How to sell your handmade items to boutiques

People ask me all the time about selling things to boutiques-how to get your foot in the door so to speak. Here are some tips to get you started ;-)

• Know your product inside and out. Make sure you have something original, practical, functional, and that will easilly sell. This is a benefit for yourself, so you don't try to sell your product to a boutique and get refused for being impractical.
• I would definitely recommend that you have some experience selling on eBay or crafts shows first. Or, even try giving your product away, for some test runs. If you crochet-give your neighbors something you've made and ask them for their feedback after a few days of use. It is good to have feedback about your item(s) so you can adjust any hang ups that they may have before you sell them to boutiques.
• Ok, you've done all the above? You're ready to sell your items wholesale?? OK, lets talk about wholesale pricing. Always know ahead of time, the lowest amount you are willing to accept for your items. Most boutiques will want to buy your items from you at a wholesale price so they can mark them up. Example: If its costing you a few dollars to crochet a poncho, but it takes you 2 hours to make one, take all of that into consideration. If you are selling your ponchos on eBay for $20, boutique prices would typically be about a 60-100% mark-up.  So lets say a boutique wants to sell your ponchos for $30 each, they are most likely going to want to give you about half of what they sell it for, or a little less. So expect about $15-$18 for your poncho. So when you walk into a boutique to try to sell to them, know the lowest price that you will accept for your wares before you enter. Some Boutiques will offer to sell things for you and take a percentage of your sale-to me, these are the best situations if you live close to this certain boutique and you can pick up/drop of items frequently for sale.
• Be prepared. Bring samples of your items, at least 5-10 things to show, and bring variety. Variety will show off all your areas of talent. Bring something that would go with each season but emphasize on the season at hand. Bring a portfolio, lots of pics of your items. Have modeling pics for clothing & accessories-great!! Professional pics will definitely help your product to sell. Be dressed as if you were going to an interview-not over the top, but look professional, not going in there covered in ribbon or fabric fuzz b/c you were designing before you came :-) Bring your items on hangers, or boutique cards, etc. This will give a more professional feel to the owner/manager. Always leave your card or something with all of your contact info including website or ebay store. One last tip! If you have a daughter, dress her up in one of your favorite boutique creations and bring her along! Owners/managers love to see the look all put together!
• Research before you try to sell. Make sure you've done your research on a boutique first. Don't walk into a traditional boutique and find yourself trying to sell punk themed boutique wear when the entire store sells toile and lacey items. That could be embarrassing ;-). But if you do want to bring something different & trendy, bring one thing particular and then bring 5 or 6 things that go with the boutiques overall style and atmosphere.
• Don't limit yourself to boutiques. Gift stores and specialty stores, even hospital gift shops are open to buying hand made items. Also, look on ebay or y*hoo groups to find someone to team up with and rent out a kiosk in the mall near a holiday where your items will sell. Also, find boutiques online to sell to! With USPS having flat rate boxes now, you can stuff a box full for $8!! A very small price to pay if you are making lots of money with a boutique across the country.
• One last tip~its always easier to sell you product to a boutique if you shop there yourself! Establishing a relationship w. the owner/manager by being a loyal customer, is a great way to get your foot in the door to sell to them :-)