Is it actually possible to make any money from handmade jewellery &cards?

[ilovecake]

Feeling bit disheartened again after another craft fair - I took my semi-precious, glass and crystal jewellery - first two hours pretty good - took £50 then that was it. Lots of people flocking to cheap plastic jewellery on other stall. Few people seem to respect the quality of my work, others clearly think it too expensive. Had same at craft fair with my cards couple of weeks ago - people buying lots of £1.00 fluffy kitten decoupage ones and sniffing at my £1.80 ones.
Don't know wether to carry on really. Any thoughts / experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I've never tried selling the cards I make on a big scale, like you. Usually stick to friends and family, but as a buyer at a fair, I don't think I'd buy tbh. I'm not sure, but do you think its because there are so many shops where you can get the stuff to make them yourself these days? I know at a fair last week, dd was desparate for a purse with her name on it, but since I've got the paint they used on it, I made her one myself when we got home. Just a though.

People just don't appreciate the work that goes into handcrafted stuff. My mum makes silver jewellery and is always complaining that people just don't see the value

Not sure you can make to much from cards as they're not really an impulse buy. You tend to go out and buy a card when you need one. Unless you happened to be at a craft fair when a birthday was coming up, I doubt you'd buy. You might be better off selling them in packs as people might be more inclined to buy in bulk (at a competitive price).

In the case of the jewellery, do you have a good range of prices? You need some cheap and cheerful stuff as well as pricier, high quality products. I know when I'm at craft fairs, I'm happy to spend a couple of pounds here or a fiver there but anything more than a fiver has to be thought about and really something I need or want badly.

But if I go to a craft fair its because i want to see individual work and i have the intention to buy something.

Ilovecake, you'd probably only buy one pricey thing, though, wouldn't you? If you'd spent £20 on something from the woodwork staff, you probably wouldn't then impulse-buy a £25 piece of jewellery but you might spend £5 on a pair of earrings.

Yeah I did have £3.50 earrings and £4.50 bracelets and then necklaces ranging from £7.00 up. Has anyone approached their local retail outlets and how did you go about it? Seeing a local "fashion" shop for the mature woman which stocks some nice pieces of jewellery. Not sure how to handle it.

Seems like craft fairs are not a money making exercise.

Have you ever thought about branching out and making wedding stationery and favours that way you get a bigger order, and you can make bespoke jewellery for the bride and bridesmaids! Just a thought - you will make more money doing that at wedding fairs - more specialised!

I tried selling cards but found that you had to sell loads to make what you'd spent (which is all I try to do). Few people are willing IMO to pay £2 for a card even it took 3 hours and £3 to make.
Jewellery I think is slightly easier to sell mainly because people are used to paying £3-5 on a pair of earrings for example. I make stuff but have stayed away from more expensive sterling silver / crystals (unless someone has specifically asked). I do try to work out prices to cover costs + time, mind you I haven't done that many craft fairs (a school one coming up in a few weeks !)

Good to hear from others in the know!

I'm no good at making cards myself but like buying handmade ones. I don't know whether I'm in the minority or not but I'd rather pay more for a well-made card than get a cheap one from a card shop.

I make cards and have found that people will not pay more than £1 in general for them. I now tend to do it as a hobby rather than make money!!

My sister makes jewellery and a few fairs she has done has made a fair bit - Xmas fair at my daughter's school last year made £80 (for about 2 hours I think), whereas she did one yesterday and made £36 (which once taken petrol out, raffle prize wasn't worth it).

I think you have to know your market well and the best places to sell.

A friend of mine is thinking of selling her jewellery through a party plan thing. She is working on the business plan a the moment. Could you sell more doing that sort of thing?

as a punter, I'd be more likely to pay out for earings than a card, if i am honest. I realise that some of these cards can be very beautiful, but I can't afford the space to keep them, so once they have been on a shelf for a few days they end up being sent to the recyvle bin. And I don't want to pay £3 for that.

I'd rather send someone a £1 card and put the extra on their gift, which they will (hopefuly!) keep for longer

Thanks for your thoughts. Ghosty I have been thinking of something similar - I did a coffee morning couple of months ago - invited friends and friends of friends did coffee, nice cakes - informal. Took £90.00 in two hours - my best yet. Had discussed with friends doing these at regular intervals through year so people can buy presents - vary venue and also encourage others to bring their handmade goods. But evening parties I think could work well.

Message withdrawn

i have never found craft fairs to be profit making. i did a few after leaving college, never again!

have you ever tried selling online through etsy?

etsy

Ooo never heard of it lucykate - will have a look now.

is there a uk version ?

i've not come across a uk version, but i do know lots of uk crafts people who sell through it, its worldwide.

all prices are in US $ but if you look at shipping, it usually gives a cost for shipping worldwide.

if i was in the market to sell stuff, i'd start off on etsy. anything that means i can do it all whilst eating chocolate and sat on my backside at home gets my vote