Crocheting

[rumnwine]

I have sold many of my crocheted items to individuals for baby showers, dressy fashion pieces, etc. Have sold christening gowns at mall craft market but couldn't earn a living from that method (cost of space was high and items were low-priced). Needless to say that craft market didn't stay in business for too long.
I am now trying to market some pieces online and find that I am completely lost in the shuffle. Can't seem to target online market niche for this kind of product - have not sold a single item by this method.
Crocheted my daughter's graduation dress (grade school) and it was a hit so too was her confirmation dress.
Any ideas on how to market handcrafted items online?
Hazel

[Holly]

Hazel.......I'll bet I love needlework as much as you do and had the same problem. I was knitting infant ski sweaters and selling them to an upscale shop for $17.00. She sold them for $45.00. I knew I had to do something differently.

I did a search for online infant clothing shops and emailed them to see if they might be interested in my product. In my case they didn't offer me much more than the local shop did, but your experience might be better.

My daughter encouraged me to develop my own web site and sell them myself, which I may do. That seems to be the wisest idea.

You can sell them yourself at some of the online baby stores....they work in the same way eBay does.

If you discover something that works please let us all know as alot of us struggle with the marketing piece.

In the meanwhile, keep those needles clicking and if your get a sizable stockpile you can put a small ad in your local newspaper and let folks know you are willing to show your new line by appointment in the comfort of your own home. To insure you won't scare them away mention you can keep your prices at a reasonable rate as your overhead is minimal.

Good luck....we need more needleworkers and we need them to be successful.

Holly

[rumnwine]

My sentiments exactly Holly.

However, I have had better luck and sales selling to individuals and special orders but this requires a lot of networking with friends and acquaintances.

I do want to try an in-store display and maybe do made-to-order. Most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind - try always to make only a few of any style. Since I design them, it's just up to my imagination. I will definitely share my successes and failures with everyone so others can benefit.

Haxel.

[Holly]

Hazel,

I went to your web site.......yummy things. It looks to me as though you have an awful lot to share about marketing with the rest of us!

Holly

[rumnwine]

Holly,

I like to use my imagination a lot and I am not afraid to try new things. Old methods can still be valid sometimes with a new twist. I am a firm believer that these things pay dividends in the long-term. I gave an invaluable tip at "sales & marketing". I would like to suggest that we all use it.

Hazel

[Holly]

So, don't keep us in suspense.......what's the tip?

:lol:

[Anonymous]

Holly,

Sorry, I posted it under "Sales & Marketing" as I thought it was general and not specific to crafts.


Hazel

[rumnwine]

Thought I was logged in on my last post and I wasn't....

Hazel