Good am, This group is a great Idea . I love to sell things and have a SCA merchant booth where I try and sell hats and many different things that my son and I make.I also sell at the local Farmers Market. We have a commerical embroidery maching and now we have added my weavings to the sales booth.

 This last week at our local Farmers Market I sold a wool rug I had just finished and am so happy! It is a great reassurance to have someone buy your wears. Kind of says "What you are doing is good and has value"  My family just looks and says ya, it fine so maybe that is why I love to sell.

Can't wait to see and hear all about your sales. So far I have sold two rugs, Two Mug Matts and one purse. Whats next?

Marlene in Oregon

 

Comments

Thu, 09/15/2011 - 21:17

ttkjohn

I am currently weaving to get ready for a booth at one of the local festivals in 2 weeks.  I had posted 3 handwoven baby blankets on my website and facebook to share with my friends.  All three sold within a few days of each other.  People were buying them to give as gifts for newborns.  Now, I don't have any to put in my booth. Happy they sold so quickly, but now have make more for the booth. That's a good thing right?

Thu, 09/15/2011 - 23:43

laurafry

Yes, that's a good thing. And you might consider raising your prices.  :D

cheers,

Laura

Fri, 09/16/2011 - 00:12

Sara von Tresckow

I had the experience of a lifetime - at a show last weekend, a gentlemen stopped by and identified himself as a professional rug appraiser (for insurance claims) and looked at my nicest new rug - weft faced wool with tapestry patterning, his appraisal and my price tag were nearly identical.

The rug is priced at $450.

Fri, 09/30/2011 - 01:59

Margery (not verified)

I have been selling hand woven wearables for 20 years and still remember my first sale and the most recent one. I enjoy explaining the history behind each item I make. It is a wonderful complement when someone buys something I make. Continue enjoying your selling experiences.
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 15:32

EricaDwyer (not verified)

I am looking to see WHERE you sell your woven creations.  I find that the Farmers Markets are the SAME faces week after week.  So after the novelty wears off sales tank.  I also sell at Sheep & Wool events but I sell mostly yarn & fibers there vs finished goods.  So where do you sell ( successfully ) your woven creations?  I'm talking upper end products.  Shawls in the $200 - $300 price range, Scarves $65 and up and some lower cost items like cotton dishtowels in the $20 range.  I'd love to hear your suggestions.

 

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 15:47

Cat Brysch

I never lose sight of what I am doing. In my head I say, "Do what you love and the money will follow." The MOST important part for me is the doing! I go to regional, national and international conferences and do well enough...I see is as "making room" in my studio! I will do an occasional local art fair, but mostly travel away to sell. I also sell out of my studio to visitors who find me on the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trail. I agree with Laura that you might consider raising your prices, a little at a time, until you find balance. Selling is good and does give that message of a job well done. I have been selling my work since the 70's, and I have seen hundreds of times the "communication" that takes place between a customer and one of my pieces...it's wonderful and satisfying.

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 20:33

mageez (not verified)

What a great place! Found Weavolution in doing research for a loom I just rescued.

as for selling:  Every Sunday i weave at the Whatcom Art Market. We're a co-op with about 40 artists and have been here just over 2 years. (And doing better every month.)

Probably my staple is linen or cottolin dish towels. And when bordom sets in I move onto mohair scarves. Larger items for sale are woven at home (shawls, rugs etc) on a much larger loom. The loom at the market is a Baby Wolf 4 harness.

 I think seeing the artist in action helps folks appreciate what they're purchasing. Plus even recruiting a new weaver on occasion.

happy weaving

maggie

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 14:23

mneligh

We have a number of local venues -- several farmers markets, at least 2 crafts guilds, several cafe/galleries, art galleries, arts and crafts fairs.  Word of mouth is the best way to sell things, but word travels slowly.  There's also etsy, and for those that do reproduction work, places where there are period sutlers for the events.  With several 150th anniversary civil war battles coming up, people selling shawls, purses, etc. could have a field day.

This is not a wealthy area of the country, so the prices are not high.  On the other hand, busses of people come though on crafts fair weekend and roads are lined with yard-booths.

Many of the venues take commission -- typically 15%.

Our guild encourages people to sell things at one big fiber fest.  The problem here is not where to sell but getting together enough items to make it worth while. 

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 23:14

Sarah Jane

Thanks to whoever is responsible for forming this group. Margery's comment that she tells the story of each piece is a superb marketing tool. We are selling handcrafted, one of a kind (or lot)... which means there is definitely a story in each. Attaching that story and your original signature with the hang tag only furthers the long term value of the piece...think heirloom, and sell it based on those enhancements. Original packaging is also part of what makes an item more valuable, so do as superb a job with that. Sarah Jane (her first post)
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 23:27

Sarah Jane

I am not certain the following is appropriate to this group so please correct me if it is not: Marlene, I have tried to obtain samples of embroidery yarns from a supplier to embroidery businesses. He says he will send them but never does. I want them for the high gloss in what will become handwovens for sale. How and where do you acquire your embroidery threads - in bulk rather than a hank at a time? Thanks Sarah Jane
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 23:53

laurafry

Much better to find a weaving yarn supplier.  If you want cotton, Michael White sells UKI mercerized cottons - other suppliers are WEBS, Halcyon Yarns, The Yarn Barn of Kansas.  These suppliers will have yarns on half or pound cones/tubes - a much better price than embroidery thread put ups.

cheers,

Laura