Don't Devalue Your Handmade Goods!

Mommy Makin' Money

As a side gig, I've been running an Etsy shop for a little more than two years now. And in that two years, Crochet Cauldron has received a whopping 30 sales. Now, I'm not complaining. I appreciate every single one. And that's just the ones that have transacted on Etsy. I've been fortunate enough to make some off-Etsy sales, as well.

Competitive Analysis Hurts

But I know I can do better. I've been researching ways to increase my Etsy business, and I've got about 500 other ideas for Etsy shops that I just don't have enough time in the day to actually make a reality. In my research, I spend a LOT of time on Etsy. Some of what I find is actually depressing.

I'm a fast crocheter and I've been doing it since I was a child, so I have a good idea of how long it takes to make a crocheted item. I also know not everyone is as fast as I am, so taking that into account, I can probably at least double that time to get an accurate idea of how long it took someone else to do it.

Now, I ask, who in their right mind charges $5 for an item that took at least $1 in materials and probably an hour of their time to  make? You're not even making minimum wage at that point! Heck, you might not even be breaking even if you used some premium yarn. And I'm giving generous allowances in this example. Some items I've seen are much more devalued than the example.

It's depressing and discouraging not just because I'm sad that person devalues their time and effort that much, but that it makes it really difficult to compete when I'm determined to eek out what my item is worth. In my opinion, it hurts us all. As far as buyers, do you really appreciate the deeply discounted item as much as you would one in which you paid full worth? I feel that if you want a rock bottom deal, go to Wal-Mart or a mass chain store and pay your pennies for a manufactured import.

Saving Money is a Necessity

I'm not knocking the big box stores. I certainly know what it's like to need to save a dime. Groceries aren't getting any cheaper, and I'll take my coupons and sale ads to whichever store can give me the best price. But when you are purchasing a handcrafted item, generally you're not buying a necessity. You're buying something because it's unique, well-made, and makes you feel good about your purchase. Doesn't bargaining for that item take away some of the magic for you?

I guess I'm just frustrated, but that means I just have to buckle down and work that much harder to prove the worth of my handmade goods. I'm definitely not one to shy away from a challenge. But, surely I'm not alone! Who else out there feels this frustration when you're scouting out the competition?