What’s the best way to sell your handmade goods online? Open your own storefront and you’re on an island. If you can’t bring in the traffic yourself you aren’t likely to make enough sales for it to pay off. Open a store on Etsy and you’ll get lots of traffic, but you’ll also literally…
Archives for January 2013
Free Goldfish Sewing Pattern
I had so much fun over the weekend revisiting this goldfish pattern. By playing with different circle sizes I made some new, bigger eyes and a pair of fat fish lips! I also sewed him from fleece so he’s squishy and soft, but I kept the shimmery organza tail. This fish was the first pattern…
The Economics of Selling Sewing Patterns
How much is a sewing pattern for a stuffed animal worth? When I sell a single sewing pattern to a big company, such as a book or magazine publisher, or to one of the big pattern companies like Simplicity, I can generally expect to get $250 for that pattern. Then, six months or a year…
A Quick and Easy Way to Increase Reader Engagement on Your Blog: The About Page
If you read a lot of blogs like I do (ahem…150+) then most likely you're reading them in an RSS reader. This digest format is super convenient and makes keeping up with dozens of blogs a snap. But the format also has its drawbacks. One issue is how easy it is to lose track of…
Awesome Handmade Toys: Love and a Sandwich
The post is part of an occasional series called "Awesome Handmade Toys." These posts feature toy makers whose work I think is particularly fresh and inventive. You can see previous posts in the series here. I also pin toys to my Inspiring Softies pinboard on a regular basis if you're looking for more inspiration. One…
Gather Here: An Amazing Local Fabric Shop
There was a poster up in my dentist's office when I was a child that said, "Ignore your teeth and they will go away." This pronouncement had a profound impact on me, sitting there waiting for my turn in the chair. Because you know what? The same holds true for most things that we appreciate…
New Pattern: Luke and Lily Duck
First off I just want to thank my six-year-old for the names Luke and Lily. These ducks were very nearly Lester and Lucy, but Stella informed me in no uncertain terms that these were not a suitable names for ducks and Luke and Lily were way cuter. Agreed. Always consult with 1st graders when naming…
What I’m Working On
This week I've been creating a pair of plush ducks. The boy has a little necktie. I watched this video to learn how to tie a tie (I have three girls, you know). The girl will have a big pink bow on top of her head. I think a kerchief would also look great on…
How to Bring Your Audience Closer to You
When it comes down to it, we all want to feel like we're part of something bigger. And we want to be in relationship with other people. Being included is a human need we all share. As a person with a handmade business it’s in your best interest to take this fundamental human feeling into…
Why You Need an Email Newsletter
When it comes down to it, we all want to feel like we’re part of something bigger. And we want to be in relationship with other people. Being included is a human need we all share. As a person with a handmade business it’s in your best interest to take this fundamental human feeling into…