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I almost hijacked NishaNut's thread about wanting to buy new stuff ALL the time. My problem is I need to sell - but, not my stamping things.
I wouldn't feel bad about buying new stamps, etc. IF I could sell the products I make!! I have 18 paper "baskets" (got the design from someone here, but can't remember her name right now) with 4, 6 or 8 matching/coordinated greeting cards in each. I also have about 200 individual greeting cards that I would like to sell at a local craft sale, but I need to buy envelopes for them first - so the total cost for a booth and envelopes would be almost $60. With no guarantee that they will sell...
Does anyone else feel bad about buying more and more supplies and only using them for personal cards? This hobby was suposed to SAVE me money on greeting cards, but now instead of a $3 Hallmark card, I send people a $3,000 card made by me!!
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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
I am having a Yard Sale in September and was thinking about putting some of my huge overstock of cards in it. I was thinking $2.00 each. Any one have any thoughts?
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One thing I do with my overload of cards is donate them to school or church auctions. I put them in a bundle of about 6 and tie with some matching ribbon. It is a great way to share smoething you love.
Do you have another creative friend to split the cost of a booth with?
If so, and if you price you items reasonably, people will buy.
Patrice
Unfortunately, my only creative pal moved 20 miles away (yes, I mean you, Colleen!).
I do give my cards to local nursing homes when I have a huge amount stockpiled. But I would like to make some money from them, so I can continue to buy and try new things.
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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
I bet you could sell the little baskets with the matching cards pretty easy on etsy.com or Ebay.
I price my cards at $2 each/3 for $5 when I sell at a craft fair.
I am kind of afraid to try selling on line, since I don't have a computer at home and would have to do it from the public library. (Can't sell on line from work!)
__________________
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
I'm going to check out a local flea market tomorrow with just this in mind. It draws huge crowds every Tuesday--mostly for knockoff Coach, Kate Spade, Abercrombie, and Seven jeans. But there are some crafters there too, and I'm going to see if I'll fit in. There's so much traffic there in comparison to most of the craft fairs.
The last couple of craft fairs I did, I barely covered the booth fee, let alone the cost of materials, so in essence, I lost money (and hours and hours of my time being there).
I don't feel bad about buying stamping supplies at all. It's my outlet for creativity. I spend my extra money on stampin' stuff, books and to cut and color my hair every 4 weeks. Not much else. Life has it priorities. Ha
I donate my cards/hand crafted goodies to a local non-profit animal shelter for their fundraisers. They auctioned them at the yearly raffle and raised almost $600 off 50 cards, a couple of frames and 3 pet-themed scrapbooks. This led to quite a few auction attendees contacting me afterwards to order more.
I have a deal with my husband that I spend so much money a month on stamping stuff and he gets to get the photography and model train stuff he wants. I figure my stamping stuff is my reward for taking care of my family. When I am making cards, I accomplish something. Not like laundry that is never ending.
$3,000 card - LOL! You're not exaggerating by much though - this is a very expensive hobby. eBay would probably be a good venue for selling your papercrafts - at least it's easy and inexpensive. Are the baskets themed? I'd love to see a pic. My DIL sold some card sets on eBay last year at Christmas. I vote for the local craft show too - I doubt you'd have any trouble selling at least $60 worth. Nothing beats an actual display. And what about customers? Do you have a customer base that generates $$$ for supplies? Let us know what you decide and how it turns out!
__________________ It's all fun & games until someone gets a paper cut.
I'm going to check out a local flea market tomorrow with just this in mind. It draws huge crowds every Tuesday--mostly for knockoff Coach, Kate Spade, Abercrombie, and Seven jeans. But there are some crafters there too, and I'm going to see if I'll fit in. There's so much traffic there in comparison to most of the craft fairs.
The last couple of craft fairs I did, I barely covered the booth fee, let alone the cost of materials, so in essence, I lost money (and hours and hours of my time being there).
This has been my experience with craft fairs, too. I never thought of flea markets, but I'll check it out; there's a huge one not TOO far from where I live!!
__________________
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
instead of a $3 Hallmark card, I send people a $3,000 card made by me!!
I understand this, but I enjoy the hobby so much that it's worth it. I also send more cards than I would even if I bought $3 Hallmark cards, so this hobby really is costing me more money. ;)
__________________ *Alice* All science is either physics or stamp collecting. -Lord Kelvin
I didn't get into this hobby to save myself money on cards. I got into this hobby because I have always loved crafting and it's a creative outlet for me. The only time I feel guilty is if I've splurged too much and bought more in a month than I should have.
I am having a Yard Sale in September and was thinking about putting some of my huge overstock of cards in it. I was thinking $2.00 each. Any one have any thoughts?
A few of the ladies on SCS have tried this and posted on the forums that it didn't turn out that well. Generally, the folks who are at a yard sale are not in a frame of mind where they will appreciate the opportunity to purchase handcrafted cards. I personally wouldn't do it.
My experience from doing craft shows and Saturday Markets is that it is hard to get more than $2 a card. I would sell about 10-15 cards in a day. People are looking for BARGINS at craft shows, and stampers say "I can make that". But really they can't unless they have the ENORMOUS collection that I have.
I can sell the exact same card in the same town at an artist's co-op for $4.25 and no one bats an eye.
All I want to do is sell, sell, sell!!
