How can I track materials for handmade products using purchase orders?

[sweetstash]

I have an online needlework store.  Some things I purchase are for resale purposes only.  Easy... they are in my products I sell and inventory.

Other things I purchase I use as materials to make something, and then sell that final product.   Example:  I hand dye fabric for the person to stitch on.  Therefore, I have to purchase white dyeable fabric and the dye.  These products I do not resell... obviously.

I do however, purchase these products from a company that I also purchase products for resale.  How do I work purchase orders purchasing the "materials"?  These products are not in my product list, they do not need to be in my available inventory and should not be.  Yet, I want to keep track of all my purchases through purchase orders for taxes.  How do I do this?

[julesverne]

I make handmade items. Nothing I sell is sold as it was purchased! Im not sure how to move forward recording these into Shopify, but having an inventory system that would keep track of all of that would sure be helpful. However, I have LOTS of components and im not sure id want to have to count each tiny bead and cabochon. help Shopify! were not all reselling!

[Victor]

Hi @julesverne,

Thank you for getting in touch. Can you tell me more about the issues you're experiencing please? Is the issue primarily around not getting sales or is it more to do with tracking orders and inventory when sales are made? Please also provide more information about the products that you sell.