Hello all. I’ve been on Folksy for a few years now and my sales have gradually ground to a halt. My last sale was in March. I’ve taken on board advice re: social media and started using Instagram (already used Pinterest) but it’s made no difference to views or sales. I’ve checked over descriptions/tags etc but now I’m stumped! Maybe I need fresh eyes on my shop to suggest improvements/ideas. All suggestions welcomed. Thank you for looking! 
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Hi @Bimblebird I don’t think it is anything you are doing wrong. I have only sold the odd thing here and there since Christmas on Folksy and I think it’s the economic climate at the moment.
I have started back doing in person craft events and it seems to be that people are only buying non essentials if it’s for a gift. I went to a regular fair that I normally do really well at and ended up selling one hair scrunchie!
Just keep plodding, your needle felted creatures are lovely by the way.
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Hi @Bimblebird I’ve only been on Folksy since mid February so don’t feel experienced enough to offer any advice. However, firstly I would say your shop is lovely and your recent listing of the star gazing little hare is just beautiful. I too agree that the economic crisis is definitely a huge factor and I do think people are having to prioritise their spending. If you love what you make and can continue to add to your shop, I would encourage you to keep going. I’ve had a few sales since I have joined, these have been from friends and friends of friends, but have had no, what I would call “general public” sales. I joined Facebook because of my Folksy shop but am struggling with that a bit to be honest. I’ve never done a craft fair even though I’ve been papercrafting for about 6 years, I still have memories of the odd car boot sale I did years ago and people wanting things for pennies lol 
that was enough to put me off! However craft fairs may be different. Good luck 
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Hi Zoe. You may be right. Things are hard for everyone at the moment. Thank you for taking the time and for your kind comment. Love your little gift sets - such a great idea😊
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Hello @SeaPinkCards. Thank you for taking a look and for your lovely comment. I was put off doing fairs because of the prices in London (and I don’t drive so can’t consider outside the city). It can be hard for us makers to stay motivated to keep making and listing if we aren’t selling anything can’t it? But some people are apparently still doing well on here…Anyhoo, I do love making and maybe should try and forget about the sales side for the time being. I only ever sold to friends on Facebook as I never worked out how to use it targeting the ‘general public’ !!! so don’t tend to post on there any more. I love your seahorses, so pretty. Wishing you all the very best with your new shop.
Hi @bimblebird thank you, yes totally agree the motivation factor is definitely an issue for me at times and the cost of the supplies is going up too. The question I ask myself is how would I feel if I don’t continue, would that make me feel better or worse.
Some sellers are super successful here and others are ticking along and others are not. A lot of sellers do seem to do fairs (not for me) and may have their own web site or business, which probably would make a difference in getting known. My over-riding concern is not too many people seem to be aware of Folksy, which is a shame!
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It is difficult to keep going when you aren’t getting sales but I know what you mean about how you would feel if you gave up. I’ve knitted since I was 4 having being taught by my mum and I’ve honestly knitted pretty much every day since. I lost mum on mother’s day last year, now my knitting helps me cope and still feel close to her. I honestly think if I stopped that my mental health would suffer (I’m already prone to depression and anxiety due to my other illness). Of course I want sales but for me it’s the actual making that counts. In an ideal world I make a little profit (as fortunately I have done so far), if it came to it that I was just breaking even I would continue. If I was making a loss I would have to stop which would be a hard choice to make.
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There’s nothing wrong with your shop or your items. They are all beautifully photographed. The only thing I’d say is that earrings and jewellery often look good on a model, and might give people a different perspective and make them more attractive to a buyer? Most of the scarves I used to sell got sold when the photos had a real model.
I spend a lot of time on social media and it barely affects my sales here which have always been slow. I’m quite ‘high end’ with some of my pieces, so prices may be too high for here, I don’t know. But I spend hours and days making some of the more complicated pieces so my prices reflect that. I think you just have to keep slogging away and keeping the faith.
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Also, I’d recommend setting up a Facebook shop for your creations.
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Totally agree with you Carol, I think the creative process is really therapeutic and makes such a difference to well-being. I know my card making and papercrafting has helped me through some really difficult times too.
I think it’s a balancing act, if I got to the point of only making things in a style I think will sell or it’s costing me too much to make it viable on Folksy, I think I would give up trying to sell my work to be honest.
I will see how things go on Folksy and try to get more motivated to embrace the social media side of things, which does seem to be a necessary evil The Talk Folksy forum is good and it’s helpful to be able to share thoughts and ideas 
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Yes, that’s what I am trying to avoid. Making things I think will sell even if I don’t enjoy making them or even like them. I did start thinking I need to change what I make - to quicker, simpler, less labour intensive and therefore cheaper - but I think that may be a slippery slope and have avoided going there so far.
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So sorry to hear about your Mum but what a lovely way to stay connected to her. I envy anyone who can knit or crochet, I’ve never been able to master either. Thank you for your comments.
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I don’t have someone who can regularly model my stuff (apart from my partner who has modelled some scarves) but I think he might draw the line at wearing dangles…
i do have an earring ‘head’ that I could use more, but as it’s slightly smaller than life I worry it makes the earrings look too big! But maybe I should use it for at least one photo. Thank you for your suggestions and your glasswork is gorgeous, I think it’s obvious how much work goes into making each piece and personally don’t think your prices are too high at all. I’ve also just realised I have one of your Ginger Pineapple cupcakes on my kitchen window sill! 
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Exactly, you are right it’s tempting but a slippery slope and will take all the joy and satisfaction out of creating. Hopefully when the economic situation improves and if more people were to get to know about Folksy and its wealth of talented makers, all of our sales would get better. 
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I’m in agreement with the feedback on the economy hurting many. I also attend craft fairs and do well. I think that the touch and feel of products makes it easier for people to treat themselves. There is so much out there in ‘internet’ land that it may be it’s turning into ‘flicking’ over the page like we do with our magazines. Keep at it and here’s to lots of sales coming your way.
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This is why I gave up a few years ago due to no sales! 
but in the time I’ve been away from Folksy I’ve made lots of new items so decided to start up again 
I did consider giving E a try but have since decided against it as I don’t like all the rules n regulations n charges for this n charges for that! 
& to be honest I much prefer the community on Folksy
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I have been on Folksy since 2011, every time I listed something it sold straight away, it was great, I was adding new items every few days, then once they introduced the PLUS account ( I didnt sign up then ) my sales stopped overnight and have struggled ever since then. I have signed up to the PLUS account now hopeing it would improve, but sadley that hasn’t happened. I do know that because they don’t have the huge traffic and advertising budget as E… do you do have to drive all of your own traffic, and personally if you have to do that you may as well send the traffic to your own website and cut out the middle man. I will continue to have a Folksy shop for now but not sure how long for, I sell better on E… and my own website.
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