How did you get started?

[StitchLuva]

I taught myself to crochet and have been crocheting since I was a teenager (I am now a grandmother). I mostly make items for myself or gifts for friends and family. Recently, my friends have been asked that I sell them some my ponchos, wraps and/or scarves. Since I only crochet for pleasure, I was wondering working for profit will take the fun out!

I would love to hear how you all got started, what has the experience been like and what you find is the best venue for selling.

[Celestial Seasonings]

I haven't started an online shop or tried selling at fairs yet (but soon, I've promised myself!), but I've had a lot of success selling to friends and friends of friends, especially. I initially let people suggest a price to me -- one woman paid me $25 for a pair of crocheted thread baby booties! I make a good amount selling baby blankets, especially. Word of mouth has worked well for me, and I don't take on more than 3-5 projects a month. That way I still have time for my own things, and it's still fun!

Oh. . . and unless the person has a specific pattern in mind, I like to pick something new and fun I haven't tried. :hook

[pampsmom]

I was working a full time job at the hospital (nite shift) and had a lot of time on my hands when I wasn't x-raying so I took my crocheting to work. Well my daughter worked at a bank and would take my finished projects to work with her to show them what I could do. Next thing I know, I have 5 hat and scarf sets, a pair of gloves, 2 mittens, and 13 pair of house slippers to do. This was 3 yrs ago. Since then I have retired from the hospital and turned my passion into a full time job complete with 3 craft shows a year. Just wish I would have done it sooner. I have a craft room full of ponchos and those who know about it just stop by and look thru. My sister-in-law just loaded up a box of ornaments and took off for work. So I can't seem to crochet fast enuff! My daughter has now joined me in our little business venture and we have more ideas than time. Oh I forgot to mention that first year we sold 275 ornaments. Have fun crocheting!

[yarncat]

I started selling at craft shows about 6 yeas ago and I sell more every year.I've also been doing Ebay for 1 1/2 years,which has also been profitable.

I'm lucky enough that my lifestyle allows me to crochet all day,everyday.It's just as much fun now as it was when I gave everything away.

I do reach more people and have more sales through Ebay,but I do enjoy meeting poeple at the 2-3 shows I do every year.It's the best of both worlds!

[SurendraSkye]

My GrandFATHER taught me how to crochet when I was six. I only made afgans until about a year ago. I was to afraid to do anything that wasn't flat. I finally thought a poncho should be easy, and I haven't made an afgan since. I would, but I am to busy making everyone halter tops, and different stuff. I sell a few here and there, but mostly do it because I like it:knit

I just went to my first craft sell on Saterday. I only put a few items on my nefiews table, (He was selling perfume pens he made on a lay out of wood). And I made $90.:fame I sold a halter top, that I just freehanded, for $45. I live in a small area, so I think I did pretty good. I think if I tried to sell the same top in Southern California instread of Northern, I could have gotton double for it.:shrug
:rose :cowgirl :elle I never would have even tried to sell anything if I hadn't found this board. You are all great support.

[wendyb532]

My mother could only knit but my aunts ( her sisters) crocheted. They only did granny squares and ripple afghans and that's it. I wanted to learn but couldn't pick it up by just watching them so I bought myself a how to crochet book. I basically used that to teach myself. I did a lot more than just granny squares and ripples and found I loved working with thread most of all. I have been crocheting for over 35 years now .

Wendyb532
I still haven't learned how to knit despite classes and books but I still try now and then. Never to late, I might figure it out someday!

[Plo0t]

I mainly rely on references to sell my products. I make things for my friends and I'm almost guaranteed new projects from people who see their scarves/blankets/etc!

I also try to stay away from doing custom projects. For me, having to use a specific yarn, in a specific color, with a specific stitch....that takes the fun out. Going on my own ideas allows me to have fun with what I'm making, yet still make a possible few bucks off it.

[CraftyShannon]

I've never actually sold my crochet projects, but I've sold crafts of all kinds for a few years. When I started out, I first made up things, put them in the trunk of my car, and when my neighorhood had get togethers, I'd open up my trunk and sell from the back of my car. At the time, I made a lot of garden things, so I approached a local greenhouse and asked if they would sell my things on cosignment, and they agreed. I've sold all kinds of crafts that way. Just pick a small local store selling things that would go with your items and ask. Or you could look for gift shops or craft stores, etc. Some stores advertise they take things, others you have to be brave enough to ask.

Personally, trying to get my family and friends to buy hasn't worked. They look and admire....then tell me they "can't afford" whatever, and remind me of a birthday, anniversary, whatever that is coming up and they'd LOVE to have this or that. Those of you who sell know that type. ;)

Like others have mentioned, one of my best methods of selling have been through work. I have health issues and cannot work, but I make things, display them nicely in a box, add a price, and my dad takes them to his office. He doesn't push stuff on people because most of his office are men. Yet, he leaves the box in the break room, and the ladies pick what they want and pay him.

I used to take custom orders, but normally I hate them. I find the customer is picky about things being exactly right. They stay in constant contact with me and want to pick out everything in the project, even if they really don't understand what I'm doing. I had this one gem of a neighbor who saw one of my pieces, asked a few questions and *thought* she could recreat it on her own. For those of you who sell, you've seen that type, haven't you? ;) Of course, she came back to me, asking if I could fix it. :lol I couldn't fix what she was working on, so I needed new supplies, which she insisted she'd get. I gave her my list, but she only "kinda" went by the list so didn't get exactly what I'd buy. Therefore, I had to work around what she had to semi-recreate my finished project. When she finally picked it (a floral item), she complained that the one I made for her was smaller than mine. It took me a while to get her to realize the pot she brought me was half the size of my pot, so if I'd done the floral part as big as mine, it would have looked out of porprotion in her pot. I wanted her to be happy with a good result, not just make it the same size for the sake of making it look identical. Thankfully, once I explained that to her, she finally saw what I was saying and it was okay.

After that, I never EVER let anyone buy the supplies themselves, and for the most part, I usuually decline custom offers simply because I worry too much whether or not they will like it.

[StitchLuva]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I feel inspired. After Christmas, I will give it a try. Right now, so much yarn, so little time.