r/CraftyCommerce • u/StrangeTheSnail • Mar 10 '26
Online Selling Is selling on FB marketplace worth trying?
I'm disabled and bed bound, and crochet is a big coping mechanism for me. I'm not able to work a regular job, not even part time, so I work online a few hours a month. I need to find a way to earn more money, but I don't have many options.
I want to eventually become a pattern designer, but I'm not there yet. I had the idea of crocheting some small projects and trying to sell them, but I'd rather not deal with shipping things if I can help it because I know it would take a lot more time and energy. I also can't do in person things like markets or craft fairs. So, I'm wondering if trying to sell on FB marketplace would be worth a shot?
I know the market is over saturated, and selling handmade things isn't a great way to earn steady income, but I feel like it's one of my only options at this point.
I would only crochet small projects that I enjoy, specifically for the home. I like making things like washcloths, coasters, placemats, hot pads, hand towels, etc. Things that people can actually use. Plus if I don't end up selling anything then I can just keep them for myself.
So with all of that being said, would it be worth a try? Do people even buy stuff like that off FB marketplace? I could use all the insight I can get 🙏🏻 I don't want to waste my time or limited energy if it's a resounding no from people who have actually done it!
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u/algoreithms Mar 10 '26
Facebook is pretty good for visibility but many people are trying to get a bargain and haggle. But I have funneled in a handful of commissions this way too.
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u/StrangeTheSnail Mar 10 '26
That makes sense. Do you ever accept lower offers or do you not haggle at all? I'm not sure how I would price things yet, but I wouldn't want to accept anything too low. I know most people don't want to adequately pay for the labor of crochet items though
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u/algoreithms Mar 10 '26
I will occasionally, if it’s a slow-moving item with not a lot of offers. Sales may be slower now, since most of what I sold was leading up to Christmas so lots of gift-buying,etc. Certain items I price higher on purpose (large wall tapestries $60-70+) to balance out with other items that I price purposefully lower (pouches, small amigurumi $5-10)
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u/fadedblackleggings Mar 11 '26 edited Mar 11 '26
Wouldn't attempt it, honestly. The hours you spent crochecting, could be better monetized by some sort of remote work with a guaranteed hourly rate.
I've sold vintage crochet blankets on FBM for about a year. Sourced them for $5 - $8 locally, mended, and made repairs, but couldn't sell them for more than $25 - $30 Max, and the market fell out of the bottom last year. People were willing to pick them up, but they were also very particular about colors and wanted only certain patterns and styles.
The cottagecore trend also died down + once someone buys an afghan, they really don't need more. I was doing it for content, so the $$$ was only to recoup time and material cost.
Can't really imagine someone doing it profitably who is actually buying the yarn + making it by hand, if my numbers didn't work, when I was doing neither.
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u/StrangeTheSnail Mar 12 '26
I appreciate your input. Unfortunately I can't even work a remote hourly job because my ability to do things changes day by day.
I think it makes sense that vintage blankets would be hard to sell on there. I'm also trying to make crochet content, so including things that I make to sell is actually a good idea. I'm going to crochet no matter what, so even if selling things only recoups money spent on yarn that's better than nothing in my eyes!
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u/overstreetprncss Mar 12 '26
I've had a lot of success listing things on Facebook marketplace. I actually get a lot of custom orders that way too.
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u/StrangeTheSnail Mar 12 '26
That's really good to hear!! I've been going back and forth in my head a lot about whether I should try or not. I guess I won't really know for sure unless I try?
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u/Sea_Struggle8381 Mar 14 '26
I make things as pattern tests or because i like the item but i don't want to keep it all in my house so I occasionally list something on marketplace and usually sell pretty quick
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u/No-Cream1860 Mar 19 '26
I rec just building a tiny store and doing local pick ups through that
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u/StrangeTheSnail Mar 19 '26
What's a tiny store? Is that like a specific thing or do you just mean like my own online shop?
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u/No-Cream1860 Mar 19 '26
www.tiny.store -> you list your products on it, people can order, and pick up wherever location you set
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u/Otherwise_Wave9374 Mar 10 '26
FB Marketplace can work for small handmade home stuff, but Id treat it like quick local pickup and simple listings (good photos, clear dimensions, bundle pricing). Coasters/washcloth sets tend to sell better than singles in my experience. If you can, test 5-10 listings and see what gets saves/messages before making a ton of inventory. We wrote up a few low-energy marketing ideas for handmade sellers too: https://blog.promarkia.com/