Start a 'cottage industry'... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

Hardup_Hester

Thanks Cassey
Any ideas gratefully received, there is a link to my blog on my profile, but it isn't for the faint hearted

MRSMCAWBER

Evening everyone

Hester -would the fabric make those lovely "laundry" type sacks that a lot of babies nurseries have now days... a bit like slipper bags, great for hanging up with things like the little ones socks etc in that take up loads of drawer space

I love free cycle, when we were sorting out to move over here last year.. the amount of stuff i cleared out was amazing..in fact i had one lovely couple who i clicked with who in the end had no end off of me, mainly as they turned up to collect the 1st time and were so nice and were going back to doing everything from scratch that it was easier for them to collect it all -in fact they turned up with a trailler at one point :rotfl:

Im still plodding away with my knitting, x stitching, etc but along with the veggie growing i need more time -well either that or i need to get more organised

Frugaldom

Hello all, just playing 'catch-up' here and elsewhere and am planning on listing on eBay, eBid and my website to see if there will be any interest in home made recycled goods. Are there any other places I can try advertising free of charge? does anyone know if you can sit something in your window with a 'for sale' sign and a phone number or is it better to take a photograph and make a little poster for shop windows? I don't have an advertising budget and my initial cottage-industry start-up budget is only £50. (I have about £38 of that left.)

Re the silk material - I didn't use Christmas wrapping paper this year, each person got their gifts inside red silk-looking drawstring bags and they went down a storm as they can be kept and reused You could make little bags like mini Santa sacks to hang on a Christmas tree with small gifts inside or make them for easter - with mini-eggs or a Creme Egg inside.

Hardup_Hester

Thanks for the ideas, I'll make some up & see what they look like.

Gryfon

Thought I'd say hello! I make jewellery but at the moment I'm treading through the minefield of insurance, the first quote I had was £250 a year, and to say I only want to make enough to buy more materials and maybe earn a bit of pocket money that's a tad bit steep! Also I then need to fork out another £35 because if you have customer details then you need to go on the Data Protection list (that's if you have a website).

So even though I want to sell things, I have materials to make things and I have the ability I unfortunately don't have the money which is silly

Hapless_2

What the !!!!!!! is £250 insurance for?

Wiggynut

Gryfon wrote: »

Thought I'd say hello! I make jewellery but at the moment I'm treading through the minefield of insurance, the first quote I had was £250 a year, and to say I only want to make enough to buy more materials and maybe earn a bit of pocket money that's a tad bit steep! Also I then need to fork out another £35 because if you have customer details then you need to go on the Data Protection list (that's if you have a website).

So even though I want to sell things, I have materials to make things and I have the ability I unfortunately don't have the money which is silly

what's the insurance for ... If you are only making a few things then you shouldn't need it.

Also if you earn under a certain amount selling for yourself then I don't think you have to pay much more tax - I think it's different tax rate compared to a 2nd job.. not totally sure though.

If you sell through Etsy.com or similar sites, then you don't need to have people's information as Etsy deal with all that - they take a very small percentage on only items you sell - free to advertise your wares though.

have you signed up to forums on places like etsy to ask what other crafters do? I'm sure there is a lot of information on those sites as they are in a similar position as yourself.

good luck

Gryfon

Thanks. I thought I needed it just incase someone hurts themselves or something and decides to sue me! Although I had a reply afterwards saying I'd probably be best off with public liability insurance which I'm hoping my home insurance covers I was so gutted when I had that e-mail!

So I think I should be alright now Shall have a look at that website too thanks!

Wiggynut

Gryfon wrote: »

Thanks. I thought I needed it just incase someone hurts themselves or something and decides to sue me! Although I had a reply afterwards saying I'd probably be best off with public liability insurance which I'm hoping my home insurance covers I was so gutted when I had that e-mail!

So I think I should be alright now Shall have a look at that website too thanks!

who was the email from?
there are some people who send emails like this to scare people or ask for money for things that are free already.
I knew someone who used to contact companies to list them in a book of some type (can't remember what it's called) but it was a free service.. he used to harass and scare them into thinking they had to pay for legal reasons... obviously he got caught and carps on how unfair that is!!! bit rich... I will point out that he was not a friend of mine and steered well clear of him!

you could always say when selling your items that these are hand-made and you are not responsible... not sure on wording - another question you could ask on forums.. but you can make a buyer aware.
ie: it depends on what you are selling.. ie: you have to be careful with children's toys.

I say do lots of research and get more information - at least you will feel more confident as you will know your rights and your buyers. And have yourself covered too.

Hapless_2

My public liability insurance is £47. It covers me for £5,000,000. £250, that is a rip off. If you sell at fayres or markets it is only £47. DON'T GET RIPPED OFF. the most PLI should be for crafters is £100.