| Author |
Entrepreneurship:  I think it is my turn, but....  |
|
|
ladybugsmom6
True Blue Farmgirl
128 Posts
Tami
Horicon
WI
USA
128 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 22 2005 : 10:00:54 AM
|
I think it is my turn to get selling, but I couldn't sell girl scout cookies! I was a photographer, and flunked the marketing end, so now I am full time mom to 6.4! Hey these "clients" won't leave me alone! Well I can make about anything and moneys are always tight, so my hubby suggested getting started. I am clueless on starting. Right now I have a pile of baby slings hung and ready to sell, if I could find a market. I have never even been to a craft fair, much less know how to find out when they will be to sign up as a vendor. I am wondering if it will be worth the time away from family responsibilities to do the making and then sit out the fair day.
SOooo do you wonderful ladies have any advice for me. What sells?Quilts and teddy bears are fun and creative, but time consuming. The slings are so market specific. ....I wish I could get someone to scrub that kitchen floor so I could just spend time creating!
I think that is one of my big $goals, make enough to cover costs, hire a cleaning person, and pay for my terrific film habit!
-Tami
livin' right and loven' life! |
|
|
Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2005 : 8:31:37 PM
|
you could try www.craigslist.com you can list things to sell on there for free!
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
 |
|
|
quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2005 : 08:14:44 AM
|
Tami:
Here's an idea I had, though I haven't put it fully into motion yet. I choose five people (friends) that are somewhat social and get out and about and I GIVE them one of the items I have made. In my case it is purses. They get to choose the color/fabric and the style so they LOVE it and then I ask them to pass out business cards when they come across someone who makes a compliment or even just a comment. The part that's holding my back right now is that I don't have time to sew and I don't have a website, which I think I need so people can look at the possibilities. Word of mouth is often the most effective advertising.
Good luck,
Nancy
http://quiltedprairie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2005 : 11:47:20 AM
|
Tami, try selling on ebay. It isn't that hard, it does take some time to list your items and all, but for a stay at home mom it is the easiest solution I think.I have had pretty good success so far..and it is very easy to be "market specific" on ebay. Moms who are looking for a baby sling will just type in "baby sling" -can't get any more specific than that!
Try your local library for a copy of "Ebay For Dummies", it is a good book and very helpful. |
|
|
|
katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2005 : 12:28:35 PM
|
I agree with Diane -- Ebay is a great way to sell your stuff. I've sold on Ebay for 10 years, and the site has become much easier for sellers, allowing you to relist more items without having to type everything in each time.
And you can get free shipping supplies -- tyvek envelopes, boxes, labels, even tape -- from the post office (for priority shipping -- remember that the buyer usually pays shipping) -- check out www.usps.com. You can even download postage and then have your postal carrier pick up your priority mail packages -- you won't even have to go to the post office. |
|
|
|
lareyna
True Blue Farmgirl
242 Posts
Arlene
Valley Ford
Ca
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2005 : 4:22:13 PM
|
I agree on the givivg part, I hand paint wine glasses, and if I do say so myself they are gorgeous, I have given lots away as gifts, and have actually had a friend of my daughters call me up and offer $50.00 for a set of 4,,,,,,,works for me. The craft fairs here are good and you pay a percentage and work a few hours, then other people sell your stuff when it's not your time to "sit" I just think it's kinda high,,,,,15%
http://bumpercrop.blogspot.com/
I was Country before Country was COOL |
|
|
|
therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2005 : 08:31:28 AM
|
Ebay is a great place to sell stuff. I've been selling on there for about 10 years too. When I first started selling you could list most anything and get a good price. It has gotten so big now that I feel that you need to sell something specific. You want to have a following of buyers who will come back again and again. It takes a while to build up that following but if you are consistent with listings it will happen.
GO WHITE SOX!!!!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
|
|
jenny louise
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
jennifer
cass city
MI
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2005 : 4:49:47 PM
|
Melissa, thanks so much for the etsy site!! Do you sell much on there? It looks great! I have to go back when i have more time,  but i just wanted to thank you for the tip, Jenny Louise |
|
|
|
ladybugsmom6
True Blue Farmgirl
128 Posts
Tami
Horicon
WI
USA
128 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 10:15:14 AM
|
thank you everyone for the help and encourgement. Some things I can make up a bunch of and not have a problem getting rid of ( as gifts or hang on to) there are other things that are bigger or more time consuming that if i am going to make, I want to move it on! If my finger continues to heal as it has been , I will hit a craft/ hoilday sale in two weeks. I am also going to work on the web suggestions!
-Tami
livin' right and loven' life! |
|
|
|
Judes
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Jude
OH
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 4:39:43 PM
|
Tami-I'm with both Nancy & Melissa! I make things as well...and my friends are my biggest fans. Whenever I make something new, I give them to my friends & before I know it...I have orders & phonecalls coming in! Also, etsy.com is a wonderful site. They only take 3.5% and charge .10 per item listed. This is really great compared to other online consignment stores that take a 40% cut of your sales. I just set up my shop yesterday & it's really easy. One word of advise...choose your screen name carefully because it will be your permanent shop name. I didn't catch that at the beginning, so my shop is www.jac.etsy.com but I meant for it to be my business name, SchoolStreetStudio. (just makes it a little harder for people to find ya if the shop name is different) . A place like etsy lets you design a page that reflects your personality...and then your products will sell
themselves!
Lots of luck! I look forward to seeing your crafts!
Judes |
|
|
|
Rebekka Mae
True Blue Farmgirl
965 Posts
Rebekka
Moscow
ID
USA
965 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2005 : 7:46:33 PM
|
Tami- I also sell slings and many other things but the slings are the best. At the tiny farmers market I was at (10 vendors) I generally sold about $100 per day (in four hours)- The great part was that it only cost $25 per season and I wanted to be out in the sunshine with my baby. People came to expect me there and I still get word of mouth two years later. Also try letting area midwives know you are around, doulas and lactation consultants too- tell them that their clients will get 10% off if they refer them. Next year I am planning to have a booth at the farmers market in Moscow, ID which is hopping and my goal is to sell $250 per Saturday- we will see if this works. I love the energy of the market and my daughter loves all the attention when people see her in the sling (she is two and three months)- it is so good for her to see mommy at work. And remember- when sewing for babies your intention is most important, I always try to focus on how much happieness my creations will facilitate between Mama (and Papa) and baby- the more I do this the more people seem to be drawn to the slings.
Be Well, Rebekka
www.bebebella.com
|
|
|
| |
Entrepreneurship: I think it is my turn, but.... |
|
I think it is my turn, but....
