Christmas Crafting Ideas by Flyingpig - Its Good To Share.

Well_Preserved

That's a shame, Bitsy Beans. I think there's a lot in what PootleFlump says.

My daughter used some of the ideas from this thread with her class of 6 & 7 year olds. Each class had a challenge to see who could raise the most money at the Christmas Fayre last Friday - but they had to cost it all out, plan it etc themselves so there was learning involved - of course! Anyway her class were the most successful, raising over £50! One or two of the parents asked DD where her ideas came from & she was pleased tell them it was here. So thank you, everyone, for being so generous with your ideas!

jill_b29

Bits beans I know how you are feeling. My first fair I took 30 pounds but it cost me 25 for the table! The following wk I took 100 although still have stock left. It was a heck of a lot of hard work for to be honest not much money. I have 2 Pamper cakes and 2 nappy cakes left and no where to sell them. Have e mailed a couple of shops but no reply. Maybe this crafting lark isn't my thing!

jill_b29

Sorry bitsy beans for spelling your name wrong stupid phone thinks it knows what I'm trying to say!

angelavdavis

Hi everyone,

Well, I have at last got around to uploading some images of my makes. In addition to these, I have also made 42 flannel cupcakes, 6 Christmas card hangers, 24 candy cane gifts and 6 handmade Christmas decorations but these all went off to the shop before I got the chance to take any photos.



So, here is the list:

4 handpainted Christmas aprons (2 x scottie dog and 2 reindeer)

12 handpainted gift bags of various designs


4 lavender bath sachet packs

1 Christmas Elf stocking


I will be making more stockings if this one sells. I thought I might make up all the Christmas fabric items anyway and pack them away ready for next years' Christmas fayres, rather than rush about as I have this year.

Sorry Bitsy Beans that your stall wasn't a success.

I have been loving seeing everyones makes. Thanks for sharing!

Bitsy_Beans

PootleFlump wrote: »

Aww sorry to hear it didnt go too well Bitsy. Im not sure where you are located but I know that the weather where I am has been putting alot of people off even going outdoors.

Gemzie and Kate, lovely stuff there! Well done!!

We had half a cm of the white stuff ages ago and it's all melted. It wasn't too cold or icy so TBH I don't think that's the problem. I am guessing a lot of people were off Christmas shopping.

jill_b29 wrote: »

Sorry bitsy beans for spelling your name wrong stupid phone thinks it knows what I'm trying to say!

That's alright, I answer to anything

Don't think crafting isn't for you (your cakes are lovely) but I really don't see how people make any sort of living from it. I enjoy crafts but all the Christmas stuff has been long hours in the evening for quite frankly no return. Besides lots of the girls have been saying similar things to me, people just don't seem interested. Perhaps they are tightening purses and rather than buy additonal hand made gifts are just heading for shop bought?
Does everyone who does crafting do it as a side business and how do you fit in the time?!


lovely stuff Angela. I especially like the hand painted bags. Did you draw the design yourself?

Well_Preserved

All I can say is 'Wow'! You are so talented!

charlies-aunt

I will echo what Wellpreserved has already said "WOW!" Fabulous!

Sadly some people who prefer to spend their money on a shedload of mass-produced tat rather on a few lovely hand crafted items

There is a demand for great gifts like these but I guess its a high end niche market. Could you consider selling to upmarket shops / boutiques / florists ? I love the ES tree decorations - so much nicer than the plastic encapsulated, shoddily-foiled chocolate baubles (that taste like they were made in 1943!!! yuck!)

angelavdavis

[QUOTE=Does everyone who does crafting do it as a side business and how do you fit in the time?!?[/QUOTE]

Personally, it is a side business and I am fortunate enough at the moment to have a retail opportunity where I donate 35% of my takings to a local charity. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Hastings-Pier-Shop/125894680793893

The downside is that I won't find out until after Christmas if I have even covered my costs.

I sympathise with your thoughts Bitsy as I have spent so much time on some stuff, that I have decided its not worth making certain things as you can't charge enough. I ended up keeping my handmade, handpainted advent calendar as it took me about 4 days in total to make - how could I sell it for £14?!!

I do 90% of my work in the evenings - mainly stitching in front of the TV, I then do concentrated sessions (eg painting or at the machine or ironing).

[QUOTE=]lovely stuff Angela. I especially like the hand painted bags. Did you draw the design yourself?[/QUOTE]

Thanks Bitsy. I scoured the internet and cut templates in waxed paper using my cricut and the Scal programme. I then iron onto the fabric and paint using fabric paints and sponge applicators. Then I hand stitch the ribbon and bells (for the aprons) onto the items. The painting process is time consuming, but I haven't found a faster way to do this (any ideas anyone?)

lizalloareds

great makes everyone

kjmtidea

I think the only reason I did so well at my first fete was because it was a school fete, I only had a few adults buying things from my table it was mainly children. Other parents seem a lot more generous than me! I had children coming to my table with 5 and 10 pound notes, I gave my kids £1 each lol.

I have been asked to have a table at a pamper evening the school are having and I am pretty sure that I will be saying no, I can't imagine that I would sell much with no children there!