Tips on selling a specific (expensive) item.

[MagickPatchworks]

Before I ask my question I would like to put out a disclaimer: I crochet for my Etsy as a hobby, and though I treat my Etsy like a business it is just a hobby. So I am not concerned about losing money and time by making a more expensive item that I know will probably never sell. I wanted to get that out of the way because a few people in this team have practically scolded me for the item I am about to talk about, because it is so expensive and it wasn't requested.

Now that is out of the way, I want to ask for some advice.

I have a more expensive item in my store that I call my "summer masterwork". It is primarily on my shop because I want it to be a display of my talent, what I am capable of, etc. However, I would love for it to get sold too. It needs a home that isn't my product storage.

The problem is, it is a twin sized blanket. If anyone wants a twin sized blanket they are going to go to target and buy one for $30, not go on Etsy and find a handmade one for $500 (yes that's the cost, and that is at paying myself less than 3 dollars an hour).

So though I said before I am fine with not selling it, I want to give this blanket its best chance to be purchased. Any tips?

This is the blanket:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/249407752/hand-crochet-large-phoenix-fleece-lined?ref=shop_home_active_...

[LeedsRadio]

"I am not concerned about losing money and time by making a more expensive item that I know will probably never sell.

"I have a more expensive item in my store...masterwork". It is primarily on my shop because I want it to be a display of my talent, what I am capable of, etc. However, I would love for it to get sold too."

Read together it sounds like a whole lot of "who shot John."

If you don't care about losing money, or about selling it, why not give it to a relative or even gift it to a charity that could auction it for a good cause? That way you could "display your talent" to a whole new group of appreciative people.

[HoneyThistle]

I think with a hefty price tag like that, you'll need to provide some high quality pictures. I don't know if it's my computer, but the first photo seems out of focus.

You can also consider selling the pattern for this blanket if you wrote it, and it'll probably be easier to sell those and make up your original investment in time and materials while you're waiting to sell the big original work.

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

You are very talented and I think it is worth every penny. You do need clearer pictures as it shows blurry to me as well. I think that will help a lot.

I love the idea of selling the pattern (if it is yours to sell) to make up the money and time put in. That way you are still showcasing your work too.

[MagickPatchworks]

Richard: What I mean by I am not concerned about losing money by making a more expensive item that I know will probably never sell, is unlike other people I don't make items only if they will sell. I want my items to sell, of course, but I don't mind an item sitting in my shop endlessly.
About your suggestion, which I really do love, I have considered giving it to a relative, and I had asked my relatives if they want it, but they all told me no, not because they didn't like it or didn't have a use, they all told me no because they know that my Etsy is essentially my college fund, and they want me to sell it for my college fund. That is why the blanket was made - for my college fund. If I don't sell it within a few years I will end up keeping it or giving it to a family member, but until then I need to keep trying to sell it for my education.

Wei and Ann - I agree. I need to take new photos of a lot of my items, including all of my blankets. I haven't had the ability to take nice ones because I am at school/away from where I normally take photographs. I do not have credit to the pattern. I found a cross stitch pattern of just the shape, and I colored it for this project, so though the coloring is all my work, the pattern is not mine so I cant sell it.

[LeedsRadio]

"Etsy is essentially my college fund"

Then it's about time you start treating your Etsy shop as a business. And start worrying very seriously about losing money. But a better tactic would be to stop doing Etsy and get a job. An Etsy shop that has enough revenue to pay for a college education is a FULL TIME job.

Things like this:
"I am at school/away from where I normally take photographs. "
Aren't going to work. Are you going to tell your customers "Sorry, I can't ship because I have finals"? You won't last long. When you're in business the things that make money take priority over those that cost money.

If you still insist on doing Etsy (or any other self-employed type venture) here's where you start. Stop being sloppy;
You have the word "guarantee" spelled as "guarentee" in your shop announcement!!
Your photos have white balance and focus problems.

It's always faster to do things right the first time than to do it once incorrectly and then later the right way.

Discussing how much you are paying yourself is crass. Go to any high/custom maker of anything from bicycles to jewellery to clothing to musical instruments. No one discusses that. And it's not relevant to the sale.

Ditto for cost of materials
Diane Arbus' "Twins" is printed on photo paper that probably cost her about $2 a sheet. If you want to buy one of her prints it will set you back around $100,000. Value is not in the price of material and so it is irrelevant.

I've said this dozens of times on this forum - when you want to know what to do, find a retailer or online seller who you admire. Study - absorb - emulate.

[Former_Member]

In my opinion if you want to sell something expensive, treat it like it's worth that. Get a professional to take great photos of it, detail shots as well as it on a bed in an expensive nursery. Look at other high end shops and see they type of photos they have. It's all in the presentation, good luck!

[Former_Member]

I agree with Kathryn. Presentation is very important and if you really want to sell this piece for $500 (which I think is very reasonable given the considerable amount of time and effort you put into it), then look into having some photos professionally taken. Present it like it really is worth $500 and someone will probably eventually buy it.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Yeah, if you want to show case your products, whether you want to see them or not, I would get the better pictures of this blanket. It looks like a beautiful blanket and looks like a lot of effort was put into it (I was actually talking about making blankets with coworkers the other day- I'm a knitter- and I told them I have absolutely no patience for that, so many kudos to you).

Also, if you want to be able to show off your works, also consider getting a instagram or something like that. That way you can show off all your stuff without worrying if your going to sell it or not (and not spend the $0.20 every 4 months on relisting it). Than when you really want to get serious about selling it, than you can really worry about getting better photos and relisting it on your Etsy at a price that you can actually pay yourself more than $3/hour.

[MagickPatchworks]

Thanks guys! I will for sure work on better photos.
Also, Nikki, I do have an Instagram and a facebook which I post regularly on.