Help With Handmade Baby Books
Chris asks…
How do I sell my crafts?
Why is it so hard to sell my crafts. I love to scrapbook but have run out of my own pictures to scrapbook, so I thought I would offer my services to others. So far I’ve only have two clients. Ok I get that scrapbooking is expensive, but once your book is done it’s forever.
Then I thought I would sell some of my handmade jewelry, but I’ve only sold $70 worth of jewelry. For knitting, I have sold some hat’s but had to give always some of my baby blankets. As for my handmade cards, I didn’t even try to sell them.
So how do I get people to buy my crafts. I tried e-bay, but that ended up costing me money and I wanted to get a booth at an Arts and Crafts fair, but booths cost $400 money I don’t have. I’m not trying to be the next Bill Gates, I just want to be able to afford to keep on crafting.
Offer me any tips or advice you think might help.
myspace.com/crafting_queen
Build a Baby Book Staff Replied:
Yahoo offers websites for about $12 a month. There are other sites that are free. The trick is to get traffic to your website. With the Yahoo sites, you get emails telling you tips on how to make your site successful.
I have some of my crafts at local shops that carry craft items. If they are willing to put your items on consignment, you might also ask them if you can put up a sample of your scrapbooking work. Then you could leave some business cards for people to get in contact with you. Vista Print will let you pay only shipping and handling for printing 250 business cards. They also have matching items for reasonable prices.
There are also some smaller arts & crafts fairs that may not cost nearly as much. You might try looking into ones at local churches. My church has one every September and the booths only cost $50 – 75.
There are also several sites online that will print books or catalogs for you. You could use one to make a catalog for you crafts. Then when you went to a store to try to put your things on consignment, or to an art fair, you would have something to show what you do. It would be much easier than carrying all your craft items around. You would look more professional too.
Some craft stores might allow you to post flyers inside the store. This would be a good place for you to try and sell your scrapbooking pages. You might also offer teaching services for scrapbooking. Many people want to get into scrapbooking, but are afraid of all the things out there. You could charge $10 – 20 to teach someone. Tell them all they need to do is bring their photos. You could show them what they need to do. You could charge extra if you needed to take them shopping because you didn’t have the supplies for what they wanted to do. Teaching could probably bring you in more money than doing the pages for someone. You could offer to continue to be a guide for the people you teach. Let them know that you can teach them other things for the same fee. You could also let them know, if you wanted that you would be available for free tips by email or phone.
If you have other friends who are into crafts, then maybe you could pool together with them on a website, fair booth, etc. Then you wouldn’t have to pay for the cost alone. You could volunteer to run the operation and maybe as payment for such you keep 5% of the profits from the sales.
I hope that some of these ideas helped.
Nancy asks…
I get really down in the dumps when my friends husbands are so nice.?
I have been married 3 years, we have a 5 month old child.
When we first were dating, my husband was everything I wanted, he was my best friend. Over the past few years I guess he takes me more for granted. He doesnt go out, besides working, so I know he isnt cheating on me. He is just overly insensitive. I dont work, so I have never once asked him to get up with the baby. I cook the meals, I make sure his clothes are clean, and I shop to buy him nice clothes yet I consistently buy nothing for myself (he tells me to, but I dont because I feel that he works outside the home, I dont, so I dont need these things). We dont argue, and lately we really dont even talk. I guess we are really growing apart and it hurts. (sn: I initiate the sex, or I dont get any – I was asking for it daily, I have a high sex drive, but I quit that. I would rather go without than be the one always asking)
My friends husbands do things for them, like buy them a book to read, or bubble bath, or flowers for no reason. I never get any of that.
Our first Christmas as husband and wife, I got nothing. The 2nd Christmas I got stuff (bc I complained about once a month about getting NOTHING) but they were last minute, and things that I had specifically wrote down. My friends husbands go all out, thoughtful imaginative gifts. This Christmas, our 3rd, he got me a new memory foam mattress pad, because his dog ate mine. That is it. Sure it is nice, but can I get something for me? I gave him a list of the following: dumbells, exercise video (since Im a new mom), Nicholas Sparks book – including titles, ect. But not one thing did I get off of my list. I got a boring memory foam to replace what was destroyed. I on the other hand really put a lot of thought into it for him for every occasion.
Why are men so insensitive? How do I get over this and be ok? I feel like I dont matter at all. I am thinking this year for Christmas I will give him a handmade card that says “Since I am such a thoughtless and unimaginative bore, I decided to get you a gift card” and then give him a walmart gift card. Not bass pro which he would like, but walmart. What do you think?
I do tell him how much he means to me, I do show that I appreciate him for working so I can be a stay at home mom and I *did* show him affection. But since I get nothing in return that builds up my self worth, I quit. I tried the heart to heart talks, but they dont work. He gets mad and denies that he treats me less than what I deserve. (SN: I have a child from a my first marriage, they get along very well, and he is my childs “dad”) My husband works long hours, and I am often here with the baby all day, then when my other child gets out of school, I have 2 kids who I care for, feed, do homework, etc. But when he gets home at 8pm most nights, I hand him the baby so I can help my other child with a bath. If he cant find the paci, or the baby cries, he calls for me, I come back down stairs to tend to the baby or take the baby with me to finish what I need to finish. So basically I do everything at home, and I have the responsibilities here and he works outside the home for a salary. Im o
And no, I never get relief from the kids. We live 7 hours away from our families.
Build a Baby Book Staff Replied:
First, you can’t judge your married friends’ husbands by what you see and hear (every husband has faults, even if you don’t hear about them), and you have to be careful not to fall into the trap of comparing your situation to that of your friends.
That said, your husband sounds like he completely takes you for granted and just doesn’t put any effort into the relationship besides bringing home the bacon. If I were you, I wouldn’t even do the card. I would get him a tool for some job you’ve wanted him to do around the house or just the Wal-Mart gift card for a nominal amount. If he complains, treat him exactly like he would treat you if the roles were reversed (nothing more, nothing less). Maybe that will force some meaningful discussion on this issue.
Sandy asks…
Christmas is SOON… What is on your list…..BQ…?
This is my list….. its like really long….
Camera (Olympus FE-4020 Digital Camera in Blue or Pink)
Blue Netbook (Notebook)
Blue Dsi
Ipod
Guitar
Nail Polish
Lucas DVD
Sandlot DVD
Matilda DVD
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging DVD
Drake- Thanks Me Later CD
P!nk- Funhouse CD
Ke$ha- Animal CD
Britney Spears- Circus CD
Songwriting Material
Clocky (Alarm Clock/Chrome)
Love Bunny Necklace
Stylish Script Vinyl Crush™ Name Necklace with Charm( Alexis)
Our Daughter Our Pride Sterling Silver Birthstone & Name Ring (Alexis, July: Ruby)
70s Happy Candy Grab Bag
Oh Deer Super Dooper Pocket Pooper Keychain
Weather Station Keychain
Claddagh Little Irish Luck Keyring
Etch- A- Sketch Keychain
Stewie Keychain
Rubik’s Cube Key Chain
Slinky Dog Keychain
Keychains
Real Money Tree
Mascara
Target Gift Card ($75)
Pre Paid Visa Card ($200)
Aeropostale ($100)
Hollister Co. Gift Card ($100)
Abercrombie& Fitch Gift Card ($100)
Old Navy ($100)
Toys R’ Us ($50)
Why You Waste Money Wallet
Personalized Rainbow Bottle Cap Necklace
Sterling Silver “My Precious Daughter” Birthstone Heart Ring (July: Ruby)
Retro 90′s Candy Gift Box with Year of Birth Highlights
Hershey Bar Candy Cake Bouquet
Kokeshi Doll
Momiji Doll
Tamagotchi tamawalkie
Tamagotchi v4.5,v5 and v6
Nano Baby
Candy Bar Cupcake
Brew It Yourself Cave Man Cola
Mega Bruiser 3.38 Inch Jawbreaker
Gourmet Popping Corn
Back to School Skin Care Set for Teens
Clackers
Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
Sound Machine
Sterling Silver Trinity Knot Earrings
Irish Tin Whistle
14K Tri-Color Gold Trinity Knot Earrings
Claddaugh Engraved Handmade Wooden Pen
Irish Cable Knit Santa Hat
Hot Peppers Terrarium Kit
Salsa Garden Terrarium Kit
Make your own Chewing Gum Kit
Brew your own Root Beer
Dad’s Root beer Barrels
Mr. Root beer Kit
Brew your own Ginger Ale Kit
Make your Own Tooth Paste Kit
Soda Pop Science
Rock Candy Crystal Growing Kit
Claeys Hard Candy Assortment
Make your own Candy Set
Retro Cotton Candy Machine
Bubble Gum Factory
Grow- A – Head
Christmas Crackers
Cloud- Flite Exploding Joke Ball
Bulls Eye Nostalgic Candy from Ireland
Jumpin Banana Shocking Gum
Mini Universal Prank Remote TV Controller
Dirty Japanese Book
70 Japanese Gestures Book
Clothes- Kimono Robes( Blue Crane Yukata Robe ), Socks, Snack Attack Pant, Hot Mess Melt Pant, Canadians Know Their Eh-B-C’s T-Shirt
Spy Gear ® Lie Detector
Personalized Mug Shot Coffee Mug
Snooki Talking Wacky Wobbler
Facial Steamer Spa
Ultimate Gum Kit
Strawberry Eggling
Fashion Colour Frame Sunglasses
Shoes- Converse, UGGs, Cowgirl Boots, Japanese Sandals
Bento Box
Happy Panda Kotobuki2 Tier Bento Box
English Tea
World Tea Sampler Gift Set With Chine and Japanese Teas
English( United Kingdom Candy)
Pillow Pet
Japanese Washcloths
Crumpets
Chinese Candy
Japanese Tea
Japanese Soda
Japanese Candy
German Candy
French Candy
Cinq Delices Japanese Butter Cookies( Yoku Moku )
Wasabi Gumballs
Wasabi LipBalm
Chopsticks- Engraved Japanese Wood Chopsticks
Edamame Growing Kit
Money( foreign also)
Canadian, European And Japanese Stuff.
Games-
Fantasy Aquarium, Aquarium, Driver’s Ed Portable, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, My SAT Coach, Future U, America’s Next Top Model, C.O.P. the Recruit, Urbz Sims in the City (DS), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized, CSI Deadly Intent, Call of Duty: World at War, Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams, My FunFacts Coach, HiHi Puffy Ami Yumi: The Genie and the Amp, Guinness World Records: The Video Game, Pac-Man World, SimCity DS, SimCity DS2, Sims 2, The Sims 2: Apartment, The Sims 2 Castaway, Theme Park, Thrillville: Off the Rails, Toy Story 3: The Video Game, Petz Nursery, Trauma Centre: Under the Knife, Trauma Centre: Under the Knife 2, Travel Coach: Europe 1,2,3, Travel Games for Dummies, Hello Kitty Party, Astrology DS, Crime Scene, Unsolved Crimes, Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns.
BQ: what would you recommend for a 14 year old girl??
Build a Baby Book Staff Replied:
I’m 14 too!
I really really love animals and this is my list
A donation the the humane society
A Pet smart gift card
A golden retriever christmas ornament
A dog pillow pet
A dog poop scooper to make it easier cleaning up after my puppy
tennis balls for my dog
Golden retriever webkinz!
That is my list I won’t get everything on my list, they are just suggestions, my parents said I can get up to 3 things on my list!
Well if you mean gift ideas for yourself, you have quite a long list, but I understand they are most likely just suggestions, here are some ideas!
Gift cards! Then you can get whatever you want from your favourite stores, alothough you already had that on your list
Or:
wrist watch
necklace with matching earrings or bracelet
CD’s
DVDs
fluffy pillows
a cute wall clock
a lava lamp
a pillow pet (they are so cute, and they sell them at more malls)
a journal
maybe a bike… But that might be too much money
candy
a hair straightener
a curling iron
a hair dryer
a house coat/robe
hand lotion
perfume
a bed set
bubble bath
slippers
a nice snow globe
a jewelry box
A music instrument like a guitar or electric piano
nail polish
a key chain
a karaoke machine
a purse
a soft blanket
a plate set, with pretty colourful a plate, cup and bowl
a scrap booking kit
picture frames
a portable dvd player (they are really cheap!)
magazines
colourful pens
a bean bag chair for your room
an art kit, with like paint and glitter and other fun stuff
uggs
a coach purse (they are very expenisive but also super cute!)
I was going to say tamagotchi but I think you already had that down, right?
Anyways that’s all I could think of!
Hope I helped!
Merry Christmas!!
Xoxox
Courtesy of Y!Answers