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Selling Handmade Items

4/2/2020

12 Comments

 
hexagon sewing case English paper piecing
Do you make things to sell at craft fairs or online? Or are you like me and just love making things for fun? I often get told by friends and family that I should sell the things I make but they don't realise how long it takes me to make things. I'm currently working on my Hexagon Sewing Case pattern and it is close to being complete! This has led me to think about how it will feel to sell my pattern. I don't have a job at the moment as I am a stay at home Mum, so making a little bit of extra money would definitely be a help. Thinking about selling it got me thinking about a time in my life when I did make things to sell. I did a bit of digging around and found some old photos so I thought I'd share here. 
Picture
Back in 2009 I was 26 and working as a Spanish teacher in primary schools. Even though I had a degree and a masters degree, I was working as an unqualified teacher as I hadn't done teacher training at this point. I had quite a lot of spare time and loved making things so I set up a website, an Etsy shop and I sold what I made at craft fairs. I sold nothing through my Etsy shop and nothing through my website because I had no idea about how to promote it or make it show up in google searches. However I did sell quite well at craft fairs. At one fair in Liverpool, a woman came over and bought all of the earrings I had on sale for her shop in the city centre which sold handmade items. I then later gave her a lot of my bags which she took on sale or return. 
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However, I never went back to her shop to see if she had sold any, I couldn't bring myself to go in. I even stood outside once, with the aim of going inside, but I couldn't do it. I loved what I made. I loved the fabrics and I put my heart into everything. So I think because of this, I was scared she might not have sold any and that she'd ask me to take them away. I was also afraid she might have sold some and then they might have been returned by the customer because they didn't like it or maybe it fell apart. I also felt so strange about asking her for money, I don't know why, it was just so uncomfortable for me. I was crippled by this lack of confidence so much that I never, ever contacted her and to this day I have no idea if she sold my bags or not. I also really struggled at the craft fairs. I loved being around other makers and I always received great comments from them and the customers about my things but I felt so awkward about selling I didn't enjoy it at all. I just wanted to curl up and hide. 
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Whilst my skills, style and tastes have changed a lot over the past 11 years, this feeling about selling my work has not gone away. When I exhibited my mini quilt in the art gallery over the summer, I put 'Not For Sale' on it. This was partially due to it being a very personal piece, partly because I had no idea how to put a value on it and also because I didn't think anybody would buy it. Or if they did, they might end up disappointed with it. The same negative thoughts as 11 years ago. 
Picture
It feels quite emotional writing this because I can see how sad it is that this has held me back in some ways. But then the most amazing thing happened last week. After sharing the image of the second hexagon sewing case sample I made online (pictured at the top of this post) I mentioned in my Instagram stories that I might sell it. I was thinking about it but not entirely sure how to go about it. Within an hour I got a message from a lovely person who wanted to buy it and within no time it was sold! I could not believe it and it really made me happy. I could not be more grateful to the lovely person who bought the case and I hope she really loves it. This sale really boosted my confidence and I feel so positive now. I definitely won't be chaining myself to my sewing machine in order to churn out some products to sell, that sort of sewing isn't enjoyable to me. But if occasionally I have a some pieces that I do not need, I don't feel afraid of trying to sell them anymore.  Have you ever sold the things you make? How did you find the selling process? I'd love to know, please leave me a comment. Have a wonderful day and thank you for reading! 
12 Comments
Tracy
7/2/2020 08:51:53 pm

I too suffer from mental health probelems so i am a stay at home mam. I enjoy hand embroidery, needle felting, tapestry, cross stitching, and now because I am inspired by you, I have started hand stitched patchwork. I have always loved arts and crafts but have never sold any of my makes simply because I only seem to make for myself, my close family or friends. I also feel like you that I would find it hard to put a price on my makes as some can take so many hours to complete and I also seem to have a few projects on the go at the same time so they can take sometimes months, or even years, to complete! So I completely understand where you are coming from when you say you don't feel like opening a shop. I like to take on a new craft each year so this year I am going to take on epp and I shall start with hexigons.... I have lots of Liberty London fabric scraps that I will use for my first project, as inspired by you! I understand why you may not want to part with your makes but I also want to let you know how much you inspire others with your work! I would never have thought of taking on EPP if I had not stumbled across you on instagram. I will keep you updated of my new project of a hexie wall hanging, as inspired by you! Thank you for your inspiration and lovely blog! You are a star in my eyes!

Reply
Emma
9/2/2020 10:42:37 am

Thank you for such a beautiful comment Tracy, having your support means so much to me. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had mental health problems too. I hope stitching brings you comfort as it does with me. I love all of the crafts you’ve mentored here too, we sound very similar and I’m so glad we’ve connected over the Internet. I can’t wait to see what you make, please tag me on Instagram if you share it there or email me a picture. Have a wonderful day x

Reply
Sharon
10/2/2020 09:52:03 am

Hi Emma, your work is beautiful and like Tracy I wouldn’t have taken up EPP if it weren’t for your beautiful posts on Instagram. I understand exactly where you’re coming from with selling your work. I did sell my makes for a while (mainly through Facebook) and did quite well but over the last year or so my confidence has taken a complete nose dive. I’ve just recently decided to sell again but even now I’m thinking ‘what if nobody likes it’ I guess it doesn’t really matter though. What does is that you’ve enjoyed making the item and you don’t undervalue your time and your expertise. I’m just sorry I missed your story on IG as I would have jumped at the chance to buy one of your beautiful makes xx

Reply
Emma
12/2/2020 06:58:13 am

Thank you for such a lovely message Sharon. I’m so glad you’ve decided to give epp a try and I do hope you are enjoying it. I’m sorry you’ve lost some confidence in selling your things, I really hope you get it back because you are really talented and what you make is absolutely gorgeous. I completely understand what it’s like though, it’s really hard. But if you love doing it, keep going and I’m sure you will sell lots, there will be lots of people who want to buy your gorgeous makes I’m sure. So much time and effort go into your blankets, they are real heirloom pieces to be treasured forever x

Reply
B rose
16/2/2020 03:28:24 pm

Oh dear.
My first ever 'work' I sold was to an artist friend. We agreed the price and I worked doubly hard as I faced all the usual angst.. Second was through etsy, but the postage from SA was double the price, so more guilt. Then came another friend, an auditor who is known for her fine taste and the good life. With a cavalier attitude I said, "Pay me what you think it's worth".....
Mistake, the fancy labels and flash lifestyle does not always mean someone will appreciate a handmade and especially designed embroidery piece. .... So I feel your pain, and thank you that I can finally get it off my chest and still be inspired by your work and all your followers. With needle in hand, I continue

Reply
Emma
19/2/2020 04:03:09 pm

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s so hard isnt it, but never give up. Keep creating as that’s the most important thing isn’t it, creating for enjoyment. X

Reply
MissesStitches link
16/2/2020 06:00:58 pm

Regarding pricing: I once found a form online to add up all the components of making an item. Buying fabric, coming up with an idea, making a pattern, all of that. It added up to an item being worth quite a bit of money! A lot more, sadly, than it would sell for. {sigh} But maybe ask a trusted friend how much she would pay for an item (or charge for an item). Maybe ask a non-sewing person how much she would pay for an item. Best of luck! Unfortunately, we can never seem to price hand made things for what they are really worth.
Btw, I just found your blog--via Pinterest. Love your stuff!

Reply
Emma
19/2/2020 04:05:15 pm

Thank you for sharing this. You are right, it really does add up. Thank you for the advice. I’m so glad you found me and thanks for letting me know it was via Pinterest, I always wonder how people find me. X

Reply
Sally link
24/2/2020 03:29:47 pm

Many years ago, about 25 or so, we were a military family and traveled all over the United States and Europe so it was difficult for me to work outside the home-I loved being home with my children. I learned very quickly that I could make items to sell but the sell price was never seamed to me what the item was worth. I did do quite a lot of design work then and submitted to several magazines and the published patterns were much more lucrative. Some of these magazines are now out of print, Miniature Quilts published by Chitra Publucations and I had several in Quilters Newsletter Magazine. So when you design you are in a sense only selling the copyright of the design itself, not the item, much easier to let go, not a lot of emotions tied up.

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28/2/2022 09:57:48 am

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    A post shared by Emma Jones - EPP & Embroidery (@vintagesewingbox) on Oct 20, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

    About the Author
    My name is Emma and I love all things sewing, especially EPP. My little blog is the place where I document what I'm making. I hope you enjoy reading what I'm up to! All opinions are my own and I only share things that I think you will love. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. 

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  • Home
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    • Patterns
    • Pre-Cut Fabrics
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    • Thread >
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