I've been talking with quite a few of my handmade business friends and we are scared. Back in 2020, we were needed during the pandemic to make masks and we did just that. My friend and I together made probably over 1,000 masks.
I'm concerned about my little business. I want it to thrive and give everyone the products they want. It's hard for people to understand that everything in this shop is 100% handmade.
I hand sew every head wrap, scrunchie, bag and I hand make every perler bead, hand paint every canvas. It's a lot of work but I absolutely love it. I love creating.
When I work at comic conventions as a vendor, I hear the same thing.. omg.. it's this price?! That's soo expensive? But yet will purchase a $100 pikachu plush that a vendor got from Temu for probably $15. I always tell everyone when they make a statement like that, that everything is completely handmade.
Another thing is that people are expecting the Amazon treatment. You purchase for a cheap price and expect it in 2 days and with free shipping. I'm all about free shipping but understand from a handmade owner perspective, it's just me. I try to find the cheapest prices for shipping but it's me paying USPS, UPS etc., to mail your items. I don't receive the shipping fees, that all goes towards them.
Please give me a peace of mind that handmade businesses are still needed and loved. I plan on doing mainly online sales and going to conventions but not as much as I used to do. Maybe 5 out of the year? 10 at most? Just depends. Everyone is struggling right now. What would you buy?