I'm so glad you mentioned community health! That's something that very often gets forgotten especially by people just starting out, thank you! Definitely subbing!

A few years later, this info is still completely relevant. Very good tips for those of us just starting out. You are also a pleasure to watch and listen to :) Thank you

This is a question/dilemma I come across very often - for myself and from other people. It's not easy to get the balance right, getting a fair price for our work but also a price people are willing to pay. And as you said, there are so many factors involved. Thanks for doing this video.

I really felt you on when you said about some sellers who undercut the price of items because they don't use it as a bussiness. I have no problem if people have it as a hobby, but it really affects me as someone who sells handmade jewelry when I sell jewelry and they use cheap materials and price it for half as mine, but its overall selling for more and my quality is higher as I do pay for those prices itself (or they don't put money into their packaging, bagging, extras, ink other matieral). It's just frustrating and I am glad you metioned it.

You are very smart, and have great ideas. So refreshing to hear person like what they do. I'm handicapped and no longer able to work.. Can't wait to find all your videos. God bless

I would love tips on photographing and on displaying at craft fairs. Thanks so much! This was really helpful. One thing you made me think of was if I can't sell what I make and make money off it then maybe I should try something else. I don't want to put all that work into the items and have to sell them at a cost less than it cost me to make it. Thanks again! Blessings, Neesie

Thank you so much for approaching a "delicate" subject without going way over to the dark side. You brought up some sobering issues in a truthful manner and everyone heading into craft shows can expect reality to happen!

Thanks, Melanie! This info is very helpful indeed. I hadn't considered that the cost of materials plus labor would be wholesale and not retail. I'm so glad I watched this video (twice) to get that drilled into my head.

Melanie I always REALLY appreciate your videos! Thank you so much for this! Price points have been something I've really struggled with!

those were such amazing tips. I've opened my own shop not long ago and it would have been so very helpful to watch this. The last few items I researched finally to be able to market myself better, and it changed everything. It's much more important than I imagined. Thank you so much for making this video!

Thank you so much for this helpful video!!! I'm trying to open an online shop with crocheted items and pricing them was my biggest concern. I've had issues with some customers in my town in Italy 'cause they were like "I know the yarn you used costs X why are you charging me Y?" They were making me feel 'greedy' for rightfully charging the time I actually spent making the item for them. So thank you for your help, I needed it :D

I crochet and have gotten fairly proficient with working stitches faster etc.. but one outfit can take me 10 hours or so... Baby outfits that are not very big. My problem is, the time put in, then you really can't pay yourself $15. An hour. I love making crocheted items, but feels a bit defeating when so much time is put into it and you make $ 25. To $30. On an item that took 8 to 12 hrs to make...

Thank you Melanie!~ This was a great and super informative video. I have an at home monogramming business, work occasionally at a sewing shop, and naturally am getting more and more requests for alterations, etc and I never knew how to charge for that at all! So this really helped guide me!

SO helpful. This is an overwhelming process for sure. Would love a series with advice on other steps of the process! A question I have: how specific do your products need to be for an etsy shop or booth? Can you have things ranging from zippered pouches to felt children's toys or should you choose one type of item to focus on?

Thank you so very much for sharing! My husband does my pricing and I'm ALWAYS saying it's too much, but he does EXACTLY what you said to do and he is right on target. Guess I need to apologize to him. lol. Again, thank you for your help! I'm subscribing to your channel as soon as I finish this post!

my brother and I are wanting to do our first craft show so i've been doing research and i've been trying to think of how to price my items. I loved your tip to check Etsy and stuff to see what other people charge for similar products it helped me settle on a price!

This was very interesting as someone starting out down the route of becoming self employed. Lots of things to think about

Dear Melanie,this is incredible how timely this video is! I'm just on my way of having a small business started,so this is very-very on time information :) thanks a lot!

Yes Melanie please continue to share. I started my sewing business over a yr. and interested in the how to 's in selling. Keep it coming...love your informative videos

Love to finally see a quality looking video with great information! I would love to see more videos on tips for small business crafters!

This video is very informative. I only recently found you on you tube. I have watched other videos of items you made, and you explain everything so good that anyone can know what to do. I would also like to compliment you on how well you speak which makes understanding much better. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Your videos are helping me tremendously!

Your information is very helpful! Yes, please, continue to make these types of entries.

Some good points. The comparison of similar products is a good suggestion, as well cost plus pricing. I would also suggest trying out various prices for your product over different craft sales and see how it sells. I am an Etsy seller and I have done over a dozen craft sales over the last few years. Find the sweet spot: At one show I priced my product at $35 and sold appr $900 worth at one Christmas weekend fair, the following year I dropped it to $30 and sold $1500 worth. Sometimes it helps to put myself in the customers place and think, would I buy this for if I was shopping for my kids. (Obviously people will spend different amounts based on their income etc but it does help). Price Range at a fair: Probably the most important thing I've learned is that there is a typical price range of products at a craft fair say from $5 - $30. I would guess that the average price being around $20-$25 (which I think is similar to the Etsy average) Shoppers have a rough budget in mind and number of people they are shopping for - so they are likely to buy a number of $25 items than say $65 or $100 items. One seller I talked to, made beautiful animal stuffies but at $65 they were not selling at all. While her pricing was understandable for the amount of work and quality, etc. people are used to paying a lot less for mass produced stuffies. The same thing with someone selling prints in the $100-250 range. Also good to keep in mind is that in addition to your table costs your time selling at the craft fair should be in your pricing. Usually it is a full day or two or solid work with little breaks. The one thing I have realized is that the organizers definitely make their money by pre-selling the tables, or charging an entry fee. So I am choosy about craft fairs - usually I avoid expensive table costs (over $200) and if they charge too high an entry fee. Also want to make sure there will be a decent crowd, at least a couple thousand attendees. The location of the craft fair, if you are in higher income part of town, the buyers are likely to spend more.

This was super helpful! I would love to know more about how to go about buying materials at wholesale prices (I do crochet, beading, and several fabric based items) but had assumed you needed to be a bigger business to be able to access that kind of thing. Is this not the case? and what store(s) do you go to to find wholesale pricing? Thanks for any tips in that area. I would also love to see, as others have mentioned, more about photographing craft items for sale! I hope you are having a great weekend! 😆

Are any of you stumped on how to price your items? Hopefully this will help! New tutorial coming this week!

Thank you Melanie for the great advice and hints. Also I love your channel and tutorials!!!!

Super helpful. Thanks for explaining why we need to double for retail! I’ve never actually heard anyone explain the reason for doing this.

Some excellent information here Melanie. Have always wanted to start an Easy shop but have always been confused about how much to charge so this helped me out so much.

Yes, very helpful! Thanks so much for covering this!

This video was great! Thank you Melanie! I'm always struggling with pricing of my crocheted goods. I would love to see a video on photographing and the best way to list products! Thanks again :)

Thank you for the video. I agree with your break down. Below are a lot of comments and I see myself in several. I make Backpacks. By the time I finish I make $10 for something that takes 6 hours(I'm a very slow sewer). I sew to relax. In my area people want a $60 bag for $20. I stop making them. Now I make it so unique that they want it for the price I set. Thank you again. Hopefully this year I can use your formula in my first craft festival.

Melanie thank you for breaking down this information and I had it down to a science and am sooooo happy that you clarified it for me even more. You are a saint because I was very skeptical on how I was going to price my items fairly. I send blessings and pray for your continued success! Blessings!

Awesome video! One topic I'd be very interested in learning more about is when & where can I find clearance fabrics & bag supplies. But this video is very well done and I just discovered your blog & love it too!!

Absolutely great video and info!!!! Thank you!

So helpful, thanks!! I struggle with my Etsy store pricing because knitting takes so.... much... time!! My items are the most expensive of its kind listed, and I'm only "paying" myself $4/hr.

Great video! I'd encourage those future videos you commented on. Photographing and creating a listing that contains necessary info without being verbose! Personally, I price my items according to what the market will bear. I create fold formed metal jewelry. Higher prices reflect my time, imagination, and buyer's perceived value. The only time I use The Formula is if I'm using AAA grade gemstones in my final product.

Great advice & this video was perfectly timed!

You're a doll! Thanks for all the tips on selling your own projects. I have so many ideas swirling now. Start out low and increase as your sell more and grow. Learn as you go but do your research.. Love :)

Thank you so much for this!! I need to change the way I price my cakes and Petit Fours and I think this method would really help!!

thank you, this was very helpful. Pricing is definitely one of my weak points. I tend to price on the low side with my photography. I guess part of that is that I'm really sensitive about overcharging people. Thanks again

Very useful I have just booked my first craft show for December so I'm hungry for as much information as possible. Thank you

I would love to see more videos like this! How to photograph products, ect I want to try selling seeing crafts in the future.

Thanks, very helpful tips!

Thanks for sharing!!!! Very helpful...☺️

Still using the pouches example ....How much product inventory do you plan when you first open a online store ? Do you make 5 or 50 ? What are the Don'ts in creating a store? What can you do to stand out or to just be seen ?

Thanks for the video, it was very informative. Keep up the good work.

Thank you so very much for sharing your useful info.

This was really helpful I do a variety of different items and when I retire am very interested in creating a website too sell my items. Lots of information nd my friends and others are always encouraging me to sell items. Getting organized and keeping track of time and expense right now is a challenge because I work a full time job. Any inns on organization item costs and time spent. I am terrible about keeping receipts and documenting what I am doing.

Hey, Melanie! Great video! :) I would really like your ideas and opinions on photographing items for your online shop. Covering topics such as simple how-to's, what makes a great photo, trends of how, etc... Could you also factor in how to shoot great pics on a very low budget and with a basic camera or cell phone? I would really love to see a video covering these problems! Thanks!

That was really helpful, thank you!

Very very helpful! Thank you so much!!

Thank you everything you say makes sense.

This was so helpful! Thank you! :)

Thank you so much. Finally a good explanation

Thanks a lot, very helpful

Thank you for your in put very helpful.

really great advice thanks

this is so helpful thank you

Thank you, it's was very helpful

I'm thinking about starting an Etsy shop, and I would love to hear your product promotion and photography ideas to get the shop set up successfully. Also, share your ideas on naming a shop. My shop specifically, will be artwork.

i would love to hear more about online selling.

I subscribed because this was such an informative video -- I would never have thought to calculate the cost of thread into a sales price. I am currently needing a 12-step program over decoupage -- I cannot stop -- I make these really beautiful decoupaged with napkins tiles and I'm going to start selling them, and other type products, at my local farmers market -- I was using the larger guest towel size because I was decoupaging furniture, and it's what I had, but the little cocktail napkins, you get 4 tiles to 1 napkin, they fit perfectly and are much cheaper -- I was adding the cost of napkins, plus tiles, and didn't think to add the cost of the modpodge and finishing coat -- which I'm even thinking maybe using a school glue mixture as opposed to the mod podge for the initial coat to cut cost. So, thank you so much again for sharing your knowledge. There is lots of room in the craft world for many, many crafters. I don't understand all the bickering that goes on -- as well as the secrecy of how did you make this or what do you charge. This tutorial was like a breath of fresh air of women supporting women in the business world. I'm old, so the only good thing about getting old is you get knowledge along the way. I've witnessed it happen so many times -- the more you share from an open heart, the more the Universe - however you define that term - gives back to you -- the person you share with may stab you right in the middle of your back, but suddenly you'll get a large order from a source who just found your work. So, good on you. And I agree with the other poster -- you are beautiful and your eyes are filled with light. sorry this got too long. Best wishes in every endeavor

hey Melanie thanks for the video! I sew dresses and costumes for my drag many of my things can be worn by women too and I love what I do. I have had a LOT of requests to start duplicating and selling my work and I am not sure how to price it. any feedback when it comes to selling wearable designs?

Thank you for the example!

I have plans of selling jewellery made out of resin and plants. And i have started making some of them already. Thanks for this helpful video

Thanks for the info. How do you use Utube to sell your products?

Love the breakdown! Thank you! xo

Great tips, thanks!

Thank you. This was a great video. Thinking of starting up my own business so this was VERY useful info

So I am following your instructions step by step, and where the 15 inches is to be left at the beginning, it seems to be much too short to cut the strips. 4 3in strips and 2 2.5in strips is 17 inches. Therefore I can't cut the strips. Which of the cuts can I make smaller so I have straps?

Thanks for these tips. I think it’s very helpful. I would like more informational tips for selling.

Yes, please more videos like this. :) Thank you!

Very helpful thank you!!

Great video!! Would love a video on how to photograph products. Most people use their phones instead of cameras so any tips would be amazing!! Thank you!!!

I'm not sure how the sewing community works but in terms of general "maker community" also consider your time for other things. how much time to go get your thread and fabric, drive time and standing at the cutting table. Are you charging to pack the items, or to drop the package at the post office? Fuel for your vehicle to get to and from everywhere should be considered. I know that sewing is competitive because of so many hobbyists but if you are pursuing this as a business and not a hobby 15 per hour is an insult to yourself. This took years to get to where you are, charge what you are worth, dont compete with cheap chinese sweat shop prices. just my 2 cents, from a woodworker.

I just crochet your Beanie Hat and messy bun hat tutorial that you have on your blog. I have some coworkers that want me to crochet them one and I am stumped on how to charge. your tutorial talks about sewing a zipper pouch. Is crochet different ? If I just charge them for my time to make the hat and they buy the yarn what is a good price to charge ?

Please make one on how to photograph your projects and how to write a listing!!

Yes Melanie! Give us some more info. Thanks!!

When taking photos of your projects to sell is there a way, other than a water mark, to keep others from using that pic to "print" their own project? I do vinyl work on signs & fabric as well as abstract art on canvas. Very new to selling theses projects

It would be very helpful if you could share some tips on photographing items to sell online! Thank you for your tips!

hello, love your videos!!! I have a question I want to pay someone to make my pouches for bath and body products but I want to buy everything she is just going to make it, I would like to know how much to pay her for pouch? thank you hope you can help me

Hi is the pouch in this video still selling? Love it!! Thx

Very helpful thanks

Good tips.

Thank you this is a nice video

good advice-thanks

Thanks Melanie, loved your tutorial. I always wondered why people sell stuff at markets for ridiculous prices!!! After having a child and buying her clothes, I have noticed that people are selling baby items at markets for like $30-$45 for one outfit that they will only wear for like a couple of months. Being a crafter, I get that it takes alot of time to make items, plus materials aren't cheap, but I can't justify spending that much for clothes that my child will just grow out of in a couple of months. I always wanted to get into making baby stuff to sell at markets that are cheap to help out people that can't afford much for their child, but still want their children to have nice things. I shop smart though when buying materials, like getting Fabric from opshops, fabric off cuts, buy in bulk or buy materials on sale. I think that if you are doing it as a hobby and love doing it, then you don't need to sell it for ridiculous prices. People are more likely to buy things from you if your items are reasonably priced in my opinion. From a mother's perspective.

Thank you so much for all these helpful tips. Can you please do a video of how to take pictures of your products for online sales. Tfs hun :)

She was so beautiful and helpful thank you Melanie rip

How do I go about making a list of the products that I am going to sale. What if there is noting out there like what you like to sale.

Thank you so much for this.. I really need to know how to photograph my work. I'm about to start a brand and I'm lost to be honest

Such a hot topic, and you did a nice job covering the points, Melanie. Price is the reason I'm no longer selling my items. I make a lot of heirloom clothes and I found myself spending more time with people trying to haggle my prices to compare with China and whatnot.

Thank you! Nice video, I just started making projects and am off to a good start with a small shop selling on consignment but struggle with pricing often. My biggest problem is keeping track of my receipts and breaking them down in some kind of order so I know what I have spent. Any suggestions for this? I find myself mixing and matching fabrics, etc and loose track of what I spent for it and this is making it difficult to price..

Well said!

I have an etsy where we specialize in marquee letters at RainydayRustics! We are currently running the market of marquee letters on etsy because our prices are competitive and our item shows up on the first search page when people search "marquee letters"

Hi Melanie, this video was very helpful. I am planning to start selling on Etsy. I created my logo and name but what the next step? How do I make my logo be mine so no one will copy me? What you did when you started to sell, what is your experience

Great video, very informative :)

Thank you timely tips - (I have my first craft fair coming up next month). I, along with other commentators, would welcome tips on photographing the items I sew. Again, many thanks for posting this video.

is there a tutorial on the bag used?

Wow your stepmom has beautiful watercolor paintings.