What sells...

[Diana Symes]

Hi. I make lots of different things as this is what I like, variety, but am I doing the right thing or should I concentrate on 1 or 2 key products. I can't decide. What do you think. I just love making and most of the items I make are unique and one of a kind. I don't use patterns and make from scratch using what I've got to hand. I usually start by picking the fabrics then the item I make sort of comes from there. Very organic really. I only make when I'm in the mood, however this is very frequent at the moment. Its just so calming to make things. 

[Bernadette Pickering]

I would say until you start selling and you are making that a priority then it doesn't really matter. Your customers will let you know what they want, so don't limit yourself, but by giving variety you will see what is popular....saying that people's taste change too!!

[Dawn Gatehouse]

Hi Diana

In this business you have to love what you are doing which it sounds like you are, what you have to ask yourself is would you get bored making the same things? I make jewellery but use lots of different methods as it helps to keep things fresh and interesting to me. As long as you are enjoying it and people like what you are doing I don't think it matters. Often the process of making one thing leads to ideas for others and helps your designs to evolve, go with it I say.

All the best

Dawn

[Shalini Austin]

Its always good to have variety along the same theme, especially if you are exhibiting at craft shows.

A mish-mash of too many different types of items could be confusing for the customer, especially at a crowded event but if its things that complement each other then yes variety is good.

[Simmi Duffin]

I completely agree with all 3 replies!

I started off selling on Facebook and was lead by what people asked me to make them... usually they saw something I'd made for someone else and asked for something similar, or with the same colours, but a totally different product, etc. I mainly work with felt, so that's the central theme to my work, so when I exhibit at craft fairs (which isn't often as I don't usually have enough stock - a lot of my work is personalised & therefore made to order) I do try and keep it in groups of items, with maybe 10 -15 different items at most, but a number of them in different colours.

 

I hope that makes sense! Good Luck, Simmi x

[Holly's Friends Country Crafts]

Hi Diana, I am very similar to you. My crafting covers soooo many genres, and sometimes I worry that I am diluting my impact - especially when I do a stall at a craft fayre. I don't want my stall to end up looking like a jumble sale!!

 

But(and it's a big but) - the thing I love about crafting is the diversity. If I hit a brick wall on one thing, I can put it down and pick up something completely different. If you find you are having to curb your creativity to channel it in to one or two item, you may find that making them becomes a chore, and above all things, crafting should be fun!! :-)

Rebecca x

[Caroline Nash]

I think it depends what you are going to do, if small fair you may get away with a plethora of genres but the large fairs normally only allow one medium, what you do within that medium is up to you. I use fabric so all my makes are sewing based, if you make jewellery then add candles the structure has gone. Hope that makes sense.