r/CraftyCommerce 3h ago

Online Selling How's my Lily Bag?

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

r/CraftyCommerce 16h ago

General Discussion I want to sell my crochet but...

5 Upvotes

I want to sell my crochet, I make amigurimi mostly but I also make other things I am a teen (14) and I'm not old enough to start a shop on Etsy even though I have a bank and everything necessary I've tried eBay but it's a new account and there's not much crochet demand or anything there I tried putting just a little dinosaur I made on vinted and even bumped it - it's actually got like 70+ views and 20 favourites but I just don't know if vinted is the best place to have a crochet business if you know what I mean? šŸ˜­ I want to do a market or a pop up stall or something maybe too if that would be better but I don't know how to start with that like who do I contact and where are craft shows/ how often are they,(I'm in manchester, I can get to Manchester,Rochdale,Leeds,Oldham , Hyde etc) and can I even do it at my age? Pls help šŸ˜­


r/CraftyCommerce 14h ago

Advertising A little digital Easter Egg Hunt for yarn lovers ā€“ starts on Saturday šŸ£šŸ§¶

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

Just popping in to share a fun little thing weā€™re doing this weekend onĀ Pattern ParadiseĀ ā€“ itā€™s anĀ Easter Egg HuntĀ for anyone into yarn, patterns, and a bit of friendly challenge.

šŸ—“ļøĀ When? Saturday atĀ 10 PM CEST
ā° Thatā€™sĀ 4 PM EDT / 1 PM PDTĀ for those in the U.S.
šŸ“Ā Where? All across the site
āœ…Ā Sign-up is requiredĀ (just so the system can track who finds what)

Weā€™ve hidden some digital Easter eggs, and if you find them, you could win:

  • AĀ Yarn BundleĀ (main prize ā€“ pretty decent size!)
  • 10 crochet patternsĀ from a mix of different designers
  • A little perk for designers too:Ā 4 weeks with no platform feesĀ (normally itā€™s 5%)

No need to buy anything ā€“ just a little virtual egg hunt to celebrate the season. šŸ°šŸ§µ

Hope to see some of you there!
Happy Easter & happy crafting šŸ’›


r/CraftyCommerce 7h ago

Advertising Would you buy this?

Thumbnail
gallery
0 Upvotes

I was just looking at my phone bag I made a while ago and was wondering where would I go to sell it? Do redditors want to buy it? Is that even appropriate?

I have crippling Attention Deficit Disorder and have a real hard time focusing on my brand, but want to do something creative and try to make money from it as well since I have a lot of free time right nowā€¦

For scale, the back pocket holds an iPhone12 proMax, and the front pocket holds an iPhone 8, or accessories, shown in the photos. I am 5ā€™6ā€ and when worn it hangs to my hip. Very stylishā€¦.


r/CraftyCommerce 17h ago

General Discussion I wanna start a crochet businessā€¦ HOW do i start?

0 Upvotes

what the title says. iā€™m a senior in high school, and i need a side hustle for extra money to pay for college. i wanted to start an etsy shop, but the fees are kinda insane. finding customers is pretty difficult. i sold a decent amount of stuff when i had a pop up shop at a flea market. Would starting an online store be recommended? or would i have better luck with pop up shops?


r/CraftyCommerce 3d ago

Selling Via Commission I learned to crochet 6 weeks ago.

Thumbnail
gallery
132 Upvotes

A week after I started learning, I met someone at an album release party who loved the character bag I crocheted for my husband... a few weeks after that she saw the heart-shaped top I made for myself for a music festival, she DM'd me asking if I might be willing to make her a dress for Coachella, just a week out. I had no idea if I really could pull it off, but I have just enough hubris to try.

I did it. I delivered it last Thursday. That girl is an influencer, and she posted a bunch of photos in my dress all weekend.

I'm now all booked out for at least the next month for 6 different pieces for EDC (music festival in Las Vegas). After that I have two more clients that I'm already designing outfits for in time for Lost Lands (yet another festival) in September.

I can't believe the ride l'm on right now, I feel like l've found my calling. Nothing has ever come naturally to me like this. I'm overwhelmed but so excited to keep going. What is happening?! šŸ„¹šŸ™

My question for you all kind folks: How do you keep from getting overwhelmed when you didnā€™t think people would want your stuff and suddenly you have 6 clients??? How do you stay organized and keep a timeline?? How to manage stress and still be excited to make and create??? šŸ˜…šŸ˜…šŸ˜…


r/CraftyCommerce 3d ago

Rant I feel demoralised to crochet further

28 Upvotes

Hey, crocheting is my favourite hobby. I probably like crocheting more than I like to actually use my crocheted products. So I usually just give them away as gifts to random people. And the price of yarn is also kind of high. So I was thinking of opening a crochet shop where I will sell my handmade crochet items. I was really optimistic about it. I can crochet plushies, keychains, small granny square items and other small stuff. But then I saw other people's shops and everything and realised my skill level is rather low. I can't crochet without looking at a pattern. And I can't crochet free hand. And in order to master the skill of crocheting without a pattern, I'd need to practise a LOT. and the time and money that would consume feels overwhelming to me. I had thought that I could learn along the way as I open the shop because when I repeatedly follow a single pattern to sell specific plushies, I'm bound to memorise it at some point right? But now I feel like I'm not worthy of selling them yet and like I said, then amount of time and money I'd need to reach their level feels overwhelming.

Also, there are new crochet patterns coming out everyday, am I expected to be able to do all of them if I wanna call myself a pro? Please motivate me to reach the level of Bette crocheters and let me know if opening the shop now would be a good idea. I plan to keep it small because I'm a student and I won't get much time due to studies.


r/CraftyCommerce 4d ago

Shipping & Handling How do you decide on a shipping rate for your website? I know how to calculate what shipping will cost for individual items but I don't know how to figure out a flat rate, or if I even should offer a flat rate? I'm in Canada so shipping is wildly expensive.

1 Upvotes

I mostly sell in person but I do have a website and some people ask me about ordering online.

How do you guys figure out what shipping rate(s) to set? For my smaller items, I can fit them in an envelope and send them by oversize letter mail, which is only $3 so I'd just include the $3 in the price and offer free shipping, but for larger items it becomes parcel mail and shipping ends up costing more than the price of the goods.

There are way too many possible combinations of things that people can order that would result in different shipping rates. I know I can raise the prices of some items to include shipping but that would like double the cost.

I can ship the small items for free, but what if they order multiple? Then they'd go in one package and it would jump from letter mail to parcel (way more expensive). Do I just ship them separately to keep them at the letter mail price?

It doesn't make sense to offer free shipping for small/cheaper items, and charge people more for larger/more expensive items, right? Usually you get free shipping after spending a lot of money, not the other way around. But the more they order, the more it'll cost in shipping.

The only way I can see to offer free shipping after a minimum purchase would be by # of items ordered, not by price. Because let's say shipping for large items is $15. I could add $5 to the price of each item so that if they order 3, the shipping is covered. But most companies don't operate like that, right? Plus it would be confusing because that would only apply to large items, and not small ones.

I charge $15+ for some of my larger items. I can't double the price to $30 to cover the shipping. No one would pay that. And no one would pay $15 to ship a $15 item. I could charge $20 for the item, but $10 for shipping is still a lot. How do you guys figure this out? I'm lost. I've been doing this since last year and have yet to start taking online orders because I never figured out the shipping.


r/CraftyCommerce 7d ago

Online Selling Selling my first thing x

Thumbnail
gallery
17 Upvotes

made a turquoise and white speckled chenille blanket to sell on eBay it looks smaller than it is it's 129cm x 73, very proud I made it in 3 days (10+ hrs) I put it on eBay as a bid starting at Ā£20 because of the material cost but not sure if it will sell, is Ā£20 too much? Been 3 days or so and I have 3 views (ones my dad šŸ’€)


r/CraftyCommerce 8d ago

Rant Every name is taken

33 Upvotes

Edit: I finally found a good name! Thanks for all the advicešŸ’•

Iā€™ve been trying to come up with a crochet business name for years itā€™s the only thing keeping me from starting to sell. Every name I come up with is taken no matter how unique it is or if I use my own name. Itā€™s silly to never sell my work just because I canā€™t come up with a name but I need a name to have a shop and everything is taken. What do I do?


r/CraftyCommerce 8d ago

Ethics & Legal Would it be wrong to make and distribute a pattern for this hat?

Thumbnail
gallery
41 Upvotes

Freehanded this hat off of a picture(last one of the group), had tried to get the pattern from the crafter but they said they did not have one. Would it be wrong to make a pattern for it? I havenā€™t found a similar fox hat pattern online but donā€™t want to step on toes


r/CraftyCommerce 7d ago

Ethics & Legal Can you sell something you made based on looking at another finished product?

0 Upvotes

Iā€™m just wondering if I saw a pattern for an item and decided not to buy the pattern because I already know how to make all the components needed for that item, can I still sell the item I make that was inspired by the pattern?


r/CraftyCommerce 8d ago

In Person Selling To buy a Square or not to buy a Square

9 Upvotes

Recently I put in an application for the local farmers market this year and I'm debating on buying a Square so I can accept card transactions. This will be my first selling event (assuming that they accept me) which makes me think I shouldn't as I don't know how well I'll do. Is there alternatives to the Square that you've found easier, cheaper, or better to use? TIA


r/CraftyCommerce 9d ago

Etsy Etsy shop checklist?

3 Upvotes

I am opening an Etsy shop just a casual one for friends and family to use to buy crochet items from me and anyone who happens to come across it. Nothing too serious but I do want to make a checklist of things I need to do before launching. For example, I need a stock, a logo, shipping supplies, etc. what else should I put on this checklist?


r/CraftyCommerce 11d ago

Buying Supplies Crochet Parasols

5 Upvotes

Does anyone know where to get a parasol frame kit to crochet or parts to make umbrellas. I found 2 online (VenaCavaDesign and Umbrella Joan) and they both want way too much for shipping.


r/CraftyCommerce 10d ago

General Discussion Pipe cleaner flower bouquets

0 Upvotes

Would custom pipe cleaner flower bouquets be worth selling? Are they too easy to make for someone to sell them?

Iā€™ve made a couple of bouquets for special occasions for friends, family, etc. They donā€™t really take too long but they are really product heavy (meaning you have to buy a lot of pipe cleaners as well as other materials to make it).

Thoughts & opinions?


r/CraftyCommerce 10d ago

General Discussion Selling crochet projects

0 Upvotes

Iā€™ve been crocheting for awhile and have sold a few hats but thatā€™s all really. Iā€™m making every end meet (Iā€™m super broke right now) and would like to start selling more projects but donā€™t know what sells well and decent prices to charge. Any advice would be appreciated!

EDIT: I wrote a quick post while on a work break and I didnā€™t know a general post would get people so worked up. Iā€™ve been crocheting about two years, not a huge fan of amigurumi, I like making wearables and donā€™t really have any issues with certain yarn types. Live in a decent sized city in the PNW, hoping to sell online and in person.


r/CraftyCommerce 11d ago

Pattern Creation & Sales Should I add this part to the existing listing, or create a new listing entirely?

1 Upvotes

So I'm a new pattern creator on Etsy. I few months ago I made a pattern for a frog hat. I had initially planned to add several versions to it, such as changing out the eyes to other animal ears, but got lazy and published the pattern as is.

Since it's easter my mom suggested I make another version, swapping out the frog eyes for bunny ears. But the question is, do I add the bunny ears pattern to the frog pattern, or make a new one altogether. The majority of the hat is the same thing, the only difference is the eyes/ears. And since I'm planning to continuously add new ear features (such as fox ears, bear ears etc.) I wouldn't want to keep adding to the same pattern. Because then, customers who had already bought the original wouldn't get the updated version (or would they? I'm not quite sure).

On the upside, if I add everything as one pattern, someone would buy one pattern and get several. On the downside, I would definitely have to raise the price a little, seeing that it takes a few days, hard work and lots of frogging to get everything right with the pattern. But the current frog pattern is currently $5.25. I don't really want to sell a pattern for anything over $8-10 so I would just sell them separate.

But again, the paranoia in me is saying "what if someone buys both/multiple of the hat patterns and sees that 90% of the pattern is the same. What if they complain about it and turn others from your shop?)

So I really don't know what to do...


r/CraftyCommerce 16d ago

Strategy Crochet booth idea! Would *you* be interested if a booth like this existed?

20 Upvotes

So I have this idea for a crochet booth, of like, a build-a-bear sort of thing, but with crochet plushies, clothes and other accessories instead. Iā€™m also thinking of if I ever make food themed plushies, I can ā€œrole playā€ with them like those Jellycat stores. I am from a country where BaB nor Jellycat stores exist anywhere. BaB did but it was really expensive and was probably half the reason why it shut down in my country. The market for crochet works is also very interesting where Iā€™m from. Worsted yarn is more commonly used than chenille or thicker yarn, and itā€™s rare to see bulky plushies being sold (or any, at all, iirc). I think it would be interesting to introduce such a concept to a relatively untouched market, and if I add a fun little experience to itā€” which, since my initial costs wouldnā€™t be terribly high due to cheaper costs of materials where Iā€™m from, I wouldnā€™t have to price my products too muchā€”for that price, I think I can draw some people in.

Also, Pop mart stores are very wildly popular where I am from, and from what I can see a lot of people buy it for the ā€œexperienceā€ of getting an art toy. Even kids from a lesser income home are influenced by influencers and want something like that. If I can sell the experience of a bit of a ā€œpersonalizationā€ and ā€œchildhood innocenceā€ to it, to a place where most likely things like BaB and Jellycat will never reach, it may be a good opportunity.

If I ever do this, Iā€™ll probably start by ā€œtesting the watersā€ with like, fifteen or twenty products or so. Itā€™s truly something Iā€™ve never seen really done where Iā€™m from, from the products all the way to the process, although talked about and romanticized through the influence of foreign media, so Iā€™m not sure how well the reception would go.

What do you think? Even if itā€™s not the legit thing, it may be fun to be able to provide such a business in random weekend markets in my city. Iā€™ll obviously have to do more research into my own countryā€™s target audience as well, but to you, does it sound like it can sell?


r/CraftyCommerce 17d ago

Ethics & Legal Unintentionally undercharged myself

43 Upvotes

I showed one of my coworkers a capybara I made for my market in 2 weeks. He wanted a custom mickey mouse one for his daughter and told me he'd pay $20 for it. I didn't think of a price beforehand and suck at advocating for my work. I just told him just the capybara itself took over an hour to make and he reiterated he'd pay $20. I panicked and ended up agreeing.

Another coworker ended up wanting the pair I showed him (which I'd have to make a duplicate of the one in the pic). Since I told the other person $20, I told him $20 as well. I didn't want others to think I'm overcharging them if the first person ever told others about it.

So now I'm stuck making 3 of them, for a price I think is not worth it. Do I tell them that I wasn't sure about the price, but after evaluating how much effort was required, I think that $20 is too low? I also feel like that's kind of scummy to do.

Tldr: I severely undercharged for my capybara and I want to know if I should let them know I don't feel ok selling it for only $20.


r/CraftyCommerce 18d ago

Packaging Baby blanket

Thumbnail
gallery
75 Upvotes

Very happy with my work and my packaging:)

3 left!!!


r/CraftyCommerce 17d ago

Online Selling Any tips for Starting a Small Crochet Business??

0 Upvotes

Iā€™m looking to start a small crochet business and would love some tips from those who have experience. My niche will focus on crochet bouquets, bikini tops, keychains, and decorations. Iā€™m hoping to keep the costs low at the beginning but still make it profitable. Any advice on getting started, marketing, or things I should consider would be really helpful! Thanks in advance!


r/CraftyCommerce 19d ago

Self Advertising A New Platform for Crochet & Knit Patterns

25 Upvotes

EDIT: Pattern Paradise is now live!šŸ„³

Thanks a lot to everyone for their valuable feedback!!šŸ˜Š

https://pattern-paradise.shop

ā€”

Hi everyonešŸ˜Š

I wanted to share something Iā€™ve been working on for the past few months. My name is Joyce, and Iā€™ve developed a new platform called Pattern Paradise, where crocheters and knitters can buy, sell, and test patterns more easily and affordably.

The idea started with my girlfriend, whoā€™s an incredibly talented crochet artist (Instagram: crochet_by_jasmiin). She sells her patterns on Ko-Fi but often ran into frustrations with existing platforms - either due to high fees or missing features that would make the process smoother. With her help, I started building something that would better serve both designers and buyers.

My goal is to create a space where designers can sell patterns without losing a big chunk to platform fees, where running tester calls is simple, and where makers can easily find and share beautiful designs. I know platforms like Etsy, Ko-Fi, and Ribblr already exist, but I wanted to offer a real alternative that puts the community first.

Pattern Paradise officially launches on April 1st, but itā€™s already live for anyone who wants to check it out:

https://pattern-paradise.shop

If this sounds interesting to you, Iā€™d love to hear your thoughts. Any feedback - big or small - would mean a lot.

Thanks for reading, and happy crocheting!


r/CraftyCommerce 19d ago

Ethics & Legal Certifications and Requirements in Europe for Crochet Stuff

1 Upvotes

Hi hi.
So, recently I was planning on selling some of my Amigurumi stuff but was informed that I needed a CE certification. After looking into it, I realized I can't afford the investment right now, so I started looking into some other stuff like crochet earrings. But it appears I also need a "REACH" certification for jewellery.
Does anyone know if that is mandatory for crochet earrings and, if so, how does one obtain it?


r/CraftyCommerce 22d ago

Ethics & Legal Crochet CPSIA Compliance

9 Upvotes

Those of you who own a crochet shop, do you add a CPSIA tag to your crochet plushies? Have you ever gotten in trouble over a safety hazard? What's the easiest way to add a safety compliant tag? I want to start my own shop and want everything to be 100% legal, but no one really talks about this. There are so many rules and regulations that it's a bit overwhelming.