i have been buying mini rolling pins and decorating them, but they wont sell

System

Try ebay, alot of buyers there

Sugar_Coated_Owl

IMO eBay isn't the best place to sell handmade.

System

there are alot of personalised items on ebay, eg Aprons, t shirts

A good listing is essential though

I think its got potential OP

jillybaby

Have you thought of trying a niche rather than a general market? My sister used to have a narrow boat and there is a highly stylised set of designs known as either bargeware or canalware. Roses and castles drawn in a particular style with specific colours. Very popular with boaters who buy tons of knick knacks for the boats. These designs are also used on the boats themselves. Google bargeware and canalware images to see what I mean. I used to decorate my plant pots and outside planters with these designs and they are simple to do once you have mastered the technique and look really effective.

Sambucus_Nigra

PasturesNew wrote: »

It was an idea... to be costed. OP could get 8 people in. Some rooms are free - if you search hard for them, maybe a back room of a pub that thinks it might bring people in....

Public liability insurance would be a cost - there's costs in all businesses. If the OP wants a business/income then they'd be planning to do more than one workshop in their lifetime.


As I said, it's an idea to be expanded..... and investigated. Start with the workshops and build a business around it.

You can't make £100/day from day 1.

It's not really "teaching" - many crafts, and other, people run workshops to create an item. Nobody's expecting to come out of it with a degree.

As for basics in their own work, don't forget the old saying: Those who can't, teach.

So you are suggesting teaching people to make their own kitchen rolling pins?

soolin

berbastrike wrote: »

there are alot of personalised items on ebay, eg Aprons, t shirts

A good listing is essential though

I think its got potential OP

I doubt it, the costs would be too high even if buyer was paying pennies for the pins.

assuming someone was willing to pay say £5 for a personalised pin (and that is £1 more than the OP is already trying without any takers) the postage costs will be £2.20 2nd class without packaging. That leaves £2.80 for the pin. From that the listing cost would be 15p, the FVF approx 28p and paypal fees (assuming OP has a micro account) 30p.

That leaves a net figure of £2.07 before packing costs from which OP has to buy all materials and make money

I don't see that as a viable option at all especially when these items are not likely to be fast movers, so all the 15p listing fees would remain payable even if item failed to sell.

soolin

There are actually lots of personalised pins for sale already on ebay at varying prices. However sales are very poor with more going unsold than actually selling.

Best not to get into a market that is already saturated beyond the point of being successful.

kitschkitty

PasturesNew wrote: »

It was an idea... to be costed. OP could get 8 people in. Some rooms are free - if you search hard for them, maybe a back room of a pub that thinks it might bring people in....

Public liability insurance would be a cost - there's costs in all businesses. If the OP wants a business/income then they'd be planning to do more than one workshop in their lifetime.


As I said, it's an idea to be expanded..... and investigated. Start with the workshops and build a business around it.

You can't make £100/day from day 1.

It's not really "teaching" - many crafts, and other, people run workshops to create an item. Nobody's expecting to come out of it with a degree.

As for basics in their own work, don't forget the old saying: Those who can't, teach.

First I just have to say how flamin' insulting to all those (skilled/experienced/qualified) artists and crafters out there, who teach classes/lessons/workshops - which in the main aren't to any curriculum or leading to a recognised qualification (a huge number of whom don't have higher qualifications themselves as they aren't even relevant or available in their specialities). :mad:

Anyway back to the point...

Hmm learn to make a decorated mini rolling pin in the back of a pub (sounds legit), with someone who's either too young to be in a pub or old enough/mature enough to take sound business advice when given and realise that this scenario in NOT a viable business idea.

If you want to be paid to teach anyone anything then you better darn well be able to do it well yourself in the first place (and qualifications are certainly not the only way to prove you can do something well & with skill), otherwise it is ridiculous idea, never mind that everyone will be sorely dissapointed, they will probably want a full refund and dis your business/you to everyone they know - now that is a sure fire way to ruin your business! Oh and the venue sure as hell won't be in a rush to invite you back.

Kookiemonster

Hi there
I see things like this every other week at craft fairs and such.
Maybe if you tried other things like wooden spoons/heart shapes etc with things like new baby greetings or wedding wishes on them?
If you cater for every occasion then you are reacher a wider audience.
There would be no reason to buy a gift like this unless it was for a specific occasion, so maybe adding something quirky to the rolling pins for the bride and groom?
Craft Fairs and indoor markets are the most likely places to sell and you could also try selling to small retail gift units locally.
Hope this helps

kitschkitty

Oh and I do appreciate that business is a learning experience but why set yourself up for a fall with poorly planned ideas and products (not necessarily bad products but if they don't have a market/customer base and a profitable price point to make repeat sales) when there is a lot of good advice out there to consider.

Lots of people will have an idea, or a hobby they want to make money from (or even just recoup costs from), but it's thinking through all the further points that will help you realise if it can become a viable business/money maker or not.

Oh and some people will give their feedback in a less than sugar coated way, but that's still preferable to any kind of negative feedback from a customer.