Being absolutely enthralled with my rather recently acquired skills of knitting and crocheting, I'm thinking ahead to the day when I'll actually be able to get money for the things I make. :D

So I was wondering: do any of you ladies sell your finished products, either online or in person? How do you go about it? I'd be interested to hear from anyone who sells their things, not just my fellow yarn enthusiasts. :D

I sell things on a person-to-person basis. I make custom costumes, wedding gowns and miscellaneous garments and accessories. So far my clients have been word-of-mouth, friends of friends, etc.

I am going to launch a website this Spring for ready-made costume pieces and my own clothing designs and would also appreciate any and all advice on doing this! Hmmm, maybe I'll sell a knitted piece or two! ;)

So, Almare...what are you thinking of selling?

I sell....well, you know what. I did it first for a friend or two, then put up a website. www.bigstep.com will let you do it for free for.....six months? Something like that (that may have changed, don't quote me on that figure) but then they charge (this may also have changed) something like THIRTY BUCKS A MONTH and I said "Uh NO, I don't think so!" My friend used Frontpage to make my website for me and uploaded it to lowcostdomains.com and it was a cheap first year; she gave that to me as a gift. Then, the BILL came due again. They wanted $29 for the next year's worth of domain-name registration (typical fee) and $200 for a year of hosting. I then switched to www.tigertech.net and they are WONDERFUL. For only $4.95 a month, you get domain-name registration AND hosting. VERY cheap. And they also have a page where I can go and see how many hits I get on any given day, AND can see the words people type in to the search engines that bring me up. I see where they're talking about my product online (frugal mom boards and Christian parenting boards and cloth diapering boards.....and here!!) and it's really nice. They have a GREAT setup for you, really. And that's pretty cheap, $60 a year for everything. And their customer service is wonderful. I've written TWICE because I forgot how to do something elementary and they were cordial both times and helped me right out. I cannot say ENOUGH good about tigertech.net.

I also got my stuff listed in a cloth diapering directory (the owner actually contacted me about it) and that helped. If you can put your link at the bottom of posts (check with site administrators and ask; it's the polite thing to do) then that helps, too. Ebay also works for some, IF you can get a good enough price out of your item to pay for the listing charges. I haven't figured out why some items that are similar to mine but look WRINKLY seem to bring in the big bucks, but mine just sold for the minimum bid. ::shrugs:: I am boring, perhaps. Maybe I should tell a wild LJ story and that would liven things up a bit....... :rolleyes: ;)

That is what I have done, and it's worked well. First year is slow, then it picks up. I have plenty to keep me busy. In fact, I need to be sewing right now, so i should quit. Let me know if you need any more info; if you think there's anything LEFT in my head.......

Thanks for the suggestions! LJ, I will be in touch if I can ever find the time to make things, now that classes are starting back up.

Heidi, I was basically thinking of selling whatever I could make. :D I recently finished a tremendous (61" x 30") shawl, and I would like to make more to sell. And I can make dishcloths. Yippee. And I'm attempting to learn to make snoods (first one is in progress, wish me luck!). I would like to also get into throws/coverlets/blankets. So as of yet, I don't have a focused direction. I'm too busy experimenting. :D

After I finish five dishcloths, look for me on the swap boards! :D :D :D