Quack Quack!
I started this pattern while my husband was in surgery and got through quite a bit. I don’t know where Abigail finds these patterns but she has some of my favorites! I finished the whole blanket this afternoon and added it to the shop.
But honestly, I’m a little frustrated about selling embroidered blankets. I’ve made many others, and I’ve had to give lots away because it is so hard to sell them.
Any ideas about why they are so hard to sell? I’ve thought about the price, but $30 seems like a steal compared to the $60 that Mahar charges for Oh Ma’s blankets (hers are a bit different than mine though). Or compared to the $96 organic version at Turning Life. Maybe it is the size? Maybe I’m not marketing them right, maybe there really isn’t a market for them? Although the ones I’ve given away are always well received and raved about. Anyone have any ideas?
Shifting gears, Sarah is giving away some fun stuff in honor of her 200th post, if anyone is interested in entering (but I think you should visit her blog but not enter…it means my chances of winning would be better! I’m kidding…sorta…)
March 19th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
the embroidery is awesome. i’ve been doing a lot of embroidery myself. i love the colors you picked too.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
My embroidered stuff doesn’t really sell at all. Given the amount of time I put into it, I think it’s a steal. I’ve always thought your blankies, etc. were beautiful and UNDERpriced! I think they make truly cherished gifts, and honestly I’m not sure why they’re such a hard sell.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Your blankets are beautiful. I am a bit worried as I have booked to do some craft fairs starting in May, and a lot of what I sell is hand embroidered, and the only time I shifted much was a wholesale order to another blogger setting up her website (who I am not best pleased with at the minute as she has ripped off my pin cushions….)and paid me £2 less than I charged on Etsy. I am more than a bit worried about the lack of sales, as whatever I make is paying for my wedding so we don’t have to use credit cards. I look at yours and they are equally as beautiful as the ones Oh Ma makes and they sell, so maybe it’s about market. Is it worth chasing up some leads for baby showers/ putting adverts in appropriate mags/ advertising at creche’s in areas where you know people have a bit more disposable income? Don’t know whether it’s the same in the US as over here but there are areas where you know people have far more money to spend on “luxuries” than in other areas. I think one of the problems is, especially with Etsy, as there are so many people who make that buy other people’s bits and bobs, so there’s a limited pool of people who have enough money that would buy! Good luck – they’re lovely and I am sure with the right market they would sell like hot cakes! Hope that thgis has helped and not depressed you!
March 20th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I have a crush on those duckies – they’re adorable!
March 20th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I LOVE the ducks – so cute!
I’ve never considered selling embroidered things since I take too long to finish! I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with selling on Etsy to be of help with your situation…I think its hard anytime you have to sell something that is handmade because most people don’t appreciate the time that goes into it or what makes it unique. I hope that you find the right outlet for your work because it really is lovely!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Okay, I LOVE the cuck one!! so cute. Great stitching too.
I am not any kind of authority, but I think it could be a little of the marketing side and a little of the design side.
I’ve thought a lot about it personally, but have always decided against selling my hand embroidered stuff, because like a previous poster said, it takes so much time. It’s always in the back of my mind that maybe someday that won’t bug me.
I love the designs, personally, but there’s two things about it that I could see being an issue. One, they are a bit old fashioned and very baby–there seems to be a trend among fashionable moms to dress their kids in more adult-themed things, if not adult styles. So, maybe there’s not a big market out there for ducks or elephants, at least not among folks who spend 30 bucks on a baby blanket. Two, sadly, there’s a plethora of cheap, mass-produced baby-theme items that can be picked up for a fraction of the cost, so unless they are committed to buying handmade, they may not recognize the value of your stuff.
However, before you go and try changing your style, or throw in the towel, there’s a lot you could be doing marketing-wise which you may not be doing presently. Getting natural light, and closer, more artistic shots of the hand work on your blankets will make them more eye catching, and show them to be so much better than the mass-produced machine embroidered blankets. Re-listing on Etsy to move your item back to the top of the list for related searches on a regular basis. And giving your products away to create buzz about you and your work to some place like coolmompicks.com. Local craft shows/markets might work better for something like hand work, which has a different feel and look, that can’t quite be captured in photos.
*Shrug* I hope this helps. I may be completely crazy, but maybe this will help you think of some things that really will work.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I recently fell upon your blog and felt compelled to comment on your concern. I honestly think your items are beautiful and very underpriced. While they are an absolute steal most people would see those prices and go hmmm I wonder what is wrong with it or is it massed produced. Most people know how long embrodiery can take so if it is underpriced people think something is wrong with it otherwise it wouldnt be so “cheap” I would say bump your blankets up to $45 and see what happens (even more, value your time!) the worst that could happen is that they continue sell at the speed they are now and you will have a little bit more change in your pocket!
Good luck your store looks great!!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
This duck blanket is way too cute!