Oooops

csarina

sleepless_saver wrote: »

Hi csarina, do you and/or your OH get attendance allowance. If not, it could well be worth claiming - from what you say it sounds like at least your OH could be entitled. It would not adversely affect your housing and council tax benefit, quite the opposite.

Yes OH gets attendance allowence has done for almost 3 years, it is a help. I was surprised when I applied for it very tongue in cheek, I got a payment back dated before the letter came. We have also had a visit from the ooficials to see if there was anything else we were entitled to but due to our occupational pensions we have too much coming in.

Its a battle I am going to have to fight on my own I am afraid. Its a good job I keep a store cupboard, we are going to need it!!

theoretica

Do you always use new materials for your sewing? You might find it worth asking in a charity shop about cheap duvet covers and similar you could cut up- even unsaleable ones may have quite a bit of good cloth.

csarina

I have used old fabric, but for quilting you need 100%cotton, most duvet covers etc have polyester in them. I do occasionally buy dresses from charity shops if I can see from the label that says they are 100% cotton, otherwise, yes the fabric is new. I do have several cheap places I can get fabric from. Since we moved north of the border it has become more difficult, the warehouse I used to use is 360 miles away!!

I have a lot of fabric in stock, we call it a stash, so its not too bad. Just now I am working on a commission for a friend. I do not do many commissions, as I have said before people do not want to pay the true cost. I recently made a kitchen set for a friend, again a commission, had I charged her what it actually cost me to make and the time spent the bill would have been £135.00 for a tea cosy, 2 pot holders, 2 table mats and 2 serviettes, I sent her a bill for £35.00.

bottleofred

Csarina,

You cannot take commissions and then lose money. If you explain to your friends the true cost of the materials they must understand they have to pay the full amount as you lost £100 on your last sale! Explain that you can do it (and are very good at it from the photos you posted), but that the material is expensive and don't leave yourself short of cash to satisfy commissions. The things you make are unique and people have to be prepared to pay the true cost.

Jacey53

Are there any wedding fairs etc near you? Could you speak to the organisors and perhaps advertise your items there? I don't think that people will pay anything like what you need on e-bay or car boots, but as a special wedding gift?

pebbles88

bottleofred wrote: »

Csarina,

You cannot take commissions and then lose money. If you explain to your friends the true cost of the materials they must understand they have to pay the full amount as you lost £100 on your last sale! Explain that you can do it (and are very good at it from the photos you posted), but that the material is expensive and don't leave yourself short of cash to satisfy commissions. The things you make are unique and people have to be prepared to pay the true cost.

this is quite right! if they want to pay high street prices then they should go and buy the high street mass produced items.

they shouldnt be comissioning you to make items, and then paying peanuts. you should be charging material costs, and possibly a flat hourly rate or a set fee per item to make them.

you realise that you have to make cutbacks or increase your income, £100 is a lot of money to lose. please dont think im being harsh, but your need for money for bills etc is a far greater than someone needing a tea cosy!! from your pictures you have a good skill, people should be prepared to pay for it!

csarina

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af252/toots43/2010_0602kitchenalia0002.jpg

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af252/toots43/NitasRingPillow001.jpg

http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af252/toots43/laceringpillow.jpg







Just a sample of some of the other things I make, most of these have been presents for various people. The white ring pillow was a sample for a wedding fair that was cancelled at the last minute.

The last one is the kitchen set.......I knew the person concerned would not pay £135......that was what I worked out it would be if I charged £10 an hour plus the cost of fabric.

The one I am working on at the moment I know I will get paid for, the person concerned also sells what she makes which just now is really nice jewellery. I have made things for another friend who also pays the rate, I made a table runner for her to give to a freind a few years ago and a baby quilt, both she paid the going rate for.

I am looking at doing a Christmas Fair later this year, the village has a fair in the streets before Christmas, so I am using up fabric to make pot holders, table runners and some bags, I might also put a couple of small lap quilts on as well.

Marisco

Hi Csarina, there's some nice stuff there!:) Have you thought of putting a small ad in one of those high end Interior design mags? What about having a website selling your items? "Csarina Designs";)