The Comfy Crafting Cafe Challenge

Sazzarella

Thanks Yeah I have set up a Facebook and added all my friends but not that many of them even liked me page I also tried the Etsy Search Ads which is $7 for a week and it only got me 1 view out of 7000 impressions Maybe craft fairs are the way forward.

rufusdog52

Sazzarella wrote: »

Thanks Yeah I have set up a Facebook and added all my friends but not that many of them even liked me page I also tried the Etsy Search Ads which is $7 for a week and it only got me 1 view out of 7000 impressions Maybe craft fairs are the way forward.

I have been doing craft fairs the last month or so. I had never done one before. Had to buy insurance (public liability) as the venues were asking for it. The first one no one turned up all day, was really bad, didnt have any customers at all. It was in an art gallery and only about 4 people came in all day and they were looking at the art not the stalls. Second one I made the stall money and tiny bit on top. Next was similar but made a little bit more. Did another last weekend and that went a bit better. Havent got any more lined up for a month but hoping the ones I have booked nearer Christmas will be better.

Sazzarella

Yeah my friend does some and shes frequently saying that not a lot of people turn up or when they do they try and haggle her prices down

sketchingkari

Your jewellery is so lovely sazzerella, I really hope it starts to sell for you soon.

The best way I have found is to link your etsy shop to a facebook page, then start networking like mad and get as many likes to your facebook page as you can.

There are a few pages on facebook which help you to network, one really good one is UK mums who make (or something like that) there are more, but its early and my brain is smushy lol, but you'll find alot from there. They do things such as like ladders to get lots of likers to your page, I made a fair few sales this way, but you also get to see how the other pages run, so it helps that way too.

My etsy page was a slow start too, but its really picking up now, I get lots of email orders, custom orders etc, it really helps to get that first sale and feedback. Also make sure you are making the most of the 'tags' bit on there, this will make sure you pop up on the searches as often as possible.

I havent plucked up the courage to do a craft fayre yet, I'm worried that people will only want inexpensive items and I am a push over, so would probably end up slashing prices and making a loss:o

Sazzarella

Thanks so much I do have a facebook page so ive pimped myself on uk mums who make. We need to compile a list of pages where we can post I also made a twitter account last night and tried to follow some similar pages in the hope they follow me back.

I know what you mean about the craft stalls, I dont think id make any profit either heh!

rufusdog52

I will look that page up as well sazzarella x

1940sGal

Hi folks

There's some great work on here! I wondered if someone could help me. I saw someone mention they had upgraded to s full size sewing machine after having used a mini one.

Can you tell me, would a mini one suit me for the basic stuff i'm wanting to try for now until i can afford a full size one? Or would you not recommend them at all? When i say basic i do mean basic, too. Nothing overly complicated until i know what i'm doing. Any help's much appreciated

sketchingkari

I cant comment on the mini ones, but I brought a very inexpensive basic one from Tesco for £69 using my tesco vouchers when they had the double coupon thingy on, so I got it for free :money:

It is brilliant, I had never used a machine before and didnt want to spend a lot of money, but over a year on, its sewn everything from cushions to jeans and is still going strong, I've had to clean it and pop a new needle in (which came with it) but other than that, no trouble at all.

To be honest, i'm not sure that I would upgrade it unless it broke, it does everything I need it to do without any hassle.:T

1940sGal

sketchingkari wrote: »

I cant comment on the mini ones, but I brought a very inexpensive basic one from Tesco for £69 using my tesco vouchers when they had the double coupon thingy on, so I got it for free :money:

It is brilliant, I had never used a machine before and didnt want to spend a lot of money, but over a year on, its sewn everything from cushions to jeans and is still going strong, I've had to clean it and pop a new needle in (which came with it) but other than that, no trouble at all.

To be honest, i'm not sure that I would upgrade it unless it broke, it does everything I need it to do without any hassle.:T

Hmm i do want a full size one but i suppose it will have to wait. I saw one in IKEA today for £60 so will just have to save my pennies

craftier

I've been wanting to teach craft classes for a long time, and have finally taken the plunge and booked a room in a community centre for three mornings in Nov/Dec. The classes will be 2 hours and making simple things like tree decs, sock cupcakes, facecloth swiss rolls etc.. All sort of "make & take" items.
I wondered if anyone did a class like this, and how much they paid.
I thought £5 per session (incl Tea & home made cake) or £4.50 per session (incl Tea & biscuit). The materials cost would be extra, depending on the items made each week, about £1 - £3 per week.

Are these the sort of prices people pay, and which would you prefer?