Forget Etsy! How I Sell Woodworking Projects (And What Works Best)

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  • Опубликовано: 31 дек 2024

Комментарии • 125

  • @paulhopkins1720
    @paulhopkins1720 Месяц назад +3

    Just what I needed to see, Im North West based myself and am looking to change direction into making for a living. Thanks Buddy

    • @MargaretBaxter-w6v
      @MargaretBaxter-w6v Месяц назад +1

      Me too, interesting😊

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@paulhopkins1720 You’re welcome and best of luck with your woodworking adventures 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@MargaretBaxter-w6v Thank you 😀👍

  • @davidconhye4135
    @davidconhye4135 Месяц назад +2

    I've just come across your channel and very much like your honest and engaging communication style. It often takes me a while to subscribe to youtube channels, but subscribed to your's after just a couple of videos since you're better than most others.
    Wood working has been a hobby of mine for many years, and only in the last year have I tried to sell things. Tried Etsy, but not with great results. Had my first craft fair earlier today, which actually went unexpectedly well; by far the most I've ever made in a single day (although of course it's taken many months to make the items). Other factors played a part as well, such as being at a church where my Mum is closely affiliated and having several family members also coming along and supporting the sales.
    Your advice is very much appreciated, especially since it is clearly coming from a place of experience and honest intent.
    All the best to you Leo.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks for the very kind feedback. Totally agree with what you said in regards to the support of the community via the likes of the church or community groups. Best of luck with your woodworking adventures 😀👍

  • @MargaretBaxter-w6v
    @MargaretBaxter-w6v Месяц назад +1

    Great video. I am from the Wirral and have been crafting for many years. So far I have not had a lot of success selling my items so finding out about the Red Brick Market in Liverpool is very interesting to me. I am just learning how to do wood carving which is how I found your channel and I am so glad I did. Thank you.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      @@MargaretBaxter-w6v Thanks Margaret for the kind feedback and good luck with your carving projects 😀👍

  • @lobbylobbster
    @lobbylobbster Месяц назад +2

    Thanks for sharing the great advice, all the best with your sales 👏🏼

  • @10MinuteWorkshop
    @10MinuteWorkshop Месяц назад +6

    Good appraisal of the options Leo! I'd say the only time it's worth putting your products into a store that takes half of the sale price is if their customers are prepared to pay double. 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      @@10MinuteWorkshop Good point Peter. I’ve not found one yet, but there must be some out there 😀😀😀

  • @ModelFormat
    @ModelFormat Месяц назад +1

    I very much appreciated your honest review of the various sales avenues that you tested. I was particularly impressed by some of the ones near the end of the video. I am starting out in wood working as a hobby and would like to see it positively affect people in my community. Thank you very much for your advice

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks for the kind feedback and best of luck in your woodworking adventures 😀👍

  • @smitcher
    @smitcher Месяц назад +2

    Great video Leo, always great to hear what works for other people. The last one is a very good one but it's often easy to underestimate the power of community vs the reach of the internet. I'm more of a hobbyist but sell many of the things that I make and the way most of them have been sold is via 'local' social media like Gumtree, NextDoor and Facebook Marketplace... When I batch out a load of birdboxes or feeders etc then I will put a picture on showing them, "Phew, just batched 20 items for Etsy" for example and you will always get people asking for similar things... or I will make a birdbox that looks like a local building and will get people asking me to do other buildings. I've even swapped some stock for some raw materials, like some oak trivets swapped for a full oak table which I could then make 10 more trivets from... and sold them all very quickly...

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@smitcher Great pieces of advice here pal and thank you for sharing your experience 😀😀👍👍

  • @TheRusticCraftEmporium
    @TheRusticCraftEmporium Месяц назад +3

    Brilliant advice and greatly received. I'm a disabled female woodworker here in the UK and, I've been following advice from US based channels, to no avail!
    Etsy has been a waste of time so far so, im definitely going to try the networking route and try and hunt out something similar to Red Brick Market down here in the south east.
    Keep and the great work and thank you so much 👍🏻

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Thank you for your very kind feedback which is much appreciated. Best of luck with your business adventures moving forward 😀👍

    • @andymarriott8150
      @andymarriott8150 Месяц назад +1

      Just a suggestion if you've not heard of them already there is Conscious Crafties who run a great website where you can advertise your crafts with zero commission which you might find helpful

  • @Ocean-blue
    @Ocean-blue Месяц назад +3

    Thank you for this honest insight. I hope your business keeps growing 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thank you, much appreciated 😀👍

  • @markduggan3451
    @markduggan3451 Месяц назад +5

    Great video. I don't normally sell anything, I have given stuff to local shops for the shops, and they've then bought something else, or I've donated to a charity event, and I've had people come and ask if I could make something for them, but for me it's just a hobby.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +2

      As long as you’re happy with what you’re doing pal then it’s winners all round 👍👍

  • @paulcooper9187
    @paulcooper9187 Месяц назад +2

    Brilliantly reflective item Leo, thanks for the guidance. The one thing you didn’t cover is this very platform. It’s always easier to sell to an existing customer, and many of us who are subscribed fit that criteria. I bought a Christmas Tree chopping board last year on the basis of what I saw here. Great piece, keep it up

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@paulcooper9187 Thanks Paul and you make a very good point. I guess I left social media out of the equation as it takes time to grow an audience and you’re not protected selling on the likes of instagram from potential fraudulent activity

  • @tomlittle1125
    @tomlittle1125 Месяц назад +2

    Great Vid Leo as always. I was making fully assembled and finished Hardwood Adirondack Chairs and approached a few garden centres. They wanted 100% mark up, and the chairs had to be 'Flat Packed', wrapped or boxed with full assembly instructions. At the time I was charging £275 a chair and the wood, never mind the stainless steel fixings and the Cuprinol finish was costing me over £100.00. So it was just a non starter. Now after the Covid years, the price of material and consumables, the cost of living etc. I cannot afford to produce them at, as I see it, affordable prices. Keep going with your Red Brick outlet and your local butcher, and also your commissions. your stuff is real quality and it should continue to sell well. Cheers

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Tom, yes your story here I’ve heard quite a few times and it’s scandalous. Also the likes of Temu / Banggood etc flooding the market with even cheaper stuff doesn’t even give us a fighting chance

  • @Stephens8x6Workshop
    @Stephens8x6Workshop Месяц назад +1

    Lots of honest, quality and sound advice Mr. L. All the best mate.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Cheers pal, much appreciated 👍😀

  • @sandman2651
    @sandman2651 Месяц назад +4

    Lots of good information, i watch a fair few youtube woodworking channels most are in the states and they mostly say i put this on facebook marketplace and claim it works very well for them, but if you put the same kind of things over here in the uk people simply wont pay for it here word of mouth works well for me and you have pointed some good ways as well.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Totally agree with all of this, thanks for the comment 😀👍

  • @vernsteinbrecker3759
    @vernsteinbrecker3759 Месяц назад +2

    Really enjoyed the video, very informative

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@vernsteinbrecker3759 Thanks Vern 😀👍

  • @DeafMaker
    @DeafMaker Месяц назад +1

    I really loved liverpool red brick market when I visited last year, before you were set up there. Excellent video as usual. 🙂

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks pal, yes it’s a great place and just seems to be getting better 😀👍

  • @johnstevens1192
    @johnstevens1192 Месяц назад +1

    Even though I don't live in the UK, there was still plenty of great advice that I may be able to put into practice here in Australia. You got a thumbs up and a new sub from me. Thanks mate. All the best.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@johnstevens1192 Thanks John, really appreciate the kind feedback 👍👍

  • @briancrackett8421
    @briancrackett8421 Месяц назад +1

    Great video, just started selling stuff at a craft market and have been approached by a cafe and shop to sell things there...at 20%. In both cases it was networking that created the opportunity so good advice given! Thanks

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Cheers Brian, 20% seems very reasonable if there is still money in it for you too. Best of luck with it and hope it goes well for you 😀👍

  • @georgegriffiths2235
    @georgegriffiths2235 Месяц назад +1

    Well presented Leo not many of this type of information out there keep it up 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks George, much appreciated pal 👍😀

  • @andymarriott8150
    @andymarriott8150 Месяц назад +1

    Great video Leo - just a quick mention though for Conscious Crafties who are a great website with zero commission on sales that are setup to help crafties with disabilities or those that are supporting disabilities of which all the requirements can be seen on the website so maybe worth taking a look. I love the Red Brick Market idea and will be researching for my area

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@andymarriott8150 Thanks Andy and I’ll definitely be looking up the conscious craftiest people 😀👍

  • @barrybaker5135
    @barrybaker5135 Месяц назад +1

    enjoyed that i have run a small cleaning business for many years and always thought the same way as you . a carpet cleaning job in a nursing home or set of offices was like free advertising and worth doing a bit cheaper . i now have a small hobby woodwork shop with diode lasers. people keep saying do a craft fair go on etsy . you have backed up all my reasons why i dont want to do that
    Cheers Barry

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks for the kind words Barry and also sharing your experiences. Cheers, Leo 😀👍

  • @puddinggeek4623
    @puddinggeek4623 Месяц назад +1

    Excellent video. Really interesting and informative. Keep up the great work.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks for the kind feedback, much appreciated 😀👍

  • @wilbearworks
    @wilbearworks Месяц назад +1

    Thanks for that Pal. Most informative. Keep smiling.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Cheers Wil, hope you’re keeping well pal 😀👍

    • @wilbearworks
      @wilbearworks Месяц назад +1

      @@Hand-i-Craft Not too bad for an old-git, thanks

  • @KingcraftFarmWorkshop
    @KingcraftFarmWorkshop Месяц назад +1

    Super informative video Leo, thanks for passing on your experiences. The workshop is coming along slowly here but I need to start getting the word out and your video has been really motivating. : )

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Nice one pal, it must seem like a never ending job converting a space that size but it’ll be well worth it once you’ve finished 😀😀👍👍

  • @JLJCoastersPlus
    @JLJCoastersPlus Месяц назад +1

    very interesting never heard of red Brick will give that a go. keep up the good work and thanks

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Fantastic place for small independent businesses 😀😀👍👍

  • @matthewwilliamson9427
    @matthewwilliamson9427 Месяц назад +1

    Great video, really informative. Subbed 😊

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Matthew, much appreciated 😀👍

  • @projectrebuild908
    @projectrebuild908 Месяц назад +1

    Great information video Leo. Load of people will get something from this.

  • @normancoutts
    @normancoutts Месяц назад +1

    Selling is not something I am itching to do myself Leo, but I have been thinking of doing so on behalf of my allotment association that acts as a community enterprise and so your review of the options was very useful - thanks,

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@normancoutts Cheers Norman and best of luck with the allotment sales 😀👍

  • @adrianskelton7399
    @adrianskelton7399 Месяц назад +2

    Really interesting video, thanks mate! I did originally look at Ebay and etsy etc but didn't go any further because of the fees etc. The market in Liverpool sounds great! I don't know how well that would work for my business as the products I do are custom printed as you know. I did look at Burnley Market but they insist on a 12 month minimum contract, which is a huge commitment, not one I'm ready to make just yet, (it might explain the many empty stalls too!) I love the idea of talking to other small businesses, it's something I have been doing, but maybe I should do it a bit more!

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Cheers pal, thanks for the feedback and best of luck to you moving forward 🤞😀👍

  • @eldoradocraftsman3733
    @eldoradocraftsman3733 Месяц назад +1

    Really good Leo. Great insight into how your business works and how it didn’t too. Etsy was a total flop for me. Working with local businesses is a great idea. 👍🏾

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Ash, I think folk see Etsy as some be all and end all platform to selling, but there are much better options out there in my opinion 👍😀

  • @nialstewart8263
    @nialstewart8263 Месяц назад +1

    Interesting video Leo, especially your marketing approach. I'm an electronic engineer and have something i sell that isn't doing as well as I'd expected. Time for a rethink on how I'm doing this. 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Nial, hope things work out well for you 👍👍

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    I saw you at the craft show or trade show but your dressed nicely I think I’d like to see the artisan in his leather apron and actually working on pieces like a little live demo. I think that would fun for me to watch the artisan in action. You know like saw dust in the hair kinda thing … just thinking out loud!

  • @marcinkosin7107
    @marcinkosin7107 Месяц назад +1

    Great Video Dude 👍

  • @firehorse74
    @firehorse74 Месяц назад +2

    I Admire you for what you have achieved an inspiration for many people, Thank you for the video's

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Thank you for the kind feedback, much appreciated 😀😀👍👍

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    You just have to keep going ! Yes those contacts are so important so you did do well that day!

  • @mananddog9884
    @mananddog9884 Месяц назад +1

    Have you got a photo or video on the table top you made for the bar? Sounds interesting, thanks

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      There were a couple of photos in the video. It’s the table with Lux37 as the logo 👍

  • @pauln7422
    @pauln7422 Месяц назад +1

    Very good advice, thank you.😀👍

  • @slanwar
    @slanwar Месяц назад +2

    The market in US for cutting boards are supersaturated and I built a few years ago but nobody wanted to pay over $100 for a cutting board which cost me at that time about $55 in hardwood ( I was using walnut, maple, mahogany, etc), then glue, oils and labor. Etsy has people selling boards "from US" made of walnut which the price they have we woodworkers know that comes from China and coming from China means no guarantee the products they used are food safe. Woodworking for me is a hobby and I will make what people asks for (after they pay 50%), any money I make is for my addiction in .....buying tools :)

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Yes, well said and same problems this side of the pond. Good to hear I’m not the only one with the same addiction too 😂😂

  • @franjohnson2418
    @franjohnson2418 Месяц назад +1

    Great video! I’m wondering how much time it takes for you to maintain your website

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thank you. I use Squarespace for my website and once you’ve got it up and running, it’s pretty easy to manage. Having said that I do need to update parts of it with stuff I’ve been doing this year 👍

  • @Pete.Ty1
    @Pete.Ty1 Месяц назад +1

    👍👍👍. Thank you Leo

  • @f1pitpass
    @f1pitpass Месяц назад +1

    good stuff! Thanks!

  • @THE-AIDEN-PROJECT
    @THE-AIDEN-PROJECT Месяц назад +1

    Super interesting stuff 👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Aiden, appreciate it 😀😀👍👍

  • @paultay23
    @paultay23 Месяц назад +2

    Thanks Leo, great info and enjoyable video. My DW745 Flappy paddle sold well on Etsy when pushed by Keith (Rag n bone Brown) on RUclips and I sold loads of end grain cutting boards inc bespoke boards..... but postage costs and increased Etsy costs made it not worthwhile. Having move home recently and not having a working workshop has paused my crafting... will I go back to Etsy...I don't think so..... Cheers Paul ...TaylorMadeByPaul

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Hello Paul, great to hear from you pal. I remember your success story well and was thinking of that when I referenced the unique product to sell then Etsy is still a good place. Hope you’re keeping well pal, best wishes, Leo 😀👍

  • @vicsaunders9710
    @vicsaunders9710 Месяц назад +1

    Sensible video 👍👏

  • @BarKeegan
    @BarKeegan Месяц назад

    Great video 👌
    Curious to know, who writes your privacy policies for your site, is there a paid service you use? And what company would you recommend for international shipping?

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    Looks like to me the personal connection. Creating your own audience. It’s just a tough time in every economy.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Personal connection is essential I think 👍

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    EBay calculates the shipping on each order

  • @bobmoulton3319
    @bobmoulton3319 Месяц назад +1

    Hi sound advice Well presented Leo not many of this type of information. what about facebook marketplace ?? .

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Cheers Bob. Tbh I should have referenced FB Marketplace, even though it’s something I don’t use to sell woodworking items. My only major concern with marketplace is people collecting from your house which presents a potential security issue that someone then knows the exact location of my workshop. Anyone who watches my YT content knows I’m fortunate enough to have quite a few nice tools and I’d rather not have to worry about the likes of that 👍

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    I feel the best kind of business is a service. Maybe you can arrange your talent to be as a course that you charge for might be better. Showing your knowledge and techniques. I know many artisans that have left Etsy as it’s become more big business oriented rather than artisan.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thank you for the suggestion and it’s something I’ll certainly be considering 👍👍

  • @shaun30-3-mg9zs
    @shaun30-3-mg9zs Месяц назад +3

    Hi Leo, Hope your well, that is a problem selling in other shops it's down to there commission and why would you make an item and sell at half the price, it's a no go, your not in business to make money to the shop owner. There is a similar market in Wrexham like the Red brick in Liverpool. That is good of your local butcher to sell your items that is one way to sell and the word gets out to your local community and in time you will sell items through word of mouth and that is free advertising. as always a great video and wish your business goes from strength to strength, Take care mate

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      Thanks Shaun, might have to check this place in Wrexham out sometime 😀😀👍👍

    • @Xanderbelle
      @Xanderbelle Месяц назад

      Which shop do you know sells anything without making a profit ??
      Why would they bother?
      How long would they last?

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@Xanderbelle Totally appreciate shops have to make a profit, but so do we. There’s simply no point in makers asking a shop to stock our product if there is no money to be made at our end. Can you see that was the point I was trying to make?

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    Market is saturated only so many cutting board per home!

  • @jimr9921
    @jimr9921 Месяц назад +1

    Good video. Good advice.
    But you use a term I am not familiar with. What does "bespoke" mean? Just a custom order, or something else?

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Cheers Jim. Yes bespoke is the same as custom made 👍👍

    • @jimr9921
      @jimr9921 Месяц назад

      @@Hand-i-Craft Awesome, thanks for the info!

  • @mariagillinson8527
    @mariagillinson8527 Месяц назад +1

    Have you tried carboots?

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      I haven’t tbh but something I may consider if I can find a decent one local to me 👍

  • @CaptainFishbeard
    @CaptainFishbeard Месяц назад +1

    How do you get people to your own website? Is it RUclips viewers?

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад +1

      @@CaptainFishbeard Yes YT is good for driving visitors to my website, plus my other social media like Instagram / Facebook. Also things like a QR code on business cards and banners at sales events I attend 👍. Google recently has been good for directing people 👍

    • @CaptainFishbeard
      @CaptainFishbeard Месяц назад

      @ awesome, thank you!

  • @chriswoods7452
    @chriswoods7452 Месяц назад +1

    Ha, I've now seen three etsy ads during this video 😂

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      😳😳😳😂😂😂😂😂

  • @michaelwillson6847
    @michaelwillson6847 Месяц назад +1

    Mate this was a cracking insight must say really needed this right now (can i drop ya dm will explain and pick brains bit more) can't believe 50%. What's your thoughts on social media ie promotion on fb(not paid) also fb marketplace?? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Thanks Michael and yes send me an email when you have time. I’m mad busy atm but will try to get back to you. Marketplace I never discussed, personally I’m not too sure about people knowing my exact whereabouts in regard to workshop security so my understanding with Marketplace is they collect from your home. Using social media is a good one if you’ve built up a following as it is free at the point of entry and a good way to showcase your goods 👍👍

    • @michaelwillson6847
      @michaelwillson6847 Месяц назад +1

      @@Hand-i-Craft no worries will drop you DM later on today. No rush a no your a busy guy. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

  • @pinkmuffin9842
    @pinkmuffin9842 Месяц назад +1

    Shops depend on your items. If you can sell your item at 4x the material value (think instruments, sculptures, etc) a shop might be well worth it for you. But if you sell items that people aren't willing to spend that much money on (mugs, simple candle-holders, etc) you really shouldn't consider shops *unless* your items are simple enough that you can turnover a lot of volume.

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      @@pinkmuffin9842 Great points made and thanks for sharing your experience 👍👍

  • @fartinbrundle5495
    @fartinbrundle5495 Месяц назад +2

    I worked in retail for decades ,in the gift market you sell 80/90% of your goods at Xmas with the last week being insanely busy?its takes all year to plan and starts in January,retail is a dying art now because of the net and I laugh a little at the market stall holders who wonder why they fail,its hard work and a learned skill to sell

    • @Hand-i-Craft
      @Hand-i-Craft  Месяц назад

      Well said and appreciate the honest response here 👍👍👍