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How can we sew, craft and live more sustainably? |
A long time ago, I accepted the unfortunate truth that unless you're somehow
able to build a reputation for making exceptional "whatevers" and are
prolific enough to maintain a good supply of stock on hand, it's extremely
difficult to sell what you make.
Individuals from designers – who routinely have to churn out several versions
of something in order to perfect it – to pattern testers – who often wind up
with boxes and boxes of handmade items – say essentially the same thing.
And if one were to attempt it anyway, there is then the tricky business of
trying to recoup what you spent to make the item. The cost of supplies
required to make handbags and quilts, for example, are not exactly
inconsequential. Try to tack on the cost of your time into the mix and you're
in for a challenge in terms of finding someone willing to pay your sticker
price.
As part of an effort to craft sustainably, however, it seems like a bad choice
to keep accumulating "stuff" just because we can't sell it. If the problem is
that there are no buyers at a given price, what if the price is $0?
Let me explain...
Towards the end of my second post in this series, I mentioned how I needed to give away some of what I've made — for free
— while I have this platform. It's pointless to keep these bags hanging
around my sewing room if I'm never going to use them.
While certain handmade items can be thrown into a donation bag destined
for Goodwill or the Salvation Army, there is
a significant part of me who would like to know that my creations are
going to someone who will appreciate and value them. (I would have no
inkling if those organizations might pitch these types of donations into
their trash or "recycling bin", for instance, and that would just be
horrible from all perspectives.)
But another issue is that nothing is ever free, even when it is. For
example, connecting with someone who wants what I'm giving away is
likely to involve sending the item over many kilometres or miles. And
while I am fully committed not to charge for what I'm giving away,
covering the cost of getting it there isn't what I had in mind.
Thus, these giveaways come with a condition: the recipient has to pay for shipping. A quick glance at Canada Post's webpage
estimates the cost to send to the continental US to be about $10-$20 USD,
depending on size. Shipping to a Canadian address ranges from $5 to $26
CDN, again depending on size.
Therefore, if you are seriously interested in any of the items below,
send me an email (use the contact widget on the sidebar at left). Give me your postal or zip code and the item that you want
and I will get the actual cost for you.
MyTie Makeover Mini Bags
Without a doubt my defining creation as a designer, the
MyTie is also my best selling pattern. This
bright orange version
– very creamsicle-like with its swirly pattern – is lined with
coordinating orange fabric. A large silver-toned button covers the
magnetic snap closure.
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| Orange MyTie by eSheep Designs... |
The chain strap that's shown here snapped several years ago, so while this
bag comes with attached D rings, it has no strap.
This
red one
was my first real test version (you can see it being made in the photos)
and as such, it holds a special place in my heart. I was hesitant to put
it out as a giveaway, but then there is the question of, what am I keeping
it for? If someone else can use it, so much the better.
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| Red MyTie by eSheep Designs... |
This one closes with a silver and red button and button hole. The chain
strap that you see in the photos was removed years ago for some other
purpose, so as with the orange MyTie, this comes without a strap (although
it has the lobster clasp hooks attached).
Retro Reticules
Named with a nod to the little drawstring pouches carried by elegant
ladies from the Regency era, this little fortune cookie shaped, loop
handled pouch/bag is a versatile choice for many occasions. (I've carried
the black and white one to a couple of semi-formal affairs; the other has
never been used.)
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| Retro Reticules by eSheep Designs... |
These were both testers for
my pattern
and were made with an interior divider pocket. I've said before that this
is a great option to pack for vacation as you can use it in its flat pouch
format to stow stuff in your luggage, while it transforms into an elegant
bag for going out once at your destination. (EDIT: The black and white one has been claimed.)
Make It Yours Bag
This brown and taupe MIY bag tester is actually a prototype for a deeper
variation of the free pattern, what I once referred to as a
Version II. Because of that, it's definitely one of a kind.
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| Make It Yours Bag by eSheep Designs... |
At one time, I was considering releasing this as a paid pattern and was
trying to get the perfect version of it before doing so. Needless to say,
as time went on, my interest in "perfecting" it waned and I never did
incorporate the changed dimensions of this particular tester into the
actual pattern before later releasing it as a freebie.
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| Interior of the MIY... |
The interior of this bag features a two slip pocket assembly with card
slots on one side and a zippered pocket on the other side. The exterior
front is a concealed full width pocket that provides loads of quickly
accessible space for your stuff, while the back has a diagonal zippered
pocket for secure storage.
This one measures 16" wide x 12" high, with a strap drop length of 11". (EDIT: This has been claimed.)
While the above selection of purses were the product of testing my own
patterns, these next bags were made based on patterns by other designers.
All have had modifications made to them, however, so they are unique
renditions.
ChrisW Designs' Bella
This is the fourth bag that I ever made, the second of two
Bellas that I introduced in
this post from 2013. As you may recall from a couple of weeks ago, it's an early rendition of
Christine Welsh's current Bella pattern.
Features I love about this design? The side gusset pockets and the open
front. I like purses that offer quick access storage options, without
having to go into the main interior.
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| ChrisW Designs' Bella... |
I'm keeping the first Bella that I made, but will reluctantly let this one
go. It's a lovely bag, but if I'm not using it, perhaps someone else can.
Sew Sweetness Oriole Bag
My first and only attempt at a Sara Lawson bag, this
– Barbie pink! – Oriole (small version) with matching pouch is looking for a new home.
The pouch is my own creation and was made to fit inside the bag to act
as a divider of sorts, as well as to provide secure, removable storage.
The bag itself does not have any pockets.
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| Sew Sweetness' Oriole Bag (and matching pouch)... |
As a crossbody style, it's ideally sized – measuring about 10.5" wide by
8.5" high – not too big and not too small. The strap has a drop length
of 22".
Ann Kelle Dubstepper
I made this bag as a "going back to work" project,
customizing it heavily
to suit my preferences. In terms of functionality, I left out the tablet
sleeve. (Anyone owning a tablet likely has a sleeve for it already and
the whole thing can be slipped into the full width zippered pocket on
the back.)
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| Customized Ann Kelle Dubstepper... |
My modifications in leaving out some Peltex did result in one
problem, however: the top part where the grab handle is installed
is not study enough to support a filled bag without bending. This can
either be resolved by cutting into this top area to insert and
rivet in place some plastic canvas, or by carrying the bag with a strap – not included – instead of the grab handle.
Betz White Flight Bag
This bag marked my first experience with Creativebug. I made this Flight Bag during a trial run with the crafty learning site back in 2015. It's a roomy, rectangular, almost backpack-like bag with a top grab handle and a removable snap-fastenered strap.
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| Betz White Flight Bag... |
There are two external pockets, a basic full width slip pocket on the back and a twist lock secured bellows pocket in the front. Given its name, it is a good choice for a carry-on while travelling.
People usually make it a point to state that their homes are smoke and pet free when they sell handmade items. I can confirm the same in this case. Also, some of the above bags have been used, but only very lightly and I don't believe there are any visible signs of wear and tear on them.
As for actual transactions, I will need to receive payment for shipping via PayPal before sending the item. (All transactions will
be final with no returns.)
There is no expiration date on this offer. As long I still
have these items, they are available to all comers, but of course, the
stock is limited to what is shown above. Oh, and I don't know what the
interest might be, but for now, it's one freebie per "customer".
One more thing: we are in the thick of the holiday shopping period. I would just as soon avoid the seasonal traffic jam, so any requests that I get will be deferred until January for processing. 😉
'Til next...
Hi Rochelle, You have voiced a great truth! I went to a Mother Earth Fair once as a seller and only sold 4 small items, I checked selling my handmade items off my list of things to do in life and never looked back. I refused to sell in online stores because everyone is racing for the bottom price. So I sew for pleasure, making every single item I find interesting and if someone admires my item, I give it to them! I enjoy the creative aspect, learning new sewing techniques and skills as well as figuring out the pattern intricacies. It’s a pastime that is meditative and rewarding in the doing itself! Marie
ReplyDeleteYes, the benefits of doing what we do certainly outweighs any of the negatives associated with having to "get rid" of what we create. I would never find sitting at a craft table trying to sell my stuff as being a good use of my time. Totally agree that if anyone expresses a liking for something, that they can have the item. And as Daryl says below, charitable organizations are another option for us to consider.
DeleteMy sentiments exactly about selling handmade items, Rochelle. Been there done that and I still have bins of bags I have made and never used or sold. I slashed my prices online to sell them, only sold 3 items to the same person that I know from a group I belong to. I mostly sell to people I know or from others who have referred people to me. It's rare anyone I don't know has bought from me. Now I sew for charity only (Sew Powerful purses and Project Linus quilts) and give it all away. I will sell what I have on hand discounted or sell something as a custom order so the person gets the colors, style, etc. that they want, but I am not playing the guessing game as to what sells the best because it all depends on so many factors and trends are changing daily. I still test some designer's patterns if I like them as I do enjoy testing, but I will keep it for myself or give away. For me it was never about the money I made, I only wanted a hobby that paid for itself so I could buy the supplies I needed. But I don't even care about that now. I would rather make for charity as it benefits those in need and I can mail it off or hand it to the charity and it's out of my house. If you are unable to sell your bags you have shown here, maybe you can donate to a woman's shelter in your area or for some charitable auction where the sale of the item(s) benefits the charity. I did that with a lot of bags I didn't want that didn't sell at my final craft show. The woman who took them for the auction later told me they all sold, which was nice to hear. Good luck! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete