I went to a craft show this morning and seen many ideas even presentation was unusual. One had artificial vines with little sock monkeys hanging on it. She had the old fashioned crochet hand towels that loop over an oven handle and button, button hand crotched, even shop towels made the same way for men. Crocheted sachets and lots of whimsical items, like pencil toppers (little animal heads). Crocheted hats, belts, scarves, aprons, tea cozies, flower garlands. She told me, she gets bored easily and looks for things to craft in little time. I asked if she ever did an afghan. Reply Oh that would drive me Nuts.
If you intend to make a business of it, you should have your own website, and you might want to accept payments through Paypal, which is the easiest and not terribly expensive. In addition, however, you should also sell on Facebook and eBay, since you're going to reach more customers that way. Your website, Facebook and eBay sales can all be routed to your PayPal account.
I have a wine cork wreath but I didn't make it, I have it on my wall in my dining area. Off hand I can't remember if it has a grape cluster hanging on it or not but it should.
I have a friend who makes pottery, paints and bakes things, She does real well selling them a the weekly farmer's market. Something new is an artisan market here where she and other local artists can sell what they make.
The crafter did the right thing in Naples, Fl. by setting up at a craft/flea market. For now none of us crafters, can exhibit in the fine arts shows. We were told it was to folk art type to be considered fine art. She has a website, because it's so ridiculous here. Ft. Myers 35 miles north of us has all kinds of shows and markets to sell. @Ken Anderson is so right about selling crafts.
I know this was an older thread with new replies but I think it's a good one. I shop way too much on Etsy. It's amazing how many people don't do any hand made themselves. I sew, knit, crochet. I have no time to right now and I'm always too tired from work. Even I recently bought a pretty wide crochet headband from Etsy. I do think there are people who can't make themselves so they will purchase these items. I really agree with Diane Lane's post above about cheap mass produced. There are a lot of amazing gift ideas on Etsy. Toys and things for kids. It makes me wonder why everyone will be going to the mall this holiday season.
For the record, I like new replies to old threads. I much prefer it to having multiple threads on the same subject.
I have given a lot of thought to selling handmade items online lately. I looked on Etsy and on ebay, and the little handmade crocheted rugs sell for $25+, and socks sell about the same price. In the winter when it is so cold outside, I will crochet and knit more; but I usually give things away to family or friends as a gift, and have not tried selling anything. Today, I listed one of the little hand-made crochet throw rugs on ebay, just to see how well it goes. If it seems like it will sell, then I might try making an Etsy account, but it looked to me like you are expected to have an “Etsy Store” and more than 1-2 items available. With ebay, there is no requirements, and I can just make whatever I feel like, and then list it. Once I see what price the auction brings for my little rug, I will have a better idea of what I can list as a buy-it-now item, and will probably try that as well. I am working on a pair of socks, so that will be my next sale project. Here is a link to my listing on ebay, and mine is the little brownish-tan one with the fringe on it. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...hrow+rug.TRS0&_nkw=crochet+throw+rug&_sacat=0
It's really pretty. My cats would have a field day with that fringe. Do you think it would go better as a "buy it now" item? I shop on Etsy and I do knit and crochet (crochet to a much lesser degree) but even I bought a wide crochet head band there that I really like from a nice lady in Florida. I'm not sure how hard an Etsy store is to open. I know on their forums a lot of people complain about low sales and I've noted some people write they actually do better on Ebay. Very best wishes on selling!
I thought that a set price would be better, too, and that was what i wanted to do; but ebay set everything up, and I can’t change it. There must be a different way to list it than I did ? Since this is only for a week, I can try Etsy next. What are the forums you mentioned , @Kitty Carmel ? that sounds like something that might help me get my feet on the ground with this project.
@Yvonne Smith The Etsy forums. You will need a user name and account to post there. I have posted in the forums as a buyer only but most who post are sellers and like many of them mention, they buy on Etsy also. At the bottom of the initial Etsy page you will see a link to the forums. You can ask about Ebay on the forums also because people do talk about other seller platforms there. Does Ebay have forums? I've never looked at that.
I am making progress with this. Slow, but progress. I got my Etsy account all set up, and 2 items listed. It is called “HappyflowerladyGifts” . I also got an ebook on Amazon to read more about selling on Etsy, but it looks like the book is more for someone who is going to run a serious business through Etsy. If @Bobby Cole makes some items in his woodworking shop (thanks to Ina) then we can also list those with the shop. Now that I have the account set up, I can look for the forums and start reading through there and learn more about selling things on Etsy.
Etsy is fantastic. The key to getting sales is marketing your products via a blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
I often buy hard-to-find herbs like Chelone glabra from wildcrafters on Etsy and Ebay. Others there just find something that is only available regionally, and resell it at profit. Years ago I used to buy 'Mikesell's Waffles & Cheese' snack from gal on Ebay. There is no limit to what you can sell. Cleverness trumps skill.