Do you sell your handmade crafts?

[SusanSellsOrigamiOwl]

Originally Posted by lorah

Thanks for the info, I will look into it a little more. I'm wondering though, if it is set up to be a photo sharing site, how long will it be before they shut down those accounts that are using it in a way it wasn't intended. I will check out the TOS and see if it mentions anything.

The accounts I've been dealing with for months. I know of one shop that's been open a year. There are some websites that use it as well.

People do the exact same thing on Facebook. They set their fan page up as a store front and sell the product to whoever comments first with an email. Some use both fb and Instagram. Obviously if people hashtag their instashop they must not be afraid to get shut down.

Many many use it to drive business to their Etsy shops as well & it seems to work. Some put things in Instagram that didn't sell in their shop.

I buy mostly clothes for my girls. They range from brand new from stores not in my area to consignment in excellent condition. I've bought my Origami Owl team bracelets from a lady on Instagram. She's very talented.

I'm not crafty but love to buy things from women who are. I'm in awe of all the precious pieces these ladies make. I would love to be a able to do what they do. Until I do I'll just buy things from their God given talent.

[momof3inaz]

I agree...I've only been open with my business since October 2012 & a good 90% of my business has come from Facebook.

[monkeycocoa]

I like etsy, but there are so many competitors out there...

[Tanya2012]

I make crocheted hats and scarfs and also head bands, I sold a couple of my items but only to friends and family members. I just open a esty shop with some of my products, but have no traffic yet but for the most part its fun to always see what others think or your work

[LindseyThrives]

I don't do Etsy or atleast have not attempted it yet, but I do craft shows/festivals/flea markets often.

[Allelya]

One problem I find with Etsy is over-saturated markets. Too many people can do one craft so everyone makes stuff and sells it on Etsy. That can make it harder to sell your own. I think one thing you can do is to pay for advertising in an effort to reach your prospective buyers.

I'd love to do craft fairs, but it's just me. I would need help. I would need to find someone else who also sells at a craft fair and see if we can go in together.

In the interim, I try to sell online where I can. I mostly make crochet afghans/throws. Photos can be seen on my personal blog at missedstitches.blogspot.com

[Allelya]

Originally Posted by SusanSellsOrigamiOwl

The accounts I've been dealing with for months. I know of one shop that's been open a year. There are some websites that use it as well.

People do the exact same thing on Facebook. They set their fan page up as a store front and sell the product to whoever comments first with an email. Some use both fb and Instagram. Obviously if people hashtag their instashop they must not be afraid to get shut down.

Many many use it to drive business to their Etsy shops as well & it seems to work. Some put things in Instagram that didn't sell in their shop.

I buy mostly clothes for my girls. They range from brand new from stores not in my area to consignment in excellent condition. I've bought my Origami Owl team bracelets from a lady on Instagram. She's very talented.

I'm not crafty but love to buy things from women who are. I'm in awe of all the precious pieces these ladies make. I would love to be a able to do what they do. Until I do I'll just buy things from their God given talent.

Crafters like me need more people like you! Thank you for your kinds words and support for the crafting community.

[Roselover24]

I sold all kinds of things a few years ago including these plastic lamps I made out of milk jugs(much prettier than it sounds they looked like lilies)

I have made personalized Christmas ornaments and now Im selling things like key chains necklaces and ornaments that I made in honor of friends book cover.(red riding crops)
I also make these name puzzle things for kids out of felt for them to match the letters of their name.
Im leaning toward making a puppet for another friends book (a lumberjack bit of an inside joke with her)

What I have found with Etsy is that the more unique your item the more likely it will sell It also helps to have a certain audience that you sell to
for example
the milk jug lily lamps went over really big with people that liked unique recycled things

The riding crop merchandise is popular with fans of my friends book

sadly no one seems to like the matching custom name puzzle that kinda bums me out I thought that was a neat one

[Jawo26rski]

Just wanted to find others to chat with about the trials one can have when they craft for profit.

[Seabead]

After sitting on my Etsy store for 3 years, I finally stocked it this week. I could teach classes on procrastination, lol.

Like you, Allelya, I like craft fairs and did them many years ago. I like the personal interaction and being able to show people how my work is produced, especially the hooked rugs, so am planning on getting back to them for the fall/Christmas season this year.

Wishing good sales to all who put their work out there.

Deb