better idea and way about wording for her cards, thanks.

I rang HM revenue and customs today to check and they told me I needed to register. I wont pay anything and it wont effect anything the only thing extra I have to do is account for everything which I have started anyway, it will be good to look at if nothing else!

I have also booked myself on some business start up advice sessions more on the financial side really but is all free so I may aswell take what I can!

I really arnt thinking I am going to be the next Alan Sugar or anything but with me selling a few (last Christmas I made nearly £300 paid for some presents so not all bad) now I wanted to make sure I couldnt get caught out.

Better safe than sorry Emma, you were right to check it out.
Hope it all goes well.