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Trends are important to a creative business owner. Staying on top of trends helps us know what shoppers might be looking for and it helps us to hone in on who our core customer is. The problem is that trends come and go. And in this day and age, they come and go rather quickly. Plus, there are micro-trends, lasting trends, and then regional trends. It is overwhelming and it can be hard to know the top trends while working on the day to day parts of running a business.
Here are some of the top trends I’m seeing for winter this year. Many of these trends will shine during the holiday season and the beginning of the year. If you are looking for a few last minute items to add to your inventory for online or show sales, then check the list below!
- The word, “Brocante”: It’s a fancy French word that means “second-hand”. You will be seeing quite a bit of it. It’s a great way to give your vintage finds a bit of class. Such as “Jewelry created with Brocante elements”. Go ahead, give it a try.
- Jewelry: Incorporating bits of leather into your jewelry designs is a great way to be on trend this month. Aged leather is especially on trend. It has a gentle time-worn look that creates rich looking jewelry that is casual and elegant at the same time.
- Personalization: If there is any way you can personalize the goods you sell or sell items that allow people to personalize their own items, then you will be on trend this month. Stamped jewelry, embroidered items, stockings, plush dolls, etc.
- Bucket Bags: Whether you create them in leather, canvas, or brocante fabric, bucket bags are a hot trend this winter. Back packs, huge bags, and small delicate bags for fancy parties.
- Moons: Jewelry, wallpaper, artwork, and pillows. Quarter and whole moons seem to be everywhere right now!
- Enormous Knits: Those arm knitted projects are hot again. This year, there seems to be a little bit of a twist in that creators are actually using giant knitting needles. Work this trend into your work by creating pieces that are soft and nubby. Pieces that are reminiscent of knit wear and have the same cozy feel.
- All things winter holiday: No matter what holidays you might celebrate in November and December, keep your shop stocked and ready to go. Keep the last-minute shopper in mind and set yourself up to sell some of the things EVERYONE is looking for this time of year. Pine, branches, berries, candles and candle holders, stockings, greeting cards, garlands, decorative wreaths, and centerpieces.
- And last but not least a continuing trend is KITS: Create beading or jewelry kits with all of the beads and instructions, greeting card kits, or even a sew-it-yourself stocking kit. Look at your usual inventory in a different way and see if there is some way you can turn what you do into a kit. Everyone likes the IDEA of a handmade gift, but few actually have the time to pull it off. Help them out and have half of the work done ahead of time. You will be someone’s new hero.
Comment below and let us know, what’s your favorite trend this winter?
Vicki O'Dell
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I was considering adding kits to my greeting card business! When I read your advice, I made up my mind to do just that! Thanks for the info!