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Across the Fence:  What do you make that most people buy?  |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 10:22:09 AM
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Just wondering as I'm thinking of starting to make my own baby wipes...what do you make that others buy, have you tried to make something that didn't have good results. Just wondering as I'm thinking of starting to make my own butter, cheese, hand/shower soap, and laundry soap.
I just started using cloth diapers and I'm debating making my own of those as well.
Just wanted to hear from others who have done this. |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 10:49:33 AM
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IMYO make your own is alway better. Even if you have to mess around with it a bit to get things just right, the learning process is priceless. I never did make my own baby wipes...I started out using a warm wash rag, but when hubby came home he had a fit and told me to go get some wet wipes.
I do make my own cheese when the goats are giving tons of milk in the summer (my favorite types to make are an old fashioned curd cheese that doesn't need any renit and gives 1 1/2 lbs per gallon and yougurt cheese). On a regular basis, I make my own yogurt, pull ups, frozen pizzas, skirts, tortilla chips, and soup stock. In the past I have made diapers (they were very nice), soap, and lotion. Just recently I made my own menstral pads.
Best of luck! Trina
'
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27:23 |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 11:03:45 AM
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In the food dept, lots of stuff! Bread, yogurt, granola, sauerkraut, spaghetti sauce... Reading the above post, I can add stocks, soups, pizza... I'm sure there's others. I don't like to buy processed food, so if I can make it, I do. If I can't, then I don't get it. I also make most of my toiletries, except bar soap (I do make soft soap)and toothpaste. I make cloth pads. I didn't make my baby wipes, I just bought some cheap washcloths, and use them with water. I make my own herbal remedies too. I love to make stuff. :)
I forgot, I also make my own cleaning supplies. |
Edited by - Persephone on Feb 15 2007 11:15:11 AM |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 11:51:49 AM
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Honestly I think it's going to be different for everyone depending where you are and how/where you market.
If you are already using cloth dipes, make those. Make what you use. It's easier to start up that way by simply selling the extra than investing in packaging and materials and things you don't use often (or ever) just because they sell well for someone else. If you can't move product it will spoil, or spoil shortly after a sale and then you be ruined by bad word of mouth press (or worse sued because it caused an illness). So to begin with, it's best to sell what you make on a routine basis so product is always fresh, at least until you get a loyal customer base.
If you don't routinely make your own butter or cheese etc... the investment of money for supplies x your time may cost you more than you initally realize, than if you were to begin with things you already know.
Make 3 lists. Take stock of what you DO. What you would LIKE to do. What you want to AVOID.
This is the starting list of your inventory and potential inventory possibilities. The "items to avoid" will help keep you focused.
Then look at what are people buying/selling in your area. Is it over saturated with one product or another? Is there a product you could make that would compliment someone elses? Complimentary products are NICE. Other vendors at craft shows appreciate that you aren't outright trying to COPY them or compete by selling same products and it dovetails sales for -Both- of you creating boku goodwill among vendors.
This is the advice I give everyone in my home business class. I hope it helps you. :)
Btw, that'll be $10 please.
Babs - lol (j/k)
Oh hey I took that way wrong didn't I? Sorry have business on the brain big time today, planning my own inventories for 2007. I'm going to leave the above up, b/c its good advice. But to answer the question the way I think it was initially intended?? I can more easily look around and see what I buy than what I make, as store bought sticks out like a sore thumb.
Babs - again (sorry) I'll quit now. I found a hoosier cabinet on craigslist and I'm just over excited and totally wired. :D
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Edited by - babs on Feb 15 2007 12:05:36 PM |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 12:25:59 PM
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I try to not buy much processed food. Since we have a milk cow I am easily able to make our own butter, some cheeses and cream, whipped cream, yogurt and like that. I make laundry soap and bar soap and do alot of canning. I make my cakes from scratch and bread too.
I am sure not perfect, and do rely on "cheater" items (what my kids call them) from time to time, but try not to.
Babs...did you get the hoosier!!!??????
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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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 1:01:42 PM
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I DID!!
We are arranging a pick up.. its really cool. So many cabinets and the top pulls out for extra counter space and it has the accordian cabinet in the center where I can put all my essential oils so they last longer. I can't wait to get all my crafty stuff in there so I can be more organized I make so much kitchen/household items in the kitchen, I don't have room anymore. Gosh, special drawers for my soap utensils... I had pasta the other night that tasted downright soapy, but on the brightside no one swore for about 3 days. ;) lol
Check it out.. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/fur/270301678.html
I am SO SO excited!
Babs :) |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 1:03:35 PM
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Since I just learned to knit, scarves and hats!!!
make my own bread often, make my own granola, used to make my own pasta and that just got OLD, make my own pie crusts.
make my own window wash, counter cleaner, etc. I make my own draft-dodgers for the doors. I'm sure there's a bunch of other stuff, but I just take it for granted.
I did try to can blackberry preserves last year. Sealed nicely and everything, I just couldn't get the hard-as-hockey-puck preserves out when I opened them, so I probably won't can again :)
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 2:21:44 PM
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OH Jonni...don't give up on canning!!! YOU can melt it down, strain it and use it in bbq sauce or as syrup..yum!! (can you tell I speak from experience???) Next time will be better!
Babs..the hoosier is wonderful!!!!! lucky you!!
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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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 3:14:24 PM
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| I made mulberry jam from wild mulberries last summer, and I overcooked it, and I had the same problem. WAY too hard to eat- what I'm planning on doing with it is, this summer melting it down, adding liquid of some sort (possibly only water, since it's very sweet already), and making fruit pops out of it. I have NO idea how that'll work out. But I just chalk it up to knowing better next time. :) |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 3:27:28 PM
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We make most of what we use as far as cleaning products, sans dish detergent, but that is Seventh Gen., I made cloth dipes for when Zoe was teeny tiny as the Motherease wee just a tad big when she was new. I make a lot of clothing, we dont buy shampoo or conditioner at all anymore as we use baking soda and ACV, I make face scrub and hand and foot scrubs, laundry soap, we are working on deodorants and lotions-(playing around with a few recipes for our use and for sale)and a few other things. We make a ton of stuff...
As far as food stuff is concerned, we make a lot of stuff too. I bake bread just about every other day. I have all manner of veggies frozen or canned fromo our garden, I make pasta-unless I am too busy then it's the whole wheat organic annie's pasta, jellies and sauces and and and...most of our food around here is from scratch unless I have for some reason run out of time that day, then we tos sin a pizza or order a pizza from the bowling alley.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com
http://gaiasrose.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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shelle
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Shelle
oklahoma
USA
404 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 6:09:17 PM
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I have made fitted cloth baby diapers for the grandson. I used cloth with my own but didnt make them myself. When I have a garden I make my own Salsa and jellies. I crochet my own dish cloths, afghans, scarves and hats. I make my own cleaners and want to make laundry soap and bar soaps soon.
Shelle
http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 06:07:27 AM
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RAG DOLLS!!!
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 06:15:12 AM
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I make jams and jellies, bread, sometimes butter. Shampoo now, thanks to Tasha! :) Cakes and cookies. Gifts for friends and family. Dishcloths, washcloths - wow, I didn' realize how much I really do this!
Babs- I am totally jealous of your hoosier!!! It is beautiful.
Karin |
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Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 07:09:37 AM
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Soap, Bread, Kraut, Jams, a lot of our cleaning items (Some Clothing)
Emboidered Dish Towels (thanks to Nancy Jo) Herbal Tinctures, Elderberry Syrup.
Lindy
www.sweetharvesthomestead.typepad.com |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 09:19:37 AM
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I'm alot like the rest of you handy gals. We make homemade whole foods, canning & preserves, quilt, sew, herbal products (soaps, personal care & medicinals, crafts, etc.) garden, cleaning & laundry, etc....
I love home!!! Homeschooling, homey-ness, homecook'in, homebirth, home evenings, homesteading.
But especially LOVE AT HOME!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 10:03:41 AM
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One of the things I don't make, that I wish I could is dog food. As I sit here this morning drinking my coffee this empty dog food bag is this mornings sore thumb. We have a very active aussie shep. and I know store bought food is not healthy. I just don't know how and the websites make it all seem so difficult with their weird raw food formulas.
I just want to mix up a food dough and bake it so it comes out kinda like granola. Easy Peasy. If anyone does that, could you let me know how?
Re: the Hoosier - Thanks Karin! I'm picking it up on Saturday! I so can't wait. I've had boxes and totes for my soap and everything stacked along the wall, slid from one end of the kitch to the other, moved from room to room in order of order-priority. It's been crazy here. It will be so nice to get it all organized. Honey thinks its too pretty and doesn't go with my wierd 70's style of dancing mushrooms in my kitchen.. but maybe it will be enough to inspire me to redecorate! :)
Babs
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Across the Fence: What do you make that most people buy? |
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What do you make that most people buy?
