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Entrepreneurship:  Crafters Who Make Money  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 19 2006 : 6:04:34 PM
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| I'm glad I wandered into this thread, as I have been thinking a lot about these ideas. I've gotten bad about seeing something and figuring out that I could make it cheaper/better/more personalized/ whatever. But that's taking into account that I have the time, skills, creativity to focus on the item rather than shelling out triple for it. The thing I see around here (not a craft) that I can't believe women pay big money for are the Vera Bradley bags. Dang, you can buy the quilted frabic and sew the square for a fraction of what they cost. So, I have to say that I think we look at things and realize that we could do it better/cheaper/more creatively/whatever, when there are consumers who can't/don't/won't take the time to, and would rather pay whatever for the item they want. |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 04:30:20 AM
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great advice from everyone .. when i lived in maryland and had a 'rag doll club' .. we did shows together .. and dolls were VERY popular at that time and in that area .. so we all sold very well. i also sold lots and lots of dolls via my 'treasure seekers' list .. had several 'collectors' who bought over and over again .. one friend had over 100 of my dolls displayed in her big home .. and oh my .. what a grande and glorious and VERY primitive home she has! and she does not mind spending $500 or $600 EACH doll .. MINE were more in the $25. range!!!
i don't make as many now that i live in kentucky .. so much 'new territory' to explore but i still do make some and sell them in my antiques booth, a friend sells them in her folk art shoppe and i still sell them from time to time via my 'treasure seekers' list (haven't listed ANYTHING in awhile now!!! busy running the roads!
we all still shoppe whether it is in department stores, thrift stores, craft shows, internet, etc. etc. etc. ... just put a GOOD QUALITY (wanted) product out there at the right price .. and it will sell! xo
True Friends, Frannie
My KENTUCKY RAMBLINGS 'blog':
http://cabincreekfarm-kentucky.blogspot.com/ |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 06:28:08 AM
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My friend Cilla and I did craft shows years ago and found the same problem- poorly crafted items, masses of the same things, etc. And still find that today as well. We stopped doing crafts for that purpose because it was so frustrating. I haven't been to a craft fair in a very long time. But I'm sure if I went, I would see the same type things happening.
It is difficult in this type of business to maintain "quality control" on what is coming into the fair, unless you have a functioning committee that attends to just that area.
I do just like the rest of you- if I like it and can make it myself, I will. Which doesn't seem fair to the original maker at all. It is quite a quandry to say the least!!
Karin |
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Entrepreneurship: Crafters Who Make Money |
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Crafters Who Make Money
