Selling our arts & crafts

None of our group makes things to sell, though several have in the past. An enormous of energy is required to put together enough to cover the cost of a craft fair table
We do make things between us for charity

You won't make any money (already said, I know). I've a craft friend who made personalised things to order and actually got ripped off by someone who ordered one, paying an amount less than agreed (oh I don't have any more cash on me) that not only didn't cover the cost of yarn, it didn't cover the cost of the special stuffing that it required. As for her labour, (40 hours) no chance. So it cost her money to make this item.

Other posters have commented that you can't make money knitting and sewing. I agree.
I have never understood why the public will pay so much more for a painting than they will for a handcrafted item. Crafting in any medium takes far longer than using a brush and paint!

Most shops take between 40 and 60% of the sale price.
This often makes things too expensive to sell this way.
They usually want them sale-or-return so beware of items that spoil.

This isn't quite what you asked. For someone who enjoys knitting and crochet, but doesn't want to sell, this organisation is fantastic:
www.lovinghands.org.uk/

If cost is an issue, most groups get donations of yarn, and I buy some from charity shops very cheaply. The groups are also lovely places to meet people who are interested in knitting & crochet.

I have sent a PM harry1960.

I agree with those who say that people will not pay anything close to a fair price (in terms of materials and time) for hand-knitted items. I knit a lot, and am often told that I should sell my work. I am sure that people are being kind; but honestly - who would pay £170 for a pair of socks (£20 for 100g of good quality yarn, plus 15 hours at £10 an hour, which is a conservative estimate of how long they would take, depending on the pattern)? They are £5 for 3 pairs in Sainsbury's .

The only way I can think of to make money is to personalise baby items and package them as high-end gifts. I saw cashmere items like little hats and bootees in a gift shop once, and they were selling at £55 an item. They came with a little tag saying something like 'Welcome to the world, baby (space for name)', and were packaged in a good quality box, on contrasting coloured satin that matched the ribbon in the bootees or hats.

They looked lovely, would be quick to make, and would have made a really nice present in the sort of market where people can afford to pay a premium price, but you would need the contacts to stock them, and would lose a significant cut straight away. Most local gift shops or craft fairs would be lucky to sell them for a fiver - not everyone appreciates yarns such as cashmere, and many people prefer acrylics that can be washed and dried in the machine.

Did you have any luck through the christmas buying period Harry?

As well as the Etsy online shop there is Folksy, a UK site which has the same kind of handmade stuff (but not the vintage things that Etsy also sells). If you go there to browse, be warned - you will see many things to you must buy. Just as well it is too late for Christmas, but next year . .

try eBay.

One thing to be aware of (even with knitted items) is copyright laws. If your wife is using knitting patterns it should state somewhere on the pattern whether it is for personal use only i.e. you cannot sell for personal gain.

I used to have an Etsy shop, if you feel I could help, feel free to drop me a PM.

At the knitting group i go to we have a lady who knits and crochets the most beautiful and varied items. She was taught at the age of three by her grandmother and is so talented. Some things are are work of art. I said to her one day about tryig to sell things but she said it isnt worth it it people wont pay what the items are worth. If she was younger she would have tried to get into an exclusive area of selling handmade garments and accessories but she is in her 70's now and just enjoys making gifts for family and friends. If you go online some handmade items sold through exclusive sites are costing hundreds of pounds even things like socks cost lots of omey. The use of good yarns is expensive and the hourly rate is high. I wish you luck in your venture and hope you succeed.

I knit baby blankets and always have something on the needles as it’s always been my thing . I tend to pack them away for the next girl at work who has a baby and give them as a gift. Always well received. Have considered earning a little cash maybe on a stall but know I wouldn’t make much anyway it’s my choice and it’s my calming hobby.

The only type of knitting that would sell well is something very unusual in design, not just the bog standard tops and baby clothes. They need to be perfectly and professionally sewn together, which can take almost as long as knitting them. I have sold a few beautiful, machine made, tops to order, cricket tops and intarsia jumpers. It was never worth it, I did them for friends and colleagues. There is no money in it. Most of us knit because it is a calming satisfying hobby

No-one will pay what a crafted item is worth in time value

If your wife uses pinterest she can advertise some of her things there. Take a nice photo of item, upload to pinterest and link it to her etsy page or wherever she chooses to sell.

There's Shopify, Squarespace, eBay, Etsy, Amazon and Facebook Marketplace-

Thaks for the replies @newnanny, @ninanthenana and @NotTooOld!

I'm quite conscious of the financial risk. Did you find it risky? Did it cost much to promote?

My daughter made baby bunting to order and sold it on Ebay. She started by doing it for friends and then got a lot of compliments and so decided to sell some while on maternity leave. She is back at work now so less time.

You could try your local FB selling page.

You don't say what she is knitting, harry, but you could try having a stall at a craft fair or even a car boot sale. I have seen beautiful and intricate baby clothes on sale for peanuts though, so I don't think there is much money to be earned. Perhaps your wife could knit to order. Try an ad in your neighbourhood magazine offering to knit children's jumpers or baby blankets. There are charities that welcome hand knitted items if your wife is happy to give them away.