New Nappy Cake

notgotenough£

http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc381/sj040904/


Trying to upload pictures, done it before but cant remember how I did it!
This is my new colourful nappy cake, what do you think - honestly?

notgotenough£

Euurrrhhh now I have done a link to my whole album - sorry! The one I was wanting you to look at is the colourful one with the bird on top.

Janey21

Hi
At the risk of repeating myself but for all you new girls on here, when I started up my business a few years ago, I spent the first year sourcing products, researching the market, designing and having a website built, applying for funding and making sure that I wasn't breaking any laws regarding distance selling and Trading Standards safety regulations, I registered with HMRC which all new businesses are required to do by law, I then had 2 officers visit me from my local Trading Standards, I wanted them to take a look at my nappy cakes etc, they were able to advise me about selling online, products I could and couldn't use and left me some great leaflets on selling from home.
One of the things they mentioned was to do with the nappies themselves, apparently, once you remove nappies from the manufacturers packaging and make them into a nappy cake, you then become the manufacturer of a new product so it is very important that you include the ingredients of the nappies, I copied the ingredients from the box and printed out lots of slips, I include a slip in each cake I make, babies can be allergic to the ingredients included in a nappy. Secondly and I know we have had this discussion many times on here, please make sure the soft toys you use are safe from birth, I know it can be tempting to use cheaper toys but you will find a good quality soft toy will often be the thing that sells your cakes, keep your cakes neat and straight, finishing off with a nice tidy bow, and take a look at your competitors, there are now many more nappy cake sellers than when I first started, Google 'Nappy Cakes' and look at the first 3 pages, I am not saying copy any, we all have our own individual styles but it will give you some idea of how to price your cakes, the sort of ingredients that can be included etc.
Book on as many craft fairs as you can, test the market in your area, try local hospitals as many will let you have a stand inside the entrance, contact the fundraisers up at the hospitals, particularly Breast Cancer fundrasiers etc as they are usually the ones who can help you get a stand, I do at least 2 or 3 every year at my local hospital and always do well with them, you can perhaps donate a pamper cake or something to help them raise money. Try 'Stallfinder' to source the craft fairs throughout the UK, costs £10 per year but well worth it.
Janey x

zangels

Thanks Janey thats really helpful advise. When do you think you can say it is a buisness?
I have only made a couple as gifts for friends and my daughters teacher. I am going to do the craft fair in March and have done a facebook friend that so far only friends and family have seen.
I havnt sold anything yet though. Do all people who do craft fairs say they are a buisness or is it more a hobby?

Janey21

zangels wrote: »

Thanks Janey thats really helpful advise. When do you think you can say it is a buisness?
I have only made a couple as gifts for friends and my daughters teacher. I am going to do the craft fair in March and have done a facebook friend that so far only friends and family have seen.
I havnt sold anything yet though. Do all people who do craft fairs say they are a buisness or is it more a hobby?

Hi Hun
It becomes a business usually when you start to sell, if you are only doing them for friends and family I wouldn't worry at the moment.
Craft Fairs are for people who make and sell, so it can be either a business or a hobby can't it? It is usually an exhibition if you are not selling I think. Where is your craft fair in March? Have you plugged it on your facebook page?
Janey x

zangels

Where can i find the message? I need to get better at these technical things.
The craft fair is in Rossendale, Lancashire. I am hoping to sell things but mainly its to advertise to local people. I think I will decide how to take things after that, see if I get any orders etc.
Do I need to inform HMRC for the craft fair then? I may not sell anything and deffinatly wont make a profit even if I sold everything on the table when i consider all the costs.

Found it, lol. Thanks Janey.

zangels

I have remade my nappy cake as I wasnt happy with it. I made it into a 2 tier.
Do you think it looks better? Any advice to improve?
Im thinking of getting some little lemon silk flower ribbons to put on the centre of the bows.

sarahbear1

Thankyou for the advice Janey and zangel

Zangel, LOVE your cakes they are so nice!!!

Janey, do you think trading standards would still come out to see me before i start up? do i request this? I really do want to do everything properly/safely. Its at the top of the list. My biggest fear is something like that going wrong

My second fear is that nobody will buy anything/or someone will get back to me after buying a cake complaining about something be it quality , how much they paid, whatever. How do we deal with complaints like that?

What about branded cakes like winnie the pooh theme, thomas tank etc? Are there copyright issues with these? I am going to try and upload some photos whithing the next couple of days of my practice ones.....

zangels

Thanks sarahbear1, it is a present for my daughters teacher.
You have the exact same worries as me. I have not sold anything yet but am preparing to do a craft fair.
Im now worried I have rushed into it and should of waited. I suppose it's not like opening a shop but still scary.

zangels

Just packaged up some baby sock cupcakes. Also done blue and white/green ones aswell.