NDQuilts

Quilts typically do not sell at craft shows. It's more the kitch that can be made and sold cheaply. But with the economic downturn even those venues are getting little traction. I have sold on ETSY and prefer it to eBay as the overhead is lower. What I really prefer(and what comprises most of my business) are custom orders. No inventory risk involved for the time spent. Most business is WOM but I am working an Internet marketing plan.

BTW. I am a handquilter so I have to emphasize the difference between hand v machine (long arm) v big box store.

sammygirlqt

pumpkinpatch quilter, good for you. It is exciting to try something new, but I will warn you, whatever venue you choose, it involves hard work to have the right mix of product and the right pricing.

The comments on craft tables are very worthy. I did craft shows for 12 years in the 80s, then there was a lull in the cottage industry but it is coming back.

I have just set up a shop on Etsy so I am very new and still working through the hurdles. I have a friend that is helping me with a few items. As far as pricing I did like you, looked at lots of other people's work. I did a little caculation by figuring the sq inches of the item (quilt) and then divide that number into their price. This gives you a price/sq inch. Then do the same with your item and see where you sit. I feel this is a better comparison that just eyeballing their work vs your work. Of course you do need to compare style, fabric, workmanship. Calculating shipping is another important area. Take you bigger items to your postoffice, weight them, measure them and find out what each costs to ship to another country. You can guestimate if you need to but get a general idea of costs. Good pictures and 5 of each item, use all the tags offered, and you can compare descriptions to others that you like.

If you have specific questions, you can PM me and I will be willing to help you as much as I can with what I know.

It is exciting and fun and once you meet a few other members on Etsy, you will be well on your way.

Good luck!

Joyce DeBacco

I have a few things up on Etsy too and I'm wondering if it's worth it. The pages are buried so quickly that someone would have to scan through hundreds of items to find yours.

As for tagging them, how many different tags can you give a quilt other than naming everything that's in your listing?

Treasureit

If you are considering selling on Etsy - do a lot of research to see how many other quilts like the ones you will make are already on there. Some items are in abundance and the chances of all of those selling are slim, but if you have something that isn't real common then there is a better chance.

I got a bug one day and decided to make a bunch of bibs, then I looked and I think there was 10,000 of them...I sold one - have since taken them off and given them away.

HollyInfinite

Oh yeah, you may want to look into Artfire, I believe they are free.

I've never used them before but I know a lot of people are moving their shops from etsy to artfire.

dogpursemaker

I think Artfire has done away with (or will soon) their free option.
Upillar.com is free. I've had lots of lookers, but honestly no sales, however it is entirely free. No listing fees or sales fees, so it costs me nothing to leave my items posted. I figure it can't hurt!
Most of my online sales have been on ebay. I've just rolled everything into the purchase price; the item price, the fees and the shipping.
Another sales forum I use is Facebook. If you have a regular page, you can make a business page too. There is no charge for it, and no fees if anything sells! I have made three sales on Facebook. I find their advertising fees to be very reasonable-IF you choose to use them.
Just another suggestion!

BRenea

My MIL and I used to do crafts shows. It can be fun but also very frustrating. Some craft shows want you to have a good variety of different items, and some want you to stick to a particular genre of craft. My pet peeve was people looking over our items and saying "I can buy that for $__ at Wal-Mart." :evil: We were going for quality and handmade specialness, not mass-produced crap! Now I do a lot of commissioned work, I personally find it more enjoyable. Good luck in whatever venture you choose!

ragamuffin corner

I have read the responses to you letter and good info. I am just learning to quilt basically I am a painter. I have tried Craft shows in the past and got discouraged. The one thing I found was buyers want everything for little money. For the most part they do not have any idea the time that goes into a project and the love that goes into it. I have thousands of dollars tied up in my projects as well as I am sure quilters also have with thier stashes. And I also agree that demographics play a big role in selling at Craft fairs. Good Luck with your venture.

ptquilts

I think if you want to do craft shows, have a lot of small, inexpensive items, and showcase maybe one or two big expensive items. You never know when the right buyer will come along, we have sold full size quilts at craft fairs but it didn't happen often.

Laura3

I just scanned most of the responses, so I hope I am not repeating a suggestion. We have a small craft/quilt consignment shop in out town. She seems to be getting more and more people coming in and is doing pretty well. Check and see if you have a local consignment shop that may be looking for quilts or handmade items. You may have some luck going in this direction. This shop seems to do very well in the fall while everyone is looking for Christmas gifts.

Good Luck....I also have 3 girls!! I stayed home with them also and it was a blessing!