Are Trends Important?

[Former_Member]

How many of you spend hours on google searching what's trendy at the moment to help with creating ideas?
I spend a fair amount of time google/Pinterest looking at what people are liking, sometimes it might be just what colors are hot right now.

Where do you go for inspiration/ideas???

[ValuableCr8tions]

I do the same thing Kylie, I look on etsy, pinterest and on facebook to see the trendy things. :)

[Former_Member]

Awesome! I always try and see what color combos people like!

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

I read the Etsy Finds newsletters to see what's trending on Etsy.

[Former_Member]

I look at Pinterest, wedding sites because that really dictates trends (Look at the royal wedding and lace lol) I look at theknot.com
I also just keep an eye on what people wear on tv shows/ decor on those shows!

[Former_Member]

Nope, not a trend watcher. I'm starting to design my own fabrics & won't be paying too much attention to trends. I march to the beat of my own drum...always have done, always will do.

[Former_Member]

That is awesome Dan, can't wait to see what you create!!!

[AttentionGetting]

I wrote two articles on trends in the last few weeks.

The most recent one was trends from last week's NY Fashion Week that will influence products in other areas such as home, wedding, etc.

I also wrote a blog post on Product Trends for 2013 based on my research.

Having one product on trend will help get publicity for your shop and upsell your other products.

We are not suppose to put links in here but you can get my blog url from my shop and profile page.

[Former_Member]

It's so important to see what is popular at any given time, especially with fashion driven shops! I'm not saying you can't be creative in your own ways and do your own thing, but you definitely need to keep up with the style-category that your shop is in.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for that GB I will pop over and have a read ;)

[Former_Member]

If I'm in a creative rut I look at what is trending for inspiration. Pinterest, and fashion blogs for me!

[Former_Member]

What type of fashion Blogs do you visit Ariana?

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I will never ever follow trends.
I am an independant designer and maker of unique products.
I set trends, I don't follow them.

[loopsnhoopsjewelry · Accepted solution]

I try to be aware of basic fashion trends and Pantone's color of the year. It isn't surprising to find out that these end up trending on etsy and social sites like pinterest and polyvore.

[Former_Member]

BeaG, I am the same, though it is nice to see what people want to buy and what they like in terms of colors etc.....

[TheNorthWayStudio]

Pinterest is a huge help with deciding on color schemes and patterns, with some inspiration sprinkled in there as well:) It's a wonderful resource!

[Former_Member]

I like to use Pinterest and the Etsy Finds to see what is popular. I don't really act on the trends as much as just soak it all in. You never know where your next biggest seller's inspiration might come from! It could as easily be lyrics to your Grandma's favorite song as it could be the 'hottest' color of the season. I like to keep all my options open.

[Former_Member]

Thats Awesome Advice Jennifer!!!! xoxoxox

[MountainGoth]

Just a warning on trends.

About a year and a half ago. Feather hair extensions were all the rage. People couldn't find them, keep them in stock, they were flying off the shelf at ridiculous prices. My hairdress, made alot of money for 4 or 5 months selling them.

Then just like someone had flipped a switch, the trend was over. I read so many threads in forums like....I have to pay my rent. What happened I've only sold two feathers this week.

If you want to go with "trendy" items, just remember, they all come to an end.

Don't over extend yourself building an inventory to trendy items or you might get caught with alot of merchandise and not much interest.

My hairdresser is still trying to get rid of her oversupply.

[lippybrand]

I agree with Suzanne.
Trends do come to an end. So don't overbuy supplies.
BUT-
I definitely follow trends and try to incorporate a little into my shop, and I think it helps people "find" me. Then they may end up buying something else. If I start seeing something TOO much, like everywhere on etsy, it makes me want to get rid of it in my shop.

[Former_Member]

That advice is spot on!!! Though I dont think its very good to invest a lot of money!!!!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Of course it depends on the kinds of products you sell.
With clothes you more or less have to follow fashion.
But still: successful fashion designers create their own trends. People don't buy their clothes because they are like every other designer's. They buy them because they are unique.

I have designed about a dozen products that did not exist before I made them. So, there was no market yet, I created it. And there were no trends yet, I created those too.
- Before I designed them, no lip balm addict realized they could not do without one or more crochet keychain lip balm holders.
And before they saw the colour combinations I offered, they did not realize they like a holder in those colours.
- Before I designed crochet inhaler holders, no asthma inhaler user realized they needed one.
- Before Marc and I introduced keyboard cuff links (made from lap top keys) there was no recycled computer keys jewelry and nobody knew they where going to make the perfect gift for their partner.

This is what I mean when I talk about setting trends. Not picking a colour for a dress for a certain season, but creating a new market.

[Former_Member]

No, I don't follow trends. Trends come and go, I like making items that will last more than a few months.

[TerraRhapsody]

I don't necessarily look at trends and get inspiration from them, although I do look at wanelo a lot. Most of the time I'm left wondering how something so gross can have become popular!
I can't say I get much in the way of ideas of inspiration from trending websites. While sometimes I think I should do that to be able to make more money, I began making jewellery because the 'trendy' stuff in the shops just looked awful to me, so I make sure that all my creations look good to me. Pehaps I should look around for more things I like on trending websites!
A lot of my inspiration comes from nature and things that interest me. I began making little orchid terrarium pendants because I love orchids and I have 4 of them in bloom almost all year round on my bathroom windowsill! Sometimes I get inspiration by playing around with my craft items and just seeing what looks good together

[Former_Member]

i don´t really follow trends. i try and arrange the colours according to season a little but that is quite it. right now i´m working on a new type of items and i have yet to look if people like them and buy them. future will show. maybe it will be a trend...