In the autumn, as you may recall, I decided to set up a Folksy shop to sell me knitting and crochet. It was an experiment. I selected Folksy because it is a site that specialisies in British, handmade goods.
Work in progress… for the shop
I can now report that it was not a success. The number of visitors was tiny (mostly, I think, arriving direct from here) and it generated no sales. The only real success was being contacted by someone who asked whether I would sell her some items direct because she didn’t want to use Paypal. Other than that, nothing. I had been warned that Folksy seems to get relatively little traffic, but I thought it was worth a punt. However, it was an experiment that didn’t work, so I’m not prepared to spend any more money on it. And so, you may notice that the link to Folksy has disappeared from the bar on the right, but a new page has appeared at the top of this blog, entitled Shop Window. Here you can find pictures of some of my creations. Rather than list everything individually, you can browse the sorts of things I have to sell and send an enquiry via the contact form.
Now, all I need to do is finish writing those two patterns I’m working on and I’ll be able to make those available for sale too.
The Snail of Happiness 
thecontentedcrafter
/ January 15, 2015You tried and discovered the site wanting. Good to know! I will probably eventually close down my Etsy store as it [Etsy] has so many stores that the chances of anyone stumbling into mine is quite a minute number, and we all know you have to have 100 visitors to get 10 interested and of those ten, one might buy……… I have only ever sold one card to one person I didn’t personally have contact with. All my support comes from people who read my blog and family and friends. I give away far more than I sell 🙂
I do love your bright string bags!
LikeLike
davidprosser
/ January 15, 2015I’m sorry about Folksy, it must be a bit disheartening. I’d have thought a craft fair would be the best place a you’ve got an audience come for that purpose. A home shop on you blog also seems a good idea.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2015My friend Ann and I are planning to have joint stall for craft fairs this year… we haven’t decided on the specifics yet, but It feels like it will be a good thing to do – and fun if there’s two of us.
Hope you haven’t been blown away, David – weather is horrid here 😦
xxx hugs xxx
LikeLike
narf77
/ January 15, 2015Cutting out the middle man…ALRIGHT! 🙂 Anything that cuts out the middle man is a bonus in my book. Kudos on doing it your way and here’s to great success (and getting projects finished so that you can sell them 😉 )
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ January 15, 2015Ah yes… finding time to finish projects… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
narf77
/ January 17, 2015I have a failed and half finished projects cupboard. Sometimes, by the time I get around to having a go at finishing them, I have forgotten how to do the stitches needed and have to go to Youtube to remember them again! 😉
LikeLike
katechiconi
/ January 15, 2015Well, you gave them a chance, but a shop needs customers and if they don’t generate business and promote themselves properly you’re wasting your time. A very good idea to bring it all home and give word of mouth a go. I’ve seen shopping bags sell like hotcakes at a farmer’s market when people hadn’t brought quite enough bags of their own to carry home all their lovely purchases!
LikeLike
insearchofitall
/ January 16, 2015I’ve often thought of making things to sell but realize that many, like myself buy only what is absolutely necessary these days. I no longer have need of anything so when I make things I look at it with a different perspective. My quilts take too long to get the money out of them. These days no one wants to even pay your materials cost much less the time and labor. So my stuff is strictly for gifts now. I hope this works out better for you.
LikeLike
gentlestitches
/ January 16, 2015I found the best way to sell is “pop up” craft fair tables with friends. Stock has always been my problem so I aim for no more than 4 per year.
LikeLike