There comes a time in every needle felters life when they’re caught in the unknown. They’ve been felting creations for quite awhile and their collection is growing and growing. They’ve given a handful of needle feltings away and they don’t want to stop crafting, but they’re not really sure what to do with all of these things they’re making. Are you there yet?

One of the things I like to recommend to people is selling. There’s definitely a market for needle felted creations. In fact, these days, many people are actively looking for creative, handmade goods to buy instead of simply buying the same old things from the big box stores.

The hardest part of selling something you make is reaching the right audience and standing out to them. We all know there are loads of sellers online, many selling similar creations. Finding a way to differentiate yourself and your creations from theirs can be a challenge. Fortunately, with a little help from me, you can successfully get your needle felting business going.

Tips for Needle Felting Selling

Are you ready? Here’s what you need to do to start selling your needle felting creations:

• Craft!

  That’s why we’re here. Maybe you’ve joined my Academy. Maybe you’ve been practicing needle felting for years. If your creations are starting to pile up around your home, selling some of your work may be a natural next step.

  In order to sell your needle felting creations, you need to create. Before you get started, make sure you’re stocked up on high-quality materials such as wool, needles, and even some craft kits.

  Decide what you want to create. Find something unique and different that you love making. When I started selling I focused on my snowmen and Bear Creek Bunnies. I loved making these, and the more I made the cuter they got and more popular. Even though I was making the same things, their personalities and character was different enough that my customers wanted to collect them. Focusing on just a few products will make it easier and that is all you need to get going.

  Once you know what you’re going to make and you have the materials you need, start crafting. Build up your inventory so that when you’re ready to launch, you have a decent number of products to sell.

• Price

Pricing handmade work can be one of the hardest parts of selling your creations. Start by figuring out what it truly costs you to make each piece, including your wool and other materials, packaging, selling fees, and the time you spend creating it.

Your price should cover those costs and leave room for profit. Don’t assume that because you are just getting started you need to sell your work cheaply. Handmade art takes time and skill, and your pricing should reflect that.

As your skills improve, your following grows, and demand for your work increases, you can continue to reevaluate your prices. I have raised my own prices many times over the years as my work and business have grown.

• Market

  Marketing is essential. You’re not going to sell to anyone (except maybe your mom and best friend) unless you actually market your business. Marketing involves a number of aspects such as discovering your target market, branding, creating an online presence, engaging on social media, and participating in craft fairs.

  The way that you market your business is the number one factor in your ability to stand out from other makers. Figure out what makes you unique and tell your story in order to connect with your audience. Build a website and social media presence where people can learn about you and your products. Spend time engaging with your audience to build connection and get them excited about your brand.

  Get your business out there and build awareness of your brand through regular social media engagement, pay-per-click ads, and even by participating in events. Make sure and participate in any local craft fairs and events to meet and engage with your local audience.

  If you keep on crafting, pay attention to your prices, and focus on making your business stand out, you can build a successful needle felting brand. Let me know when you launch!