Am I kidding myself?

[sugarplumfairy28]

I'm not too sure where to put this post, so I'm putting here and in Start-Ups.

OK maybe a bit of a long story. I have always worked a full time job, and then around 2 years ago I became a SAHM, I struggle with the concept of not working even though we're doing fine with just hubby working.

In an attempt to give myself something to do and feel like I'm being productive, I started making String Art gifts for family and friends, for Christmas and Birthdays. I got such an amazing response and so much encouragement to set this up as a sideline business, that in January I took the plunge and set up an etsy account and a Facebook page, so far I have had 2 sales, one was a colleague of my husband, the other a stand alone sale in its own right. I live a fairly closeted life so don't really have the ability to listen to impartial parties and not just friends and family who may just being polite. I recently made some gifts for my daughter's Kindergarten and they were delighted but this is as close as I have come to impartial.

I'm not sure how else to get opinions from effectively strangers. This is my Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/millotti/

Do people think these are nice, or just worthless tat? Do I need to work or promoting this or is it that people have just been too polite?

They look great! (I was expecting a giggle but was really surprised - I think it was the term string art that made me think raffia mafia)
Good luck!

They are lovely, but a, aquired taste I think! I can really admire the artistry of them, but at the same time wouldn't but one for my house. Just my honest opinion OP!

Really cool, but very niche. I think you'll have to work very hard on social media to promote them - do you have Instagram? Can you take quite 'inspirational' lifestyle photos with your string art featuring [sort of like a home set up]?
Have you got a media press pack put together - so a little pack with info about your product, you, high resolution pics of your products - that you can email out to magazines?

This may sound patronising, absolutely not intended that way, but if you're looking for advice on how to promote your business and get more sales - PM me, this is what I do for a living and would be happy to give you some pointers :)

I am planning on doing some more 'mainstream' subjects, I have the templates drawn up, forest scenes, mountains, geometric patterns, nautical themes, as I appreciate everything so far has been very specific to the person I was making a gift for.

Synecdoche no offense taken, honest is what I need.

whyhastherumgone To begin with I was only taking very simple photos to keep a log of what I had done, this was before I considered doing it for any other purpose than gifts. The main cover photo is possibly the best I have come up with for lifestyle photo, but I have tried in the more recent photos to present the finished boards in a more considered way.

I have thought about Instagram but I have to plead ignorance on this one, as I've never quite understood what Instagram is for. I will PM you if you don't mind, any pointers would great.

Please do :) Happy to help, I actually specialise in small, independent craft business so can definitely give you a few tips!

Wow you are talented I love the map one. I'm with pp though I wouldn't want one on the walk. Can you turn your hand to something with wider appeal?

They are a whole ton better than what I was expecting when I clicked that link OP! nightmares of school macrame lessons making vile "hangings"

I know a few people who would really like something like this too, either generic or personalised (although agree they are niche - how do you clean them, for one thing!)

I also know a few similar crafty businesses who are doing very well on Facebook, I spent £35 on one such seller just the other week. So it's very possible! Good luck!

Hi. I think the strongest photo is the map one with the yellow cushions. Definitely use photos of your stuff in aspirational settings. I think there ' s a market for them. Of course not mass market appeal but you don't b Rd it to be. As pp suggested - Instagram ! I sell artwork through Instagram and it has been so worthwhile , being part of a community of small businesses and also meeting customers from different countries.

I love the map one but you could do another few in more neutral tones so the map in cream or bronze colours are in right now, so is navy blue

Check out next for inspiration as they have the latest home colour trends on their website

Consider offering discount. For instance contact MNHQ and give 10% off to members

Create owls? They have been popular in the last few years and I'm seeing various creations in interior design shops etc

They're not my thing at all (I am old enough to remember the '70s), but I think they are really well done and with the right styles and marketing, lots of people would love them.

Great ideas above re: colours, trends and styling.

I'm an internet randomer so have no reason to say the above just to be nice . Good luck OP!

Thanks so much everyone.

ShotsFired Do you think adding somewhere, some kind of cleaning instructions would be an idea? As you can imagine I have quite a few hanging in the house, so have tried different things. The photo is my biggest one ever and is in my living room, and even that doesn't take much.

QuiteLikely5 Thanks for the MNHQ I hadn't thought of that. I have had the Next website open, digging around on there and so many others. I will add Owls on my list, I have done one before. I will take any suggestion so thanks.

I will try and get my head around Instagram and get on there.

sugarplumfairy28 ShotsFired Do you think adding somewhere, some kind of cleaning instructions would be an idea? As you can imagine I have quite a few hanging in the house, so have tried different things. The photo is my biggest one ever and is in my living room, and even that doesn't take much

If it was me, I would do a short (1min) youtube video with care instructions. I say vid so people can see you doing it and know whatever you are doing doesn't damage it or anything, and is as quick as you say (I'd be guessing hoover attachment, but only guessing)

Second of all, it puts a face to the name
Third, it is valuable content for your FB page
Fourth, it opens up an avenue - say, 1 vid a month of tips and tricks, instructionals etc. You can start to recycle these as you build up a library.

Join some if the craft auction pages on facebook - I'm on

Happy mail bazaar
Roll Up roll up
Lucky numbers

And a couple of others. You apply to list, if uou get chosen people bid on your item. All handmade crafts.

I'd look at websites like notonthehighstreet.co.uk

You can also see how they market and work their products to seem a lot more "upmarket" by adding little details. E.g. A fabric tag
Little descriptions and a "story" behind what you do always sells quite well too.

I would also do "ranges".

• animals
• personalised
• Star Wars

Etc

It sells a bit better because as people are present shopping it narrows it down for them"John likes star wars ...what can I get him that's different? Oh here's something he probably doesn't have yet!"

Hi sugarplum. theyre lovely, I think you should think about everything suggested above. The instragram account and setting up lifestyle shots rather than just product shots.

If it was me I'd try and establish a style and run with it. So for instance the mid century / Danish / scandi style is really in at the minute. Do a bit of research, join a load of Facebook groups with that base of interest. Most do a small business Friday so you can spam a bit without getting your wrists slapped. Research the look and invest in a couple of bits of furniture / decor and dress an area of your house where you can sell the look iykwim.

Geometrics would work brilliantly and if you look on Pinterest you'll be able to see what sort of colours work. The cherry wood is beautiful btw, focus on details like that will help sell the high end bespoke narrative. You could maybe look at the yarns you use, maybe experiment with hand dyed yarns?

Keep trucking, I'd love to hear an update

You guys are great!

Feeling a lot more positive. There are quite a few things that have been said that thought about before, for example, for my 2 nephews they both love their football team, they have the kit, the scarfs near enough everything from the gift shop, and I wanted to do something different for them so I made the West Ham and Aresnal logos for them.

Definitely want to do ranges of things, sell them individually, or as a set at a discounted price.

Getting involved with more Facebook pages, but it can be a minefield, so thanks very much for the page names!

Shotsfired Yup, hoover with the little brush on the end.

I have lots of notes and shall merrily get started.

They look great! As pp have said, instagram would be a useful tool for you to promote them, and also inspiration for current design trends. Also pinterest. I can see this being a success with the right marketing. Good luck!

Be very careful doing anything copyrighted, like Star Wars, Disney etc. They have to protect their trademarks if they find out.

Otherwise I'm with everyone else - good product, but it's all in the marketing!

I agree with the copyright - definite no no (I also think copyright knock offs are beyond tacky and have turned down orders for them)

Link your instagram and Facebook pages. Use questions to engage (close up of a work in progress with a 'can you guess what this is?' caption)

Ps you're welcome for the page names - I'll link to them properly later once I get on to the laptop.

Hi I think the space ship over a few canvases really clever as is the world map and defo agree with posters who have said scenes and idea of football scenes good. I think letters and words may be a bit passé now but the themes a really good idea.

Have you done one with your business name? Other crafters might buy them with their business name on to stage their items with.

What rough prices are you charging?

I do have one with my business name, and on the Facebook page is another one I did for McAfee. The Map is 100€ which is 80 cm x 40cm but for comparison other similar sized ones I have found on Etsy are 250€ + so I think that is fair.

For a board that is 30cm x 20cm prices are around 25€ - 30€ depending on how many different colours and how filled the overall board is, so a name for example is 25€. I then do a board that is 30cm x 40cm which is around 40€ - 50€ but the unicorn I do in this size, is priced up at 60€ as it fills the board, its a lot of work and has lots of colours. The McAfee board is 70€ and is the 2nd largest board at 30cm x 80cm.

Price wise I think they are fair considering the competition, I've seen names for 40€, things of a similar work load as the unicorn for 100€+

They're beautiful!