AmyLinesAndColour In reply to Tygriess [2014-01-09 08:10:17 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! *shares b-day cakes*

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Tygriess In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2014-01-11 00:43:54 +0000 UTC]

Youre welcome!   yaay cake ! 

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to SonsationalCreations [2013-09-08 15:13:26 +0000 UTC]

There are lots of books that can help you out, but here are some tips I didn't find in the three I have in the house.

1.) DEFINITELY bring an average sized pre-made/pre-weighted package to your post office and have them confirm the prices of sending to different countries, and within your own country. Sometimes (most of the time) the website predictions are wrong, and sometimes there are rude surprises like finding out it costs more for you to send something within your own country then most international spots.

2.) 'Production Line' your crafts if you can. Do one step for a whole bunch of them at once. Do the second step for a whole bunch of them at once. So on and so on. At first it seems like it takes longer to do but when you sit down and crunch numbers it takes a LOT less time, a lot less frustration from 'getting out of the groove', and you have a lot more finished projects at one time to advertise and sell then one or two finished and a whole lot of unfinished ones you gotta work on now which will take your attention away from advertising.

3.) Have a separate e-mail for your business. Also keep a spreadsheet of your costs and sales. Also have a folder you stick in the same area as your crafts that contains all your receipts. It will only take you a second to stuff that reciept in the folder, or put that purchase or that sale in to the spreadsheet. Then when you have a calm day you can take a poke and see how your doing. It will help keep you from having moments of 'I MUST BUY EVERYTHING AND TRY EVERYTHING' and help you streamline what you like to do and what makes money.

4.) Pick a craft you enjoy doing over and over and over again. I COULD do chainmale, replace my best friend who has moved to another province as there is now a vacuum in that market and make loads of money. But it bores me to tears. I adore what she could do, and I could do the same if I put my mind to it, but by the GODS I didn't have the patience. So I'm not doing it. Something about clay and fabrics amuses me and keeps me going and going and going. So that is what I do.

5.) If you are looking to do things as a business, DO NOT HOBBY PRICE. Honestly this IS covered in all the books but it cannot be stressed more. If you are doing a new craft you want to sell, time yourself through the whole process that your are DIRECTLY working on it after you've made a few so you know what your doing and thus the time is accurate. Give yourself at least minimum wage if not more and also tack on an extra bit for profit/for time spent advertising and trying to sell the pieces.

6.) Once you have a good armsfull of product, advertise advertise advertise. I personally need to sit down and learn how to use pinterest and flickr better, as currently I'm not utilizing them properly at all. But I do post things here, furaffinity (as tentacles are an interest they have), facebook page and cross post everything on tumblr after I have posted it on my Etsy. There is also Storenvy which gives you some free-listings and I'm looking in to having that as a secondary shop. There are also fairs, though we are getting out of the summer season of out door fairs. Fall and Christmas fairs commonly need to be booked months in advance, and depending on your area and the venue, can be quite expensive. If you have a friend who also does crafts, share a table to share the load. Research spring and summer fairs so you are prepared for them for next year. Some will have joining processes that can take MONTHS to get through, but will be worth it due to the crowd of shoppers that always go to those particular fairs.

7.) Seasons: Always have your seasonal products ready and for sale at least a half month or more before the season starts. I'm going to have my Halloween stuff out in a week or two ( I would have had them out already but I had a inspiration slump, they happen), and as soon as Halloween ends...BAM out will come the Christmas stuff. I'll have to start working on the Christmas stuff halfway through October to have it all ready to go.

... There are many many many more little details... but hopefully these are some of them that will help.

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SonsationalCreations In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-09-10 06:28:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much This is really helpful. i cant wait for the holidays so i can really get into it!

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to SonsationalCreations [2013-09-10 18:29:04 +0000 UTC]

Glad they'll help! If you want to sell for Christmas the sales and fairs are usually November and early December, but you have to find and book them like... right now. O_o I already have myself booked for two for late November/early December and I'm on a waitlist (they were already booked solid and it is a MASSIVE market)  for another one for December.

Sadly my area doesn't have any fall festivals. We are WEIRD like that.

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SonsationalCreations In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-09-10 19:56:42 +0000 UTC]

Okay i'll keep an eye out, but my town has VERY few events! Usually just teeny tiny markets every few weekends. Hopefully i'll find something though...

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to SonsationalCreations [2013-09-11 01:21:26 +0000 UTC]

Mmm, that is a pain. Though if you have a car you can look in to nearby other towns or city's. I don't have one, but sometimes I can snag a ride here or there with a friend and couch surf for a festival.

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SonsationalCreations In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-09-11 06:31:02 +0000 UTC]

I am not old enough to have a licence, but my parents are usually willing Good luck getting into events

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to SonsationalCreations [2013-09-11 18:12:59 +0000 UTC]

Neither do I, but I"m OLD! It's just an anxiety issue I still have to get over. Good luck to you to dovey!

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SonsationalCreations In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-09-11 20:55:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to Mikk-i [2013-08-15 20:45:51 +0000 UTC]

Awww *blushes* Thank you!

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Mikk-i In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-08-15 20:57:40 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! I really like them! c:

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to HumanArchitect [2013-08-14 18:02:43 +0000 UTC]

Perhaps, but only if this thug likes the occasional bit of tea. I'm a bit of a priss that way.

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HumanArchitect In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-08-14 18:21:33 +0000 UTC]

hmmm, yes; quite.

i'm actually so unthug that I only do decaff, lol.

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to HumanArchitect [2013-08-14 21:59:14 +0000 UTC]

You strange being. No caffiene? Then again I never drink coffee... just tea and the occasional pop.

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HumanArchitect In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-08-14 22:19:00 +0000 UTC]

nah. I like to stay chill and I don't do anything addictive. also, caffeine jitters make you look nervous when interacting with others, even if you're not.

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to HumanArchitect [2013-08-15 01:07:10 +0000 UTC]

wouldn't know,  I never suck back enough to get jitters. That would be silly and in the lane of excess. If I'm nervous with people weird comments come out of my mouth... but then again that's me all the time sooooo... no one notices.

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to Ynik-name [2013-08-08 19:41:54 +0000 UTC]

He's far to cute for me to deny! Fantastic workmanship. I hope he fins a wonderful new home. He'd be part of mine but perhaps I can make off with another when things aren't so tight.

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Ynik-name In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-08-08 19:48:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I hope for a new loving owner mammoth fast find!

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to Jareth-Barnowl [2013-07-16 18:59:00 +0000 UTC]

no problem! Gotta love a well stocked anti-vampire kit!

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Jareth-Barnowl In reply to AmyLinesAndColour [2013-07-16 19:02:16 +0000 UTC]

hehe,you have good taste

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AmyLinesAndColour In reply to CarmendeeDragons [2013-07-11 00:29:09 +0000 UTC]

*snuggles of dooooom*

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