Knitting

[Holly]

I found an easy, yet delightful baby ski sweater pattern. It knits up quickly and I made several. I then mustered up all the courage I could find and approached a boutique in a town near me. I'm lucky and live near a ski area with lots of tourists and visitors. I have sold 7 to them so far this season and they are waiting for more. If I have a problem, it would be not knowing how much to ask for them......any rules of thumb out there I don't know about for pricing?

[Lori]

I'm really not sure how I would price knitting.

Quite a long time ago I used to sell beadwork that I made. I almost never made enough to cover my time. But on the other hand, I also loved what I was doing so much and had so few expenses at that point in my life that it wasn't a problem.

I also knew very little about marketing at that time. I think now I would market them more skillfully, with more confidence and price them higher.

I would like to set up a space at freelancemom for members to advertise crafts that they make to eachother. And also a forum for crafters to reciprocate website links with eachother.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on that from members.

Take care!

Lori :)

[Anonymous]

Hey Holly!

I have exactly the same probelm - pricing. I make greeting cards, haven't sold any yet, I just set up a website this morning. Previously, I tried selling handmade jewelry, which was somewhat successful through a bead store here in town (on consignment 60% to me 40% to the store). At that time, I had no job so I was hoping for more money than my customers were willing to pay, but now that I have a full time job, any side money I can make on a hobby, will make me happy. I guess you need to figure out the time requirements, if you are doing this for relaxation at the end of the day or while watching the baby, then you don't need to charge so much. But if you are planning on spending your day knitting for a profit, then you need to figure out how long each takes and what you are expecting as hourly compensation, plus material costs.

I will be curious to see what others have to say on this topic.

Some helpful sites I have found (I am currently looking for more):

www.streetfairamerica.com -- let's you sell your products free (they take a samll commission)

www.homestead.com --- cheap and easy website set up

www.ebay.com --- this is an economical way to advertise (the secret is out), you may not get top dollar for your product, but lots of people will see it

~Corie

www.cardsbycorie.com (handmade greeting cards by me -- hopefully launching Wednesday November 12)

[Holly]

I have heard so many different views on pricing. My husband has a simple one I'm trying to embrace....he looks at the rate of return on what I sell. For instance: if a baby sweater costs me 10.00 in yarn and I sell it for 30.00 he considers I have tripled our money. He doesn't take my time into account as he knows I knit while I am visiting or watching TV. He seems pleased with this, but I'm not sure we're being very business like figuring it this way.

Good luck with your cards and I look forward to visiting the sites you mentioned.

Holly

[Lori]

I have heard so many different views on pricing. My husband has a simple one I'm trying to embrace....he looks at the rate of return on what I sell. For instance: if a baby sweater costs me 10.00 in yarn and I sell it for 30.00 he considers I have tripled our money. He doesn't take my time into account as he knows I knit while I am visiting or watching TV. He seems pleased with this, but I'm not sure we're being very business like figuring it this way.

Hi Holly - I mean, Mom :wink:

You've been really successful selling the little ski sweaters haven't you? There seems to be a big market for them. How long does it actually take to complete one?

Pricing is a huge struggle for me too. I've been getting advice from all angles lately - husband, colleagues, friends to UP my prices. And I thought I HAD already. A part of me hates to do that because I know how hard other people work for their money and always feel bad to take it! Now that's not good business!

Gotta work on that :wink:

Lori

[Holly]

Okay, the secret is out......I am Lori's Mom! Now I can gush about how proud I am of everything she has accomplished here. :D

[daisygirl]

I would be very interested in a forum to trade links, and that kind of thing. Out of curiosity, how much would you pay for slippers that have a scented flax seed insert that can be heated or frozen? :lol:

[Holly]

Do a search for the bean filled slippers you microwave and that should give you an idea what they go for.

I noticed you make baby slings. At my daughter's suggestion I made those a few years ago and although I only sold them on ebay, I sold every one I made. Mommy's love those. I wish they had been popular when I was a new mom. If you are interested I still have several pairs of rings I would sell cheap, cheap, cheap.

Holly

[daisygirl]

I just got set up for ebay. I have some slings on consignment, they're not doing too well. I think I'm going to take them back and auction them.

Are the rings brass, or plastic?

[Holly]

They are plastic in various colors.........if you're interested in chatting about them my email is: Holly.Burnham@valley.net

:lol: