A Humble Suggestion for the Staff Concerning the Rules

[Tobus]

A hobbyist is one who produces or makes a product for the love of doing it. They are not trying to run a business or make a profit from their passion.

So even though it costs money to pay for being listed as a "hobbyist", the person is not allowed to make profit from it? Or, more to the point, if they do make a profit from it (not making a living, but a small profit to make it worth their while), will their "hobbyist" status be yanked?

[Steve Ashton]

As much as I hate to quote wikipedia here is how they define Hobbyist.

A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time.
Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Examples include collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making, tinkering, sports and adult education. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge and experience. However, personal fulfillment is the aim.
What are hobbies for some people are professions for others: a chef may enjoy playing computer games as a hobby, while a professional game tester might enjoy cooking. Generally speaking, the person who does something for fun, not remuneration, is called an amateur (or hobbyist), as distinct from a professional.
An important determinant of what is considered a hobby, as distinct from a profession (beyond the lack of remuneration), is probably how easy it is to make a living at the activity. Almost no one can make a living at cigarette card or stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby.

So the distinction is not whether or not you make any profit (and remember that profit is defined as money remaining after expenses are paid out and supplies paid for. Profit is not the same as payment for a product. ) at selling your product. The distinction is "Can someone, or is someone attempting to, make a living from the making and selling of their product?".

[ali8780]

So even though it costs money to pay for being listed as a "hobbyist", the person is not allowed to make profit from it? Or, more to the point, if they do make a profit from it (not making a living, but a small profit to make it worth their while), will their "hobbyist" status be yanked?

It's not that they aren't allowed to make a profit, it's that they likely won't. As someone who loves to make things of all sorts, I'm all too familiar with the fact that profit on handmade goods is --for all intents and purposes-- nonexistent.

It's even hard to make a profit on handmade goods when you have a business license and are able to purchase raw goods wholesale.

Such is the way of our mass produced society.