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Entrepreneurship:  Need Farmgirl Product Opinion, please!  |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 9:47:55 PM
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What do you all think would be a better selling plastics-alternative, ecofriendly product -
1) cloth bowl covers or
2) cloth napkin-like sandwich wraps?
I'm really into using vintage linens and old tablecloths, etc. for these and really want to help people move away from plastic use. Is one more desirable than the other? Or should I make them both?
Thanks in advance!
Allison |
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HERBMAN
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
ROGER
HARLAN
KY
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 10:01:06 PM
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| I would say try both and see what happens. |
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sonflowergurl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katee
Tampa 'Burbs
FL
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 05:50:17 AM
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I think both would be great. Have you made both already? I'd love to see pictures of them!
Katee
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 07:58:26 AM
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Would the sandwich wraps have a liner that kept the bread from drying out? I'm intrigued.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 08:57:20 AM
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There's a sandwich wrap on the market called Wrap'n'Mats but they have a plastic liner I don't like the feel or smell of. I was thinking of using ripstop nylon. It's more flexible and doesn't smell, but I really don't see the need for any plastic at all. My grandma used to wrap sandwiches in cloth napkins and they never dried out before lunch.
I just wanted to make them out of really neat fabrics, rather than just bolts and bolts of material...And NO petroleum products! I could sandwich a layer of the nylon inbetween cotton layers, but then it might cost too much, I think, for three layers...The other mats sell for $7. I want to keep it at $5. If I did what they did, they would cost like 50 cents to make! Mine are made from unique and vintage materials. Is the plastic layer really important, do you think?
I don't know how to get the pix from the camera to the computer yet....or do anything webby with them. That will take the geek husband to do this weekend. How do I put pictures up here for you to see? I've never seen anyone else do that.
More feedback! This is really helping! Thanks. |
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sonflowergurl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katee
Tampa 'Burbs
FL
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 09:12:13 AM
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They sound really neat, you could offer both styles of wraps, one with the nylon liner, just for those who want that feature.
As far as posting pictures, I've seen a couple posted here, but not many. You could start a "blog" at a place like www.blogger.com and upload your pictures to it. That would also be a good start for you to show off your stuff before you're ready to sell it on etsy or someplace like that.
Katee
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 10:44:39 AM
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Thank you, I'll check out that site.
Does anyone know if it's better to have your own website or do something like Etsy? Is the advantage the payment options?
Our internet account provides webspace, but doesn't that mean I'd have to figure out how to take credit cards? Is it more expensive to set up your own paypal or credit card compared to the Etsy fees?
I know I'm asking so many questions but I have no idea. |
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sonflowergurl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katee
Tampa 'Burbs
FL
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 11:39:35 AM
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Etsy might get you more traffic. A "free" webpage with your email account won't have the domain name you might want. There are charges for using paypal, but they're pretty minimal, and I think some on here have said that Etsy isn't very expensive. I haven't tried it yet though, but I have nothing ready to sell ATM either.
Katee
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 11:47:54 AM
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I love the sandwich wrap idea. I'd buy them. I only use cloth napkins & sandwich bags seem like a natural alternative. Great idea!!
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 11:57:54 AM
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Uh, oh, Michele - I love that Proverb and my dream is to only work in linen and wool! How funny! Vintage fabrics are great, but I love to embroider my own in linen and also felt wool and make penny rugs and such with that.
Thanks for the ideas. I'm off to errrands and will pick up some of the nylon to try as an inner layer. I looked through some fabric I forgot I had and found some more for bowl cover sets. I'm on a roll! |
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frontierlady
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
KY
57 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2006 : 7:43:29 PM
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I want some!!!
Both. I would love to see both.
What is your bowl cover for? I want it but tell be about it.
Rising bread? Leftovers?
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2006 : 9:50:55 PM
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Bowl covers are used instead of saran wrap. Older, sweet ones are often doilies or white cotton edged with crochet lace and then weighted with beads to hold it down. (I think some of those are in MJ's Ideabook.) More "modern" ones are elasticized covers for bowls for refridgerated or countertop storage. Can be used to take your potato salad on a picnic, that sort of thing.You can coer rising dough with them too. I'm making them out of old tablecloths, lightweight denim, and other reclaimed fabrics.
Should have some tomorrow and Saturday can get my husband to upload pictures onto the computer. Don't have a place to show them yet, but could email pictures til I get them on etsy or flickr or blogger.
Hope they are nice as I'd like them to be. Nice to get so much support here. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 12:18:49 AM
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I like the idea of the bowl covers alot! ! You should do Etsy Allison..it is really easy and I am so technically challenged that for me to say that I mean..it is super easy to set up and inexpensive!! I will look forward to seeing your finished things!
Jenny in Utah
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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knittingmomma
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Tonya
Vermont
106 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 04:12:26 AM
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I think both would be wonderful! We make it a rule not to purchase any kind of plastic wrap in our house and instead do wrap sandwiches in fabric napkins and put plates on top of bowls. Etsy is a great place to start.
Warmw wishes,
Tonya
Natural Earth Farm - A Village Homestead making handcrafted goods of natural fibers - http://www.naturalearthfarm.com |
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Juliekay
True Blue Farmgirl
237 Posts
237 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 05:35:10 AM
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Rabbit,
Rather than doing a plastic liner, is there any way to fuse a layer of wax or scotchguard to the inside of the fabric to prevent leaks and/or drying out? I was thinking of gooey PB & J sandwiches and how they seem to leak a bit. |
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frontierlady
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
KY
57 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 05:57:44 AM
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This is just my opinion but I would stay away from Scotchguard.
I think of cancer causing when I think of it. Let's stay with
a more natural approach.
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 06:16:49 AM
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Allison
Post pictures if you can so all us farm girls can see your wraps and covers, you might even sell a few.
NANCY JO |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 09:30:45 AM
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We have to go out tonight after hubby gets home, but I made him promise to teach me how to get photos out of the camera and into the computer tomorrow! Then I'll get something like blogger or flickr until I can get into etsy.
Your support has been wonderful and today I'm finishing (I hope) a bunch of them. Certainly by the end of the weekend. Yay! I've been haing fun choosing from the fabrics I have, including some old things. |
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Juliekay
True Blue Farmgirl
237 Posts
237 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 11:34:59 AM
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Frontierlady,
I didn't know it was cancer causing, thanks for the heads up! |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 11:40:41 AM
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allison . .i'm sure there is a market for both. where can i see photos?
True Friends, Frannie |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 11:44:09 AM
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i'm wondering how these would not 'stain' just 'fabric' ... with mayonnaise and mustard and pb&j and oily foods?
True Friends, Frannie |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 4:50:21 PM
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Frannie, I use cloth napkins and we get everything on them! Mayo, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, fried chicken grease, yet they wash out just fine. Maybe these wouldn't last longer than a good cloth napkin, but that's lots longer than a baggie, it's something I don't have to keep buying and throwing into landfills, and I make a statement about not supporting the petro-chemical industry for a product I don't need in the first place.
These days, I'd rather they stop making plastic bags and make cheaper gas out of the oil! |
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Lovin Life
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Lisa
New Hampshire
103 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2006 : 5:04:00 PM
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rabbit horns,
I really like your idea of using cloth instead of plastic bags. I think doing things the "old fashioned way" has more merit than people realize. And being able to choose fun, vintage fabrics must be so neat! I'm just thinking of Little House on the Prarie episodes when Laura and Mary take their cloth wrapped biscuit or sandwich out of their lunch pail. I think if you were able to find fabric that is woven tightly enough, the air would not get to it as quick and food should stay moist enough for a few hours anyway.
Can't wait to see your pictures.
PS. I've been to the Lazy K Bar Ranch in Tuscon, cool place!
I'd rather live my life with a "full plate" than an empty one. Life is not a rehearsal... eat up! |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2006 : 6:40:50 PM
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Hello Allison,
My husbands business and all our e-bay is done by cash, money order, or cashiers check. No plastic or PayPal. We just feel that the fees to use plastic increase our cost to our customers and increase the debit that our customers might carry. Along with a way for others to track your income. We have never lost a sale to this. I would love to see your products.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2006 : 11:25:27 AM
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COMING SOON! Should have photos on Tuesday. Been making things and getting them ready but today is laundry/baking/ironing day because of the busy weekend. It's always laundry day but not everything else. AND I have to exercise (I'm on a 10 week program to tame the gut and butt - oh dear, it's only week 2). Why doesn't laundry tone the glutes? 
Hubby taught me how to do the camera thing so I can't wait!
bboopster - thanks for the no-credit support comments! I saw a local cafe that was cash-only and I felt better also. It does seem just too expensive if you aren't selling hundreds of dollars at a time. |
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Entrepreneurship: Need Farmgirl Product Opinion, please! |
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Need Farmgirl Product Opinion, please!
