Do you sell your crafts in consignment shops?
By Sillychick
@Sillychick (3275)
United States
6 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
13 Feb 08
I think that it could be easier for you to sell on website.
There is one created for artists.
http://www.etsy.com/
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
12 Feb 08
Cher, if you are consigning, you should be getting at least 50/50. You are laying out the cash for the supplies, plus your time.
Your items can sit in the backroom, should the store decide to go that route...there is no money out of their pockets.
If you haven't looked on ETSY.com, I would seriously give it a look. 4 month listings for .20 and a 24 hour a day store front. You can promote your items for free in the forums. And Etsy is geeting tons of potential customers from all over the world everyday. They are the EBAY of handmade items... plus it's not an auction, you set your price.
Check the link in my profile to look at my Etsy shop. It costs nothing to join and the shops are free (with the exception of the listing fees--all.20-- and the final value fees--3.5%)
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
25 Oct 11
I have done this a couple of times, and it really depends on the costs involved if it is worth your time. I know one place you rented out a space there to display your stuff and it was touch and go, but one other place I did really well at yrs. ago. So if you can find a place in your area doing things like this just go in and ask their commission prices, etc. and see if it would work well for you.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
13 Feb 08
I have done this and for me it's didn't work very well. The worst part I have had is collecting the money. I only have stuff in one shop now....for a while I had them in seven different places. Sometimes they don't take very good care of them either. Hope you have luck with your's. I just do craft sales now where I can collect and care for my own stuff.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
12 Feb 08
Most often, I have found that consignment shops have wanted to sell my jewelry. I don't really like the idea of consigning my creations to a store that has no downside. By this I mean, they take your pieces and maybe they try to sell them (and maybe you will get paid, when they do sell)
All the expense is on the maker and the store profits only when something sell.
If you do choose to go the consignment route, my advice to you is to agree on a figure for each item you consign. Have the store agree and sign a form, listing your fee for each piece, should the item be damaged or stolen from their store, you still get paid.
You shouldn't be responsible for damages or theft.
I prefer to go the wholesale route. I don't have to check on my merchandise, nor do I have to worry if the store decides not to promote my items, but that's just me.
Good Luck and let us know how you do!
@skiptomylue (1)
• United States
11 Jun 09
I have been thinking of working with local gift shops and/or consignment shops but I too am not crazy about only collecting 50% since I paid for the materials and time to make the items.
I am curious to hear ideas about how people increase traffic to their Etsy site. I post in the community forums, I'm on Facebook and Twitter but still am seeing pretty low traffic. Any words of wisdom?
I am also interested in hearing about how people work with local gift shops.
Thank you!
DLue
www.skiptomylue.etsy.com
