Perhaps as your English improves you could eventually be able to deal with galleries as I think that is where your work belongs. But yes, it is finding the right kind of galleries and a good gallery owner that you can trust; perhaps a recommendation from someone who already deals with them who could introduce you. How long have you lived over here? Did you do this sort of work when you lived in Italy?
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Finding the right gallery and someone trustworthy could be an opportunity I’ll consider in the future. I’ve been living here in England for over six years now. In Italy, I hadn’t yet discovered the world of bandsaw boxes; I always loved working with wood, but I only started creating this type of piece after moving here. At first, I tried reaching out to other artisans who make bandsaw boxes, but unfortunately, no one responded, almost as if they were afraid to share their secrets. The only group that did respond was an American one.
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Golly Silvana. I could have started off the same thread! I love Folksy for its friendliness and that its just UK and only hand made but I am so dissapointed more people don’t know about it. I agree people seem to like face to face sales, I always do well at a local craft fair. I did research (i.e. Googled) when people like to shop online and it is at weekends and after 7pm so might try relisting items late rather than early morning. It is hard though to get those elusive sales.
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Don’t worry about other makers in the same field ignoring you, it isn’t just you, it happens to us all. Some makers aren’t willing to join in and that is their loss. The ones that do, usually end up being good friends as I have found. Keep chatting and get to know people and you’ll usually find help and friendship , even if it is only online, it can make you feel like you’e not alone. Good luck, get a few more English language skills to give you confidence, I’m sure we’ll see you succeed with gallery applications soon.
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Yes, I think there’s a lot of us with the same feelings and experiences about Folksy! I’ve jigged about with various times of the day and the week but can’t say I’ve landed on any particular routine - I’ll have a go at evenings/weekends particularly for a few weeks and see if it makes any difference. Having said all that, I’m just looking at my month end figures and I’ve actually had 4 folksy sales this month, I think that must be a record, that has NEVER happened before I’m sure!
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Shame you are not nearer Wisley, Marco as the craft event they have there is perfect for you. Not cheap but have a couple of friends who did it every year before they retired, they travelled from Wiltshire.
The nearest to you is Hyde Hall near Chelmsford. May be worth a trip next year.
The other one is Hampton Court along with the flower show.
Both the above are extremely affluent areas, sometimes you have to pay big to make it worth your while.
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Hi Silvana, I’m interested to know if those sales are from other Folksy sellers or the general public?
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Those this month? That’s an interesting question and I’ve just checked. 2 out of the 4 this month were other Folksy sellers. However, I’m not aware that any of my previous sales on here have been, though I’ve had some that are customers from someone I’ve sold to at a craft fair - I give out my cards every time someone buys and they’re on my taable for anyone to take - all my online details are on it, so facebook, instagram, pinterest, my own website and folksy.
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That’s something I’ve never done and now it’s impossible. The idea is that I need to expand my online sales to make up for the craft fairs I’d prefer to do but with no dogminder, in person is not always possible. I’ll travel to within an hour of where I live which covers some pretty posh places as well as the city centres, so I didn’t have a problem - it’s the actual being anywhere now that is the change of circumstance, if inside and dog-friendly I can still do them, if not, I don’t.
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Hi Silvana
I have noticed a terrible drop in sales in the past six months. The sales I have made are mainly from very loyal customers I have kept over the years. Due to physical disability I can not do Craft fairs at all. Even if I could they are now non existent in Cornwall. I agree with the other sellers comments, we all seem to be in same boat.
I used to sell jewellery items for hundreds of pounds on Folksy, but now it’s difficult trying to sell a pair of sterling silver gemstone earrings for over £10.00. I am not prepared to sell cheap just to make a sale, furthermore it would not cover my material costs. If things are to cheap people think there must be something wrong and it actually devalues the seller’s work.
Like everyone else I do spend time doing social media every day, but to no avail regarding getting more sales.
I am hoping sales improve, but it is very difficult trying to stay positive. I am always extremely grateful when my work is selected for gift guides and chosen by other sellers who take the time to do weekly promotion boards.
Let’s all try and stay positive for the future. There is so much devastation going on around the world regarding wars and global warming weather events at least we can eat, drink and sleep in piece.
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@DemelzaDesigns …it is very sad isn’t it…a lot of us are just hanging on…
. I think people are being very careful with their money at the moment. Your work is of TOP quality and I have always admired it…especially the knitwear, as I spent most of my life designing and selling knitwear. so I know good quality when I see it.
Keep positive and we can all just hope that things will pick up soon. big hugs x
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Thinks Brenda for your lovely comments.
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It is hard atm Demelza but can only hope things get better.
Can I say one thing your shop announcement being all in capitals, comes across as shouting. Capitals on the internet normally mean shouting. Can you change to upper and lower case plus maybe reduce the content a bit. The information you have given is brilliant but that maybe better in the about section.
I only use the announcement as just that and keep it small.
Good Luck with your sales.
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Hi Carol
Thank you so much for that important point, I never thought about it when I wrote it. A couple of customers have said all the information in one place helped them choose my work as not everyone reads everything about the seller in different areas of their shop. It’s important to me people know the facts at the point of sale and they understand and appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to offer quality products. I am the only registered member of the NAJ on Folksy and one of only two designer/craft persons approved by the NAJ in Cornwall. I was thrilled when I got the recognition.
Once again thank you for that valuable information. I have slowly altered a few lines word by word. At the moment we have a very poorly dog needing are care, so I will continue when I have more time, hopefully this evening.
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Fabulous achievements re the NAJ Demelza - very well done 
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Thank you. I see you always look at my work when I post it on X and you often kindly repost on.
It’s not just a case of paying a high yearly subscription with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ). I applied in 2015. They contacted my supplier for references and jewellers who were stocking my work at that time, then my work had to be submitted to an independent professional panel within the u.k jewellery industry to make sure it meet their high standards. Apparently, they noted the quality of the gemstones I use and my own distinctive style. Over the years other sellers have copied me by using cheaper gemstone types or inferior quality gemstones to try and create the same look and then seriously under cut my prices. That I do find sole destroying!
If '‘create and craft’ have gone bankpt we stand little chance of sales picking up in the very near future. I was so shocked to see a t.v craft show going under, which is confirmation times are tuff at the moment! The weak will give up, the strong will ride the storm, which thankfully I can afford to do as all my materials are paid for and I don’t have any business debts.
I always purchase from other Folksy sellers wherever i can. Today I purchased my grandsons 3rd birthday card for next March! If we shop together no matter how small the order amount the more chance all sellers can ride the downturn sales storm.
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Very well done Demelza - I applaud your determination and conviction. And I agree - I buy all my gifts from other artists and crafters - mostly Folksy and the small group of local artisans I am involved with. I’ll be doing some shopping over the next few weeks. 
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Yes! I hthoight the only reason why OI was having so few sales, was because social media doesn’t come natural to me so I haven’t been doing enough of that, but now I have two ideas.
First, I suspect that as more and more people join folksy, then the competition gets greater and so everyone gets fewer sales.
The second suggestion I feel is more positive. Everyone has heard of Etsy but no one knows of folksy. I really feel that there needs to be far more publicity by folksy. Etsy is advertising on TV, for example. Folksy promised so much but the majority of the British public have simply never heard of us. Cheers, Wendy
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I don’t know what happened after 2022 on Folksy and I still don’t know what happened after November 2023…my views here suddenly dropped to about 1/3 in mid November…and they have not recovered yet. A seller started a thread about that sudden drop in views on Folksy but we didn’t figure it out…
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Add to that the hundreds of videos online showing people how to do various crafts…and some of those videos are created in such a professional manner. It’s like they are sending the message ‘don’t buy from crafters, just make it yourself’. But as you say we will gtry to ride the storm…
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