I’m thinking seriously about trying to sell some of the things that I make online.  At the moment, I’m thinking about making some more of the pixie dolls that I’ve made in the past, pencil cases, covered books and dolly clothing and bedding and in the future maybe one or two bits of toddler clothing.  Can anyone tell me what the differences are between selling on Etsy, Folksy or Misi and would any of these be more appropriate for me than others.  What do they charge to sell items for example?

Also, I’m a bit nervous about selling things that I’ve made as I worry in case they’re not good enough.  Can anyone who has bought a pixie doll off me let me know if they’ve had a problem with it, ie if the stitching has come undone or some other problem.  It really would be a big help if I knew how they’ve survived being played with and if I need to make any improvements for future dolls.    I’m experimenting with putting hair on the dolls at the moment with ‘interesting’ results as I thought it would make a nice change from little hats.  Also, what constitutes ‘hand-made’?  Any advice for selling online would be great.

Hi
Can’t help you on the shop bit- but, i’ve made a few of the characters from this book- and their hair is knitted as a “wig” and then sewn on. The book is in the lincolnshire librarys so you should be able to order it- well worth a look (and a lot easier than they look)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knitted-Pirates-Princesses-Witches-Wizards/dp/1844484246

Good luck
Gill
x

Also no advice on the shop, but if you start selling those pretty note books of yours, you will have a definate customer here

With regards to Ebay, they charge per line of text.  Some are free, some are say £0.06.  When you are entering your selling details you can clearly see your costs and choose if you wish to use that line of text.  For example the initial title I.e baby clothes 0-3 moths is free, but you can then add a sub title underneath but there is a cost to this - just pence but it all adds up.  Roughly I have paid around £0.40 to list an item.

I am not sure about other sites and their charging.

I don’t want to be seen as advertising, but you could consider “wicycle”.  It a new online Eco auction site.  Like Ebay but with no fees at all to buy or sell.  I have posted the link before on here.  If you wish to take a look click on my web site and use the enter button.  You then see manta icons and you select the action one.

You could also consider building your own website.  There is lots of help out there to do this, so it does not have to be costly.  You would have to do marketing of the site to ensure you got regular hits and customers and this might take time away from your creative endeavours.

Sorry I don’t think I have helped very much at all really.

I find Misi easy to use (20p per item plus 3% of final value), I do have an Etsy shop but don’t use it, I’ve had no end of problems with Folksy and can’t even get a shop to sell anything in even though I’m a registered customer.  Mr Site is what I use for my own website - much cheaper to buy off ebay too.  I find it easy to use, it’s not that expensive (I got the middle one), and there’s loads of templates you can choose from.

You’ll definitely have a customer here too xxx

Pippa we have two pixies from you and they are absolutely fabulous, really well made   In fact, I can’t wait for you to get your shop going as I will definitely have more pixies and lots more of your stuff.  Good luck!

Hi,

If your internet savvy you could do a blog and sell from that, ‘wordpress’ or Blogger are simple to use and its a way of getting out there and advertising.

Living ethically do free listings for home-made goods. Perhaps you could go to someone else to sell for you, then you can concentrate on the making. Believe me running a business myself, I like creating and I spend so much time marketing and typing!!!

Online toy sellers, ethical and home-made. Look in the back of Green parent mag for some suppliers.
Oh and I will order a pixie doll from you near little ones birthday in October.

Kindness Skye x

Wow, thanks for all that help and encouragement!  It’s ages since I made anything to sell.  When I was in my late teens, I used to mend leather goods for a couple of local riding schools and sell hand-tooled belts and bags, but there was no internet in those days (how old does THAT make me sound!!), so it was a case of going to all the local craft fairs and that was very hit and miss and quite expensive in terms of stall fee and petrol.

You’ve been really helpful, thanks. 

Eeek!!  I’ve opened a Misi shop and listed three of my little pixie dolls this afternoon!  Feels very strange and exciting and a wee bit sad seeing them up for sale on a website (I get a bit attached to them after spending so long stitching them together - I need to get out more!)

Thanks again for the advice and help, it’s been great! xxx

Well done - the shop looks fab. xxx

Congratulations! I know what you mean about being a bit sad to see them for sale, but hope you get some sales quickly - you’ll soon get used to it!
I have an etsy shop (sadly empty and neglected at the moment!) - the terms are 20 cents per listing for 4 months, and 3.5% commission on sales. I found it very easy to set up, with loads of help available on the site. The problem is, it’s so big that your shop is like a needle in a haystack unless you actively promote it, which I haven’t time to do. However there are opportunities to get your work featured in various team blogs etc, so it’s probably a case of setting aside a certain amount of time regularly to promote your shop. (Hard enough for mamas to find time to make stuff, let alone promote it, I know!)

Anyway, good luck, I hope your shop is a great success!

I want ONE!  lol But as the photo of the litel green spotty doll is not in your shop, I’m assuming you’ve sold it?  (please say no!, I really want that dolly, lol)

If not can you save the last one for me darling, the blond pigtails dolls, I’d like another doll for my setting for my wee charge.  (Indeed I may have to purchase a few from you for my setting!... how long does it take you to create a doll?)

LOL nm I’ve just bought the blond doll.  When you next make more dolls can you do me one like the doll that was green and spotty with a hat, please

Joxy.

Ohhh and doesn’t darkstarbaby run a site for WAHM?  I@m sure I joined it a while back with a view to listing some of my stuff.. I just haven’t got around to making “stock” lol.

Joxy - 25 July 2010 08:11 PM

I want ONE!  lol But as the photo of the litel green spotty doll is not in your shop, I’m assuming you’ve sold it?  (please say no!, I really want that dolly, lol)

If not can you save the last one for me darling, the blond pigtails dolls, I’d like another doll for my setting for my wee charge.  (Indeed I may have to purchase a few from you for my setting!... how long does it take you to create a doll?)

LOL nm I’ve just bought the blond doll.  When you next make more dolls can you do me one like the doll that was green and spotty with a hat, please

Joxy.

Thank you for buying the little blondie dolly!!  I can’t believe they’ve all sold!!  I will start making more dolls asap and will save you a green, spotty one if you’d still like one! xxxx