Being on both side of each I thought I would way in my opinion of custom orders and making crochet items to sell and I would like to share my personal experience on both.
Two common routes what crafters explore when starting their crochet business it to decided between taking custom crochet orders and selling your handmade creations. Each has its own set of pros and cons that can influence your crochet journey. In this blog post, I’ll talk about custom crochet orders and selling your crochet items to help you decide which path might be the right fit for you. Just a disclaimer, there is no write or wrong when it comes to deciding how you want to run your business. This is just my experience and what others have shared with me.
Should you take custom orders?
Most crafters tend to accept custom orders in the beginning because we are all scared believing no-one will buy the things we make so we tend to go the safe route of taking orders.
The biggest positive take away from custom orders is, is that it is money straight in your pocket.
The pro’s to custom orders:
Personalization: Custom crochet orders allow you to create unique pieces that cater to your customers’ preferences. This means that every piece is special.
Steady Income: Regular custom orders can provide you with a reliable source of income. Knowing that you have orders in advance can help you plan your work and finances more effectively.
Building Relationships: When you take custom orders, you have the opportunity to build strong connections with your customers. This can lead to repeat business and referrals, creating a loyal customer base.
Improving your skills: Creating custom pieces often challenges you to learn new techniques and adapt to various crochet styles. This can improve your crochet skills and make you a more versatile crafter.
No second guessing: With custom orders you are sure that it will get a new home, and you don’t have to wonder if people will buy it or not.
- No inventory: If you are limited on space to keep a lot of stock, custom orders can be convenient because the product is out the door as soon as you finish it.
The biggest negative take away from custom orders is time. You have to work on a timeline without knowing what can happen in a week or two, kids can get sick, someone can suddenly pass away and that means you will either have to refund your customers or hope they understand your circumstances at that time.
The Con’s in Custom orders:
Time Constraints: Custom orders can be time-consuming, as you need to communicate with clients, source materials, and meet specific deadlines. This can add stress to your crochet hobby.
Creativity Constraints: Meeting clients’ expectations may sometimes limit your creative freedom. You may need to stick to certain colors, styles, or patterns that you might not be passionate about.
Pressure to Perform: The pressure to meet clients’ expectations and deliver high-quality products can be stressful. It may even take away some of the enjoyment that comes with crocheting for fun.
Customer Expectations: Dealing with demanding clients or handling situations where customers aren’t satisfied with the final product can be emotionally draining and challenging and it can negatively affect your relationships at home and with other customers.
Balancing Act: Balancing custom orders with your personal projects can be tricky. You may find that you have less time for your own project, yourself and your family.
I remember when I just did custom orders in the beginning I was so desperate to help everyone I hardly saw my family and it had caused a huge strain in my marriage.
Only selling ready made projects
The pro’s to selling ready made:
Creative Freedom: When you sell crochet items you make, you have complete creative freedom. You can experiment with different designs, colors, and styles that truly inspire you.
Build Your Brand: Selling your own crochet creations allows you to establish your brand and express your unique style. This can help you stand out in a crowded market.
Flexible Schedule: You have control over your work schedule, which means you can crochet at your own pace, balancing your craft with other life commitments.
Passion-Driven Work: Selling items you’re passionate about can be incredibly fulfilling. You get to focus on the aspects of crochet that you enjoy the most.
Market to Your Taste: You have the freedom to choose your target market. You can create items that cater to a specific niche, making your marketing efforts more focused and effective.
Cons:
Income Uncertainty: The income from selling your crochet items may not be as stable as with custom orders. It can fluctuate based on demand and market trends.
Market Competition: The handmade crochet market can be highly competitive. To succeed, you need to find ways to stand out among other shops also selling trending items.
Self-Marketing: To make a significant income from selling your crochet items, you’ll need to invest time and effort in marketing and promoting your brand. This can be a whole new skill set to learn.
Inventory Management: You’ll need to keep track of inventory, manage stock, and handle shipping and customer inquiries, which can be time-consuming.
Risk of Burnout: Selling your crochet items can potentially turn your beloved hobby into a stressful job. You may need to produce large quantities to meet demand, leading to burnout.
- Space: You will have to ensure that you have enough space to stock your items. The space you use should also be concealed from dust and pet hair getting onto your products while you store them and plastic containers can take up a lot of space.
You now ready to make money from your crochet toys but don’t how to price them? Read all about pricing in this blog post HERE.
Although I never had issues selling my ready-to-ship toys, some did take more time to find a home than others, and this could be discouraging when you need to make income to pay bills.
My personal preference is to make and sell rather than take custom orders. I have my time, and I work on it when I want to. Of course, each business is managed differently, as my biggest income comes from my passive products like my patterns and blogs. There is no right or wrong when it comes to selling finished items in the crochet world; you always have to do what makes YOU HAPPY, because you know yourself best.
I’m in my happy space designing patterns and writing educational posts about running a crochet business, more than making and selling finished items.
If you want to give ready-to-ship projects a go and looking for some ideas on how to grow your engagement online, you can read about my 8 tips on how to grow your social media.
Join my Facebook Group HERE for free patterns and more.
