Marketing arts and crafts
By 2004cqui
@2004cqui (2812)
United States
November 12, 2012 10:59am CST
I make beautiful gel candles.(even though I say so myself)I've given them to friends, family and other important people in our lives. I've been convinced I can sell them. I finally have enough product to take them to that level! Of course I plan on selling at art and craft shows but I also want to start consigning them at area gift shops. Hopefully there is someone here with craft marketing experience who can give me some tips and advice about this as I'm starting this afternoon. Thank you for taking the time to help me out!
2 people like this
8 responses
@yarnprty (56)
• United States
30 Dec 12
Another place you can open a shop for free is at storenvy.com. It's what I use and I love it! If you get a shop up and running, let me know and I'll check it out because I can always use more candles. I'm always buying them haha. I would love to be able to make them myself but it seems kind of hard to do. I make crochet dolls and stuff myself. :)
Good luck to you!
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
30 Dec 12
Wow! Thanks for that tip! My current website is in my profile. Now that the big holiday's are over I'm focusing on Valentine's and spring! The name of the website/online store is going to change in about two weeks though. The search engines are going to have to find it more easily. Please take a look! I will come back in here and let everyone know the name once it's chosen. My webmaster/designer has the holidays off. He's raising young children.
I used to crochet like a mad woman but it lost the "fun factor" after the kids grew up. I'm thinking about taking it up again when I talked to this woman who makes special mittens made out of just a square of material. Just make sure it fits around your wrist and fingers, You stitch it together to leave room for the thumb to be exposed. People buy these things! They are great to wear!
Good luck to you too!
@yarnprty (56)
• United States
2 Jan 13
Oh I love the gel candles! Makes me wish I wasn't broke haha. I'll keep your site in mind though if I ever have the money and want some gel candles.
And yeah, I make some of those arm warmer things, if it's what I'm thinking of! Right now I have a couple arm warmers in my shop without the thumb hole but I have made some with a thumb or just the thumb holes.
I should add my shop to my profile, but for now if you wanna check it out it's at http://yarnprty.storenvy.com
@mounis (70)
• India
23 Nov 12
Hey Best Of Luck!!! I really wanna see your website :) I also love all these craft stuffs. After creating your website pin your pictures to 'pintrest' there is so much demand of craft items you can create a craft page also. I love gel candels they are so beautiful i wish you lot of success in it. You may also contact some home decor dealers or some brans related to craft items you just have to combine with them. But for initiating this best option is online selling by that you can get idea of selling and choice of people. After creating your website you can promote it by creating a facebook page & pintrest. Good luck :)
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
23 Nov 12
Thank you for all of that great information! I've found a web designer and a photographer but I am still "an island". I have a vision, but can't do it alone. I am so glad I've reached out through mylot for help! It takes a village.
My web designers inspiration is what will get me though and him to a whole new level as well. I told him if it all works out he will be my web master. Exciting for both of us! I can't wait for the day I have headaches trying to figure out what to pay him in return for the great work he's done on my web site.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
12 Nov 12
candles are nice but what you need is a way to make your candles stand out. i recently heard of candles that have rings (that you wear on your fingers) in the wax, so you have to melt the candle to get the ring.
gimmicks like these seem to work well these days. also, i would take a trip to your local library and get some books out on marketing. these would definitely be a great addition to your knowledge.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
20 Nov 12
I wish you soooooo much luck! I used to sell my things in consignment stores but it was so much of a hassel because I had to keep stocking them. At one time I had my things in about six stores and the stores were spread out and I work full time, had to make the product and then try to check on inventory! So I really hope it works out for you. this is a good time of the year to get started.....hoping you do a great craft show! Right now in the month of Dec. our mall is renting spaces every weekend at a cut rate....if you want to know more pm me.
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
23 Nov 12
Thanks for that tip about consigning! I'm officially retired so I have time but how much time do I want to invest in travel and inventory? With gas prices and all it would probably not be in the plan, save one or two places. That's the decision I made from reading your post!
As it is I'm forcing myself to do anything but candles today. It's Black Friday and we went out for that (yuck, never again). Now I'll do dishes and then take a nap! Hurray for being my own boss! I love working for my boss;)
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Nov 12
There are a number of different places online that you can sell the crafts that you've created. I personally don't have any kind of experience with this, but I've heard from many people that this is something that is a decent money maker for them.
In addition to this, another thing that you can do that would help to increase your exposure is to donate some of your wares to charity fundraisers, they will typically allow you to include several business cards with donations.
Hope that these ideas might have been a help to you.
@nyssa102 (748)
• United States
27 Mar 13
Also, it's good to remember that Gel candle wax can be used for making of fake water in vases. Most of that fake water costs an arm and a leg. If you purchase fake water in those kits. But if you use the Gel candle wax, you can make really beautiful vases using gel wax as fake water, suspend pearls, etc. and it's really quite beautiful.
