How to Sell Your Handmade Goods? Selling your handmade knits or crochet creations can be incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get to share your craft with others, but you might even earn a little extra money on the side. However, turning your hobby into a profitable venture isn’t as simple as it sounds. In this post, the first part of a series, I’ll walk you through some essential tips and considerations for selling your handmade items.

Selling Your Creations: A Dream or a Challenge?

Starting to sell your handmade items can feel like a dream come true, but it’s not without its challenges. Today, I’m sharing a peek into my selling strategy and the things you should be aware of before you dive into selling your handmade products. After all, everyone can sell something… right?

In this first part of the series, we’ll cover:

1. Understanding the Basics of Selling
2. Where to Sell Your Items
3. How to Price Your Creations

1. Can Anyone Sell?

Yes, anyone can sell, but there’s more to it than just putting your items out there. You need to decide where to sell—will it be at a local market, on an online marketplace, on your website, or a platform like Etsy? Each option has its pros and cons, and you might even want to try a combination of these. However, before you start, it’s crucial to understand the basics of selling. What do you need to know? What tools might be helpful? And have you read the fine print?

2. Platforms, Websites, and Pricing Wars

There are several platforms where you can sell your items. Some are free, like Vinted, but you might find yourself buried on page 120, far from potential buyers. Here’s a top 3 list of options to consider when starting to sell your creations:

• Your Website: If you’re thinking of setting up your online store, you might choose to create a website on a domain. This can be exciting, but it comes with costs, like hosting fees and domain registration. Keep in mind that if you realize after a few months that it’s not for you, you might still be stuck with these costs for the remainder of the year.
• Platforms like Etsy: Etsy is a popular choice for beginners, but it requires effort beyond just listing your products. You’ll need to promote your shop, engage with potential customers, and navigate a highly competitive marketplace. Alternatively, you could consider a smaller, niche platform like Handwerkmarkt, which is specifically targeted at Dutch and Belgian makers and buyers. Or platforms like Tedoo or Patreon.
• Tedooo, Vinted, Amazon, etc.: You can also try selling on platforms like Vinted for free. It might attract some customers, and you can always direct buyers to your other selling channels if they start to chat with you. Please keep in mind that some platforms will ask for a commission for the sold goods.

3. Pricing Your Creations

Setting a price for your handmade items can be tricky. You want to cover your material costs and pay yourself fairly for your time, but finding the right balance is key. Some sellers on platforms like Etsy might undercut others with very low prices, but this often results in lower-quality products and disappointed customers. Don’t let these low prices scare you—focus on the quality and uniqueness of your work.

Here’s a simple formula I use to price my items:

• Material Costs x 2 + Hours Worked x €2 per hour

For example, if your materials cost €6 and you spent 10 hours on the item, your price would be €32. This formula isn’t foolproof, but it’s a good starting point. Remember, it’s important to factor in all your time and effort, including the time spent on small breaks and interruptions.

Pro Tip: Always calculate material costs based on full skeins or balls of yarn, not just the portions you used. This way, you’re covered if the project ends up needing more material than you anticipated.

What’s Next on How to Sell Your Handmade Goods?

Start thinking about a name for your shop. Consider what you want to sell, the level of competition, and whether you want to sell within your country or internationally. Research where you want to host your store—on your domain or through a platform like Etsy.

If you have experience in marketing and website management, setting up your site might be a breeze. But if these areas are new to you, consider using a platform that handles the technical details for you. Create a mini business plan to organize your thoughts and see if this is something you want to pursue.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

In Part 2, I’ll dive into the legal side of selling, including terms and conditions, handling returns, shipping costs, and offering discounts.

Got questions? Feel free to ask in the comments! Good luck!