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My DH and I are coming the realization that I need to so something to make a little money for the family. As I have a son in preschool, a full-time job is out of the question and while I would love to be an SU demo, right now we can't even afford the start up cost.
Does anyone here sell their handmade cards and if so, what kind of advice or warnings would you offer? I have a ton of supplies and stamps, so the start up would be minimal. I just need some advice about whether this is a good idea or not.
__________________ Nancy www.nancysbrandt.com - my site
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Well I sell mine in school and at a couple of hairdressing salons in the area. I could also sell them at companies on industrial estates, but I don't have the time as I work full-time.
However, I do sell quite a lot - and get repeat orders .... at the end of the day, i'm not making a fortune, but it does allow me to buy more stash !!
Not sure what you would charge for them in Canada or USA, but I sell mine for between �1.50 and �2.50 ... some really intricate cards I sell for �3, but as I say thats UK sterling.
Good luck with your new venture - as they say - nothing ventured, nothing gained !!!
Well I sell mine in school and at a couple of hairdressing salons in the area. I could also sell them at companies on industrial estates, but I don't have the time as I work full-time.
However, I do sell quite a lot - and get repeat orders .... at the end of the day, i'm not making a fortune, but it does allow me to buy more stash !!
Not sure what you would charge for them in Canada or USA, but I sell mine for between �1.50 and �2.50 ... some really intricate cards I sell for �3, but as I say thats UK sterling.
Good luck with your new venture - as they say - nothing ventured, nothing gained !!!
Thanks, Carole!
I feel better about it already! I just sent an order to my demo for the copyright stamps so I'm ready to get started!
__________________ Nancy www.nancysbrandt.com - my site
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I sell my cards, as well as other craft items, at craft shows. I have my cards priced at $2.50 each. If I were to do a more intricate card (waterfall, etc) then I would charge a little bit more.
Just an FYI...items made with SU stamps cannot be sold in fixed retail locations.
No, items made with Stampin' Up!'s images may not be sold on the internet. It's always good business to check each company's angel policy before selling your creations, since policies vary amongst companies. ;) Here's the pertinent portion of SU's Angel policy:
"You may sell your craftworks at community fundraisers, seasonal boutiques, bazaars or other temporary craft events. Hand-stamped items may be sold at nonhostess demonstrator events and at a demonstrator's booth at a temporary commercial event. Hand-stamped items cannot be sold in any permanent retail location (any location that conducts business in a store, consignment shop, kiosk, mall, or Internet site), nor may they be sold to other vendors for resale purposes."
(c) Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
I do sell them in a beauty salon and at work (I do get a lot of special requests) I charged between $4.00 up to $6.00 CND and never had any questions regarding the price. I sell for appx $30.00 a month. I could probably sell more but I do have a full time job and two kids. I am located in Montreal. Good luck!
make sure and protect the cards from hands thumbing through them. I order from clearbags.com and get the B45 style for A2 sized cards. I sell non SU to a coffee shop for 2.25, and they resell for 3.50. I stop in every now and again to swap out designs.
How do people get away with selling their cards and pre stamped images on ebay?
They are just buying time until they get caught. I have no idea what the punishment is- probably just a slap on the wrist and a cease and desist unless you are a big time seller. But SU and other big companies DO monitor and sometimes step up to do something.
I love SU stamps, and use their cardstock close to exclusively- but the selling thing is part of what made me go to The Angel Company. As long as you stamp it yourself (no copying), you can sell it.
They are just buying time until they get caught. I have no idea what the punishment is- probably just a slap on the wrist and a cease and desist unless you are a big time seller. But SU and other big companies DO monitor and sometimes step up to do something.
Stampin' Up! has now added a department devoted exclusively to the research and discovery of such sales on the internet. They are taking such findings seriously. It's always a good idea to check with any company regarding their policy, so that you know in good conscience what the legal parameters are.;)
My sister owns a stationary/specialty gift store called Vellum in St. Louis and I looked into selling stamped cards in her store (typed up a business proposal & everything.) However, I use a variety of stamps in my cards, and keeping track of the various conditions on everyone's Angel policies kept me from going forward selling cards in her shop. Certain companies require that you notify them of what images you are using and the number of cards you are making with those images. Others require that you put their copyright info on the back. Others, like SU!, won't allow sales in a fixed retail location. I could've ended up with 4 copyright stamps on the back of a single card and keeping track of the quantity of cards stamped for given companies just was too overwhelming for me. Of course, I am one of those people who plays by the rules, and wouldn't have wanted anything I did to cause trouble for my sister's business. So I just told her in the end, it was going to be too much like work and not enough like fun.
My mom has a box of my cards in her classroom or her teachers' lounge at her elementary school. I sell them for $3 each no matter the difficulty. It's easier to have a set price. In almost 2 months, she's sold about 60 cards. It'll suck in the summer, but I am looking for more places to do this type of thing.
My mom has a box of my cards in her classroom or her teachers' lounge at her elementary school. I sell them for $3 each no matter the difficulty. It's easier to have a set price. In almost 2 months, she's sold about 60 cards. It'll suck in the summer, but I am looking for more places to do this type of thing.
My daughters take mine to their work..in a nice box in the lunch room..2.00 a card..dd#1 sold 7 just today..not a fortune , but it all adds up..more are wanting easter cards..so will a lot better nxt week..as i have some more made already..
loves ya
__________________ Gail
When the world says give up, hope whispers, try one more time.
I have sold them a few times at craft shows I went to with a friend who already had a booth. I have usually made about 15 to 20 dollars. I have decorated the fronts of scrapbooks also, they sold ok.
i do sell mine at my mother in laws work.... i had them priced at 2 each.. but the woman buying them feel i should raise my price, so they are paying more for certain cards( waterfall, tunnel, etc)... i will make whatever they want, i will personalize them...i just ALWAYS make sure they are happy and i will never make the same card twice...i make sure what i use is all covered under the angel policies . i have gotten lucky so for i have sold about 75 cards within the last month and i have had some orders for invitations...the hot ones now are Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers day and Communions... it is nice to get extra money making things you love... Good Luck to you!
__________________
Quote:
Quote:
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the Moments that take our breath away"
I make cards for the local preegnancy center...I don't sell them 'cuz I'm the Exec. director, and know how tight our budget is!! I make new baby cards, baby's 1st b-day and "graduation" cards for moms when they complete our long term program. I also usually make volunteer appreciation and some donor thank you's.
If you have a local center or other non-profit, you may want to check with them. I used to buy handmade cards from a local woman who gave us a discount since we were non-profit. Her business didn't stick, unfortunately (she's really good)...and since I liked the personal hand made look, I started it myself.
__________________ Kim in Illinois, Dirty Dozen Alum, QFTD#207, FS798, VSN Moderator "Famous Last Words" Spring Virtual Stamp Night, April 19 & 20
Quick question...I looked at the site you linked Kelle (thank you for that) and I see that some of the companies list there Angel policies as: We are an Angel company....
So what exactly does that mean? Can I sell stuff made with their images or not?
Colleen
__________________ Colleen Schaan - Education Specialist at Imagination International Inc.,/Copic Marker
Blog - Distinctive Touches;My Copic Books!
The SU angel policy is one reason I don't buy as much from them as I used to. Now, before I buy from any company, I look at their angel policy (most have them outlined clearly on their websites). If they don't have an area about angel policies, email them. Every perdon/company I have emailed asking that question, usually replies promptly with the info I need.
I do mainly use SU images so I don't sell in a fixed retail location...I let it be known I have hand-made cards for sale - I also do craft fairs and open houses - on occassion I bring them to work with me and my co-workers buy from me. I also have a separate business card made up that simply states that I do handcrafted items - cards, stationary, candles, papercrafted items, etc...
I have a basket of cards made up...Whenever I do a swap or cutting things for classes I do I always cut extra and make the cards up. Unless the image is specific (like a birthday cake) I usually leave it blank (don't stamp a saying) when i make it (excpet when i am do up cards for the 1 craft fair I do at the holidays).
I get a lot of orders from friends who ask for sets of certain sayings of cards (like all thank you or Birthday) - so I pull out my cards that are all done up stamp an appropriate saying and done.
I also take orders for speciality cards (like a set where all the cards are the same or has specific images) or birthday invites. I usually send people to my gallery at Splitcoast to let them see what i can do for them...
I sell my cards for a flat $2 a card or 6 for $10...my cards are a mix some are super simple and some are more decorated and elaborate - in the end it usually works out .
Definately need a Stampin Up (c) stamp if you use their images...
__________________ Jenni -Happy SU Demo - MY GALLERY & MY CHAOTIC LIFE One kid makes you a Parent - Two makes you a Referee
Hi ya'all! just wanted to add a little info to this thread. The Angel Company allows any of it's images to be used on cards/other items, and those items may be sold. There are no restrictions for the hand made items.
My big seller is not cards, but Tumbled Tiles from Lowe's. I buy the tiles in a box of 9 and stamp an image on them and sell them one at a time for decorative use. At Christmas I sell tons of the set (I can't remember the name) that has Mary holding a baby. I sell the tiles for $3-$4 each and the tiles cost about 75 cents each.
My mom has a box of my cards in her classroom or her teachers' lounge at her elementary school. I sell them for $3 each no matter the difficulty. It's easier to have a set price. In almost 2 months, she's sold about 60 cards. It'll suck in the summer, but I am looking for more places to do this type of thing.
So, I can sell my cards and/or SU stamped images at school in the teacher's lounge at work -- as long as the SU stamp is on the item? I know that I would need to improve & practice making more cards, but this could be a good reason/way to buy more things!
__________________ WOHM to a daughter and a miracle Nov. 2012my blog
Made with Love 2012 - cards: 17 layouts: 3
I sell my cards for $3.00 each through my sister. She takes them to her book club meetings and to her work. She is an attorney, so the ladies there think nothing of ordering 10 or 20 at a time in various themes. I don't make big sales all the time, just enough here and there to help offset my SU orders. Good luck!
Silly question maybe, but do you ladies give envelopes with the cards you sell?
Yes I do because then your customer would have to find an envelope to go with that particular card. What's nice to is I always stamp the envelope to go along with the card that it goes to. The customer seem to like that!
I would suggest doing a little test marketing. I've always been surprised at what my non stamping friends like and don't like -- in other words, what is popular here among stampers is not necessarily a winner with non stampers, KWIM??
Consider inviting a few friends over and give them cookies and hot chocolate, or brie and wine, depending on your style, and ask them for some feedback. Which cards would they be likely to buy and why?
Also, consider making non card items that are low cost to make but cute -- thing like luggage tags -- big bright tags that you laminate. Great for traveling with kids, they are a fun thing to buy, and not all that expensive to make.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
Quick question...I looked at the site you linked Kelle (thank you for that) and I see that some of the companies list there Angel policies as: We are an Angel company....
So what exactly does that mean? Can I sell stuff made with their images or not?
Colleen
Did anyone answer you Colleen? If it says we are an Angel company, you can use their images and sell your cards how you would like.
I found this on another site http://www.littlebit.com/angelList/a...stcomplete.htm: This means that these companies are happy to have you use their products in projects where you plan to sell or exhibit your artwork. All designs are copyrighted by their respective companies. They want you to have a good time, but they also want you to respect their copyrights and the time and money they've spent to bring the designs to the scrapbook and stamping public. For general guidelines of what an Angel Policy, most use the following rules:
If using stamps, please hand-stamp each project individually.
No mechanical reproduction of any sort is allowed.
No scanning, no photocopying, no printing of items for resale or use. You must use the original item.
SU policy is exactly why I dont use their images on things I'd like to sell. My hubby has a basket on his desk.
This is a great idea; and I am totally asking my hubby to take a basket of cards to work! Thanks!
Btw; I sell some of my cards; at craft shows and stuff... and I am looking into opening an etsy shop (for selling cards/items made with non-SU! stuff... companies who allow it). But I know from doing the craft shows that crafting/cards sales is not very lucrative. BUT now that we can be crafters AND SU! demos at the same event (used to be you'd have to keep it "seperate") it has really helped promote my SU! business! and COMBINED with selling some stamps here and there it's been great!
Plus it's nice to get that discount on the paper; ink, ribbon, embelishments; the things you CAN USE on cards you sell anywhere! All I am saying is if you dig SU! supplies... don't poo-poo the demo idea right away. There are all differant types of dems out there... and MANY people sign up just so they get that supply discount for craft sales! and they end up with a few orders on the side!
I also sell lots of cards....my best advice after making many hundreds of cards is to use a strong adheshive, like Scotch ATG or 3m double stick tape. Mono ad. will not hold up, especially if you use embellishments. It's awful to spend so much time and effort on a card and then have it fall apart in the customers hands.
Just the info I've been looking for! I've read the SU angel policy and I have the copyright stamp. When they state no retail stores, does that mean non-retail locations are okay? My counseler went gaga over my cards and wants to sell some at the office.
How do I find out about craft fairs? I've never been to one in our area, but I'm sure they're around...
I'm going to subscribe too. I have had several people at the office tell me that I should sell cards there. (I work from home and drive 2 hours one-way to the office twice a month.) I know I can sell my TAC stuff there but I also have a lot of SU stuff too. I have the two of the SU copyright sets so at I'm good to go with that. ;)
Good point on the card jackets!
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
selling handmade cards
