Selling sewn items?

[princessliak]

Planning ahead for summer selling.  It is a farmer's market with little crafts being sold.  I want to sell something with around a $10 selling price and minimum overhead (a dream?).  My partner is making pillowcases and aprons. Any ideas would be welcomed and appreciated.  I sew and knit! 

[cronenwett]

Okay, I'll jump in here since 68 people have read this with no replies.

What about belts?  I'm thinking of those scarf-like ones, about 3-4 inches wide and long enough to tie in a knot in the front.  Probably each would take at most a quarter yard of fabric if it was double sided, and the lenghth would be the width of the fabric.  You could pick up some remnants or use what you have on hand.    Here's an example:  http://www.mydivascloset.com/scbein4cofor.html

You could also do ribbon belts, but you'd have to buy ribbon and D-rings.  http://ecubedarts.blogspot.com/2006/01/belts.html

Not sure what else would stay at/under $10, maybe some really simple market bags out of canvas?  You could have plain ones in the $10 range and decorated ones for more.  http://secure.mcc.org/mccstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

Maybe felted purses?  Small ones, or felted change purses?  I'm really not sure what your market demographics are...we sell jewelry at our farmer's market, and it's worked okay for us.  Our best seller is $5 necklaces that are a large stone donut ($1.50 at the rock store in town) put onto a faux-leather thong.  Takes seconds to make costs us $1.55, sells like crazy.  I don't know if that helps you any.  We did sell a surprising amount of things, especially at the end of the market in Sept/Oct (people thinking ahead to Christmas?)

Liz



 

[princessliak]

Thank you for the ideas... I think I might just use one or two of them!!!!

[EmilyFlew]

small zippered pouches also do well at craft fairs...same with the bags, you can make some plain and some decorated!

[carriem23]

I agree with the reuseable tote bag idea. 
I also like the coin purse idea.   
Last year at my local farmers market I noticed t-shirts, record bowls, crocheted items, Jewelry, and photo greeting cards.
I think having a calendar of other dates you would be at the market would be helpful too.  That way if someone saw a bag one week but didn't bring extra money for it they know when you will be back so they can come prepared.

[Miss Violaceous]

I know you asked for $10 stuff, but here's a $5 idea: you could make re-useable "shopping bags" out of thrift store stuff (two layers of solid cotton sheets, maybe? Or colorful tshirts? Whatever's cheap). Cheap, strong, and with maybe a bit of applique for added cuteness. People will have extra incentive to buy them if they are shopping for veggies and stuff at the same time. It's a bit different from a tote, because totes in my mind are a little cuter and nicer, while shopping bags are less fancy, you can get them wet, you can get them dirty, you can sling them into the trunk.

[nux_vomica]

since it's a farmers market and people are there cause they want to cook things...what about pot holders?

[Galadriell]

I agree. Try to recycle most of your projects from Thrift Store items. It would keep the cost down. Maybe try re-using old ties. Belts, bags, etc....

Sarah