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I did up a really neat flyer outlining what I do, and where I get my supplies, (SU!) and made up a display of my cards. I 'peddled' them this afternoon to various small businesses around my small town. One store owner wants to buy 24 and take me on as a 'vendor' for her store, she wants delivery with a display on tuesday! (eek!). Another store owner will take then in on consignment at a percentage of the sales (10%) as commission. I had 3 or 4 other stores extremely interested, but had to talk to either their 'higher-ups' or their partners and are going to get back to me.
I am SOOOO excited. It made me feel really good that people actually like my cards and consider them good enough to sell in their proffessional settings. (Don't bother looking for anything in my gallery... it doesn't exist!)
I'm just so happy. It's a good start, and made me feel really good about myself!
Congratulations Adalia! That is simply awesome - I have so often wanted to do such a thing but never knew how, when, where, etc. I feel so glad to see how much you worked towards it and were well rewarded!
Thank you all for the well wishes! to answer a few questions - I did not ask craft stores for one simple reason - my little town has NO craft stores!! The closest one is easily 30 minutes away... I asked book stores, flower shops, and a store that sells lotions and such (Lady in the Tub - it's a DEVINE shop full of FABULOUS smelling things!)
Will I share my flyer... well... to be honest, i feel like my flyer is quite personal - I spent HOURS agonizing over it. I really feel that your own flyer should reflect your personality. I will tell you what's on it though:
I have a paragraph about what my company does (sells cards) and what kind of cards I sell - I mention that I cater towards the specific clientele of the stores that carry my cards, as well as to the season if they want. (some stores won't or don't carry christmas, for example). It also explains why my cards are different and better then others (hand-stamped, not mass produced, etc etc).
On that same side I have a photo I took (small - think thumbnail) of a variety of cards grouped together on a table, as well as a photo of my sample display. I also have my complete contact info.
On the other side I have a bulleted list of what makes my cards unique and better. I also have my mission statement nice and bold.
I offer my clients two options for the sales (consignment or vendor) and these are outlined on this side of my flyer as well.
the whole flyer is done up in colour and I had it printed at a local print shop. I hope you don't think i'm being mean or selfish for not posting it, but I worked extra long on it, and really believe that it reflects my personality and my business. I encourage everyone to work on their own flyers, and if you really are stuck or have specific questions, you can always PM me.
I am really excited, but now I have to make sure that I have enough cards in stock! More time in my craft room for me!! (yay!)
Congratulations!
You should be proud of yourself....and please don't apologise for not sharing your flier. It is a personal item you worked hard on, and even though someone may find inspiration from it, you don't want someone to blatantly copy it and claim it for their own.
You go girl!
Congratulations!
You should be proud of yourself....and please don't apologise for not sharing your flier. It is a personal item you worked hard on, and even though someone may find inspiration from it, you don't want someone to blatantly copy it and claim it for their own.
You go girl!
I totally understand about not sharing your flyer, I was just wondering about how you price your cards, I have not seen handmade cards for sale in any shops around here and am not sure what to charge or how it works to offer them on consignment.
That is exciting! I sell cards as well, although not in stores. One thing you should check on is SU's or whatever company's stamps and things you are using; some have a specific policy about where and if you can sell. There is something about "brick and mortar" stores as opposed to craft fairs for example. Just to cover yourself legally.
You have done a lot of homework ony our client base and it sounds very polished and professional. I wish you the best!
Ok, so after having a minor heart attack this morning, reading the posts and pm's that i received about losing my demonstratorship over the selling of some cards, i looked at the demonstrator manual again. This is what I found:
"Completed, hand-stamped projects may be sold at
competitive and non-competitive permanent retail
locations, as well as temporary craft events, community
fundraisers, and over the Internet. In selling hand-
stamped projects, the seller must make it clear that the
items are hand-made, and not a product of the company.
The seller may indicate that the supplies used are from
Stampin� Up!, but the Stampin� Up! logo may not be
used in any way for the sole purpose of promoting the
sale of hand-stamped projects."
As far as I can tell, this means I'm ok, doesn't it?
Congrats! Now you HAVE to upload some cards in your gallery!!
While I haven't gone to retail stores, I HAVE brought cards with me to my dentist, real estate agent and hair stylist offices. I have had great success with all 3!
For my dentist and hair stylist, I sell New Baby and sympathy cards (they send it to their clients) and I make housewarming cards for my real estate agent.
I charge $4 per card, and they vary in design, layers and such. So it's $4 for my CAS ones and my detailed ones. I don't know if I could charge more, but I settled that price earlier in the year and just kept it there.
I am sorry that someone told you that you could not sell your cards...I think if that was the case a lot of us would be in trouble. I make several thousand dollars a year on card sales. This money helps to support the cards I sent to the troops and my church youth group that I provide cards to for their fund raiser. I wish you much luck in selling...
blessings.
Very cool, I want to do the same thing, I just sent emails and had no responses. Would you care to share your flyer as an example?
This is just my opinion, but I think you may do better visiting the shops in person. This way you get to see what their style is and you can create cards to suit their needs. You may also want to visit individual shops prior to approaching the owner/buyer to get a "feel" of their style. Then go back with your brochure, some samples and have your pricing already set.
I think in todays "techno" world the personal touch means a lot more. Just my opinion though.
This is what I'm planning on doing once my SIL is finished with my website;)
Sold Cards!!
