7 Ways to Sell Your Crafts After Craft Show Season

I don’t know about you but I don’t do many shows in the spring or summer months. I discovered a long time ago that my sales just weren’t worth all of the time and effort until Fall shows. But what do you do with left over inventory and how do you keep some income coming in once fall craft shows are over? Or in between craft shows for that matter?

Here are 7 Ways to Sell Your Crafts After Craft Show Season:

1. Third Party Sites – Ebay, Etsy, Artfire and several other sites are considered third party sites. You list your items, usually for a listing fee and a fee for each sale, all with the hope of reaching a global audience. The down side to many third party sites is that it seems that everyone is looking for a bargain so it might be harder to sell high ticket items. BUT if you have lots of smaller items left over after craft shows then third party sites just might be the ticket. Besides higher traffic, some third party sites offer seller benefits that you can’t get when you are selling on your own like webinars, tutorials and blogs devoted to helping you get better sales.
2. Your Self Hosted Web Store – If you have a large enough following and are willing to do the social marketing needed to keep items in an online store moving you might opt to sell items from your own website. The downside is a smaller market compared to the third party sites. The upside? You are in control of pricing and fees consist of web hosting fees that you are already paying.
3. Art Walks and Open Studio Events – Do you have an active arts community in your area? Chances are that if you do you can find Art Walk nights or open studio events where you can sell your art.
4. Commission Work – Now is the time to create art or products by request. Did someone from the last craft show ask for a scarf in blue or earrings with only sterling silver wires? Now is your chance to follow up and fill those requests.
5. Trunk Shows– Do you have a friend who seems to know EVERYONE? Maybe she/he will hold a trunk show for you. For the price of a glass of wine and a nice dessert you might be able to set up a mini gallery or display in your friends’ home and invite her/his friends over to mingle and buy. This is also a great way to get more commission work.
6. Retail Shops – Visit local shops and boutiques to see if they will carry your items. Don’t forget beauty salons and day spas.
7. Wholesale – Now may be the time to investigate wholesaling your items by attending a trade show. This option involves a lot of research and a willingness to mass produce your items but you never know, it may just be the right fit for you.

Even if you feel that you are not the most outgoing person, you need to explore other ways to sell your art or crafts. Being able to approach a shop or gallery isn’t easy but it’s a necessary part of keeping the income… in coming.

What do you think? What other ways of selling your art or crafts have I missed? I know you have some great ideas!

By: Vicki O’Dell , The Creative Goddess