inventory Archives - The YarnyBookkeeper

Bookkeeping for Makers (Without the Overwhelm) Pricing, COGS & Inventory

What is Inventory? (And Why It Matters) for Handmade Businesses

Inventory is one of the most misunderstood parts of running a handmade business — and it directly affects your expenses, pricing, and taxes. In this post, we’ll break down what inventory actually is, why you can’t deduct materials when you buy them, and which makers truly need to track it. No accounting jargon, no overwhelm — just clear explanations that finally make inventory make sense.
Originally written & published in 2020 – updated in 2026 for clarity.

Inventory + COGS for Handmade Businesses-Start Here (Your January Reset )

If inventory + COGS makes your brain do the Windows reboot sound, start here. This January Reset round-up gives you the simple path: what inventory is, what to track, how to keep spreadsheets from turning into a monster, and how it all connects to COGS and tax time.

Pricing, COGS & Inventory

Year-End Physical Inventory Tips for Handmade Business Owners

Physical inventory is a must for handmade businesses — but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn how to count materials and finished goods with confidence.

This post was originally published on 1/5/2019 and has been updated to include clearer examples.

Bookkeeping for Makers (Without the Overwhelm) Pricing, COGS & Inventory Taxes for Makers - Explained

How Inventory Works and Why It Matters in Your Handmade Business

Learn how inventory works in a handmade business, why your supply stash is money sitting on the shelf, how tracking it reduces stress at tax time, and why a tax pro might say “just expense your purchases”.
(Originally published 12/08/2021 and updated for 2026 for better clarity).

Bookkeeping for Makers (Without the Overwhelm) Pricing, COGS & Inventory Taxes for Makers - Explained

How To Track Finished Items Inventory for Makers-Without a Spreadsheet Meltdown

Finished items inventory isn’t just what’s sitting on your shelves—it’s money tied up in your handmade business. In this post, you’ll learn how to track finished items inventory using a simple spreadsheet system, what actually needs tracking, and how to avoid the spreadsheet overwhelm that trips up so many makers.

Pricing, COGS & Inventory

My Handmade Biz-When does Inventory & COGS hit my bookkeeping?

I bet you’re wondering, WHEN does Inventory & COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) hit my bookkeeping? More specifically when do project costs appear on your Profit & Loss Report under Cost of Goods Sold (if you want to go all accounting speak) and then what about my tax return? If you’ve been following along this …

Pricing, COGS & Inventory

How to Track Materials Inventory for a Handmade Business (Without Losing Your Mind) – Especially If You’re Using Spreadsheets

Materials inventory tracking can feel like a brain-melter for handmade business owners — especially if you’re using spreadsheets. In this post, you’ll learn what you actually need to track (and why), where spreadsheets get complicated fast, and how to make it easier with a system that has the formulas built in.