How do you sell your items?

[crazy crocheter]

I've been wanting to sell some of my crocheted items but I'm not quite sure how. My family and I are getting ready to move onto some beautiful land out in the country and I'm not going to be able to sell there. I can't sell in my neighbourhood because it is bad. (Hence the reason why we are moving) I was seriously thinking about eBay until I read this thread: http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7115 and now I'm not so sure I want to get into that.

Now to get to my point: How do you sell your crocheted items? Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

Kristin

[LadyyOftheOak]

I've sold the majority of mine just through word of mouth and by showing people what I have available or to offer. If you're going to be too far out in the country, perhaps a day in town at a fair or flea market might kick things off?:lol :yay

[crazy crocheter]

Thanks! I'll look into that. Maybe there is some kind of fair or flea market near where I live.

[yarncat]

I started about 5 years ago doing 2-3 crafts shows a year.In January 2004,I started selling on Ebay.I'm happy with my sales there.I sometimes sell items also from my website.

[Sabra]

If you make clothes of any sort, wear them or have your kids wear them. My only sale thus far came from a lady seeing my daughters' ponchos last fall & requesting that I make her a hat.

Church craft sales also seem to be a good place. Haven't sold anything at one, but I've bought plenty of stuff from 'em. ;) You'll have to really pay attention to your local paper to find the usually very small notices that any church is selling tables; in my experience they tend to appear on Saturdays.

It might also pay to check out local municipal craft fairs. Years ago my aunt used to make the bulk of her money selling ceramics during the Starving Artist show in San Antonio (not sure if they even have that anymore!); such would probably work for crochet crafts as well if you can manage to stockpile items.

[crazy crocheter]

Thank you so much! I looked up any craft fairs in my area and I found an arts and craft fair that happens every year. I'm to late for this year but I'm sure I can get into it next year. You were all very helpful!

[CraftyShannon]

I'm a newbie to the group, but I've been selling various crafts off and on for a few years now. If you are wanting to sell, your best bet may be to start trying to now, so you'll know what kinds of things will sell next year when you're ready to do a show.

Word of mouth is great, but you may want to give people a little nudge to buy. Having a open house around Christmas is a great way to do that. I don't advertise, but I invite everyone in my subdivision and my friends for a very informal social gathering where I happen to sale my wares. (Be sure to put this in your invitation!) The ladies where I live like to come in the morning, so I offer coffee and some breakfast things (usually sausage balls or coffee cake) and let them shop while they mingle.

Also, start checking ads in the paper for gift shops. A lot of the smaller mom-and-pop stores advertise for crafters. Even if they don't, if you are brave enough, ask if they will take stuff on cosignment. Some will say no, others will say yes, but I find home things or smaller gift items that you would sell for under $20 are usually what they like. One word of advise: If they don't offer a contract, at the very least, make a list of what you take in, and all the arrangements you've made (how long they want the stuff, the commission, when you'll get paid, etc) and have them sign it. Keep a copy for you and have them keep a copy too.

Most of my sales come from my open house, but the cosignment makes it worthwhile for me to rationalize my craft spending habits the rest of the year. Good luck!

[sleevelessinsu]

Most of mine have been through word of mouth and I did a craft fair once, I also sold some bags to someone a know who owns a shop in town.

[klouised]

Thank you so much! I looked up any craft fairs in my area and I found an arts and craft fair that happens every year. I'm to late for this year but I'm sure I can get into it next year. You were all very helpful!You're not late. The biggest sales time for craft shows is from October to the end of the year.

[klouised]

Word of mouth is great, but you may want to give people a little nudge to buy. Having a open house around Christmas is a great way to do that. I don't advertise, but I invite everyone in my subdivision and my friends for a very informal social gathering where I happen to sale my wares. (Be sure to put this in your invitation!) The ladies where I live like to come in the morning, so I offer coffee and some breakfast things (usually sausage balls or coffee cake) and let them shop while they mingle. That's a great idea. One of the best crafts shows we went to was one a lady had in her house at Christmas time. She put an ad in the paper that she would be open on these days at such and such time on a certain weekend. She had a sign in her yard welcoming you to come in. She had all personal stuff put away. Her house was decorated with a winter theme with snow and white lights. You were able to walk around in designated rooms and look at what she had. She was a decorative arts painter, so she would have her stuff hanging on her walls, and sitting on her tables and such. She had some snacks and hot cocoa at the end of the tour. She had a beautiful home, and I was really suprised that she would open it up for strangers to come in. She had family members and friends helping out, so you were never alone in a room. It's a chance you may not want to take, BUT it was super fun for my mother and I to go to. You couldn't help but buy something before you got out the door.

[LadyyOftheOak]

I've sold the majority of my things just word of mouth and by having them out where people could see them. Taking the projects with me when I go somewhere to wait.. or just whatever. I do alot of crocheting at work on my lunch hour and breaks actually :)


So far in the last year.. and this is with me putting crocheting down from April or so until just the last couple of weeks.... horse shows and crocheting don't mix well... I've sold and afghan for $75, another afghan for $125, several book marks for $3 to $5 each, an evening bag for $30, another big purse for $60, a scarf for $35, an order for another scarf for $35 .. and there is more in the works. i've got several people interested in the purses that I make.. all in all not a bad haul for the amount of yarn i've bought to do all this stuff :) Actually I'm having a hard time getting things together to do a fair because as quick as I get them made they are gone typically.. *sigh*

The best advice I can give though is to get the stuff out there where it can be seen. So much depends too on the type of yarns you're using and the stuff your'e making also I think. The specialty yarns, something out of the ordinary, are what catches peoples attention. Too many people think "crochet" and think scrap afghans and funky avacado ponchos.. light and airy, lacy and different, snuggly and soft ... those things dispel those stereotypes and get people looking ;)

[CraftyShannon]

That's a great idea. One of the best crafts shows we went to was one a lady had in her house at Christmas time. She put an ad in the paper that she would be open on these days at such and such time on a certain weekend. She had a sign in her yard welcoming you to come in. She had all personal stuff put away. Her house was decorated with a winter theme with snow and white lights. You were able to walk around in designated rooms and look at what she had. She was a decorative arts painter, so she would have her stuff hanging on her walls, and sitting on her tables and such. She had some snacks and hot cocoa at the end of the tour. She had a beautiful home, and I was really suprised that she would open it up for strangers to come in. She had family members and friends helping out, so you were never alone in a room. It's a chance you may not want to take, BUT it was super fun for my mother and I to go to. You couldn't help but buy something before you got out the door.

Well, I have to give my great aunt the credit for the idea of the show. Every year for years, she hosts what she calls a "Holiday Open House", and like you said, decorates her house for people to tour and she sets up her stuff to sale. (I've seen them called "By Invitation Only" sales other times of the year.) She only invites friends, family, neighbors, and people from her church, but apparently she gets a good crowd, and she gets a lot of special orders after the sale that way. We're nagging her to raise her prices though, because she sells stuff too cheap, like selling a knitted hat for $4. Her yarn was donated to her, so she believes she's coming out ahead, and she was shocked when I saw her flawless work and told her no wonder she sells out....she's too cheap!

I do invite strangers, but only people in the neighborhood and their friends. Then again, our subdivision has that friendly atmosphere, so I don't really feel they are like people coming off the street, so I feel that's okay. I wouldn't feel comfortable allowing complete strangers from who knows where in my house, but then again, our neighborhood has had vandalism from people who invite strangers in for Halloween, so I'm biased.

If you do advertise, you might want to check with your county to see if this is okay or if you need to pay any fees like some places have you do for yard sales and such.

[koala]

When I started selling my items, I started doing small craft shows (churches ect.) to get experience. I have been now selling for about 5 years. a few things you could try in addition to craft shows would be : are there any consignment shops in your area? Always carry business cards with you, hand them out freely. I have also made up brochures that list every item I sell and have tacked them up on grocery store bulletin boards (or any store that has a board!)

One thing to remember, if you sell at craft shows you may need to obtain a sellers permit from your state.

Hope this has helped
Debin finally cooler WI

[psychoflute]

I don't know if anyone on this forum goes to Curves gyms or not, but I'm putting together a display for them, and you don't even have to pay to display your items (or at least I don't at this Curves.)

[123mama]

When I was making goose clothes I sold so many I went and rented a spot in a craft shop. I did great there.

craft shows and bizares (spelling) are to much work.


sondra

[dudleyspinner]

If anyone is in the Bethel, MO area the World Sheep and Fiber Arts festival is happening Sept 3-5. http://www.worldsheepfest.com/index.htm There may be booth spaces available, but your items have to be wool, at least 80% of what you are selling needs to be wool. I will have a booth there to sell dudleyspinner roving and would love some company.
Deb

[ItzKaren]

I have sold a lot through word of mouth as well. I think thats the best because it is FREE :) I post my finished items on my webpage and tell them they can go there and look at my work. Pictures do speak 1000 words. I think if you take pride in your work and keep it clean it really sells itself.

Small and unusual things sell the best. 2 of my top requests are for dollies and knitted dishcloths. Scarf and hat sets sell really well too. But I think it depends on your area.