What's the best way to sell my handmade crafts?
Sandy from Bluff City, TN
Visit eBay. You can sell anything on there and handmade, one of a kind crafts are hotcakes. Good luck. (01/25/2007)
By Sara C
Try estsy.com. Of course, you can also sell them at local craft shows. (01/26/2007)
By Jean
I don't know what the best way is, but there's several ways you can try. Ebay is a good choice of course, then you can do craft fairs. Also, seek out gift shops or even a gift shop at a local hospital. Some shops do consignment so that's something to consider. What kinds of crafts do you do? (01/26/2007)
I was an eBay seller for several years, and I could sell yard sale finds, small collectibles, clothing items, etc., but had no luck whatsoever in selling my crafts. If you sell them on eBay, you have to be willing to sell them at about 1/3 the price that you can get at a craft show. As a matter of fact, the last craft item that I advertised on eBay was Panoramic Sugar Eggs for Easter. They are large hollow eggs molded from sugar with a peephole in the end and a small figure inside. I started the bid at $4.00 and never got a bid.
Craft shows, in my opinion, are the best outlet. And it is a good idea to visit the show and see what kind of attendance they have, take notice of how many people are carrying packages, speak with some of the vendors and ask a few questions before you reserve a space. Another outlet is some areas would be the Farmer's Markets. They primarily sell fresh vegetables, but many also invite you to sell handicraft items. Or another option might be to display your wares in an area that has traffic flow.
Perhaps you can find a small business owner who will allow you to set up on the corner of his parking lot. You may have to pay a small fee to interest him, and you will have to check the local laws, because in some cities, you will need a peddler's permit. Depending on what type of crafts you do, you might display them in the beauty shop where you have your hair done. Small items suitable for baby gifts, showers, or wedding gifts would be appropriate.
Flea markets and yard sales usually don't work out. People are looking for inexpensive bargains here, and you cannot get a fair price for your goods. I have been crafting for 40 years, and hope some of these tips are helpful to anyone wanting to get started. Many of the patterns that I have submitted to Thrifty Fun are things that I have made and sold at craft shows over the years. Harlean from Arkansas (01/26/2007)
By Harlean
I have a local store and my advice would be, "word of mouth". I do agree that if it is homemade people shopping for regular items just don't want to cut loose with the money. They will if it's word of mouth, or in a gift store. My friend sells pecans and gets $2.00 for my hand painted letter openers in her gift shop, but I sell them in my store and can only get a dollar, go figure. Also, if it is a useful item you might want to try the local auction if you have one. Hope this helps. (01/27/2007)
By DeniseW
www.etsy.com is the best place on the internet to sell craft goods. You can also get customers through www.craftster.org by posting your wares and getting feedback.
I find it is great to use the items you sell and have business cards on hand for when people ask about the item. If you go to craft shows make sure your items are reasonably priced and that you have plenty of stock. You'll find that most of your business will build up by word of mouth. And if you want to sell your item try to make something that hasn't been made yet, or change something so it will be needed.
You'll find items won't sell if people can just get them anywhere. I find my crafty items sell really high on eBay. There is a woman who sells crocheted scarves of food items, and she makes an absolute fortune on eBay selling them. ($400 USD for a scarf of cupcakes). It's all about making something that people want enough to pay for it. Just my thoughts. (01/27/2007)
By Alicia
If you have enough, attend craft shows. Setting up a booth is a job at first, but once you do it a couple of times you fine tune it and it becomes much easier. I always enjoy the socialization at the shows myself. The fees for the booths vary.
You can also sell them through existing internet businesses to dropship. This is where you agree on a price with the business, they then advertise and list your item at a price that they will make a dollar or two. When it sells, they notify you, pay you the agreed upon price and you ship the item to the customer.
By Cheryl
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