U-handblog

How do you know if your craft is good enough to sell / give

Pic from Telegraph.  Want to start a business?  Have (more) faith and take the plunge!

You love craft, it makes you happy, it calms you down, you get excited at the prospect of sitting down to create.  The thing is, you now have a house chock-full of handmade goodness - yet you can't stop making and you have no desire to!!  Sounds kinda familiar doesn't it?  A popular solution (to cupboards bulging with your work) is to sell your work (which certainly helps with funding the ol' crafting habit!). But how do you know if folks will want buy your work, how do you know if it is good enough to sell - or indeed gift to a loved one?

In this blog post I'm going try to help you figure this question out for yourself. I won't talk about pricing  craft here because I have covered craft pricing in another post.   When I prepare to appraise one of my handmade items I usually do all of the following things: I get logical about the item, I think about what I want from the item and then I think about what others would like about the item.

Getting Logical (get some perspective!):

Take your item and try to be as unemotional about it as you can (tricky I know, but important!). Now look at it and try to be reasonable (and unemotional) in your appraisal of it (i.e don't be unreasonably critical of your work).  All crafters are their fiercest critics and they are typically way too hard on themselves (fact).  Yes, you must never sell shoddy goods, but really, is one or two slightly wonky stitches, or slightly wonky button, or slightly wonky pocket (and we are talking eights of an inch/a few mms) shoddy?  Answer: "No, don't be daft!"  Look at most any shop bought knitted or sewn item and you'll find any number of minimal faults such as these - yet they don't stop people from buying them do they?   To be frank, handmade items are often made with far more love and care than factory made items (but we already know that don't we).

Now you've gotten a bit of perspective about your item you can now more reasonably ask yourself a series of questions regarding 'overall quality', 'fit for purpose for you' and 'fit for purpose for others'.

'Overall quality' questions:

1. Does my item look nice on the table? - standing away from the item does the overall shape look: pleasing/symmetrical/finished to a good standard?
2. Does my item feel nice to the touch?
3. Does the item have enough body - (if appropriate) is it padded enough?
4. Is the stitching firm and even?

When you're happy with the overall quality of the item you can ask yourself 'does my item do what I intended it to'. Is your item fit for purpose?

1. Does the item function in the way that you had planned?  If not, does it function in another way that is just as pleasing?
2. Is the item the best size for the function you had in mind?
3. Do all of the moving parts (if appropriate) work well and can you see them lasting a good while?

After you've asked yourself the above questions you need to ask as many folks as you can about what they think about your item. Friends and family are easy to ask not least because they are easier to get hold of, but if they are in short supply (or are too busy) ask folks on craft internet forums. 

People, this is not the time to be shy, you need to ask as many folks as you possibly can because doing so will save you time and money.  Don't make the (beeeeg) mistake of making loads units of an item without first consulting any members of your audience - or you could find yourself having the nightmare of trying to shift a whole lot of umbrellas in the middle of a drought (if you get my meaning).

You have to make it clear to everyone that you speak to that you won't be offended if they don't love your item.  You need to get it into your head that there is no such thing as bad constructive feedback. Not everyone will love your work and that is totally normal, but do ask them what they don't like about it.  Almost all feedback is helpful (but do ignore the weirdos who have nothing nice to say because they want everyone else to have a crap day).  Here are some questions you should try asking others about your craft:

1. Do you like this item?
2. If yes why? If no why?
3. What is your fave feature of this item?
4. What is your least fave feature of this item?
5. Do you think it could be improved?
6. How could it be improved?
7. How much would you pay for this item?
8. Do you 'understand' this item?  Can folks see what the item is meant to do, or does it look the way you intended it to look - without you having to first explain it to them beforehand? Of course the less explaining you have to do the better!

Selling your work is at first scary and exhilaring (I remember that feeling very well and I still do get it). Before you set up your business you need to do a little preparation and a little homework before you take the plunge, but the very most important thing is to never ever ever ever everrrrrrrrrr be so scared that the fear stops you from at least trying.  Read this post on Feeling the 'Craft' fear, but doing it anyway.

Happy making and selling!

 

PDF Sewing Pattern - Sugar Loaf Pouches in 2 sizes

• Cute, boxy (and practical) shape.
• Easy to insert zip.
• You only need 2 fat quarters to make BOTH sizes.
• Perfect to make as pretty and useful presents.
• Clip them to your stroller, your keys, your handbag etc.

 

This pattern is not only pretty and pratical, it's great value too as you get 2 pouch sizes!  I hope you love 'em as much as I do.  Sugar Loaf Pouches in 2 sizes available as an instant PDF download. For more info on the pattern design please scroll all the way down...

 
 

**PURCHASE THE PATTERN HERE**

 

Sugar Loaf Pouches in 2 sizes - Pattern Information

 

Sewing Pattern includes 8 pages of clear step by step instructions with 18 helpful colour photos and full-sized pattern pieces for 2 sizes of pouch.

Small Pouch finished size =  5in (W) x 3 1/4in (D) x 2 6/8in (H). Perfect for compact cameras & gadgets.

Medium Pouch finished size = 6 1/2in (W) x 4 1/2in (D) x 3 1/3 (H). Perfect for cosmetics, notions & stationery etc.

Materials needed to make BOTH pouch sizes.

•    1 x fat quarter lining fabric 18in x 22in (46cm x 56cm) and matching thread.
•    1 x fat quarter exterior fabric 18in x 22in (46cm x 56cm) and matching thread.
•    1/2 yard Iron-on woven fusible interfacing
•    1/2 yard Iron-on fusible med weight fleece
•    2 x 1in (2 1/2cm) metal hook snaps.
•    2 x 12in (30 1/2cm) all purpose nylon zippers
•    Disappearing fabric marker

Recommended = a walking foot (it'll make things even quicker & easier!)

 

Here are more pics

Front view: cute loaft shaped pouch with zip tabs and handy (and secure) snap hook for useful clippy-ness!

The med size stores loads of war-paint/face slap cosmetics, or notions, or tools etc.

 

The sweet small size is perfect for storing a compact camera, or sat nav, or even essentials for a night out.

It also holds the iPhone with room to spare.

 

©2010 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes:
You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include factory manufacture for mass production and selling. We respectfully ask you to not pass off our pattern designs as your own creation and to not reproduce any part of this pattern anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)

 

 

...and the winner of Style Stitches is...

Boh-limey! Lots of entries for this this draw.  Very cool answers as well.  Your design wish lists would keep Amy busy for...well, the rest of her life!

 

Up for grabs was Amy Butler's Style Stitches book, her Sandlewood sewing pattern and Honeybun Poufs sewing pattern. 

 

And comment number 218 is....

Terry, who said:

"I would love just to meet Amy and pick her brain about her inspiration for her fabrics and designs! I love Amy!!"

Congrats Terry, will you please get in touch with me (my email is at top right corner of this blog) so we can arrange getting the good stuff sent to you.

.

Thanks for all of your entries everyone.  We all (Amy included) loved reading thru your ideas :)

Amy Butler Style Stitches Book Sneaky Peek & Give Away!

Yep, having friends in Crafty places does have it's benefits.  Before it went to print I was lucky enough to see PDF sneaky peeks of Amy's Style Stitches book.  Amy told me that she & David had so much fun styling the book - getting the look just right and creating the lush photography (David is not only the book's photographer, he is also the rock drummer for Black Owls - which is so cool it's sick!)  I think the fact that Amy & David were in charge of the art direction of Style Stitches makes it very special and personal.   It sure helps explain why it's so beautiful to look at!   Flicking through the pretty pages is pure inspiration & escapism, but at the same time you can see how joyful and fun Mr & Mrs Butler™ photo shoots must be to create and take part in! 

Fans of Amy's bag designs are in for a real treat.  There are delicious bags that are going to blow you away.  Whilst newbies will find achievable patterns inside to get to grips with, the more seasoned sewist will find designs in here that will have you rushing for your fabric stash - me included (I'll show you my fave 2 designs in a mo).  The designs are all very Amy-licious, but some of them are Amy encouraging you to have fun with new and exciting shapes.  The results will have you bursting with pride when you show off your baggy handiwork to your friends (and we all love that don't we!)

 

So the crafty treat I have in store for you is a whole bunch of dreamy Amy Butler goodness. Check this lot out!

Up for crafty grabs is a signed copy of Amy's new book; Style Stitches; the new & lush-ush Sandlewood Jacket pattern and new & cutie Honey Bun Poufs pattern. Yummy-yum yum!

 

Love this swingy, flippy Sandlewood Jacket.  I can make myself a shorter version so I don't clean floors with my clothing  :)

 

The Honeybun Poufs are just great for showing off your fave fabrics and putting your self/feet/tea & cake/children on.

A must for any die-hard fan is obtaining a signed copy.  I LOVE my own signed copy - thanks Amy! X

 

This is one of my fave designs.  It a kitchen sink of bag, but so so stylishy so.

 

I love that this craft book is just so pretty.  There's loads of lush photography to inspire you and give you ideas for different fabric and colour combos.

 

 

 

 

 

This is another fave design.  I saw it in the flesh at the Quilt Festival and it looks like something you could have picked up a chi-chi boutique!

 

 

At the back there are full-sized patterns on decent quality paper.

Find more sneaky peek book pics in my Facebook.

☜ Click to see my U-Handbag Facebook page.

 

 

Contest Details (please read carefully)

I will send a signed copy of Style Stitches and the 2 sewing patterns to 1 winner.  The draw is open to everyone.  If winners are overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Answering this just-for-fun question. 'If you could commission Amy to design anything in the whole wide world what would it be?'  I'll be showing Amy your answers so feel free to go wild with your ideas.  :)
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner in a weeks time: 13th Oct and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)