Answer to the first question; how am I doing this year? I had started off on a decent start, and then from February to about August has been rough. In January, I had a LIVE Sale on my FB business page. I only had a few sales, but I still take that as a win. I had also started the course for the certification for gift design. February to August, my family’s health came first. My mom had two minor strokes, my sister had several eye surgeries, my son had testing for his stomach issues. My own health took a turn. I decided that I would go into craft events as a vendor, because I thought with what I have already in stock, I could sell. So far, so good. Sells have increased each time (3 events) and receieved positive feedback. I’m waiting to hear back from one more event coordinator for an event in December. I do have one custom order from my previous work place. The Director wants a particular order for the teachers ~ Returning business order for Christmas gifts.
1- What new trends for 2025 are you seeing? While I’m in the gift basket business, my area is slightly different with the crocheting and knitting. I did some research.
~ Colors: On my end; jewel tones and neutral tones seem to be a combo for blankets, sweaters, etc. I don’t sell either of those; but I do use them for ideas color schemes for seasonal items. More purples, reds, teal blues, and taupes for facial scrubbies. More greys, soft pinks, caramels/gold for ear warmers. Same thing with coffee cozies. In my Square Library, I have all items marked for their colors (Aqua, Teal blue, Amethyst – light purple), I can see what area and people go for certain products and colors. Which is what I’m already seeing.
~ Items: Practicality! I have noticed that some people love crochet snowmen, candy canes, oranments, and stocking stuffers along with every day items. Times are tough. Eco-friendly & reusable items are the way to go. Espeically if the items can last more than five years. They are loving more useful items; chap stick cozies, coffee cozies, coasters, loofahs, facial scrubbies, wash cloths & dish cloths, kitchen accessories, and baby items. Baby & wedding season will be here soon. They are also liking some box sets. So people love to keep things simple.
2- Are you trying out any new type of design looks? Yes! I have found boxes on Amazon for smaller box sets and great larger mailing boxes for bigger gift baskets purchases. Bubble wrap for save keeping. LOTS of tape. The delivery services aren’t always friendly to packages. For my seasonal holiday crochet baskets: I’ll be branching out into new shapes –> Heart Shape, Pumpkin Shape, Acron Shape, & Star Shapes.
3- Are you mainly designing to market to the individual consumer or corporate customer? My main customers are individual. However, I do have one customer that is a Director of a private preshcool academy. She is also a friend of mine. She has purchased twice from me for her teacher gifts. Either as thank you for her staff or Christmas gifts. So, technically one business. I am open to selling to other businesses.
4- How will you solicit their business? I’ve been semi-okay about keeping in touch with everyone. Some better than others. I’m hoping next week, that I can contact everyone via Facebook messenger. By events, I don’t really have a way of contact unless I have their email and phone number by custom orders. The majority for small to medium purchases are cash. Bigger medium to larger purchases are card by tap to pay.
Additional notes: I have received more positive feedback than negative. When I do get negative feedback; I take that as a learning experience. Once I was told my loofahs were too big. So I went down in knitting needle size and made tighter stitches. That helped with the size. I also get to play around with the feel/texture of yarns. Cotton yarns can be semi-rough (great for dish cloth) to extra soft (great for hygiene products). It’s a learning experience. Every-now-and-then, I like to run a poll on my FB business page. That does help get feedback of where everyone stands.