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Entrepreneurship:  Almost embarrassed to ask but need input...  |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 7:12:52 PM
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I've been making knit caps, with the bands, and have had some interest in them. A lady told me to target the nursing homes and the hospitals plus families with small kids.
I'm going to be a part of a village-size garage sale the last of this month, so I can get the word out.
My question, would you buy a handmade knit cap of the best quality yarn??
Also, I've been making crocheted kitchen pads from cotton thread. I made one for myself and have used it and then washed and dried it and it's holding up really well. Very handy!! More so than I thought it would. I give it a 9 out of 10 and not just cuz I made it. It's very, very good!
What about these?? Would you buy like, say, 3 in a pack? Maybe with a bow tied 'round?
Cold and winter is coming and my knit caps would be the thing to have but I don't know if I could really sell them.
I thought of an etsy store but have wondered if there aren't already way too many of my things on there already. Maybe some other stores??? I have the time to make things and just don't know which way to go.
So, what do you guys think?? I need real feelings and thoughts so I can gauge what to do next. I'm going to try them at the city garage sale anyway but wanted to see what you thought.
Winona 
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 8:50:57 PM
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I would try, but remember the sales at a garage sale may or not be slow. Its hot out and people are for the most part looking for bargains. They may not pay for something handmade.
That said, I know a lot of folks who sell handmade at flea markets and make good money. Just dont let one show dictate your future. Make some and get them out there and sell them. You might even try your local Craigslist.
I think they would do well at a ski shop or outdoors type place also.
Good luck! |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 03:06:03 AM
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Agree with Roxy on the garage sale part as most who go to them are looking for bargains and not especially willing to pay for quality. I think she's right on target with farmer's markets and flea markets being a better target audience for your items. Craft shows too but think I'd wait for a fall craft show for winter caps. I think both caps and kitchen pads are great items. Maybe you can print out cute labels/tags to pin to each indicating it is handmade and your logo/name. Actually I think to sell handmade now there is a law it must be labeled. Make a cute girly looking booth and you'll probably sell faster than you can knit. Good luck at the garage sale and have fun no matter what happens.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 06:55:44 AM
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Thanks for the info! I never thought of the 'handmade' label. Things might be slow for the caps and kitchen pads but I have some garage sale stuff anyway to put in there and thought I'd have these too.
Never thought of the ski shops either. I'm not sure if there are farmer's markets around here, will have to look. Nor did I think of winter craft shows. Just shows what I know, huh?? hehehe...
Well, it's fun to make them any way you look at it. :-) Thanks for the advice! If anyone has any other advice, I'm all ears!
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 09:11:15 AM
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Winona, to find local farmers markets go to www.localhavest.org
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 8:44:55 PM
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Thank you. I found I can 'knock out' a babies knit cap in a little over an hour PLUS I'm getting better all the time about my stitches and making them look better. Woo-hoo!!
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 12:02:50 AM
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Winona, I know Walmart will buy items from people that make them, if they can guarantee a certain amount of them. If the other places don't work out, at least that's another option for you to try.
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 12:31:48 AM
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I once sold some hand knit socks to a backpacking store. They sold them for ALOT and sold out. I still didn't feel like I was making enough on them..but caps are quicker...I would try the backpacking/ski shops that are sort of high end..they may well be interested.
I would certainly buy kitchen pads..I wish you good luck..you never know how things will sell until you try.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 05:23:42 AM
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First and foremost, Yippeee!!! I love when a farmgirl has a dream and is looking to make it a reality!!!
I have to agree with the others, a garage sale means folks are looking for a bargin. . . I would make up a flyer/brochure to hand out to folks with your contact information and your prices ( do you accept special orders? if so, put that onto the flyer as well) Creatively display your wonderful items with a price tag on each. . . with a sign that says "Now taking orders for the fall/winter season" Be sure to have a sign-up book ( spiral notebook works great) for folks to leave their information with you. . . address, phone number, email address etc.
The more folks that sign your book, the better chance you have of turning them into a customer later with a follow up letter or postcard. Also, to get them to sign up for you, maybe you could hold a drawing for a hat? Make it so they do not need to be present to win since you will mail it to the winner! And, to bring even more attention to you, take out a classified ad in your local paper announcing the winner of your drawing! ( classifieds are around 4-12 dollars so it won't break the bank)
The whole idea is to let folks know what you are offering and how much it will cost. Always emphasize that they are handmade with top quality yarns. Maybe your local paper could do an article on you!
Anyway, that is my 2 cents of advise. . . wishing you much success!!!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 9:10:11 PM
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Thank you all for the advice!! There are so many things I hadn't thought of. Great ideas. All I have to do is to do it and make it happen. The worst that could happen is that I have a lot of knit caps for my kids and grandkids!! I'm thinking of the worst case scenario (which isn't really that bad) and then the rest of it seems easy. No way to find out except to just do it!
Any other advice is welcome!
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 9:13:53 PM
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Oh, forgot to mention, I made a flower with the yarn on the loom but it doesn't look right for some reason. So, going to experiment with it and maybe it will look right. Or not.
As for colors, I've been using one skein so think I better get a couple of other colors and make some with them! Well, I'm too cheap to just throw out perfectly good yarn!! :-)
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2009 : 06:10:58 AM
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| i just read about your knit caps...although i like the idea, i did think that it was very valid, whoever mentioned they probably won't be a Big seller right now (it's 95degrees here with 98% humidity--not exactly inspiring to think about buying a cap!) i do think that you'd do better in a couple months. also, the kitchen pad...i'm assuming the same thing as a hot pad??.... i think they would also sell better in about two or three months....i was thinking that other people would then be thinking about the holidays and needing and wanting pretty pads to use on their holiday tables in particular! also as christmas gifts. you could make a variety of colors to match any decor, but also think about holiday-themed colors. fall colors for thanksgiving, and red, green and maybe some gold and/or silver colors for christmas? i'd package them in two's with pretty ribbon and a blank gift tag.... by packaging them that way, you'd keep them a little cheaper, But, most likely your price per item/pad would be higher. my sister-in-law made pretty candle-sticks....she tried the flea market route but as some said, people were looking for dirt-cheap and she couldn't compete with someone's "junk to get rid of" prices of 25 cents. they looked into some very popular holiday bazaars/sales where a lot of vendors get together....they only problem was that around here, they charged around $300 just to set up a table! so be sure to check that out. personally, i think the farmer's markets in the fall would be your best bet. good luck!! |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 5:28:36 PM
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Thanks for the advice! I'm making the caps right now and the worst that can happen is I have a lot of caps for my grandkids. :-) Also, would have a lot of dish pads! :-)
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Entrepreneurship: Almost embarrassed to ask but need input... |
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Almost embarrassed to ask but need input...
