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Arts and crafts

If you sell your Arts and Crafts...

28 replies

MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 13:28

Where do you sell, and how do you advertise?

I sell on Etsy, and have a Facebook page. I post on Instagram and Pintrest. Going to do a Craft Fair soon but there are only 4 a year near me.

What other ways are there to get my items out there? Not keen on Ebay due to the changes that are coming. Amazon Handmade looks interesting but complicated.

What else can I do? Any tips or tricks I am missing?

Thanks :)

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Fabpinky · 28/02/2018 13:29

I do eBay, Facebook and Instagram. What are the changes that are coming to eBay?

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McDougalMcPhee · 28/02/2018 13:29

i dont know, but following!

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 13:31

tamebay.com/2018/02/ebay-uk-seller-release-spring-2018.html

Sorry, don't know how to make the link clicky, but if you Google Ebay changes 2018 loads of stuff will come up :)

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 13:32

Ha ha, clicky link automatically. I'm an idiot :p

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Fabpinky · 28/02/2018 14:25

Correct me if I'm wrong but the information in that link only seems relevant if you have an eBay shop, which is not compulsory?

I don't have a shop and only pay a fee to eBay and paypal when I sell?

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 15:11

Yes, I have over 300 pieces to list, I would have wanted a shop before the changes :)

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 15:13
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InDubiousBattle · 28/02/2018 15:16

I gave it up 4 years ago but I only sold at craft fairs and shops (had my stuff in 3 shops).

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 16:00

Thanks Battle, I would love to do more Craft Fairs but there's a limit to how far I am willing to travel, so will have to stick to the 4 in my local town.

Local shops are a good idea though, we're in a touristy area. Thanks :)

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InDubiousBattle · 28/02/2018 16:49

I did 3 a month regularly , so once monthly in three different (still local)towns, then maybe one or two others. When I started I could have done two a week but over the years they gradually reduced. I'm certain two of the three I used to do are shut now.

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Haribogirl · 28/02/2018 17:19

How about showing a link on here where we can see what your selling
That may create sales

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 19:03

Battle, that's such a shame :(

Haribogirl, I'd love to do that, but I'm not sure it's allowed?

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Haribogirl · 28/02/2018 20:16

Send my your Facebook page via private message, I’ll have a look

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 21:09

PM'd you @Haribogirl, thanks :) Hope you like what you see, and any ccriticism welcomed!

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InDubiousBattle · 28/02/2018 21:19

I don't know op. I started around 10 or 11 years ago and did craft selling for around 6-7 years. Craft fairs were great to begin with but gradually became less profitable and professional over the years. Shops were much better by the end and I mainly used the craft fairs to try out new things as it meant I could talk directly to customers . What type of craft (generally) do you do? Could you do classes for adults or after school clubs?

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 28/02/2018 21:31

I make jewellery Battle :)

Definitely couldn't do classes. I am a rubbish teacher :D

I do have a local shop who stocks a few of my items - one sale on the first day of display, then it snowed, but hoping things will go well when the weather improves! I'm planning to check out a couple more localish shops too when I can get out of the house :/

Thank you for taking the time to reply :)

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InDubiousBattle · 28/02/2018 21:40

Sounds promising! Two of the shops I sold in were in touristy places and it was good, especially on day when the town had special events on . I agreed with them that I wouldn't put my stuff in any of the other shops in that town (they were only quite small towns!). I used to do one of my regular craft fairs in the same town and agreed not to undercut them there either. It turned out to be a nice relationship as I would publicise the shop (and town events)at other fairs and she would do the same for my fairs.

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 03/03/2018 12:52

Thanks Battle, I will definitely be taking some of my hosting shop's business cards with me when I do the Craft Fairs.

Just wish this weather would improve - we are still snowed in - so I can get out and have a chat with some shops in other villages... And so my long awaited supplies can be delivered to allow me to make more pieces!

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Avasarala · 03/03/2018 13:02

Is this going to be your full time job? I'm a jeweller, full time and I sell directly to the public and also business to business. If you need any help or want to talk through wholesale catalogues and line sheets etc, then pm me and I will help you anyway I can.

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 03/03/2018 19:32

Thanks so much Avasarala, that's really kind!

Not full time, more of a hobby at the moment, but I would be happy to do it full time if that's how it works out :)

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Avasarala · 03/03/2018 19:44

That's much easier then! When you're just getting started, being full time can make it very stressful as you'd rely on it. Starting out part time ish means you get your foot in the door and can learn it all without being all stressed.

Feel free to get in touch anytime; line sheets and catalogues and emailing retailers can be daunting but you sound like you've got a great start!

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 04/03/2018 09:47

Thanks! I've found some great suppliers, and had worked out prices, but got told by many people that they were too low :D

I've upped the prices and am getting sales, which is great. Apparently my prices would make people think my pieces were "cheap"! I don't buy much jewellery and thought things were fine, I have a lot to learn about that side of things :D

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MiaowTheCat · 04/03/2018 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhubarbYoghurt · 04/03/2018 16:07

I sell via Fb. Word of mouth and I run a busy craft group where I sell craft shop items. Etsy didn't work for me. I grew tired of ebay buyers claiming to not have received and item

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MyKingdomforaNameChange · 04/03/2018 18:00

Thank you Miaow and Rhubarb :)

I'm hoping to get out and check out more local shops this week. Our road has been dug out by JCB, although it's pretty slippy now.

I've had 6 sales so far on Etsy, so I'll keep going for a while longer. I need to work on my SEO though!

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