Have you ever or would you put your craft products in a boutique?

No I never have The only thing that I have made and that is in the last 2 months, is my Cards and Calendars which are now on a Blog but I have never as such put things up for sale I do hope it all works out for you though Jill and you have better experience this time

What a nice compliment for this lady to want your crafts in her store. Think you are very wise to check out her store before making a commitment. I have not had my crafts in a store or boutique. I would have some concern with customers or potential customers walking off with the crafts. If you are paid upfront for what you are asking for the craft and the owner is completely responsible for your craft beyond that time, I would do it. Don't know what I would do if it was a consignment shop. There is just so much theft all over the place I'd be afraid of losing things. You might be able to work a deal and have her pay you the retail value of each craft, make a list and what she doesn't sell you could give her the money back. I would definitely do it this way so I'd be assured of either getting my money or the craft, in good shape, back. Don't know if a store owner would operate the process in this manner but it might be worth asking. It takes so much time to make crafts.

I do have a couple of stores in which the incense burners that I make are displayed. I have so far had no problems at all. I tell them what I need to earn at a minimum for each item and then they mark up the price somewhat so they get a profit for allowing me to display. One store pays me for the items on the spot which is great. It is not my concern what she does with them after that....they are now hers. Another store does mark them up but I only get paid when they sell.

Hi Jill! I had my crafts in many different locations years ago, but, I did have access to them as they were close at hand. These were rented booth space in Craft Malls or small Boutiques. I would go at least once a week to organize and re-arrange the items so they looked like new stock all the time. I did not count on anyone taking care of it, as no one seemed to care. All I can tell you is check her place out very carefully and see how things are displayed. It also depends on whether she is putting your stuff all over the store, or in one location in the store. I prefer one location so I don't have to go looking all over the place. Depends on what type of crafts you do and the size...and, are they breakable? I also worked for a large store who rented out over 150 booths to crafters so they could sell their goods. I was the Visual Merchandiser, which I completely loved, and would take excellent care of everyone's items in each booth. I was always organizing and fixing up their items to make them sell. I had full access to the store and would make the sweetest little displays all around and got complimented many times. Not too many of us around anymore that really do care. Good luck and I hope it works out for you!

What a wonderful opportunity! Keep a record of everything you give her, also write the price you want for each thing and don't let her sell for less. If she wants to put your things on sale, let her know that you want her to discuss it with you first then you will decide. You can pull your things out if you don't agree with her. If you and she make this agreement, at the start, then there will be no surprises later if things don't go as well as expected. Visit the store periodically to see how she displays your things, where they are and how she cares for them. Good luck.

Hi Jill! The only handcrafted items I've ever sold anywhere were jewelry. I'm a semi-retired hairdresser, and I sold some things at a salon where I worked. That worked out well because I was there all the time and taking care of my own things, and the salon owner didn't even want a percentage. Later on I did put some in a salon where my sister-in-law worked, and it was ok, but they did take a percentage. My niece rented a booth at a craft mall for awhile to sell her hand sewn items. That worked good for her, because she could go in any time they were open to rearrange things and make sure everything was ok. I think it's good that you're going to check everything out first. Good luck!

i would think that as a good breakthrough but as you said i would also look how the craft store is and how safe your crafts will be.

My mother and I rented a booth at one of those places some years back. The price we paid was a monthly fee, which was high so we shared the cost of one space and they took a percentage of all sales. We did sell some items but I don't think we ever made more than the rent from the in-store sales, or sometimes not even the rent. It was a fun experience but as for making money from it, we really didn't.

yes i have been told that i should be doing that but i have sold some stuff on etsy and at craft sales. i really just dont have time to do any more between work, the family and making crafts for christmas right now.

I have been in the same situation. I put my teddy bears in several stores and some took good care of the merchandise while others didn't really care about any merchandise but their own. Plus the consignment fees were outrageous! Some were only 10% while others were taking 50%. What got me out of the latter was when they requested that I bring in some really cheap bears, priced around $5! That would net me about $2.50 which wouldn't cover the cost of materials let alone provide me with a profit. I shut down soon after that, and am just starting to make bears again. You are right in going in to see what her boutique is like. It will give you a very good idea of what she is like and how she takes care of the merchandise. If everything checks out with her, it is a great way to make extra income through the holidays. I am starting to do craft shows again and am looking for shops to carry my bears, in the mean time I am working on a web site and listing on ETSY.

aS U KNOW I DON'T DO CRAFTS BUT I HAVE LET PEOPLE USE SOME OF MY ANTIQUES TO DISPLAY WHEN I HAD MY STORE.I would let her becauce this should be a good time before christmas for u but i would have everything understood & in writing before i did it. I would also want to know where they wrere going to be displayed & would want it to be in a hot spot that was very visual to the customer's. Raise your prices to cover her fee &IF U OFFER A DISCOUNT IF PEOPLE WANT TO HAGGLE THE PRICE & MOST OF THE TIME THEY DO. GOOD LUCK.

no iam not but my sister opened a boutique and her friend is doing so she put her craft products their for sell

Yes, I would take the chance as you did express your concerns to the owner of th Boutique. although yo9u have had bad experiences, I think that you should trust her with a few items and see what happens. O mean if she lives up to what she said. she is probably looking for unusual things to sell as gifts for Christmas. give her a few - and watch carefully! Blessings- I do hope that it works out well for you.

i have long browsed into that idea but i never had the chance to approach boutiques for the purpose. that is really my concern... the care of the items and keeping them safe all the time. i remember a friend told me that she too displayed her fashion jewelries in a lobby of the hotel. they just got dusty and nobody cared to display it nicely as to attract customers. what i did with my fashion jewelry items is sell them to officemates and i get paid for a period of one month (they pay twice every month). i didn't have to give commission to anyone and the care and safety of the items were assured. it was more of a hobby to me rather than a full swing money-making thing. this time is not a good time for these items ... another fashion hit the streets and the demand for the same has slackened.

I have had my Craft items in a Craft Boutique and consignment places before, and if the people are able to take good care of the items, then it definately gives you some Good needed exposure as well. The only thing is one of the last places I tried you paid $$ to lease a spot and then you kept it stocked, etc. from there. The only thing is no one came after you were not around to straighten it back up, etc. if it became disheveled looking. But I do wish you the Best if you decide to do this, and wishing you much success as well.

If I know the boutique owner very well, I might do that one day, but I prefer to sell the things I make directly. In our cold climate it is easy to sell winter hats and many of my friends have bought from me.. The problem now is that the computer takes too much time, so the knitting is just waiting and waiting.. I hope everything goes well for you. Please tell us how this project works..

When I put anything into a shop on consignment I tell them what I need to get for the item and they fix the price however they want after that. I check out the stores many times and try to befriend the owners before I approach them to sell an of my crafts. If they buy them outright that is good but in these times most store owners do not have the extra cash t but my crafts and will consign them at the stores. I do go to the stores to check out what is selling and what is not so that I can change the not selling with new items.There is one store that is moving to a new spot (actually closer for me) so I will be checking out how they did in moving my crafts with their other products (I have 7 dream catchers in their store).

I have had mixed experiences with consigning (I'm assuming that this will be your arrangement with the boutique)but for the most part, the results were positive. Since I use sterling silver chains for my jewelry, I have a built-in reason for showing up at the shops I consign in... I need to polish my chains and I think this keeps some shop owners on their toes when it comes to my merchandise I know that this isn't always possible for everyone, but if you make yourself to appear to be a proactive consignor, one that will stop in to see if the gallery would like to switch-out slow moving items, or stop in to show a new creations, etc you find that your items are well taken care of. I guess I'm quite lucky, because one of the galleries my jewelry is displayed in is the ultimate professional. She sends an email when several pieces sell, cuts a check on the 10th of each month, etc. She is an artist herself, so she understands and appreciates the business. I also have friends who have horror stories about consignments that went bad. My suggestion would be to visit her shop, take a look around and speak with her. Then go with your gut feeling...you never know, it may be just the type of arrangement both you and the boutique owner can profit from. Best of luck to you!

I'm not very crafty myself, but can I come to your boutique?

So, I'm curious - what kind of crafts do you do?? I'd love to see pictures! I love seeing other people's talent. The only craft I'm really into is card making. I'd love to make cards and sell them in a store of some kind - I just doubt it would ever happen! Plus, people aren't willing to pay for the work you put into things a lot of the time and then when you put it into a store like you said, they want a %. It's just really unfortunate. Good luck to you though!!!