do you sell pot holders that you make?
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 3,885
Pot holders in your suggested price range would never sell in my area either. Unless your crafts are something completely different and unique, they just don't sell anymore. I've been in the craft business for over 30 years, and this will be my last year of selling on E-Bay and craft shows. The money just isn't there anymore. Best to give the potholders away for presents. Sorry!
#24
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 3,273
I sell them for $5 each, or two for $9 at craft fairs. Mine have two layers of Insul-bright and four layers of cotton quilting fabric. I get the Insul-bright for 40% off at Hobby Lobby (they often have a 40% off coupon on their website).
At craft fairs, I have a display showing the construction (with samples of the Insul-bright), and a sign telling why they're better than typical potholders.
They have to be really pretty in order to sell at these prices, though.
At craft fairs, I have a display showing the construction (with samples of the Insul-bright), and a sign telling why they're better than typical potholders.
They have to be really pretty in order to sell at these prices, though.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
I agree about price being too high ..... Instead of making pot holders. Make crazy quilt squares or crumb squares....and create a table topper or runner from those......more time and work involved but different and "artsy" and those would be more eye catching and maybe more sellable...I am just thinking a bit out of the box........
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 116
Unfortunately most people do not see the value and time of "home-made" items. Unless you need the money - maybe another idea would be to sell them and state that you are donating the money to a charitable group.. that way people feel they are donating AND getting something for their donation.
I did a craft sale in our town a few years ago - we had 36 vendors and all ended up buying from eachother.
I did a craft sale in our town a few years ago - we had 36 vendors and all ended up buying from eachother.
#27
I just looked on Etsy for you and this was the first picture that I saw... https://www.etsy.com/listing/1011290...w_type=gallery
You might want to look around and see what others sell theirs for...but Etsy has 100's of sellers...it works, but slow selling. Quilters sell on there all the time!
You might want to look around and see what others sell theirs for...but Etsy has 100's of sellers...it works, but slow selling. Quilters sell on there all the time!
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sun City, AZ
Posts: 400
I went to a local craft fair in March. One lady had a nice assortment of quilted pot holders that were priced at $8. She paired some of the pot holders with kitchen towels that she purchased at the dollar store and sold them as a set for $15. She told me she sold more of the sets (and more quickly) than the individual pot holders. I thought it was very smart of her to do that. The paired sets were themed...Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
#29
I find it very difficult to price items as we all know that people who do not do our craft do not realize what the cost & time goes into making an item. I, too, have a large amount of scraps that I am planning on making mug rugs, etc. to sell. Since these are scraps & the the fabric has already served it's main purpose ... fabric and batting ... I will price them very reasonably. My goal is to reduce my scraps, so whatever I get for the items, to me, is found money. And yes, I realize it takes time, but I'm doing what I love, so I'm not considering "time". It gives me "mental health". It's not my livelihood. If it was, it would be a different story. I wish you the best in your endeavor ... much success!
#30
We make pot holders/hot pads that are finished at 10" square and have no trouble selling them for $10.00/pair at large well attended craft shows. However, they are pretty unique. We use theme fabric on them, for example hens on one side and fried chicken wings on the reverse. Or pigs on one side and bacon on the reverse so they really start conversations. We also promote that we use Insulbright in them and that they are large enough to use on your table to set hot dishes on. We've found that success at any craft show requires several things: 1. A good quality show (we avoid shows with a flea market feel), 2. an interesting display, 3. marketing your items during the show and 4. appearing interested in the shoppers but not pushy.
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