Craft sales?

[MinnesotaMomma]

Anyone crafting for upcoming craft sales? If so, what are you making?

[MommaK]

I have some things already made that I will try to sell this year.
Baby wipes, burp rags, fleece blankets, tarts (for melting in a tart warmer/candle warmer), diaper inserts, mug rugs(holiday coaster) and a few christmas tree skirts.

[DevNAbbyMom]

I used to do craft shows up until DS was about a year old. I stopped for now after DD was born and DS was diagnosed with ASD b/c I just couldn't get enough product made b/c of all of the therapies plus taking care of a new baby (and a DS with a lot of energy that I couldn't throw down my projects in a second to chase him).

I want to get back into it but right now I'm not that worried about it. Maybe in a year or two when the kids are a little more self reliant. KWIM? Three and four years old still is a bit hard to get a lot done without having to stop often to tend to them (especially DS who never stops...everything, lol).

Editing to add...I forgot to say what I used to make. I made towel toppers, bag holders and things like that. I would sell a couple hundred of them in a weekend show.

[MinnesotaMomma]

You are incredible! I'd postpone crafting for now too!!! My boys are 7 & 12, both in school, so I've had some time on my hands. Way to go on those towels and bag holders. Can I ask you what you charged for them? I'm always curious as to what a reasonable price is so I don't over-mark. Enjoy those little ones...you'll be sewing again before you know it, man how time flies!

[DevNAbbyMom]

The towel toppers were just regular patterned towels that I got for $1 each and cut in two and then crocheted tops on them to hook to handles. The bag holder was a whole towel that I sewed up the side and then crocheted tops and bottoms on them with elastic to hang and hold plastic bags.

I charged $2 each for the towel toppers and $3.50 for the bag holders. I would sell towel toppers for 2 for $3.50 or do two towel toppers and a bag holder for $6.

I would easily walk away with minimum $200 to $300 dollars for a craft show. On the two day ones I always ran low after the first day and spent most of that evening throwing more together quickly. Every time I thought I had more then enough made, I always ran low.

I had it down to 12 minutes for each towel topper and 20 minutes for each bag holder to make. I would sit and do 20 towel toppers a night for two weeks before a show and only come home with maybe 20 left. :giggle:

So each towel cost me maybe 55¢ to make and I would make a minimum of $1.30 to $1.45 profit on them (depending on the deal the person got) and the bag holder was maybe $1.10 to make and I would make at least $2 profit on them ($2.40 if I sold it by itself). Those profits add up and I usually was the least expensive towel topper seller there so EVERYONE bought mine out while the others didn't sell near as many. They would look for me the next year b/c I always had the same spot.

[MinnesotaMomma]

just let me way again that you are incredible! Way to go!! I am so impressed with how quick you can throw those together. I don't knit or crochet, but I do a ton of sewing. I can't stand to sit in front of the tv and waste time like my husband does, so I am always working on something.

[DevNAbbyMom]

just let me way again that you are incredible! Way to go!! I am so impressed with how quick you can throw those together. I don't knit or crochet, but I do a ton of sewing. I can't stand to sit in front of the tv and waste time like my husband does, so I am always working on something.

Thank you. That made my day. Lately I am feeling not so "incredible" (to say the least) and I really needed that boost. I always credit God with my natural talents to be able to do these things well. It truly is a gift that I believe God gave me b/c He knew I would enjoy it so much!

I am now teaching 12 classes between this month and November at a local library and actually getting paid to do it! :) I always feel like I am not worthy of teaching classes and getting paid for it but once I get there and teach and then get great reviews from the students, I feel better about it and realize that I am selling myself short.

[MinnesotaMomma]

Keep up the great work, Amy! It takes someone special to want to teach! I was an elementary teacher before my second son was born. I tell everyone I've "retired," which is a joke, as I was 30 at the time, and had no desire to return as my dks grew older. :) I currently work at a scrapbook store, and still have no desire to teach classes there. So just know that you are wonderful to use your talents to share with others! I love what you said about believing God gave you your talent because he knew you would enjoy it! You've enhanced my outlook on my hobbies!

[DevNAbbyMom]

Keep up the great work, Amy! It takes someone special to want to teach! I was an elementary teacher before my second son was born. I tell everyone I've "retired," which is a joke, as I was 30 at the time, and had no desire to return as my dks grew older. :) I currently work at a scrapbook store, and still have no desire to teach classes there. So just know that you are wonderful to use your talents to share with others! I love what you said about believing God gave you your talent because he knew you would enjoy it! You've enhanced my outlook on my hobbies!

My theory is that anyone can learn to knit or crochet but for someone to have a natural knack at it and do it very well without even trying is a gift from God. God gives us all sorts of talents that I think some are short sighted on where they came from. My mom is an awesome baker. She sews wonderfully too. I can do both and actually do them well but they aren't things I enjoy as much. I still consider them a talent from God for both of us but God really put the joy into her life to do these things as He has knitting and crocheting into mine. God knows what activities will make us happy and puts the natural talent there to give us something feel great joy in as we do these talents!

I admire those that scrapbook. I've never had the inclination to do it myself but always see the creations as something so beautiful. Sometimes I wish I could get fired up about wanting to scrapbook b/c the finished products are just so great but it's just not something I can see myself sticking with for very long. Same with quilting. I have tried it and it's ok. I love how it looks and love to see other people's projects but don't have the ambition to do all the work that goes into the quilts. Some can say the same about my knitting/crocheting and that is ok. It's just where our talents are that gives us joy.

I'm glad I could inspire you to look at your talents differently. I see them as a true blessing.

Oh...and I was a few classes and student teaching away from becoming an early elementary teacher before having kids. Now I have no ambition to finish...changed everything about my life since then. I am legally able to teach pre-K and open a day care with my certification though...not that I want to do either of those things at the moment! :giggle: I guess I had a teacher soul in me and it came out differently then I had expected!

[MinnesotaMomma]

not until August, but it's a busy one and I hope to get lots made for it. I've got a really good start thanks to my wonderful family. :clap: