I had been a bit apprehensive about my shop on Etsy, and was worrying that sales would be seriously down this year; but of course I was worrying about nothing (as is often the case) -- the month of November was great in my shop! I even took $150 more in sales this year compared to last November (and I was really happy with how things went last November)
It's great - I'm really thrilled, I never thought I would ever be this much of a success with my crochet, and in such a relatively short period of time.
I did a craft fair in the Tech down the road yesterday and it was SO successful -- best of all was seeing lots of people walking around wearing my wrist warmers and cuffs :o) I decided to keep a pair of the wrist cuffs for myself and was wearing them at the fair, and I think that really helped me get some sales. The ones I kept are these
-- the deepest richest purple, with a blend of baby alpaca and mulberry silk -- heaven! I even had a woman offer to buy them but they are MINE now!
I also had a craft fair over the previous weekend - the Holistic and Wellness Fair in the Royal on Valentia. It was pretty quiet but I didn't do too badly and would be interested in taking part when they hold another one next year (in February, in Tralee)
I've been really good and kept a list that weekend and yesterday of everything that sold at the fairs -- it isn't like me to be so organised, but it really helps to keep track of how much €€€ I've made and makes it easier when I'm re-activating my listings to put them back up on my Etsy shop.
At the Holistic & Wellness Fair I sold
- black/white wristwarmers (Tivoli aran)
- pinky/purple wristwarmers (Freedom Spirit)
- black/white wristwarmers (Freedom Spirit)
- pink/gold wristwarmers
- orange wristwarmers (Mirage)
- blue wristwarmers (Peter Pan)
- blue wristwarmers (German acrylic)
- 10 cotton face scrubbies (I sold them individually for €1 each)
- green curly scarf (Mirage)
- blue curly scarf (glittery German yarn)
- cotton bath mitt (natural cotton)
- curly blue/black scarf (Noro yarn)
- red wool hat (Killarney Woolen Mills)
- red/black beanie
- striped hat (Tivoli Ocean)
Then yesterday I sold....
- wrist cuffs (Noro wool)
- brick red cuffs (angora/wool)
- grey cuffs (baby cashmerino)
- duck egg blue cuffs (merino wool, I think it was Debbie Bliss, not sure!)
- bright striped cuffs (Knitcol yarn)
- purple hat (angora/wool)
- rainbow hat (wool was bought in town, can't remember what it's called)
- blue bow hat (blue yarn with glitter, bought in Kidderminster)
- blue wristwarmers (German acrylic)
- green/red wristwarmers (Sirdar Crofter)
- green wristwarmers (Mirage)
- blue multi wristwarmers (posh Fair Trade yarn from Uruguay)
- brown wristwarmers (Mille Colori)
- brown cowl (Mille Colori)
I'm working hard to get some more wrist warmers made for these craft fairs (and for my Etsy shop too) -- I thought I nearly had too much stock; but it doesn't look like it right now (this is a wonderful complaint though!)
As well as trying to build up some stock I've got a list of 'commissions' for people, and also I'm making cotton/bamboo bags for two of my nieces for Christmas, which I need to get on with!
Busy hands are happy hands...keep moving that hook...:) You've sold alot, more than I have in my little bleak inventory of items..I need to get back on the ball and make some things..and open ETSY...maybe a good goal for the new year...
ReplyDeletethanks so much Faith; I'm kind of over-whelmed with it all-- that's a great goal to have; I always say that if I can do this then anyone has... I only learnt to crochet three years ago (just under 3 years ago now)
ReplyDeleteit's my real love, it feels like something I'm meant to do :) and it's just the best feeling when someone buys something that I've made, it really feels like a validation of myself each and every time.