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For several years you've been designing and sewing unique clothing. You've toyed with the idea of selling the garments in a local boutique, but don't know if you can mass-produce enough to sell wholesale. The answer? Selling on consignment. Not only can you work at your own pace, your hobby can pay for itself and you'll earn money as well! |
The Consignment Question Many people who aren't sewers are willing to buy a custom-sewn item. However, its price, demand and marketability will depend on the style, fabric selection and workmanship of the item, as well as the appeal and location of the sales outlet. In general, to display and sell your sewn items with the minimum dollar and time invested at the greatest profit, offer them on consignment. If you sell your fabric crafts in a boutique, you most likely sell your items at wholesale prices, and you're paid when the store buys your merchandise. However, as the designer and seamstress, you have no control over how your work is priced; the store owner or manager decides that--and may add a 50-percent or more markup. On the other hand, many fabric craft consignment shops are nonprofit ventures run by volunteers. These cooperatives generally sell unique handmade gifts and clothing at a considerably lower markup than their boutique counterparts. However, when you sell on consignment, you aren't paid until your work is sold to a customer. The good news: The store takes only a percentage of the agreed-upon retail price for handling the sale and the remainder goes to you. Before you choose a shop to consign with, visit different shops to check out each one's location, atmosphere, attitude of the employees and the attractiveness and appeal of the displays. Carefully examine the merchandise and ask yourself the following questions:
Before agreeing on a price for your work, check the prices of similar items in the shop to see what the market will bear. Ask yourself, "If this item was made by someone else, how much would I be willing to pay for it?" Remember: You, the consignor, will receive only a percentage of the marked price. Percentages vary from shop to shop. Some stores take 20 percent or less for handling and profit; others take as much as 40 percent. The following is a simple formula to help you price your projects and still make a profit: Multiply the cost of supplies by 2.5; divide by the percentage you receive = retail price. |
Shop Talk Usually a shop has a specific day and time it will accept projects. Handcrafted items left on this day sometimes are juried by a craft selection committee who examine workmanship and salability. For the best chance of selection, present only your best work. Clip all threads, remove basting stitches and nicely finish the back of the project or inside of the garment. And always use quality materials in your projects. Some top-selling consignment shop items include vests; quilted and/or reversible jackets; appliquéd or otherwise embellished sweatshirts; aprons; quilts; baby clothes and bibs; smocked dresses; soft baby toys; men's ties; machine- or hand-knit mittens and sweaters; and table linens. Once your sewn items are selected, you'll be asked to sign an agreement. Usually it's a standard written agreement specifying the rules and regulations of consignment. But no two stores operate the same; read the contract carefully and know your obligations before you sign. Once you sign the agreement, you have no control over how your work is displayed, advertised or sold. Your work could sit on a shelf for months because a shop has many different artists and other crafts to promote. Drop by periodically to see how your articles are being displayed. If you have a special rack, clothes tree or basket to display your items, offer to lend it to the shop. Some shops insist you remove unsold seasonal merchandise, such as Christmas aprons and tree skirts, while others will store them until the next holiday season. Stores that only are open during the school year encourage consignors to pick-up their goods before closing for the summer. Those shops that won't hold articles dispose as they see fit of all items not picked up by the consignors. Because consignment shops come and go, protect yourself by consigning only in shops that are solid, established businesses. Ask yourself the following questions:
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| Consignment Networking Consignment shops belonging to the Federation of Women's Exchanges (see "Resource" at the end of this article), a nationwide network of consignment stores, also have the opportunity to select merchandise from artists all over the country. The exchanges meet yearly to solve problems, share ideas and showcase the talents of their craftspeople. Representatives of each member shop take a limited number (between 10 and 20) of their best consignors' works to display. The creative, well-crafted articles chosen may include not only bestsellers, such as patchwork vests and embellished sweatshirts, but also local artists' quilts and pillows appliquéd with the town's logo. Written permission of the selected consignor must be obtained; some artisans don't want to expand their market beyond the local store. At the meeting, each shop has its own display table complete with handouts listing the individual items; the name and address of the consignor; and both the consignor's price and the item's selling price. Interested shops contact the consignors for the items they would like to sell in their stores. As a result, a sewer can go from consigning her work in one shop to selling nationwide. Before you sign a consignment agreement, ask yourself the following questions:
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