SELLING YOUR CRAFTS

Hi everyone

I have been crafting all my life and papercrafting for at least 14 years now. I work full-time do not make a huge amount at the moment. Until three years ago I did monthly workshops, but only do 2 or 3 a year now as work has taken over.

Doing workshops meant the majority of my crafting time was spent arranging and preparing the item to demonstrate and very few things were finished to a high enough level to sell as helping the crafters in the class took priority. Nowadays the items I make are the project and I get to finish them properly.

Selling the finished product becomes the next job for the avid crafter. It is not necessarily about the money, more about the storage area needed if you do not sell your crafts. The added bonus of selling being more money in the pot to buy new products.

Selling can be the hardest thing for a crafter. Here are 8 ideas to get you started.

1. Family and Friends: These are the most obvious as you know them and their likes and dislikes and also the style of cards and crafts they may be interested in. Never take them for granted as they can be a great outlet for your cards. They can also give you feedback on what people are looking for in the bigger market, so ask questions and for feedback from them.

2. Work colleagues:   Even the smallest office can be good for the crafter. Everyone has family, children, grandchildren and friends to buy cards for as well as gift bags, boxes and mini books etc. SHow them your latest makes at lunch-time and ask for feedback. Is this something you think you would buy, what price would you be willing to pay etc

3. Have a Craft Party: Make it fun, invite some friends around. Make proper invites and tell them what the party will have to offer. Offer drink and nibbles, this could be anything from tea and buiscuits to  wine and canapes depending on your friends and choice of style. Talk a bit about your craft, do a quick demonstration, or let your guests make something if you have room. Finish the evening with the selling.

4. Ebay or other selling sites:   I sell on ebay and this is a great outlet. However cards are difficult to sell as the cost plus postage makes it an expensive item when sold individually. If you want to sell cards consider specializing in one style or one theme. Do your homework on the site to see what else is selling, the price charged and the quality of the product. Some cards are personalized and if you can offer this service say so in the title. Be aware though if you have a design that is yours and popular, putting it on ebay opens it up to every other crafter.

5. Craft Fayres: Check out the craft fayres in your area, some organisers require you to attend regularly and this may be too much for you. Some are regular summer fayres as a fundraiser and these can be good, but see if you can find our the number of people that usually attend the fayre to see if you craft items will get good exposure. I find people are very friendly ,traders and buyers will strike up conversation easily. Talk to people even if it does not result in a sale as they can give you valuable feedback, but do not give them your trade secrets as there are a lot of crafters who attend to see what is currently being sold and whether they can use that idea. There is nothing wrong with this it is how most of us started, and shows an interest in the craft, but you do not want them to have all your ideas for no return.

6 Etsy: Etsy is a selling site specifically for vintage and hand crafted items. It is more popular in America, but worth trying if you have a talent for your craft. I sell on Etsy as well,  generally my items sell quicker on ebay , but you have 3 months to sell for the listing cost of 20cents. Please look at the information on setting up a shop on Etsy. It is easier on Etsy and Ebay if you have a Paypal account so this is something else to take into account when considering them as outlets.

7 WI and Country Markets: If you are a member of the WI some branches have a trade stall. They take a percentage for their funds and this works out well for all. Consider regularly providing items for the stall as then members get to know they can buy cards or gift bags from the stall each month.
The WI also run a their own markets and you can become a member of the market. Check out where your local markets are what they sell and whether it is worth becoming a market member.
 
8 Selling Through a retail outlet: If you are really good at selling you may be able to get your items into a retail store. There are a number of ways to do this
Talk to the owner of a small independant store where your craft items would compliment their stock, but be prepared to share profits with them. Your individually crafted card may seem unique and worth £4 in your mind, but what price are other cards fetching in the shops and nearby outlets. If the shops shelves are stocked with £1 cards are you going to sell your item at £4 and if you do and the retailer takes £2 for selling it how much will you get after costs. Know your figures before approaching the retailer.
Some shops are willing to rent a shelf and again this is worth considering if you believe there is a good market for your items. If you are not sure of the selling potential try selling to friends and family and at least one craft fayre first to test the market, and negotiate a short term let for the shelf space say 8 weeks with an option to go longer. Make sure you have a  written agreement to refer to so each side knows their responsibilities and expectations of the other party.
Being the main supplier to a retailer in a specialist area. I have seen florists with beautiful hand crafted cards such as the cradle or bootie card for new babies or cards for other occasions when flowers are traditional. For this you need to be able to offer quality assurances and probably sale or return options as well as deciding cost to charge the retailer. Think about setting a minimum and maximum price range for items sold by the retailer so you are not surprised by their pricing structure.

I think that is enough to start with, but do contact me if this has been helpful in any way and if you have more ideas to add.  I would love to hear some of your success stories.

If there is any interest I will follow this article with Selling and Branding techniques.

Enjoy your crafting
Denise