Selling

[Nattelie]

Where can I sell my cards?

I can't do the crafts, or local shops, because of my disability, it's not possible physically.

I've been having a look on ebay, but it looks like hardly anyone is getting any bids, never mind any sales, good or bad ones.

Where do you sell your cards?

Nattelie x

[swirlyarts]

Hi,
I must admit I don't sell many of my cards (yet!) but I have my own website - it gets quite a few hits at the moment but I hoping that it will improve when I've got my husband to redesign it and I get off my bum and put the wedding stationary on there! :rolleyes: I'm going to use ebay as a platform for advertising my wedding stuff and hopefully get more hits (and sales) on my website.
If you've got the time/inclination then I would try and set up your own website - there are lots of places that can help on the web although I haven't tried them as my husband designed mine for me.
I'm going to try craft fairs when my youngest gets a bit older and also wedding fairs too. I can' think of anything else but I will post again if I do!:D
I hope this helps
Lynsey

[Soapwitch]

Hi Nattalie,

I found the same problem with ebay. I'm a traditional soap maker and found it difficult to promote quality products when there is so much rubbish on there!

Would it be possible for you to contact shops by sending them a letter and maybe a sample of one of your cards and asking them if they would be interested in placing an order with you? You could then send everything out by post?

Just an idea, hope it helps.

[hillsy]

Hi all,

I'm sorry to hijack this thread but I was just passing when I spotted this thread which is exactly the kind of issue that I am looking to solve for crafters.

If you can spare the time, please have a look at my post titled "New website idea" in the same area as this thread.

Thankyou

[Nattelie]

Thanks for all your help everyone.

I've just done some for charity recently (though I doubt they'll be used for what they're supposed to...) and sent some to a hospital to raise money for research.

Still feeling at a loose end with it all though, - but nevermind.

Thank you all for your ideas though, they have helped.

Natts x

[Doula]

I have started an advertiser of handcrafted products. This is paper based and will be sent to all of my contacts, door to door and I will be asking craft shops to allow me to place it on their checkouts.
This is ideal for those of you who cannot get out to shows etc. If you would like to know more please text 'the craft directory' to 07957 958058

[silvercrafts]

hi
have you tried Ebid.co.uk - its an auction site but free to list so saves a fortune.

Alternatively have you tried calling local shops and asking if they'd take some, maybe ou have someone who could just deliver and collect for you?

I had a friend who did that for me when I couldn't get out recently.

Goodluck
Diane

[hananyaa]

Hi everyone
Just been reading your posts. I tried selling on Ebay, it cost me a lot more in fees than I made from sales.
People buying on Ebay seem to want everything for 50p or less and do not appreciate the time, love and effort put into Hand Made crafts.
If I come across anywhere in my searches i will post it here.
good luck to all of us
Hananyaa xx:cool:

[tbobker]

Hi nat i have just opened a new online auction for art and craft. Its free. I did it because i wasnt getting enough money for my pottery on ebay.

There is not much on there at the moment, im just making some new stuff to go on.

check my signature

[Suchaco]

Hi Nat

Esty is another new site that only sells handmade items it is still new so is still quite slow but could be worth a look at.

I found when I was selling cards I put some on Ebay to try and promote myself didn't make any money on them but they brought me in some business for personal cards.

Also if you cant make the craft fairs have you not got a friend or member of family who would stand behind a table for you. I cant always get to the craft fairs myself but quiet often someone will stand in for me.

[euston-74]

Hi,
I have an opportunity that might interest you if you were prepared to sell other ranges of craft goods in addition to your handmade stuff.
Check out the link in my signature.
Mel

[rony168]

I come upon the same problem. I really don't know how to sell my products.
Maybe my products not is practical,As that is only a adornment.

[bronwen]

I sold on ebay before i had my own site made and to be honest people want something for nothing, like someone else said, they dont appreciate the time and efort that has gone into the cards and though you may decide to sell them at 1.99ish people still go "how much" yet in the shops cards are that or more!!! makes me mad.
Maybe approach local shops, in the post office near me someone has put their cards and from what i can make out they are doing very well from it!!!

[arlia]

There is quite a god place to start selling, its called etsy.com I have been using it for about a year now and have sold a fair bit considering that i didnt do much for the first 3 months. i was just testing it out.

Give it a go, it can be quite slow to start with, but the fees are much cheaper than ebay and items are listed for 5 months!
the site is american, but as long as you have a paypal acount it is quite good.

my etsy is called arliaflower if you would like to take a look

[puddingsue]

Craftmarkets let you have your own site for £20 per year and no other charges, just upload pictures of cards and set prices. I have one, see my profile for web addy, and remove handcraftedcardsbysue/ for the craftmarkets site.

[habbyworld]

Where can I sell my cards?

I can't do the crafts, or local shops, because of my disability, it's not possible physically.

I've been having a look on ebay, but it looks like hardly anyone is getting any bids, never mind any sales, good or bad ones.

Where do you sell your cards?

Nattelie x

Have you thought about building a website or something, it`s not exactly cheap, but if you have plenty to sell then you could make afew bob that way.

[flower girl]

Hi Nattelie,

I am also in a similar position. I now have a website which I sell my crafts from as thought this was the best option for me.

Hope you find something that suits your needs.

[Christine 1]

Hi there,

Thanks for all the tips i too have probs in selling items. I have registered to E Bay for about 18 months now & to begin with the items i put on were selling really quickly but now no one wants to know.

I have also found a 'car boot' sale web site (lost the name of it at the mo, will post again when i find the link - as forgot to put it in my favourites) that you can put up to 25 items for 90 days for free.

Never heard of the e bid though that's a good one will check it out after going through today's posts!!!

Christine

[Peter]

Has anyone noticed how old this thread is? :confused:

[Otji]

I'm in a similar position myself, I began crafting as therapy after a long bout of recurring ill health and no longer able to go out to work I was going up the wall with boredom.

Well making beaded jewellery, card and toppers and dabbling with altered art has helped keep me sane and gives me so much pleasure, but I now have so much stuff I really want to try and sell some even if its just to justify keeping on making it.

I have found a VERY NEW craft selling site - Artymissbarter

I can't post a link to it as I haven't enough posts under my belt but it comes up really fast under Google (which must be a good sign)
or if you click the link to my signature it will take you to the few items I've listed. I only listed them the other day and already sold 1.

Its completely Free to list your items or open a shop on so its well worth a try. and the more people who list things the more people will visit and the more will buy.

I spend quite a bit of time on the pc and my observations are ....

The thing with any online selling is to promote your webshop any and every way you can think of, as buyers seldom just wander along and buy stuff, they need to be invited, encouraged, cajoled and tempted to look at your items in the first place.

Secondly try and make your items a bit different as there are many handmade items about which are of poor quality or all the same and if you can make yours really stand out you stand a much better chance

[garters]

hi
have you tried Ebid.co.uk - its an auction site but free to list so saves a fortune.

Alternatively have you tried calling local shops and asking if they'd take some, maybe ou have someone who could just deliver and collect for you?

I had a friend who did that for me when I couldn't get out recently.

Goodluck
Diane

Sorry to but in, but I make speciality cards, I joined ebid for a 3 month period from October to January ( the big selling season) you have to pay a subscription to join, but I can't remember how much, during the 3 months I advertised in every category but I sold only 1 personalised babies first christmas card, whereas on eBay I put exactly the same ad in 2 categories and had orders flying in. I also advertised other stuff and had no luck at all.

Have you tried contacting your local schools, they may be willing to sell for you for a small commision.
Good luck
Kind regards
Garters

[garters]

Hi Nattelie,
it's Garters again,sorry but I forgot to mention, when I first started out I approached my local craft shop, the owner would sell other peoples cards, and it did'nt cost anything to put them in her shop, but she charged 50p per card if they sold, so maybe you could approach your local craft shop, and send them a sample, (mine was in the town centre, so don't be afraid to ask).

Good luck
Garters

[Caroleecrafts]

I am a party pooper but the bottom seems to have dropped out of the hand made card market. every fair you go to there are a number of stalls selling hand made cards but predominately from kits. This does not help the real artist/crafter who spends a lot of time producing work, also at the moment people seem to go for the cheap mass produced card (selling at a local card shop near you) and do not appreciate why your cards are dearer, in fact priced more realistically.

I think the best way would be to have a website perhaps linked with a forum, that way you reach a lot more people. I have a shop with Etsy and Dawanda also have joined the forum of Make Mine Pink and Victoria magazine, both American but it does help with contact. Also what about a blog, I post every Monday for the Show and Tell and the comments help along with the contact for special orders.

[samigail]

Hi there,

Thanks for all the tips i too have probs in selling items. I have registered to E Bay for about 18 months now & to begin with the items i put on were selling really quickly but now no one wants to know.

I have also found a 'car boot' sale web site (lost the name of it at the mo, will post again when i find the link - as forgot to put it in my favourites) that you can put up to 25 items for 90 days for free.

Never heard of the e bid though that's a good one will check it out after going through today's posts!!!

Christine


The car boot sale website is Ibootsale.co.uk

i use it, it is free, after 90 days you just email to extend your pitch - still free

As it's free you have nothing to lose at all by trying ibootsale

Fiona
x

[ericajones80]

selling them online is a great idea...you can always make your own site and make money not only selling your items but through ads and the such

[johnconner]

I think you should try it online .
There are many online sites that will be helpful to you.

[Chris W]

You could try sending out a mailshot to craftshops or telesales your cards by phoning shops or email websites that sell cards with sample images.
If you are prepared to offer a customised service shops may display brochures for you. People often order personalised invitations to special events this could be a good market for you if you don't mind doing quantities of the same design.

[silverst170]

I sell mine on my own website But I only really sell the craft robo templates, I will make them up if I have too, I ALSO sell handmade cards But I find people want it all for nothing, they don't think of all the time you put in

[Kaydees]

I started out selling my own handcrafted stuff...cushions though not cards :-)

I became disabled and needed to find an income. I started on ebay and was really disappointed in the price people would pay :-(

I expanded my range which I know many people can not do. I now sell craft supplies alongside my handcrafted goods :D

I have a few of my regular customers that I helped build their client base and have approached them all in regards to linking/advertising their stuff on my website. Just as I would if I had a 'real' shop. The biggest let down I have found for card makers though are the photographs of their stuff. Because people cannot touch and see cards the photograph needs to be perfect. I am really keen to start helping others as I was helped when I first became disabled. Sort of a pay it forward thing.

specialistauctions have now expanded their craft category. The site is really user friendly and the moderators are lovely.

ebid are getting bigger by the day

ebay with the new changes announced are no longer viable for one off items in my opinion.

Approach people like me with your stuff. I have 4 online shops that I would sell good quality handcrafted stuff from others. I would also add your details etc as featured crafters on my blog and my website. Us crafters are a nosy bunch and we love to get to know the people we are buying from.