Do you create and sell one item or multiple items?

[Former_Member]

My shop is new and my photos need work. I'm getting bored with the cowls and don't care much for the hairbows...I'm going to take them out after I list a few more items. I'm itching to try oversize bags, pillows, and I'm currently working on fingerless gloves. Since I'm so new I don't know what will and won't sell, but I thought it couldn't hurt to let my creative juices flow and try several other designs.

Soooo...do you stick with one or two items, or are you more eclectic with your style/design. I love putting pieces and colors together that don't look like they should go together. And I love working with color.

[AphenaJewelry]

In my crochet shop I intended cowls, fingerless gloves, scarves, beach wraps, baskets, coffee cozies - well, anything I can crochet.

However, I was selling crochet in this shop (and another I closed when I created CrochetSewEtc) and a trend of its own evolved for me - turns out certain items are moving, requested for custom orders and I have received high praise soooo...think I will be focusing on three products.

When I get bored I may veer off to some other items to mix it up but I can do a lot of variations with what I'm choosing to stick with so don't know that I can get bored. :-)

Basically, follow your muse and if your customers or products pick a specific direction for you, so to speak, consider following it if it works for you.

ETA - three product lines - many variations. Not three products.

[Former_Member]

I like your cowls, they look so cozy! I think most shops try to diversify their selection as much as possible, you want to appeal to as many shoppers as you can while retaining your personal style. Someone may not be shopping for a cowl, but wants a pair of leg warmers for their daughter's ballet class. You might want to start by creating accessories that coordinate with the cowls and hats you already have in your shop. If someone was to purchase a hat from you, they may also buy a coordinating pair of mittens or fingerless gloves. You can add links to the coordinating listings in the item description to show people the matching items.

As for what people are buying, it doesn't hurt to check out the sales of a few of the other shops in your category to see what they've been selling. I've noticed many shops selling fingerless gloves and boot cuffs this fall/winter.

[Former_Member]

Hey Darcel,
I'm new too, and our shops are only one day apart in age. My advice, don't take things out that you've already made. Who knows when someone might want it? But do try to fill your shop with as many things as you feel inspired and happy making. Try to get the number of items in your shop up towards 100. (I am working on this too.) The more listings you have, the more doors to your shop for people to find you. Best of luck. :)

[Former_Member]

Cheri, I like both of your shops. Love your crochet bowls and bags. I'm having trouble turning what I imagine into the actual product. I sketch it, start the project and get irritated after so many tries. Maybe I'm trying too hard.

Barbara, thank you! I do need to add coordinating accessories...maybe I'll start there and give it a rest on creating something new for a few more days. I do want to try boot cuffs, they're so cute! I love love love how you have your shop color coordinated. It's very eye catching.

Christine, I am impressed that you have such a full shop. I'm trying to fill mine and it's taking longer than i thought. Hopefully working on some smaller quick knit pieces will help with that.

[AphenaJewelry]

Thank you Darcel. I like your shop as well. Very pretty work and I particularly like the rainbow colors!

And the bowls/bags are one of my "staple" lines I'll be working on. They have been a real hit for me. The cozies will be another because I can crank them out fairly quickly and enjoy a finished product/stock my store more quickly.

Maybe a couple of smaller projects will overcome the frustration level with your new projects and give you a breather so you can take a fresh approach. I know there are times it can take me weeks to bring an idea to fruition - even if it is something I've made before and am just putting a new twist on. I put it down for a bit, complete a couple of other things and then go back. Seems to help. Best wishes with it!

[RainnRoseArt]

I like all your shops!

I make jewelry and I sell supplies that I have had for ages or left over from something I made. I hope to have bath and body items made in a few weeks( waiting on the supplies to come in)

[Former_Member]

I go crazy with adding in whatever I want to my store. Haha, I think it turns out okay - I have quite a strong style direction so they go together alright, I just make sure to rearrange them on the page so I don't get clumping. I figure I'm marketing to a particular person who would wear this (my jewellery) and have this on their desk (my paperweights) and perhaps give an art item to a friend for their birthday (my prints perhaps)

I figure you've got to be in to win, plus i've sold items that have been sitting there for over six months and i've considered removing. As long as the items continue to get views and faves it's bringing more people into your store, both to see your old products and to check out these new products you've added! The only time I would remove products now is after their lease expired or if theyre not bringing in anyone at all.

[xoxocrocheted]

List a variety of items! Figure out what people want, then expand on that. Try slippers, bags, hats, baby items, pet items, home decor, stuffed animals, try it all! List everything and see what works best for your sales! Then tweak your store until you've figured out your sweet spot :) Good luck!!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I appreciate the feedback. Excited to get started on a variety of items and fill my shop.

[Former_Member]

Right now I have only three types of items listed but I have more things in the works. I'm also thinking about having a limited edition section where I sell things that were fun to make once but not something I'd want to do all the time. I get bored easily so I need some variety. I'm also constantly developing different styles within a product line, so that helps me stay interested too.

[ChantelandMe]

Darcel, GO FOR IT!!! Unless this needs to be your primary income have fun with what you do. Not that you can't have fun if it is your primary income, but I feel that a few exceptions may need to be made there. When you get bored of something try a new design and come back to the first item later once you've had a little break. Fill your shop with what makes you happy when you look at it and what brings you joy to make.

You have some great items (I favorited several)!!!!

[ChantelandMe]

That sounded all touchy-feely........anyway, have fun!

[Former_Member]

Nothing wrong with touchy-feely in regards to what makes us happy in our creating! :-)

[CCreativeVisions]

I am all over the place. My creativity stems from what I see and believe I can create.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I sell a variety of items but they're all made of paper. I keep a running list of ideas for future projects. My tags seem to be the most popular items (and least favorite for me because they require zero creativity!) but I keep plugging away at the other things I love to do.

[xoxocrocheted]

Check out these crochet patterns here for inspiration: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jaysboutiquedesigns

[Former_Member]

Jay you stink!!! Working on variations of my baskets and cozies - do NOT need any more temptation. :-)

[Former_Member]

I've been writing down ideas and supplies needed off and on all day. Now my problem is deciding where to start! Laura, there was nothing wrong with your post. I found it encouraging, so thanks for that.

[Former_Member]

I've been writing down ideas and supplies needed off and on all day. Now my problem is deciding where to start! Laura, there was nothing wrong with your post. I found it encouraging, so thanks for that.

[rhodyart]

I look at it this way--people have different budgets. They may not be able to afford one of my larger collages but they might want to buy a little one. Or they might want to get a collage card. Or a magnet. In other words, I think it's good to have a variety of price points so that you can attract customers interested in your type of product or your craft from a variety of income levels. Once I get myself in gear again, I'll be adding pieces of a much higher price point to hopefully attract people with more money.
This is something that I learned from doing shows. Every little bit helps, I think.