Etsy, Folksy or Craft Fairs?

[Thomzo]

Hi
I've been playing around making bags and jewellery out of recycled fabrics and found objects which I'd really like to start selling. I know I'll never make a fortune but it'd be fun.

I know some of you sell on Etsy and Folksy and some sell via shops and craft fairs. What would you recommend? I kind of like the internet option as I don't have to spend a day at a fair and I don't have to build up lots of stock, I can just sell as I make (or is it not that simple).

Thanks
Zoe

[red]

I'm too new to really say whats best

but consider also approaching independent art & craft and gift shops too.. thats how i started, and still have the most sales. The commision is wayyy more than the online shops, but that figures.. I put my prices up to reflect it, and still some it sells.

[Susie]

I don't know, but I'm in the process of setting up a shop on etsy so I'm interested in other people's answers... I fancy doing it via the internet for the same reasons of you, ++ I feel shy approaching shops (although perhaps I should toughen up. Grrr!).

[red]

i am useless at this selling malarky... i am so not salesman material lol

hmm at this rate we could start out own little sub group...

[Silver Ether]

I sell through my own website and a few local shops including a hairdressers... Folksy ... not sold a thing yet. Have done a few fairs and when I have done car boots I set up a craft table too ... like you say not getting rich , but its an outlet for the over spill of my crafting and will at least cover the cost and yes it is fun ... shame people don't like to part with their money for good stuff, some thing differnt and stuff with a story behind it. would like to buy cheap and mass produced

[theabsinthefairy]

I have sold a few bits and pieces on Etsy - and the commission is not too steep.

I have no appropriate local shops to approach for most of my stuff so can't help there.

I sell my craft stuff alongside my car booty stuff at the one sale I do a year - and that is OK, but you have to price things for your audience and car booters are looking for cheap things.

I also take my stuff along to book and plant swaps here in France - but had no luck there just lots of positive feedback.

There is always good old E-bay - and I have sold stuff on there too.

Have not tried Folksy or Artfire.

At least with the internet you have no set up costs as such just your time into the set up.

Best of luck whatever route you go down, Monika

[crowsashes]

i love folksy. the only thing i would have to say about folksy and other such sites, you really have to push your stuff as it can get 'lost' amongst all the other stuff. it could be something as simple as setting up a £aceb0ok group and regularly updating it as you add new stuff ( these pages go viral dont they! )

even just posting the link to your shop on £acebo0k or other networking sites can generate sales. they key to online shops is the 'advertising' just letting it run will only get you a limited number of passing trade and fewer sales.

[Thomzo]

Thanks, everyone. Lots of "food for thought" there.

I, too, am nervous about approaching craft shops. The ones around Swindon don't do very well but nearby towns of Cirencester and Marlborough may be better. Again, though. I'd need to produce more stock, not just one item every other month or so.

Cheers
Zoe

[snapdragon]

have you thought of farmers or sunday markets? I don't make anything for prettiness, just practicality so haven't thought of selling anything

Etsy and Folksy is a shop window, but it seems that everyone on there is a maker, so perhaps don't so much buy, as gain inspiration from each other.

[snapdragon]

Malmesbury? Cricklade? Wooten Bassett? could you set up a stall in a layby like the strawberry sellers do? or where there's a cafe wagon truck stop?

[pelmetman]

Hi Zoe

If you go down the website route you need to think about some form of advertising so that people know that your site exists. Also you will have to consider how you want to be paid. Most people pay by credit card, (in fact this is the only form of payment we have ever taken, no one has ever asked about paying by cheque). We've always said the setting up the site is the easy bit its getting people to know about you that's the hard bit.

We also do Craft Fairs periodically throughout the country. The advantage of these is the amount of people who will actually see your products. Jewellery always seems to sell well as long as it is done to a good standard. Also if you make yourself some cards/leaflets to give out at the shows with your website address on this is always a good way of advertising.

I would also approach gift shops and such like to see if they would be interested.

Good Luck
Sue

[Silver Ether]

oooh forgot to say I sell my pictures at a cafe they display them on their walls ... free decoration and when they get sold they have a little and I take the rest ... So another possible out let.
Just make sure you keep a list of whose got what and how much ...

[Pennylane]

I have had stalls but have come to find that these are getting very expensive and it is difficult to make it worth while. Unless I put my items at a price that actually would reflect the time effort cost I am really making a loss..and becuase folk are not looking to pay Big money I have decided to give that up and give my things away for presents ...I make jackets from home spun natural dyed wool....I do not want to stop making them so enjoy giving hand made gifts instead.
the commission from local shops is about 35% round here....

[Silver Ether]

ooooh 20% here.... I am happy to cover materials and a little more ... never relects the time its taken but as I look on it as a hobby to cover costs is good ... and I give stuff as gift too... You jackets sound really interesting ... maybe you could post a picture ?

[Susie]

Zoe, I've managed to actually open a shop on etsy and put 2 things in it, so I know slightly more what I'm talking about now (only slightly!). I suspect it will be a steep learning curve - if you decide to go the internet route and want to compare notes/ do mutual support, let me know. For what it's worth, your things sound like exactly the kind of thing which does well on etsy (although I suspect crowsashes is right that it's all in the promotion...).

Pennylane yes please show us your jackets, they sound lovely