Just did a blog post with some thoughts about retail/wholesale sales.

http://laurasliom.blogpost.com

Selling on wholesale isn't for everyone but there are some advantages....

cheers,

Laura

Comments

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 16:38

Guiding Myth (not verified)

About 10 years ago I tried to sell blankets and throws wholesale.  I made appointments with buyers at several likely stores in a big city about 3 hours away and spent a couple of days talking to people, showing my work.  I had some good sales, but it didn't translate into future sales.  While I was able to sell the throws myself at shows the salespeople at the stores were not successful.  When I checked back with the stores the sales were dismal.  I suspect that even though I provided the stores with appropriate material explaining what the throws were (handwoven, organically grown, etc) and the stores were upscale, the customers just did not expect to encounter something like that.  Display makes a big difference too. 

Your idea of weaving yardage for a designer sounds ideal.  If your designer is successful - it could work out well for you and since she is a designer people will expect higher prices.  Plus she will show it well. Good Luck!

When I visited that big sewing show held in Puyallip, WA I saw at least one weaver selling yardage.  She was selling beautifully finished traditional wool yardage appropriate for suits.  I have no way of knowing whether she was successful or not.  But that was an idea I thought about for a while.  

Russell Groff sold handwoven skirts to an upscale department store in California when he lived in CA in the 1960's.  

Stephanie S.

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 18:53

laurafry

Yes, much easier to find a designer and work with them rather than find shops to purchase wholesale.  We've been that route, too....

cheers,

Laura

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 21:09

ReedGuy

When I lived in Prince Rupert, BC. Way up on the north coast there. There was a store that was basically bedding, linens, table cloths etc and not a clothing or department store. This is a town at the ends of the earth basically. But they had quality stuff. We have nothing like that store in these parts (NB), not even close. I was wondering if those types of stores could sell your weavings much easier. I'm not looking at that route myself just giving ideas. I would just rather sell on Kajiji or ebay to tell ya the truth. It's just hobby for me, so I don't depend on it to live.

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:02

Dena (not verified)

I couldn't get the link to work, although it does forward me to a sight that offers breast enhancement.  Can you repost the link?
Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:10

ReedGuy

What link Dena? Laura's blog is legit, always was anyway. When you hover the mouse over it, does it not look the same in the popup as it does in the post?

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:10

Badfaerie (not verified)

There was just a type-o. I'm a lurker on Laura's blog so I have the url and I actually snagged the link directly to the post she mentioned, I hope she doesn't mind.

http://laurasloom.blogspot.com/search/label/wholesale

This blog and her website has untold tons of valuable information, so please look around a bit.

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:16

ReedGuy

Ah yes a typo. Goodness knows where you'll land. :D

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 16:41

laurafry

Oops!  Sorry about the typo!  :(

Laura

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