My friend Kurt sent me this intersting article from the New York Times entitled For Craft Sales, the Recession Is a Help. Pictured is Etsy vendor Dennis Anderson pouring soap into molds.
If you run a crafty biz were your sales up this year? Business or not did you find yourself making and buying a lot of handmade gifts this year due to the economy? My friend Courtney made my puppies dog treats, Erin whipped up amazing Blueberry Preserves, my mom is sewing me curtains for the nursery, Hope is painting me a picture and I love these gifts even more because they are handmade.
Hey Jennifer! Thanks for sharing the article. I'm sure all crafters in business are thrilled to see such positive results in such a difficult economic time.
ReplyDeleteHey Jennifer! Happy Holidays to you and yours! This season was NON-STOP for me in my Etsy shop, friends and family, co-workers and at the craft fairs.....I over did it a little, as I under-estimated my jewelry business. I bit off more than I could chew, but I got thru it! The only downfall was that it left me a little haggard and grinchy about Christmas in my own home! I am ready to take the decorations down....NOW! All in all, sales were UP in a big way. Plus, we decided to buy ONLY handmade or vintage this year! It was a great success! Thanks for posting the article! Hope you are feeling well!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Leslie
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteWell, the crafty corporate company that I work for is going under..but my personal craft is tremendous. This year is bonkers..and I'm hoping the next year will be too! I've been making homemade gifts ever since I started stamping, but I totally diversified this year..crocheted a scarf, stenciled t shirts..it was a blast! Homemade and functional..heaven. ;)
Happy Holly-daze..
Elaine Barr
http://stencil1.com/news/
Happy Holidays and Holy Cow! You must check out the Stencil 1 Blog..leave a comment on the newest post, about how you would put Stencil 101 to use, and you may just win an autographed copy!! Contest ends January 21st..
I don't run a crafty buiz, (although given the feedback I've had to some of the projects I've posted on my blog that may change) but I did make and receive a few more handmade gifts this year than during past Christmases. The economy & green leaning may have swayed my decision to make & give almost all handcrafted stocking stuffers this year but I usually do a combination of handcrafted (by me or purchased from another crafter) and store bought based on what I think will be meaningful to the recipient. And some gifts I craft out of necessity. For example, I'm careful about the type of food my dog eats. So is my sister - so the pooches got homemade dog treats. And for some reason, the braided tug toys I make for my sister's dog last longer than any store bought toy because he likes to "kill" them. So she requested that I give him my homemade toys over store bought.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought it was my dirty little secret? You hit the nail on the head, Jennifer! I can't remember a more fruitful holiday season in the fifteen years of my hand-made jewelry biz. The tables seem to have turned and the little guy is getting a nice slice of the pie for a change. I actually had customers thanking ME because they were so excited to be giving a hand-made artisan crafted piece. Such a blessing to humanity, the planet and simplicity.
ReplyDelete