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

geordie_joe

nykmedia wrote: »

I just got handed in my next lot of off-cuts from the framer and have invested in a batch of split rings, so my little 'recycling operation' should be in full swing soon, with the aid of my new helper, 'Phil' the pig LOL (As produced for the 'sealed pot challenge')

Nice one, I like it.

About five seconds after looking at it "Hotel Room Keys" came into my mind. I know most of them use swipe cards these days, but small B&B's don't, possibly small hotels don't either.

I can just imagine a hotel/B&B logo or name etc. on their room key rings.

Frugaldom

Good idea and I do know someone with one of those pyrograph tools!
Thanks for that, all feedback more than welcome

sirius60

Hi

I used to run a shop where we sold people's hand made arts & crafts on a sale or return basis. We put 30% on top of what the suppliers charged but other shops in the area would add 50% which seemed to be the norm.

So it's worth looking for a local 'heebie geebie' shop as my daughters call them and ask if they would be interested in selling some of your stock on sale or return.

Translation of heebie geebie..... small gift shops

Frugaldom

LOL I actually used to have one of those 'heebie geebie' shops some years ago - it was an Internet-style drop-in centre for craftworkers and homebased self-employed who didn't have office facilities or computers. We had high street frontage, so they could do all their computing & office type work, have a gossip and a cuppa, and have display space within a proper shop setting. It was brilliant seeing all the great things that were being produced locally, and I still think the idea could make someone a great 'business'.

RCToasty

Hi Guys, love this thread - you all have some great ideas. I have loads of cross stitching stuff that I really need to use up and try and make some money with. I really need some ideas for what I could do with cross stitching that maybe hasn't been done before. I'm not going down the handmade card route - too many people in that one, so any ideas would be really great.

Frugaldom

People spend a fortune on their pets. If you could accept scanned photographs and then transfer them onto those cross stitch charts, you could maybe offer cross stitch pet portraits?

Frugaldom

seggie wrote: »

im just bout to start making gift baskets which i have been doing for friends, hoping to get into some local markets any body got any ideas to help make this work ?????

I'd think these would be sellable all year round if you taylored them to suit specific events such as Mother's Day, Easter, new baby, birthday, get well soon - see if you can stick an ad in hospitals etc - there are so many occasions when people need a special gift but just cannot think what to get. You aren't just offering a product here, you are offering a service as well - "Take the pain out of gift shopping", have a bespoke gift basket. It could even be colour co-ordinated to suit particular needs (eg bathroom or bedroom gifts
Good luck with your enterprise!

MRSMCAWBER

Hi Nykmedia.. and everyone else

Just followed you back from the sealed pot challenge thread .... im not a stalker though -honest :rotfl:

I have been sat working on my 3rd christmas pressie for next year -im knitting squares to make into a blankie for SILs new bump.. due at the end of February..so will be 10 months old by next xmas.... im enjoying it sooo much :T have 2 scarves done - just needing sewing up and the pompoms adding as i have lost my bodkin :mad:

you now have me keep pondering about making things to sell :think: ..... im going to check with hubby as im sure that out here the army have "family" days and they have stalls to rent (can get him to check when he starts back to work after xmas)... so im considering making as many items as i can... trying to use as many materials as i allready have -and then packing them away, and if by the time the next chance comes along i have enough to run a stall i think i will give it a go ..

So i will keep popping back to keep up with what is happening , and to pick everyones brains for ideas

Frugaldom

Hello Maybe you could knit some dolls! A friend of the family does this and sells loads at Christmas. she knits them to look like their new owners! LOL My mum bought one for my gran - a little elderly lady complete with her bowling bag and set of knitted bowls! This was probably the same person who used to knit the baby doll clothes back in the days of the traditional Tiny Tears when nobody wanted their doll to be seen in the same outfit as anyone else's. Hmm... now I come to think of it, do kids still do this? Posh Knits for Bratz, perhaps? Wooly handknitted 'gloves' for mobile phones, IPods and PSPs? ROFL Now I'm thinking of Dr Who scarves when everyone knitted their own! Oh, and the pom poms. You know what? I actually make 'pom pom makers' out of the offcuts I get from the local picture framer - it's very therapeutic making pom poms but it's rare, these days, to find discarded items that can be unravelled to recycle the wool!

Good luck with your enterprise - I hope you can come up with a few good ideas to boost your income. Nothing beats earning enough extra to pay a regular bill that otherwise eats into your regular income.

PS: Yes, I am registered self employed for tax and national insurance purposes, before that question gets asked again by anyone LOL

Frugaldom

Is anyone else starting a new cottage industry type 'income generator' in 2008? I'm still intending doing my £3000 challenge but don't know whether it's worth posting in this forum as it doesn't seem to be very busy. Hello? Anyone?