How to Start an Ice Sculpting Business

Ice sculpting is an amazing hobby that takes an enormous amount of talent. But that talent doesn't have to just be a hobby. Take your sculpting skills and turn them into a profitable ice sculpting business. Read on to learn how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Chainsaw
• Chisels
• Die grinder
• Ice
• Vehicle for deliveries (optional)
• Marketing materials

1. Get some tools including a chainsaw, chisels and die grinder. Experiment with other sharp objects and observe the pattern they leave on the ice. If you like one pattern more than the others, add that tool to your toolbox.
2. Find ice. Buy only the clearest blocks with no cloudiness in the center. This means purchasing from an ice house that professionally creates blocks perfect for sculpting.
3. Start small. Practice your skills on small pieces of ice and move up to bigger blocks. Become very familiar with working on ice before you try to sell your first sculpture.
4. Set prices for your products. Decide how much you'll charge per ice sculpture—this usually depends on its size. Factor in your cost for the ice and other business expenses such as tool maintenance.
5. Choose if and where you'll deliver which can be tricky. Don't forget that your ice sculpting company can charge a fee for delivery.
6. Market your ice sculpting business. Use any of the following to get your name out there: word-of-mouth advertising, flyers, business cards, brochures or a website. All will help you gain exposure.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to deliver your ice sculptures, you must have reliable transportation. Your vehicle will need a cooling system that will keep the sculpture in tact during the ride. Also create a way to restrain the sculpture inside the vehicle to keep it from getting broken on the trip.