MFi7 - My Crafty Diary

intheblackfinally

Hi all,

Sorry - not posted for a few days as been off line while I got broadband sorted - its fantastic - so fast so hopefully will be able to post more often!!!

Well sadly I could not resist the Tdays Special Value from QVC so have now spent the entire months budget (and some) on this! I did however manage to refrain from buying anything else so thats great as normally I would have bought at least £200.

The good news is that I have made loads more cards and some jewellery pieces and also some friendship bracelets (out of some embroidery threads I found lying around the house) to sell at the fete I've got booked for next Saturday so hopefully should make a little bit of cash towards my target.

My plan for nrxt week is to work on a few cards as samples so that I can approach local shops to see if they would be interested in selling them for a percentage of the profit - I've never done this before so if anyone has any tips they would be most grateful.

Well better go as have to cook dinner for the kiddiewinkles.

I'll update tomorrow as to how the samples are coming on.

cazmanian_minx

intheblackfinally wrote: »

My plan for nrxt week is to work on a few cards as samples so that I can approach local shops to see if they would be interested in selling them for a percentage of the profit - I've never done this before so if anyone has any tips they would be most grateful.

Some tips for you in no particular order...

1. Ring to make an appointment with whoever does the buying, rather than turning up on spec. Weekday mornings will normally be the best time for them.

2. Look professional. If you can, take some pictures of your samples and print off onto a sheet of A4 with your prices and contact details, so you have something to leave at the shop.

3. If at all possible, get an order on the spot. 99% of the time "I'll think about it" means "No."

4. Set your prices before you go and give yourself a bit of room for negotiation so you can say "Well, I'll knock 5% off if you take 20 or more and 10% if you take 50 or more" or similar.

5. Decide how you want to sell to them - firm sale (they pay up front or on 30 days terms and can't return any), firm sale with a percentage return (they pay up front/30 day and can return an agreed percentage of the order if they don't sell), sale or return (they pay up front/30 days and can return anything that doesn't sell) or on consignment (they don't pay anything up front and you send them an invoice each month for what they've sold). There are pros and cons to each method - firm sale is best for your cashflow, consignment will get you a bigger order.

6. Once you've got your foot in the door and they've started stocking your cards, ring up after a fortnight to see how they're selling and whether they want any more.

7. Make your initial approach at the beginning of the month - most shops will only have a limited budget for stock each month and most of that will be allocated to known sellers. Get in there quick to grab the surplus before anyone else does.

GOOD LUCK!

Caz

intheblackfinally

Hi everyone,

Sorry not posted for ages but been very poorly (and ended up in hopsital for a few days) with food poisoning!

But back up and running now hopefully!. Thanks so much Caz for your tips - they will really help when I finally get around to appraoching outlets.

Well heres an update on how its going so far......badly!!!!

Sadly I got tempted by another item on QVC (really must stop watching!) so I've spent even more money on craft and I had to cancel three craft fair stalls because I was poorly so I did'nt make any money there when I could have done. I've also not managed to make any samples yet beacuse of being ill and hav'nt actually done any crafting for what seems like ages.

However - the good news is that I did manage to attend the fair at my daughters school and sold over £70 in just 2 hours (however i donated half of it to the school so was left with £37 which I think is still great!) and my mum bought three cards from me yesterday so that another £3 to add to the total.

Well this coming week I am going to get some samples of cards made up so that I really can approach outlets to sell them (the soaps are all ready as are a few jewellery pieces) and I am also going to list a couple of items on Ebay and look at a few other online methods so must get on - this time (unless any other diasters happen in the meantime!!) I really will get cracking!!!!

Anyone want to buy any handmade cards, jewellery or bath & body items? I know a lovely place where you can get some!!!

Report back soon

mountainlioness

Hi there!

Congrats on starting your diary!

I'm no expert on any of this really but it seemed to me as an "outsider" that your main issue is "casual" buying - turning on QVC or wandering into a shop and then buying things that take your fancy? It might work to have a policy that you'll plan your next products (according to demand, upcoming fairs etc) and not buy anything that doesn't fit the plan? You could also work into your plan how you'll clear your existing stock (both in terms of already made items like soap and how you'll turn existing raw materials in your stock into products) Almost like a mini business plan...

If you're really into something it's pretty difficult to resist all speculative purchases so you could say that for £x put into your mortgage pot or x% stock sold or whatever you'll reward yourself with a little crafty treat? Doing MFW stuff is great but not everyone can just get their boat floated from overpaying alone I'm certainly in that category we've had to build in some eating out funds into our plan or we'd never stick to it.

All the best!

ML

setmefree2

Oh my - Glad your better. Who poisoned you? Good Luck.

intheblackfinally

It was a fish & chip shop on the seafront - I can't believe that my stomach can stand my cooking (which hubby keeps telling me is soooo bad) but not a take away - I'm off burgers for life!!! And I'm only just able to get back on line this time after my little ones having chickenpox!!!! Maybe one day I'll be able to post regular updates?

Anyway back to diary:-

I have been really good and not bought any more crafting things (despite being so tempted by loads) and have also sold another £4.00 of cards to a friend so thats good.

I have also made loads more cards & soaps as samples and am about to sit down with the yellow pages and make a contact list of shops etc to phone tomorrow about stocking my creations.

Also my friend was thinking about being a Pheonix Card agent and has asked if she goes ahead and signs up if she could sell my handmade cards as well for a small commission so that would be fantastic if she does - fingers crossed xxxxxxxxxxx

Another good bit of news is that another friend has said that she would be happy to hold a party in her own home & invite loads of her friends along so that I can sell my cards, jewellery, soaps & bath & body items to them too - soo thats great - we just have to agree a date - I'm seeing her tomorrow so hopefully a date can be fixed quite soon.

I have also booked a stall at our local village fete for the beginning of August (it only cost £3 so thought what the hek) so hopefully should shift some more items there as well.

Well got to go - busy, busy, busy building my empire (hah, hah, hah!!!!)

intheblackfinally

Hi all again,

No posts for ages & then two on the same day!!!

Just thought I'd let you know that I have just received an order from my website for some soap - £5.00 in total after expenses so thats better than a kick in the teeth!

Also just sold some unwanted craft items on Ebay so that adds a further £7.55 to my total (I know its not actually selling my handmade items but it is still making money out of my crafting items so I'm going to count it anyway!)

I also have an auction closing today for 3 toppers I have made - as of yet no-one has bid on them but I've got my fingers crosssed!!!

I'm now off to list a few more crafting items on Ebay and hope someone wants them.

Bye for now.

intheblackfinally

Hi all,

I have just sold a set of my handmade toppers on Ebay for the grand total of £1.20 plus postage. At least its more for for sold total!!!

Am now about to phone a few companies to see if I can persuade them to sell my cards/soaps/jewellery - wish me luck!!

intheblackfinally

Hi again,

Just a quick update to let you know that I have just got another two orders from my website so thats another £24 of sales - yippee!!!!

I also have a shop in the city centre interested in stocking my cards so am starting negotiations with them too - fingers crossed xxx

evab_2

HI well done a great start, hope the shop takes on your cards.

Ev