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

RosaThorne

Juts wondering, is the impending doom (credit crunch) affecting you all in your crafting sales?
My sales seem to have gone up! The worse the news on redundancies, bank collapses etc, the better my sales - I can't complain really.

But I've planned to get a load of stock together for a bootsale on 1st November and I'm sharing my pitch with my Mum, so only about £3 each. We're also looking into sharing a pitch at the Christmas market, but do either of us need to be a business or at least have insurance for this?
Happy Crafting

Frugaldom

Hi folks,
There's always someone makes something out of doom and gloom and I think it could be the time for frugalers and crafters. All these people who buy on credit and can no longer get it will still be needing gifts and isn't 'handmade' just another way of saying 'individually designed/crafted etc or unique or made by a little known designer?

Recycling for cash - I try to make money from it somewhere along the line. Failing that, I give it away to someone else who can save or make money from it. Beats binning, burning or burying it, unless it's made of non-fossil fuel, non toxic materials and can be made into 'bricks' for the fire. Better for the environment than burning coal - logmaker, anyone?

RosaThorne

We used to make paper logs with one of those brickette squeezy things but they burnt straight through and every year there was a frantic call to the coal man because we'd run out of paper!

I hadn't thought of the doom and gloom like that, that's a really good point. I just thought considering everyone is saying they're cutting back on their spending, they wouldn't be buying 'handmade' as that always sounds more expensive than £1 shop goodies.
Mind, it is a good way of investing your money, in a little known designer - When/if they make it big, you're original handmade item should be worth a bob or two!

pinkemsy

I've set up an etsy shop and would like some feedback from you guys on it. Is it ok for me to post a link? The first post doesn't make it clear and I don't want to break any rules!

taka

pinkemsy wrote: »

I've set up an etsy shop and would like some feedback from you guys on it. Is it ok for me to post a link? The first post doesn't make it clear and I don't want to break any rules!

I don't think you can post a link... but you can have a web address as part of your profile...

pinkemsy

taka wrote: »

I don't think you can post a link... but you can have a web address as part of your profile...

Ahhhh, thank you - I have done it

RosaThorne

I love the sock monkeys! Your 'shop' looks fab, professional - Mine just looks thrown together... Oh, it is!
Hope the sales roll in

taka

I like the sock monkeys... very cute! Good pictures too and descriptions. Do you plan to write anything in your shop info/profile/shop policies?? They look a bit empty... Good luck! I still haven't had the courage (or time) to open an Etsy shop! Are you on Dwanda or Folksy or any of the other sites too?

pinkemsy

Thanks so much for the comments. I might do the same on the sock monkey thread. I'll have a look at other people's shop policies and see what they wrote, it's not something I'd put any thought in to so thank you!

LilMissEmmylou

those sock monkeys are ace well done!