Makers & artisans · Mathews County, Virginia
Craft something
extraordinary.
Whether you're a weekend hobbyist ready to go pro or a seasoned artisan looking to grow, this is your guide to making it here.
Every piece bearing a Mathews County maker's mark carries the story of these rivers, these shores, and the people who call this peninsula home.
From Etsy storefronts to the annual Made in Mathews Open Studio Tour, local makers reach customers far beyond the county line — all year long.
The Mathews County EDA is committed to helping makers grow — from first sale to full business. A developing Virginia Artisan Trail covers Mathews, Middlesex, Gloucester, and Essex counties.
What does it mean to be a maker?
From hobby to
handmade business
A maker is anyone who creates a physical product with their hands — woodworkers, potters, jewelers, textile artists, candle-makers, soap crafters, metalworkers, boat builders, leatherworkers, painters, sculptors, and more. When you begin selling those creations, you're in business. Here's the typical path.
Find Your Craft
Start with what you love making. Explore popular categories — ceramics, textiles, woodwork, fine art, jewelry, home goods, body products — and research what sells locally and online. Passion is your best quality-control tool.
Know Your Market
Browse Etsy and Amazon Handmade to see what's trending. Visit local markets and the annual Made in Mathews Studio Tour to understand what buyers want. Identify a niche that's uniquely yours — and uniquely Mathews.
Set Up Your Workspace
Most makers start at home. You generally don't need special permits for home production as long as it doesn't disrupt neighbors. As you grow, consider whether dedicated studio space makes sense — the EDA can help you explore options.
Price Your Work Properly
A simple formula: (Materials + Labor + Overhead) × 2 = Wholesale; double that for retail. Track every cost, including your time. Underpricing is one of the most common mistakes new makers make.
Choose Where to Sell
Makers sell through multiple channels: local craft fairs and farmers markets, online marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon Handmade), their own website or Shopify store, local boutiques and consignment shops, and wholesale to retailers.
Tell Your Story
Buyers choose independent makers because they want something unique — and a connection to the person who made it. Great product photography, a compelling origin story, and consistent social media presence are essential tools.
Already a community here
Made in Mathews
Open Studio Tour
Every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving and the first weekend in December, Mathews County artists and artisans open their studio doors to the public. The Tour showcases fine art, textiles, traditional crafts, furniture, jewelry, home goods, glass, and sculpture — every piece authentic and handmade right here in Mathews County.
Joining the Tour is one of the most powerful ways to build your local reputation, meet fellow makers, and reach customers who specifically seek out handmade goods from this region.
Visit Made in MathewsDoes making = a business?
Choosing your
business structure
The moment you start selling your handmade goods with the intent to make a profit, you're operating a business — even if it feels like a hobby. In Virginia, you have several structural options. For most new makers, a sole proprietorship is the simplest and fastest way to start. Here's how the main options compare.
| Structure | Best For | Personal Liability | Tax Treatment | VA Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sole Proprietorship
Recommended for starters
|
One-person maker just getting started; low risk products | You are personally liable for all debts | Business income reported on your personal tax return (Schedule C) | No formal filing to create. Register a DBA/Fictitious Name with the VA SCC if using a business name ($10 fee). |
|
LLC
Step up for protection
|
Makers with employees, significant inventory, or higher-risk products | Personal assets are protected from business liabilities | Taxed as sole proprietor by default; can elect S-Corp status | File Articles of Organization with VA SCC; ~$100 fee. Annual registration fee applies. |
|
Partnership
Two or more makers
|
Two or more people co-creating and selling together | Partners share liability unless structured as an LLP | Income passes through to partners' personal returns | A partnership agreement is recommended; register with VA SCC if formal entity |
Note: This is informational, not legal advice. Consult a Virginia attorney or accountant for guidance specific to your situation. The Mathews County EDA can connect you with local small business resources.
Starting a Virginia Sole Proprietorship — Step by Step
-
1
Choose a business name
If you use your own full legal name, no registration is needed. If you use any other name (e.g., "Tidewater Pottery Co."), you must register a Fictitious Name (DBA) with the Virginia State Corporation Commission — a $10 online filing.
-
2
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free, immediate, and available at IRS.gov. Even without employees, it's useful for opening a business bank account and reducing identity theft risk.
-
3
Register for Virginia sales tax
If you're selling taxable products in Virginia, register with the Virginia Department of Taxation (tax.virginia.gov). You'll collect sales tax from buyers and remit it to the state.
-
4
Check local business licensing
Mathews County may require a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL), typically based on gross receipts. Contact the Mathews County Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm requirements.
-
5
Open a dedicated business bank account
Keep business and personal finances separate from day one. This simplifies taxes, tracks profitability, and is essential if you ever want to grow or apply for financing.
Key Virginia Resources
Tools, platforms & skills
What every maker
needs to succeed
Beyond your craft skills, running a successful maker business requires a small but powerful toolkit. Here's what experienced artisans rely on.
Online Storefront
- Etsy — Largest handmade marketplace; low entry cost
- Shopify — Your own branded store; more control
- Amazon Handmade — Reach Prime shoppers
- Square Online — Simple free store, good for locals
Photography & Branding
- Natural light photography is free and effective
- Canva — Free design for logos, labels, social posts
- Adobe Express — Quick pro-looking graphics
- Consistent color palette across all touchpoints
Money & Bookkeeping
- Wave — Free accounting software for small makers
- QuickBooks Simple Start — Low-cost, widely used
- Square or PayPal — Accept payments at markets
- Separate business account — Essential from day one
Marketing & Social
- Instagram — Primary visual channel for makers
- Facebook — Local reach; groups and marketplace
- Pinterest — Drives long-term traffic to your shop
- Email list — Own your audience; Mailchimp is free
You're not alone
A network of makers
across the region
One of the most powerful things a maker can do is connect with other makers. Peer mentorship, shared knowledge, and community marketing all lift every boat. Here are the networks active in and around Mathews County.
Made in Mathews
The county's own artisan network and annual Open Studio Tour, bringing together makers across all disciplines — fine art, furniture, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, and more. The most direct way to join the local maker community.
madeinmathews.comVirginia Artisan Trail Network
Virginia Tourism is developing an Artisan Trail covering Mathews, Middlesex, Gloucester, and Essex counties — described as "where water surrounds and creativity abounds." Enrollment is open now for makers to join and gain visibility as the trail launches.
Virginia Artisan TrailsOnline Maker Communities
The maker world is highly connected online. Etsy seller forums, craft business Facebook groups, and Instagram communities offer mentorship, marketing advice, wholesale contacts, and peer support from thousands of other makers nationwide.
Etsy Seller CommunityVirginia SBDC Network
The Virginia Small Business Development Center offers free, confidential one-on-one business advising and low-cost workshops statewide. Ideal for makers moving from hobby to business — help with business plans, pricing, marketing, and financing.
Virginia SBDCGENEDGE
Virginia's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center provides business consulting specifically for small Virginia manufacturers and artisan makers — including operational efficiency, supply chain guidance, and strategic planning. Free for businesses with under 20 employees.
genedge.orgMathews County EDA
We're here to help you succeed as a maker in Mathews. Talk to the EDA about connecting to resources, navigating business registration, finding workspace, or exploring what incentive programs may apply to your growing craft business.
Talk to usReady to make your move?
The EDA is here
to help you grow.
Whether you're just deciding to turn your craft into a business, or you're an established maker looking for workspace, financing, or new markets — the Mathews County EDA can connect you with the right people and resources.