The HARSH truth about having a crochet business | market prep & vent sesh!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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I love my Munbyn! Also I definitely appreciate the rant, it's good to see all sides of a crochet business. I agree about the oversaturation of the plushie market, which is why I'm trying to have 75% of my table not be plushies. But I target a different demographic than you.
Also, you could offer to cut off the tag when someone buys a plushie!
Such a simple solution to my tag problem why didn’t I think of that😅 thank you for the comment and for watching!! Good luck with your future events!!💕
Kudos to you for sharing the realities and unpredictable outcomes that come with selling. Love all your stuff and sending positive energy that the markets start turning around for you 💞
I really appreciate this comment!! Thank you and thanks so much for watching!💕
I wish that organizers would give preference to repeat vendors. If you have done a show for years, you shouldn't be the one let go.
Agreed but also at the same time, give some others a chance too. I’ve been trying to get into a show that says they have too much crochet and I go and they have 1.
I kind of agree!! At least give a small time frame where only repeat vendors can apply and then open up to new vendors! Thanks for watching!
I think with any business you need diversification. The crocheters who are doing well have multiple streams of income, such as patterns, sponsorships, online courses, etc. I agree craft shows especially outdoor ones can be unpredictable and there are definitely more plushie crochet booths than before. You are smart not to quit your day job, as crocheting has always pretty much been a hobby for most as production is limited. However, I am seeing more and more who are adding other products to sell beside crochet, such as stickers, glasses, mugs, tshirts, etc. THey also have online stores, so maybe that might be something you want to look into. Good luck going forward and keep going we love you and your video journey!
Thank you so much for the thoughts!! I agree! Thank you for watching!💕
My first market last year, someone saw all my crochet items, and then decided that they were going to start crocheting, and immediately just started making items that they saw me selling, for super low prices. They were definitely not selling quality, this person had JUST started crocheting, and it showed in their work. And bc we were in the same rural community, I was being undercut at a bunch of markets, where people didn't want to pay for this person's work bc it didn't look great, and didn't want to pay for my work bc this new person had a foot tall cow being sold for $15, so why would they buy mine for $30? And it's a real kicker because there wasn't anyone doing any crochet and selling it like mine in the area, I was in one of the few last places to not be oversaturated.
I've since moved to a different province, and have started aiming for more fan conventions, and trying to make my work as original as possible, and staying 10,000 feet away from overly popular crochet designs because even people who aren't crochet booths are selling those items.
I’m so sorry that happened! I’ve been dealing with similar situations.. people in the area seeing my content, making the same stuff, and selling for cheaper at some of the same events I’m going to😅 it can be very frustrating. I’m happy you found a successful avenue!! I’ll have to figure something out smh. Thanks for watching!!
@@SquidIsFlying, I too am trying to crochet unique items so I have a bit of an advantage. So I have never made a leggy frog or a pop mushroom but you need small things so I will have to make something but will make the more complicated ones lol. My keychains have added bead chain thingies I make to have them stand out a bit more. I also sew, adding different items to give more options. I may be stuck with even more stuff😂😂.
I use clothing tags from amazon to hold my price tag. You can actually pull them apart and reuse them. Kids would have trouble and could still rip the plushie, but parents don't seem to have an issue and I offer to remove the tag while they are purchasing. I use amazon australia, but this is what they are called "clothing price tag bullet head swing tags labelling string lock ties twine".
I am also finding it more difficult in Australia selling amigurumi. Some events don't have a saturation policy and they are too many of the one stall. I try to stick with a company that won't allow more than 2 of the same stall type. Of course that means I don't always get approved, but all we can do is try right.
I am also in Australia and just started crotcheting for the grandkids and was thinking of doing markets. Maybe I wont but love doing it❤
They can be so fun!! Good luck!
Thank you so much for the tag suggestion!! I gotta check those out!! And thank you for watching! Best of luck with your future events!💕
These bulb pins are amazing. I use them as stitch markers. After the plastic ones constantly smapping and me being a klutz pulling out my yarn, they are now my preferred stitch markers. Also the cable tie trick is amazing. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it after your market. Maybe take some corners with you, just in case.
Loved the video and your thought on saturation of the market. I think it very much depends where you are. But i agree woth the others, diversifying is definitely the way to go. Or being unique in what you make. Maybe there is a niche within the niche, somehow.
Omg love the stitch marker idea! I definitely will be thinking about the niche thing😅 thanks so much for the kind words and for watching!!
I completely stopped doing events in the summer for it is just not worth it with the time and effort I put in to everything and then I wouldn't really make a positive profit, and hardly make my vendor fee. And I have been facing the opposite effect where organizers have no cut off and one event had about 8 (including myself) and the other one had 2 others.
I’ve been dealing with that too! It’s getting rough out here. And I might have to start doing the same when it comes to summer events. Setting up and sitting out in the heat is BRUTAL
I’m glad you are learning new ways to price and set up your plushies. I don’t think you are ranting and complaining. Good luck with your market!
Thank you so much for this comment! Thanks for watching!!💕
Hi! I DMed you on instagram yesterday. I love all of your content so much. Speaking of difficulty with markets, I am having a hard time finding markets in the Philly/South Jersey area and I have only worked one other market so far. I know you mentioned you keep a list of markets that you do well at. Is there any way you could share some markets that you've had great experiences at? :)
Hi!! Thank you so much for tuning in! I have a video on my channel about helpful ways to find events in your area!! Here’s the link!
th-cam.com/video/eRvF8gPxUgI/w-d-xo.html
I have never not had an event give priority to previous vendors. I assumed that was just standard practice, silly me. Have you considered niching? That's a good way to set yourself apart from other doing similar things. Lastly, if you make under a few 100k a year as a business you really learn to budget your money through out the year. It is always scary and feels like riding a roller coaster but it is doable. The majority of my income is made in Q4, that money stays in the bank and gets used sparingly through out the year. It's also essential to have multiple streams of income to help counter balance the lean times. But everyone has their own comfort levels with their finances, so I get it. They would have to drag me back to the "work force" kicking and screaming. XD Hang in there, you got this!
Thanks so much for this comment! Definitely try to save as much as possible as far as business income goes and the niche is something I’ll be thinking about. Thanks for watching!!💕
That vampire is awesome!!!!
About craft shows, I think crocheting is a fad, and eventually will die away quietly until the next resurgence. I wore crochet long vests in the 70’s and get the chuckles that the granny square clothes are back. Even made a sweater for my granddaughter😂. I applied for a craft fair I have been a vendor before and was rejected because they had enough crocheters already but told I am on top of list for this year. It’s probably just as difficult for the organizers too as they get a lot of grief from some. Hopefully you will get into some other fair and do even better!
Omg I’m sorry to hear that!! I definitely don’t envy being an event organizer. Here’s to hoping the fad dies down soon😅 Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching!!💕
I love your vids. Keep going hun. It’s good to show all aspects of the business. It must be so frustrating for you but you’re good at it so keep plugging away xx
I appreciate this comment!! Thanks so much and thank you for watching!💕
I have a tagging gun and I take scissors with to my market and I always ask if I can take the tag of for them. Those tags you have is definitely better and safer
Thank you for this!! I’m definitely going to start asking!💕
I wouldn’t worry too much about how they will get the plastic ties off of the amigurumi, when I worked at Walmart we used those and kids had no issues removing them😂 I feel like it’s a good thing there are new people selling their plushies but, at the same time , it could become over saturated. I’ve been crocheting for 10yrs and doing Ami for 2yrs, I just started my TH-cam channel two months ago but, I’ve noticed more and more crocheting channels as well as new sellers at markets. I’ve only done markets for 5yrs.
Thank you for this comment and for sharing! Best of luck with your TH-cam and future events!!💕
I was thinking of you today when I saw this set-up with sports nets as a side wall to peg things on at a market. I'll link the video but it is a long one but basically just wanted to show you how she set up the net wall and that it just folds up and is very lightweight. It's probably not what you're looking for right now but the concept is awesome and good info for future ideas
th-cam.com/video/9SaXsm8d5QE/w-d-xo.html
Omg thanks so much for thinking of me and sharing!!💕 will definitely check that out how cool!
yeah i felt everything. idk why they have to keep accepting so much or even lie about it. i got lied about it one day n shifted to making things for crocheters , not even 2 days later someone who followed me ( had to remove them from following ) they suddenly wanted to sell things for crocheters too. i found to be really picky with events n accept that with certain amount of vendors , it's okay that there is gonna be some of us but shouldn't be A LOT
I definitely never expect to be the ONLY crocheter at large events but I do believe there needs to be a cut off at some point😅 also I’m sorry that happened to you that would bother me too ugh
I instantly was like
✨ ooh new vlog area ✨ 😂
LOL my new ✨productive vlog area✨
Commenting to say I disagree
What are your thoughts?
I too am frustrated with the market being over saturated,,, I bought another embroidery machine and have started doing zipper bags and some other small embroidery things to help me make sales when there are so many crochet peeps at events
I love that idea!! Embroidery is so beautiful🥹 good luck with your future events and thank you for watching!!
@@MadebyMandaMal 😊
I have done markets with lots of crochet booths. Competition is great. Finding your talent will make you stand out.
I literally got denied a spot twice in the last couple months for the same reason, and it was shows that I’ve done regularly, so it was a little disheartening so I totally get it. I’ve had this thought for a while now, how it kinda honestly sucks that it’s become so popular, for this exact reason. Thanks for your honesty! ❤ that being said I do get excited for friends who get into crochet, so it’s not that I’m hating on new crocheters.. Js lol
I feel that!! Like I want to help and be friends with everyone but at the same time can I still have some events for me plz😅 sending the best of vibes for your future events!! Thank you for watching!💕
Like groovy
I’ve been seeing a lot of other crochet plushie TH-camrs have declining sales as well. I think we’re at a peak of crochet plushies because everyone and their mother are selling them. It used to be that you can make anything and it would sell so you could just make a bunch of whatever you felt like making. HOWEVER- now that there is more competition you need to research what people want and stick to making those things. And you need to make them really well. So quality and uniqueness is important now too. Just a change in the market. But the market will naturally begin to eliminate a lot of crocheters because what they make won’t be able to compete and people will give up crocheting. And that will leave the diehard crocheters who love it, make the best quality items and are able to keep up with trends.
I absolutely love talking to other crocheters at markets, especially when they are going out there trying to sell their creations! It's really inspiring to see what people make and to just socialize.
On the other hand, nearly every event I have gone to recently, someone says something like "wow, crochet plushies are everywhere", which is honestly a bit frustrating, especially when others are pricing significantly lower than your items, or there are a dozen crocheters at one event. It's a really hard mental battle to fight, and kind of disheartening to see the market saturation.
Thank you for sharing, hopefully your markets go well! ♥
Many crocheter have similar thoughts about the process of the amount of crocheters at the same event. I’m trying some higher priced vendor fees events and seeing if that helps with fewer repeat vendors. Hope it works. Love the Dracula!
I just had a event today and l didn’t do l terrible it was my 3rd market
I would say l made 100-200 dollars and the most l have made was $547 l do live in a small town though and go to small towns to sell
I fill the same way