Sell Your Crafts! Turn Your Hobby into Spending Money
I have a friend on Facebook who is a knitting nut. It seems like every day she posts another fabulous scarf, baby blanket or (dare I say it) sweater for her dog. She knits so many products just for fun, I finally asked her why she doesn’t just start her own Etsy shop. Another friend, who makes her own computer and make-up bags, just launched a store on eBay.
As moms, we’re often the ones who think about extra spending money or stretching our dollar as much as we can. Wouldn’t we all love to have a little cash in our wallet?
If you enjoy creating and constantly hear people telling you that you should sell your creations, it may be time to voyage into the world of selling your crafts for money. Like all things, entering the world of selling crafts should be carefully planned out. There are many websites and venues where you can sell your crafts both online and off.
Online venues are a great way to reach customers all over the world. Popular websites like Etsy, Artfire and eBay are great tools that help to reach your targeted customers. Before making the plunge into selling your crafts, be sure to take the time and do some research beforehand. Keep the following questions in mind as you consider the prospect of selling your creations:
* Do I have a product that people would want to buy? This is the most important question you have to ask yourself. If there is no target market for your products, you will have a hard time selling your creations and not because your items are not nice, but they may not be in demand.
* Who is my potential target market? This is a continuation of the question above because you need to know who to reach through the sites avenues and/or social media and how to successfully draw your target market to your items. It would be a waste of time trying to sell baby clothes, for example, to those who do not have children.
* What will I charge for my creations? Pricing is an important strategy. All too often, people undercharge for their creations forgetting to take into consideration the time and materials that go into a product. Make sure you account for both the cost of the materials as well as the time and effort you put forth to create your goods. Also be sure not to overcharge. You may find that your items do not sell because they are over priced.
* Where will I sell my items? Online websites are plentiful when it comes to selling handmade goods. There are websites such as Etsy and Artfire who only allow the sales of handmade goods, along with supplies. EBay is also another popular venue to sell handmade goods. Be aware, though, that you will be competing with the other goods that are not handmade and may be cheaper. An in-depth description of the item and its benefits is always a good idea.
If you choose to sell locally, try finding a store that will sell your items on consignment or sign up to exhibit at a local craft show. Both will be good for exposure. If you choose to go the consignment route, be sure to get all terms in writing. Otherwise you run the risk of having your items kept and not paid for.
It is very possible in today’s day and age to make some extra spending cash selling your crafts. Be sure to do your research and follow through your plan by keeping the above questions in mind. Once you have your plan in mind, go ahead and take the plunge. But remember, like anything else, you will get in return what you put forth so make it worth your while.
Thanks for this post! I just started an Etsy shop and am making my plans on what I am going to sell. Funny because I was going to do a post similar to this one! Thanks for sharing. I am co-hosting a Linky party later today if you’d like to link up.
http://Www.leahinspired.com
I have that happen to me all the time. I think of writing something and then come across it shortly after. Good luck on your Etsy shop!
I shop a lot of Etsy shops but I am not crafty at all. Etsy is great because I love all the different artists on there and their unique items
I’m not crafty at all and wish I was.
I just learned about Etsy recently, and it’s a really cool site. I don’t think I have anything good enough to sell…but I’m always trying to convince my mom that she could sell her crocheted afghans! I think pricing would be difficult though. Yarn isn’t cheap and it takes hours and hours to make one so probably many people would think it is ‘over priced’ when really it isnt.
I’m not crafty at all but love seeing what people can create.
I love Etsy craft shops, I am not crafty but I like to shop.
I’m not crazy in the slightest but I can shop with the best of them!
Great tips! That’s actually how I started blogging. I used to sell stuff on ebay and graphic design freelance and someone wanted a blog logo. Years later I’m a blogger lol
Thanks. I looked into them because of my friend who I was trying to convince to join Etsy herself.
Great tips, but I am not skilled at anything craft related.
Me neither :-/
Thanks for the great tips. I have thought about doing this myself but wasn’t sure how to go about it.
Thanks for all the tips! I have always wanted to learn how to do something like this! No better time to try than the present!
I am so glad that you mentioned pricing. I have a friend who has built a very large business from her one-time hobby and she often laments over having set her wholesale price too low when she started. She didn’t factor in all the little costs that add up and cut into your profit margin. Great advice!
Thanks. People often misjudge what it really takes to sell a product.
I have been trying to get my mother-in-law to sale her wreaths online! They are awesome! You’ve listed great tips to help people get started!
Thanks. Perhaps they’ll inspire your MIL.
my friend on facebook she has an etsy shop too. I have been thinking about it, but what would I sell there? I do make baked goods but that’s a lot of packaging lol 🙂 I like etsy though Great Site!
It is a great site… maybe you could sell specially decorated packaging for bakers…
I actually just had a very similar conversation with a friend of mine who crochets! She’s been making some great things and I pointed her towards Etsy.
I hope she joins. It’s such a wonderful outlet for people who are crafty. I, on the other hand, write!
i have an etsy shop before. I have very pre-occupied and had to close.:(
Sometimes it’s just not the right timing. But you never know down the road.
I would check on Etsy because I want to sell stuff too.
Etsy really is a great story. I became a fan when it was just starting and it has absolutely exploded.
I know someone who sells fancy jewelry on etsy and her sales are doing great. I admire people who have the time for their hobbies and … earn too.
I wish I was crafty because I would be on Etsy in a minute. Instead, I write!
That is a very good idea. I might start and continue may knitting once i am done with all the things i am currently doing. thanks for this reminder…
We always have full plates, don’t we!