Bee Attack 🐝 Crochet Goodies 🧶 Market Prep?

Still no idea what I am doing but I’m uploading on a Sunday woohoo

[@MimiMakesKeepsakes]

You are such a joy to hang out with! 😆Don't give up! 🥰

[@beaflamingo]

aww thank you xxx

[@nanastacep1331]

The more you practice, the better your stuffies will be. Turtles and chickens are very popular in the states. As well as octos and frogs, which you already know. Keep at it. Hugs!

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you xx

[@jackieschneider7354]

Bees seem to sell really well. There are many free patterns and of different sizes. Birds are also popular such as mallard ducks, chickens and yellow ducks.

[@beaflamingo]

I'm waiting for the bright yellow to come into stock so I can get buzzy with bee's :D xx

[@wendyjo9349]

❤ your personality is so delightful! I've found that if I made things I really liked, it was always a success. Also, make 5 or 6 of each of the smaller items. And offer a few different larger items. Like a duck, cat or dinosaur.

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you so much :) Those are good tips, I'm really into dinosaurs at the moment so will make a big one of those i think xx

[@debswanadocraft3575]

Loving your video’s, I can relate. Friendly little chat 😊 hope you continue what you’re doing x

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you!! 😊 xx

[@user-jm7bk8ri9k]

Hi there, I'm really enjoying your video's, they make me feel like I'm not alone on my journey. I have all the materials but not enough experience and I'm sure the skill will come with practice. I think it's safe to say the best results for me have been the paid for patterns recommended by others I watch and take part in the crochet along video's so I'm being guided as I go. Your wee loaf cats were fab! I prefer the leggy frogs, I find them really cute and the black marl plushy yarn would make a great chicken...which are really easy and fun to make. I will look forward to watching your successes and seeing you grow. Keep on hooking.....we didn't learn to walk the first time we got to our feet, we gained confidence and skill with practice and encouragement. I love your sense of humor and your ability to see the funny side of your makes. Keep them coming. Good luck with your market prep. warm hugs Sheila :0)

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you for your lovely comment Sheila :) I'm going to give chickens a try I think as they look easier than the disaster of the dinosaur I keep trying to do LOL xx

[@leahberg6359]

you need to figure out your audience. For instance, in the Midwest (USA) I understand cows and chickens do well. Anyway- I’m sure you’ll do fine. You have a winning style! All the best. ❤ I think I’m your 62nd subscriber. Yay!

[@beaflamingo]

yay thank you for subscribing :) crochet Plushies over here in the UK are a new thing so its a bit of an experiment at the moment but cats and dogs are always a hit with anything xx

[@angelahayes2601]

I’m sure you’re following the pattern correctly, it’s just tension. Sometimes I may look where the bobble is and I may add a stitch or take one away to line up the bobble where it should be. 🥰

[@beaflamingo]

I'm def going off-plan with these patterns I think :) I have to admit that sometimes my brain stops counting stitches and then it just goes crazy from there LOL xx

[@lisajones918]

I don’t like bees either. I would have not been able to sit there. You did a great job.

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you! xx

[@PennyPotCottage]

Hi from a fellow UK crocheter 👋🏻 I started making alllll the things I saw the US crocheters making. Then I found out about the uk regulations for UKCA testing 🤦‍♀️ and now I’m concentrating on one or two patterns! Look forward to following you 🎉

[@beaflamingo]

Hellooo, yes the UKCA regs where scary to start with but once you figure it out and do it a couple of times it gets easier. I have found that using the plushie/chenille type yarn much more harder than my cotton yarn as it's just not as strong. xx

[@PennyPotCottage]

@@beaflamingo i tried chenille but got frustrated (plus my tension comes too loose and the items would fail the poke test 😩). I now use Bernat blanket or Utopia Cuddle or Hello Love brands which suits me better! If you’re happy to share … where did you get the glittery eyes , I can’t find compliant ones?

[@beaflamingo]

I will have to try those yarns, I have yarnart Dolce at the moment. Amazon search 'mucunnia' they are compliant eyes :) xx

[@PennyPotCottage]

@@beaflamingo thank you ❤

[@PennyPotCottage]

@@beaflamingo thank you ❤

[@lizcarter6938]

My suggestion, Tour the market before you sign up and see if there are other crochet sellers there and see what they sell. If there are others you should have something that sets you apart so you're not in competition but yet you stand out by offering things others don't have. Having a couple bigger items to draw people in is a good idea but lets not forget the UK as well as the US are in a economic crisis right now so therefore extra funds to spend on non essentials is not something a lot of families have. That being said I would stick to lots of smaller affordable items. Keychains can also be marketed as backpack buddies to the younger kids who don't drive. The axolotls have been made popular from the game minecraft and every crocheter I've see said the pink sell out first. I guess if you're just starting out doing 3 of each item is a good place to start. I don't crochet but have made hair bows for 11 years and I guess I'm in the minority because I DO NOT think selling out is a good thing or a success because i look at is me being under prepared and I missed out on potential sales because I didn't have the products available. I am established so when I purchase or restock my ribbons or hardware I am doing so with profits from my business it's never taking money out of my pocket or personal money (hope that makes sense) so If I have products made up and left over from one sale then that's perfect they carry over to the next sale and I can focus on bringing in a new item or batch making more of the item I'm currently on. Right now I am making Halloween Mouse (mickey) Ghosts hair bows and my plan was to make 12 but then that leaves me with the supplies to make 8 more so instead of stopping at 12 I am going to batch make all 20 and then I'm done with that item. If they sell out then they are done for the season and I can therefore batch make something else instead of having to go back and make just a couple mouse ghosts to replace what sold.
Best of luck I hope you do a market, I'm looking forward to watching.

[@beaflamingo]

Thank you so much for your comment :) I shall visit some local craft markets over the next month or so and see what is out there. I admit I dont go to them often so will be an eye opener I think, may even record my visit so everyone can join me.
I love your thoughts on 'selling out' so many of us think selling out is the best thing but you are so right in that it is better to not sell out and be prepared with stock. Definitely has given me food for thought so thank you xx

[@ColleenBarden-l1t]

Use a few tutorials to get a strong background on how amigurumi happens - then back to pattern reading

[@beaflamingo]

I'm addicted to youtube tutorials now :) xx