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I noticed that shipping was a bit steep. I know that seems high, but it still only makes them 4.6 cents each, including the shipping. I keep telling myself that's pretty cheap per piece.
My issue was having 1000 of them when I really only wanted about 150 to 200. I may still order them and see if I can't sell/trade the rest of them on SCS. I may look at ordering several sizes at one time and see if the shipping gets more reasonable. Who knows.
Here is another place that you can try....not sure if they give a discount on larger qtys or not, but they do carry the 1x8 bags.
Update - placed an order for 10 packs of 100 for 30.00 - shipping was 11.50 for KY. But it did say that they give shipping discounts for orders over 40.00 so this may be your best bet for really large qtys.
__________________ I MAKE CARDS FOR OUR NATION'S HEROES - OPERATION WRITE HOME My Little Piece of Sanity - My Blog
Last edited by kaitysmom; 07-22-2010 at 03:12 PM..
@ dhb1281 (sorry I don't know your name) - I am in Elyria so most of my shows are around here or within 25 miles or so. I got the transient vendor's license at the suggestion of our accountant because I planned on writing stuff off like supplies, tools, etc. It was a good thing I did because one of the shows I did last year got visited by the state - specifically looking for people who did not have a sales tax license.
@ all - do you charge a certain price and add sales tax to that or do your prices include sales tax? That is what I try to do to make it easier on me and the customer by including sales tax in my price.
Hi, My name is Diane. I also include sales tax in my prices and try to remember to display a little sign that states that. I bring my license to all shows. What happened to the vendors without a license? Where is Elyria??
I stumbled upon this site and it has a whole section on "craft business tips." They are mostly for Esty, but I'm sure they can be applied to craft shows too: here
The home page (click on top left corner) has some cute project ideas too (she updates all the time). HTH
Hi, My name is Diane. I also include sales tax in my prices and try to remember to display a little sign that states that. I bring my license to all shows. What happened to the vendors without a license? Where is Elyria??
Elyria is about 25 min west of Cleveland. I am not sure what happened to the vendors without licenses. It something that one of the other vendors told me.
How do you alter your comp notebooks? Do you wrap the paper around the edges and cover the inside?
Do you cut the paper to size and just use 2 pieces per cover?
Do you do something different?
I've been covering a few by cutting the paper larger than the book and "wrapping" it around the corners, but I'm wondering if there's an easier way.
Also, do you put a "binding" on your book or just leave the black edge?
Thanks in advance!
Anna
I have tried it both ways and I like the finished look of cutting the paper larger than the book and wrapping it around the corners and covering the inside too. I also found this way is faster and less tedious for me. I then stamp the inside cover with "this book belongs to". I have several differant styles of these stamps that I also use for the back of my bookmarks. Before I put on the inside back cover I use score tape to tape in the ribbon bookmark securely. Some I am putting on the binding and some I leave the black edge depending on what looks best with the dp paper and what ever else I decorate the front of each individual book with. Then I stamp the back of the book with "designed by" and sign each book. I am making a RSVP pen with matching ribbon for each book. I bought 91 books and only have 11 completed. I am really having a tough time deciding on what to price them. I was thinking 6.50 for the set but now think that may be too low. What do you think?
I have never had great success with selling on etsy.com although there are certainly people who do very well. I have looked at different sites to try to figure out what is selling and I can't figure out why some do well and others don't. I wish I was really good with graphic design because creating etsy banners and blog banners is one area that sells extremely well.
I have gotten a number of contacts through having the etsy store. There is a geographic search function which is useful to those trying to find local crafters. I now sell cards and scrapbooks in a local gift shop and have been contacted a number of times to participate in craft fairs based on this feature.
My husband works for the USPS, so that is how I ship. He takes everything to work with him and that keeps me from having to go the the Post Office. Most things ship in padded envelopes with cardboard inserts to keep them from getting bent. If I have anything bigger/heavier I use the flat rate Post Office mailers.
I keep trying to figure out how I can make money with my papercrafting hobby. I am undoubtedly still in the red. Fortunately, I love making cards and scrapbooking and I get a thrill when someone likes my stuff enough to buy it. I guess I won't be able to quit my day job anytime soon!
Hope this helps!
Pat
Quote:
Originally Posted by loribelle3
Pat, I was just wondering about your etsy store. I've had a lot of people telling me I should put my stuff on there for sale...but I'm just wondering about the shipping mostly. Do you find it worth it? I've tried ebay, and sold one set of cards last year, but not the rest. Does anyone else use etsy?
TIA for your advice!
And just keep plugging along, I find that I get faster with making these comp note books the more I do. Now, like you, I"m into the post it note holder with mini gel pens, and I'm finding they are even more fun and easy to make!
__________________ Patscrap ~~ Certified Copic Intermediate Designer ~~ Check out my store on etsy.com, my blogPatscrap Creations
and my articles on scrapbooking and stamping on Examiner.com
I bought the .10 hand sanitizers from office max and I am trying to come up with a "package" for them for my craft shows. I would like to keep it simple since I plan to do 50-75 of them but festive for christmas. I thought of cutting out felt snowflakes with my big shot and some how attaching them. Any ideas would be great.
I finished up some mini comp books that I did for a swap, with matching RSVP pens. They turned out pretty well, and where super easy. I will be putting some of these in the craft show this fall. I figure Fall theme and Christmas theme. Please let me know what you think??
I finished up some mini comp books that I did for a swap, with matching RSVP pens. They turned out pretty well, and where super easy. I will be putting some of these in the craft show this fall. I figure Fall theme and Christmas theme. Please let me know what you think??
I bought the .10 hand sanitizers from office max and I am trying to come up with a "package" for them for my craft shows. I would like to keep it simple since I plan to do 50-75 of them but festive for christmas. I thought of cutting out felt snowflakes with my big shot and some how attaching them. Any ideas would be great.
You may want something a little more simple since you want to make so many.....Or maybe just a cute bag and topper instead of decorating the actual bottle? Or if you have the pillow box die, maybe they would fit in there?
Sounds like a great little stocking stuffer! Let us know what you come up with!
__________________ I MAKE CARDS FOR OUR NATION'S HEROES - OPERATION WRITE HOME My Little Piece of Sanity - My Blog
I finished up some mini comp books that I did for a swap, with matching RSVP pens. They turned out pretty well, and where super easy. I will be putting some of these in the craft show this fall. I figure Fall theme and Christmas theme. Please let me know what you think??
Very pretty....LOVE PTI!!!
__________________ I MAKE CARDS FOR OUR NATION'S HEROES - OPERATION WRITE HOME My Little Piece of Sanity - My Blog
Instead of having a stamp made, I printed off labels on clear address labels to put on the back. They say Handmade by Kim and under that is my email address. I then just sign my name "Kim" next to the printed name. I also have some made up with company names on them to satisfy any angel policies. If I stamped on the item, it has the statement "Images c XCompany." (That c is the copyright symbol. I'm too lazy to look to see how to do it!)
For me this is quick, easy and gets my name out there. I wasn't doing this and it was brought to my attention by a family member that if the recipient really liked the gift and wanted to get some to give as gifts, that person would have no way to reach me. It was logical--so I did this.
And as far as business cards, I have them on my table and I do put one in each bag as I bag purchases. I do not put them in the individual items as I have "contact" information on the back.
I really like this idea Kim. I did not label anything last year and now I wish I had. Thanks for sharing!
I also print business cards on cardstock (mine are a bright pink!). Some are on the table and I put one in each bag when someone purchases. I have seen people take my card at shows and call me to place an order so I think its worth having them out.
I finished up some mini comp books that I did for a swap, with matching RSVP pens. They turned out pretty well, and where super easy. I will be putting some of these in the craft show this fall. I figure Fall theme and Christmas theme. Please let me know what you think??
very cute, and I like the background for the picture too!
I really like this idea Kim. I did not label anything last year and now I wish I had. Thanks for sharing!
I also print business cards on cardstock (mine are a bright pink!). Some are on the table and I put one in each bag when someone purchases. I have seen people take my card at shows and call me to place an order so I think its worth having them out.
Something else that I did last year that I will be doing again this year:
I made up little postcards on the computer with my contact information and a schedule of all of the places that I will be for future shows. I also added a little coupon on it for repeat customers. I had quite a few people come to other shows for more items and to use the coupon. It was so worth it and brought in a lot of extra business!
__________________ I MAKE CARDS FOR OUR NATION'S HEROES - OPERATION WRITE HOME My Little Piece of Sanity - My Blog
Something else that I did last year that I will be doing again this year:
I made up little postcards on the computer with my contact information and a schedule of all of the places that I will be for future shows. I also added a little coupon on it for repeat customers. I had quite a few people come to other shows for more items and to use the coupon. It was so worth it and brought in a lot of extra business!
This is an excellent idea! Thank you for sharing
I just signed up for a couple shows in November. Now if summer would just hurry up and be over with! I'm tired of this hot weather!
I finished up some mini comp books that I did for a swap, with matching RSVP pens. They turned out pretty well, and where super easy. I will be putting some of these in the craft show this fall. I figure Fall theme and Christmas theme. Please let me know what you think??
Great mini comp books!! So pretty!! You have inspired me to get a little more fancy on some of my journals.
I really love the M&M sticks but when I went to the site recommended and began placing the order I was shocked. I was going to order pkg of 2000 for around $29.00 - but the shipping was $16.50!!! I usally order from PapterMart.com. I recently placed an order for $90.00 and the shipping was only $9.00. That I can deal with. Unfortunately they have every size imaginable except the 1" width. I'm going to have look around a little more because paying close to $17.00 shipping for a 29.00 pkgs is more than I can deal with.
I have purchased my m&m bags from 2 different places and the quality was the same. The first place I got them from was Arnie's Arts and Crafts, it was 10 bags for 80 cents plus about $3 to ship the package.
The next order I placed with Clear Bags because I was ordering some retail handle bags (so I didn't have to use old grocery bags to bag up orders at the shows) and some other things. It came in a package of 100 bags for $4. The more you order, the cheaper they come. I knew I was going to use a ton of them over the next few years, so I ordered 500 for $15. My shipping was about $10 but I also ordered a couple hundred retail bags and some clear boxes. I don't know what the shipping would be just for the 1x8 bags.
I do my m&m bags like someone else here (cant remember quite who at the moment, so sorry!). I open them up and stick a straw in. Then I push on the bottom of the bag to make it go flat against the bottom of the straw. This kind of creates a flat bottom so they fall in. Then I just pick them up one by one and push them in and they fall into place. I don't sell them (I don't want to sell food I have to handle) but I give them all the time as gifts. When I'm done I seal the bag and then put some of topper on it - I've done stars for a party, fringe fireworks for fourth of July, flowers (with green m&ms only, for the stem), graduation caps, mickey mouse heads, whatever fits the theme. My Gazelle cuts whatever I want, and it's so super easy that way!
My retail handle bags I will put a custom label on the front (still trying to decide what to name my booth, I'm coming up with NOTHING, so frustrated) so it looks professional. I'll computer generate them, put some scor-tape on the back and slap them on.
Ladies,
Thank you so much for the sweet comments on the mini comps. They were really really easy...and I put the border on as an after thought....to use up the scraps! ;)
Something else that I did last year that I will be doing again this year:
I made up little postcards on the computer with my contact information and a schedule of all of the places that I will be for future shows. I also added a little coupon on it for repeat customers. I had quite a few people come to other shows for more items and to use the coupon. It was so worth it and brought in a lot of extra business!
I have question for those of you who are getting things ready now for Halloween and holiday sales.
Are you packaging them all up now, bows and all. I am afraid mine won't look fresh come boutique time.
Thanks,
Lynne
I try to package as I go. That way it is not an overwhelming task later. All my post it note holders/gel pens sets that I have completed are packaged and in a clear plastic bin ready to go. As I fill up the bins with all my projects I just stack them in a corner of my craft room. The clear bins let me keep track of how much stock I have ready. I am a very visual person I need to see what is done and that help me to keep on track of what I still need to do. The left over stock from last year is stored the same way. Then about 2 weeks before my first show I set up a mock booth in my living room to work out any kinks and make sure every item either has a price tag or price sign. Right now I am just putting my comp journals in large zip lock bags to keep them nice til I decide how to package them. The bags they are in now say hefty on them so I need to find the right size clear bags. How does everyone plan to package their comp journals??
I was able to go to Dollar General tonight. I bought 5 packs of the mini-comp books for $1. I only bought 2 packs of the Post-it notes because I thought they were $1 each. It turned out they were on sale for $.50 so I may go back and get more tomorrow. I also bought one acrylic frame to try that for a Post-it holder.
Then I decided to try and figure out how to cut out the Post-it holders on my Silhouette. I finally got a good template created after about 2 hours. I could have cut them out myself much faster. At least now I have it set and can just open the file and cut 2 at a time. Now I need to work on decorating them.
I love this thread because I would never have known where to look for great buys on al of these items! Thanks so much to everyone who has posted!
Pat
__________________ Patscrap ~~ Certified Copic Intermediate Designer ~~ Check out my store on etsy.com, my blogPatscrap Creations
and my articles on scrapbooking and stamping on Examiner.com
I'm mostly a lurker on this thread, but have a question...
How far in advance do you start working on things? For example, I have 2 crafts shows in November, with the possibility of 2 more that same month. If you were me, would you start preparing now? 2 months before the show? What do you think?
I was able to go to Dollar General tonight. I bought 5 packs of the mini-comp books for $1. I only bought 2 packs of the Post-it notes because I thought they were $1 each. It turned out they were on sale for $.50 so I may go back and get more tomorrow. I also bought one acrylic frame to try that for a Post-it holder.
Then I decided to try and figure out how to cut out the Post-it holders on my Silhouette. I finally got a good template created after about 2 hours. I could have cut them out myself much faster. At least now I have it set and can just open the file and cut 2 at a time. Now I need to work on decorating them.
I love this thread because I would never have known where to look for great buys on al of these items! Thanks so much to everyone who has posted!
Pat
Hey Pat,
Agreed, this thread is AWESOMENESS!!!! I tried my hand at the acylic post-it note holders 2 years ago at a craft fair I did, they sold really well, and I made the RSVP pens to match them too...here is a link in my gallery of some of them.
I'm mostly a lurker on this thread, but have a question...
How far in advance do you start working on things? For example, I have 2 crafts shows in November, with the possibility of 2 more that same month. If you were me, would you start preparing now? 2 months before the show? What do you think?
Thank you!
Most definatley a YES start now. You can work more leisurely and enjoy making your items the earlier you start. The more variety and more stock you have the more sales. Also you will not be pressured to have to make more inbetween your show if you have a good stock to start with. Otherwise you will be worn out at show time and not enjoy the fun of it.
I'm mostly a lurker on this thread, but have a question...
How far in advance do you start working on things? For example, I have 2 crafts shows in November, with the possibility of 2 more that same month. If you were me, would you start preparing now? 2 months before the show? What do you think?
Thank you!
I would start NOW. That will give you three months. I'm not one of those who work better under pressure doing stuff at the last minute. I like to do all my work first, then play, or relax.
hi - am working on tons of stuff now for the fall/winter shows - I tend to make 100 or more of everything, so I might have enough to last several shows - I do this because I have all the materials needed in front of me, otherwise I spend tons of time 'gathering' - one question for you ladies who make the scrabble tile pendants...do you sell them with or without the chain and how much do you charge? - my co-workers aren't much help...I've gotten a price range of $3.00 to 10.00 (without the chain) HELP ;)
thanks, carole
__________________ sometimes you have to choose between what's right and what's easy...choose wisely my friend
Hey Pat,
Agreed, this thread is AWESOMENESS!!!! I tried my hand at the acylic post-it note holders 2 years ago at a craft fair I did, they sold really well, and I made the RSVP pens to match them too...here is a link in my gallery of some of them.
Shelly,
All of your items are so cute! Would you mind sharing how much you charged for your acrylic post-it holders/pens? Thanks!
hi - am working on tons of stuff now for the fall/winter shows - I tend to make 100 or more of everything, so I might have enough to last several shows - I do this because I have all the materials needed in front of me, otherwise I spend tons of time 'gathering' - one question for you ladies who make the scrabble tile pendants...do you sell them with or without the chain and how much do you charge? - my co-workers aren't much help...I've gotten a price range of $3.00 to 10.00 (without the chain) HELP ;)
thanks, carole
Carole,
I have not personally sold these, but participated in a craft show next to someone selling them. She was selling them for $7 each without the chain and did really well!
HAPPY ALERT!!
