MOOLOO'S Muddling on into 2013

grandma247

Mooloo you need to think designer prices rather than cheap import prices. If you use good materials and a high level of finish then that is what you charge for.

I am hoping to start a mini business and am practising at the moment by making my own clothes again and learning new techniques. I knit crochet and sew. I have just sold some things to some of one of my daughter's friends. I did not charge designer prices even though the patterns were my own because I am trying to build my confidence. You however have already run a business so go for it and charge a proper price, especially online. People who complain about the price of hand made items have no idea how long it takes to make something and think you make it in your "spare" time.

Padstow

grandma247 wrote: »

Mooloo you need to think designer prices rather than cheap import prices. If you use good materials and a high level of finish then that is what you charge for.

I am hoping to start a mini business and am practising at the moment by making my own clothes again and learning new techniques. I knit crochet and sew. I have just sold some things to some of one of my daughter's friends. I did not charge designer prices even though the patterns were my own because I am trying to build my confidence. You however have already run a business so go for it and charge a proper price, especially online. People who complain about the price of hand made items have no idea how long it takes to make something and think you make it in your "spare" time.

I will be buying a Helen Mcabe, she has her creations at summer shows such as Burghley where there's always fabulous knitwear. I also love Nettles.
Agree about your pricing advice, HM isn't cheap but unique. You would admire a cardigan I had made when younger. It's a Lowry scene. I still have it as it's a work of art in itself.
http://www.mccabeknitwear.com/

http://www.nettlescashmere.com/?c=1755

grandma247

Wow Padstow they are beautiful. If I paid that kind of money I would expect a minimum of ten years wear from it. Not that it would be worn daily but often.

minimoneysaver

Yes Mooloo, I would of course been prepared to pay more. I think I did for the cushion because it is so lovely. My daughter still sleeps with it every night! That reminds me, the button has come off the pocket. Must dig one out and sew on a new one.

Like I said before, it seems that the market is predominantly in stuff for young children. Especially using materials from favourite clothes and babygros etc. I would think that initially if you set up a small business making quilts from babies clothes, you could expect to charge about £40. It's a lovely keepsake for parents & children. Big bonus is you don't supply the material for the front either! I would have thought that costs & time are not unreasonable for each piece. My friend had a go at one and made it within the hour.

minimoneysaver

I meant to say, that Facebook is also very popular for selling items. Word spreads very fast. Look at the two examples I posted a couple of days ago. I am on the waiting list for a cushion from Ip Dip Sky Blue....the next available slot is January 2014!!!!!!!!!!

Savvy_sewing

Gosh thanks for. all of the lovely comments and advise.
I will look more at the Luxury end rather then the budget end.
Etsy seems to be well known by all the crafting people but not so much the people that we are aiming at!
Perhaps I will get the iron out and put some things I have in stock on Ebay and get my son to sort out my Paypal on my own website I am trying to get help with sorting out.
The patchwork sofa is coming along, but I had a break from it over the weekend and will start again with it tomorrow.
Today I tackled the mountain of ironing that I hate doing and over did it. My arm is really quite bad now and despite going to bed for an hour this afternoon, I couldnt get relief.
DS went to collect DGD from school for me as the paths were icy and rather scarey, DGD fell before we got out of the gate, and I slipped several times, we walked on the road in the end.

TIme to serve up the dinner.

~Chameleon~

I would also second using Facebook to advertise. Set up a separate page called Mooloo's Creations or similar - not a separate account, but a page under your existing account. Many small biz/service companies operate this way now. I can guarantee that word would soon spread.

I've recently been involved in one such company that just a few months ago could count his clients on one hand but he is now employing two extra as the business has expanded so rapidly, purely due to setting up a Facebook page!

Don't forget, for everyone who "likes" your page or comments on it, that everyone on their friends' list also becomes aware of it and so on, it's called viral advertising

minimoneysaver

Chameleon, that's how I came across the two companies, which in my opinion are amazing! A friend of a friend has one of them and I've heard that her weekly income is more than she ever earnt when under employment previously.

whiteguineapig

i think its free listing for auctions this weekend so you would have nothing to lose , you can start the auction for whatever you want i think

minimoneysaver

Mooloo, what are you thinking about making to sell?