Where to sell?

[npl]

Marty - thanks for the additional vote for Etsy - it's what I was leaning towards myself, but felt I needed to do due process by looking into other options, and asking if there were other sites I hadn't heard of.
As for what I do (hope it's OK to share - as a friendly conversation, as I wouldn't dream of trying to sell to you guys who could probably make what I do blindfolded!) I would love to make bags exclusively - tote bags of different types, handbags (pocketbooks), little girl's shoulder bags, and shoe bags with drawstrings (we have wet or snowy weather for at least half the year, so everyone carries extra shoes!). Unfortunately, those aren't selling, but people seem to love my embroidered kitchen towels and handtowels, and the flannel baby blanket sets are going fairly well, too. I think people I've met so far seem to prefer the easily recognizable gifts! Now that I'm learning Embird, I'm hoping to "sell" with personalized embroidery - names and designs combined for gifts.
So, that's what my inventory consists of right now. Maybe with other outlets for sales besides the couple of local community craft shows, I'll find a market for the bags, which I love the most. But, I'm open to refining my product lines to what sells - while I'd love this to remain a way to finance my hobby, realistically it would really help to make some profit!

Naomi

[MartySews2]

Naomi, with some many places going green, large tote bags should be in big demand for shopping trips. I would add coordinating baby bibs with the baby blankets. They are easy to do (about a 9 or 10 inch square). Just round the corners and scoop out a little in the middle for the neck. I've been making them for an ASG fundraiser. I use cottons and flannel and add bias tape trim around the neck. I also add a low loft batting and quilt (my only foray into quilting) the bibs. We're hoping to sell them for about $4 each as I'm using decorative stitches for the quilted look. Doing custom monogrammed towels and pillowcases also should sell well for bridal gifts. Good luck.
Marty

[Pudge99]

Naomi,

I list my stuff on Etsy but really unless you have tons of time to devote to promoting your online business it is really hard to sell on Etsy. There are so many sellers on there now that your newly listed items get burried quickly in the searches. Especially if you make something common like handbags. There are many sellers that are very successful on Etsy so it can be done. I am not saying this to discourage you from joining Etsy. I just want to let you know that it is a lot of work trying to sell your handmade items there. The average wait time for your first sale is roughly three months and that is if you list new items (or relist) daily. If you are sporadic with your listing and promotion then it could be even longer.

[Sew-Classic]

Yah, I know an old thread...

But, I did want to share that I have had some sucess selling stuff on eBay, although not items that I've sewn.

I recently posted an entry on my blog sharing my experience and what has worked well for me when it comes to eBay. Perhaps it might be helpful to somebody.

http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/27/sewclassic-on-ebay.aspx

[npl]

Thanks so much! I found your blog really interesting and useful.
I've gone hot and cold on the whole internet-sales idea. Right now, I'm not going for it. This should be a busier season for me, with holiday gifts, so I'm working on producing stock, refining techniques, and looking for craft-sales to participate in. I figure that I stand a better chance of attracting repeat customers and custom orders by meeting people face-to-face, and I discovered that I'm more productive with a deadline!
I may look into web-sales more in the slack period - dh is keen to work on designing a website for me!
Thanks gain,
Naomi

[MartySews2]

Naomi, it might be productive to have a good travel machine that you can set up and sew while minding the booth at the craft fair. I noticed at our ASG craft fair booth, more people seemed to stop by booths that had someone working with a sewing machine or doing custom embroidery on the spot. People seemed to get caught up in the project and bought items because they saw how they were made. Those booths seem to have more sales. I know that our chapter only paid an additional $5 to be near an electrical outlet. Good luck and let us know how you fared.
Marty

[Jo Ann]

I suggest selling on ebay. I have selling there for 10 years now and make really good money. I don't care for etsy, because I think doing a search for a certain item that a customer many be looking for is very confusing. I don't like etsy's search engine. Ebay is much easier for potienal customers to use.