Crochet enthusiasts all around the country enjoy the process of making items to sell. They sell at Farmers Markets, Seasonal Craft Fairs and Local Gift Markets. Making and selling items is a true operation of love for crafters. Many thrive on the social aspect of meeting shoppers who envy their skills, want to purchase their craft and gift to their loved ones.
Over the years, there are always trends that sell well at markets, as well as tried and true best sellers. It is great to have a good combination of these items to try potential buyers to your booth. What you sell is important as well as how you display it to catch the eye of buyers is important. But, I personally think that making items that you can sell for “profit” is essential.
Selling at Markets for Profit
I have talked with many market sellers who say if they break even they are happy. Breaking even means that they are able to feed their hobby without it costing them money. I admit, part of me understands this logic. But the business side of me is in awe that anyone would put so much work and effort into something to just “break even”.
Most handmade items are gifts of time. They take so much time to make that it is hard to put a price tag on it after considering how much you want to make per hour. Remember, you wouldn’t want your child to work for a measly $3.00 an hour, so why would you?
A key it is find fun items that you can make “fast” and/or in “bulk”. Often these items can be extremely rewarding to make because after working for a day you can see a large “lot” or “stack” of inventory ready for the market!
Here is a list of Quick Market Makes
To help you get ideas on items to make and sell at a market with a great mark up, I have collected 10 categories of Top Selling Items at Markets. But not only that, I them looked for what I thought would be ideal crochet patterns (or fiber related items) to consider making.
Remember, what you make should be items that fit your “table”. This is not a “I need to make everything on this list” type of blog post. It is just a starting point for inspiration and ideas at what could help lead to a successful and “profitable” Market this year.
Quick Market Makes Categories
During the first couple weeks of July, I will feature a “category” each day (Monday – Friday), and in each of those categories I will feature a handful of designs that should be quick to make which will result in a higher profit.
Hairbands and Hair Accessories
Handmade markets are usually flooded with people who love to show off items they have purchased. An easy way for them to do this is to wear them. Crocheting large items can sometimes reduce the profit (because the time to make them is hard to recoup a good hourly wage). So, think of small items, such as quick hairbands and accessories for the hair.
Plant Covers & Hanging Baskets
If you sell at Farmers Markets you are engaging with customers who love fresh produce and are typically plant lovers. Target that love of nature and display some easy to care for plant in hanging baskets or small pots with crocheted covers. Crochet patterns like these feed to those who love to take care of greenery in their homes.
Coin Purses & Chap Stick Holders
Shoppers are always looking for cute ways to carry and organize their belongings. A huge trend I see among my teen daughter and her friends are little purses that they can clip or throw into their backpacks or purses. The great thing about these items is that they will work up relatively fast which makes them easy to make in batches. Make multiple colors to display at your booth during Markets this year and display them with items such as ChapStick, ear buds, coins, etc.
Washcloths, Face Scrubbies & More
In this category I am going back to the tried & true hot Market Make, the dishcloth. I still remember my Great Grandmother making dishcloths as gifts for everything (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries) and they were always a hit. There is something about having a nice cotton handmade dishcloth that will always remind me of her. I know so many people are the same and really do enjoy using them and having them displayed in their kitchen decor.
Not only are dishcloths popular but now buyers and loving the scrubbies! Scrubbies can be used for dishes or your face (only use on your face if they are not scratchy materials). I will confess, I use dish scrubbies for washing my dishes all the time and rarely use the dishcloths anymore. They clean the dishes better, are small and easy to use, quick to make and take up a small amount of room in the drawer. I have a stack of probably 25 and get a new one out each time I wash.
Crochet Jewelry
Handmade Jewelry is always a big seller at Markets, but it is not very often you find crochet jewelry. Crocheting jewelry can be very profitable. The pieces typically work up pretty quick and they don’t use up very much yarn/thread. You can sit down and make a lot of inventory in just a day and it can be fun to display (be sure to starch them correctly so they hang nicely).
If you crochet earrings and use metal for “sensitive skin” you can market that. I have sensitive skin and LOVE crochet earrings because they are extremely light weight, and you cannot even tell that you are wearing them. Give them a try.
Cup Cozies
A popular item for Markets is always a good cup cozy. Something that protects your hands from hot (or cold) drinks as well as provides a little insulation for your beverage. Plus, they can show off your style with the designs you make or use. Here are some that showcase the variety of cup cozies you can make.
Crochet Bookmarks & Such
When I hear “crochet bookmarks” my first thought is, how bulky would those be? But, then I see how some designs are simply done with thread and think-ok, I would totally use that! Some are so creative, such as flowers where the stems hold your place, or the paper clip toppers (seriously brilliant), or how about an elastic holder that holds a pen (or crochet hook)-seriously such an amazing idea for a bible study, journal, pattern book or other book you may want to take notes in. If you display these beauties at your Market booth, you will be sure to draw attention your way.
Coasters, Coasters, Coasters
You can never have too many coasters. Just tonight, my daughter was looking for a new coaster that she could call “hers”. She expressed the one on the end table is a “Dad” coaster and she needed one that she could us. It’s funny, but I kind of understand. It is like having “your” favorite coffee mug, everyone needs to update and find that perfect coaster that they love. Here are a few that show a variety of styles:
Key Fobs – great for Markets (and Back to School)
Personalizing your key chain is so much fun, whether it is for your car, house or office, it is fun to mark your key ring with a fob to tell you which keys go were. I have different lanyards that mark my keys, but I love the idea of switching things up and making some of these key fobs. And, I have to say it, these would be great items to make and sell!
It doesn’t have to be ALL Crochet…
Even if you have a booth at a market that is crochet, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be all crochet. Stay within the same realm so it isn’t confusing but throwing a little spin can be fun. Check out some of my free pattern/tutorials that I found that will still go great with your booth.
A couple of my favs are the knit looking polymer clay earrings-they are just too cute and still ‘yarny’. Also, the fiber soap is so unique! This could be a great upsell – market the soaps next to crochet soap bags or face scrubbies (I shared some above) – then offer a small discount if they buy one of each!
Stay Creative & Have Fun, it will Show!
The biggest thing about being successful is to show of your creativity and be passionate. Others will be able to see that in you and will be drawn to your booth. Try new things and discover the niche that works best for you!
I hope you found a few tutorials in this Round Up that you want to try. Feel free to share the links with others and have fun.
More Crochet Fun
I am sure you will love these home décor crochet patterns. When you make one, I would love to see a photo of your project. I host an interactive Facebook group called, “SP3 Crochet & Conversations”. You’re invited to join this community; it is a great spot to share photos, ask questions and have fun. Join by clicking HERE.
