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Jessiebird
New Pal
28 Posts |
 Posted - 12/06/2005 : 4:19:51 PM
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A friend and I have recently launched a small website to our sell hand-dyed and self-striping yarns (as well as hand-dyed clothing, as soon as the local holiday season dies down and we can keep some inventory!). I would like to add some other products, such as needles and knitting organizers/bags and such.
It's a multi-layer question: one is how to approach major companies about needles and stuff. Of course, the answer to that is probably simple: Make a wholesale inquiry online or by phone. Duh. But what about smaller companies? If there is a person who sews hand-made knitting bags, for instance, is she likely to want to sell wholesale or will she do better selling full price on her own site?
I know this may be a stupid question but I need to just ask. I am wondering because in our work, we are finding that the clothing side does lend itself to wholesale because of the quantity you can make. But the yarn is really a skein by skein process and wouldn't be cost effective to sell wholesale, at least at this point. I'm leaning more toward New England, especially Vermont, sources, as that's where we're located. Any leads?
I'd also like some opinions on what else knitters might like to see on a website that sells yarn. Patterns? Needles? Bags? Books? Any opinions (of the patient, kind, gentle sort, of course) would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Blog: http://whathousework.typepad.com/what_housework/
Website:http://www.apieceofvt.com
Hand-dyed variegated and self-striping yarns |
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ndhannah@knitkitsco.com
New Pal
13 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2005 : 8:09:00 PM
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Your yarns are beautiful and I'll be sending you an email to discuss wholesale pricing. As far as which is better retail or wholesale...well, of course, retail provides a bigger initial profit, however, if you had a few (or many) shops buying all you could produce, you're exposure would be much greater and, therefore, your quantity of sales would increase. And, nothing precludes you from doing both. As far as needles, etc., you could attend one of the TNNA shows (TNNA.org) in January or June (I think). There are soooo many vendors ...this would be where you would find the type of accessories you might want to stock. However, they generally have minimum initial orders that can be quite steep...good luck with your business....I'm hardly an expert, having only been in business a bit over a year, but, if I you have a question, feel free to contact me and if I don't know, I'll try to pass yo along to someone who does.  ndhannah@knitkitsco.com |
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Jessiebird
New Pal
28 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2005 : 04:54:07 AM
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Thanks for the response. I guess my problem with the yarn is at the moment, I can't produce it fast enough to make a profit at a wholesale rate. I can't make it up in quantity, because making double the yarn takes double the time.
I am hoping to streamline the process as I get better at it. Right now I am having a ball just playing with all the colors and selling what I can.
I understand the initial investment in wholesale supplies. But between the yarn and the dyed clothing (which we are selling a lot of locally) we have been able to make the business pay for itself, essentially. (Meaning, we had a small initial investment and we haven't had to put any more of our own money in since the very beginning.) It's a slow way to grow, but it's what is working for us at the moment.
What kind of business do you have?
Blog: http://whathousework.typepad.com/what_housework/
Website:http://www.apieceofvt.com
Hand-dyed variegated and self-striping yarns |
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