What crafts to make and how to sell? advice please?

DaddyWhitts

Hi, I want to make things and sell them on the Internet. I was thinking of selling them on either (eBay/eBay store/etsy/own website).

I would appreciate your honest opinion or experience please.

I wanted to make one of the following:

(all homemade)

•Candles (soywax/gel)

•decerative/unusual candle holders

•bottled sauces (olive oil with herbs/condiments)

•homemade skin care (lip balm/lotion/shampoo/conditioner)

Any other ideas or do you think any of the above will sell well?

Thanks in advance.

Jacey53

One idea would be to go round the Craft Fairs and see what sells. Ask the exhibitors - they love to talk

redned_2

agree, look round, also this site should prove quite useful http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/ also consider selling at farmers markets/school/christmas fairs hth

soolin

Also if you are selling online chekc out the competition. Conpleted listings on ebay would be a good place to start.

remember though when you see the end price you have to work it back to account for all the paypal and ebay fees plus tax and NI.

Lady_Python

I would say candles and candle holders could be a good seller.

I would be a bit wary of the sauces though as you may come up against it with Environmental Health (HS&E too).

Definitely candles as just about everyone likes a nice candle.

One of my friends does a lot of craftwork. She goes round the various fairs. She makes just about everything and she makes the most beautiful greetings cards.

This year she's found people look but don't buy - even though her cards are cheaper than the expensive tat you get in the shops.

Don't know if it's the economic climate or what.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do and let us know how you get on.

devon_guy

I currently go to craft fairs selling soap, body butter etc and have found it's not really worth the hassle, people just aren't buying it, they prefer the mass produced chemical stuff that they are used to.

Elixiress

Candles sell well, especially niche market ones like "vegan" candles, and I think candle holders would come as a close second ... gift sets might be a good idea.

People might be a little dubious of bottled sauces, since people want a guarantee that nothing funny is going into their food. But if you sold them in the right places then you might make a little.

However, I doubt you will make much from homemade skincare products. People generally make skincare products at home to save money, buying it from you won't be saving them money.

Caroline73_2

Whatever you make, you need product liabablity insurance and if you did craft fairs you'd also need public liability insurance, this is on top of the other fees and taxes Soolin mentioned.

Check out websites like folksy, etsy and misi for handmade items as these are aimed specifically at crafts.

PasturesNew

Caroline73 wrote: »

Whatever you make, you need product liabablity insurance and if you did craft fairs you'd also need public liability insurance, this is on top of the other fees and taxes Soolin mentioned.

Also, you'll need detailed ingredients listings and materials sheets for anything of the skincare/bath variety - you'd need to have the ability to track back a single bar of soap, say, to every ingredient and source that you made that one bar from, months ago.

For food, your kitchen needs to be approved.

Your list is a big list of things which need formal approval/setting up.