opinions/ideas please.

[nightowl]

ive been toying with the idea of doing something from home since i got made redundant. i was thinking along the lines of childrens gift type things. i accidentally bought an engraving tool (i only bought the set because it does 50+ things!)and did my dd a picture with her name carved on the frame. i was thinking of getting colour copies of my own drawings perhaps teddies, babies or things for older children maybe fairies and things for girls (dont know what for boys yet) or drawn on request things to match with a bedroom theme for example. either just the pictures with the decorated and/or engraved frames or a picture with details of baby's birth etc. do you think there would be any interest from the general public? could i perhaps make little keepsake things? baby cards? please let me know if you think its a rubbish idea but be gentle with me!! (im really scared to post this in case you all laugh at me)

[miranda2]

It could work, but you'd need to think carefully about pricing (people won't pay that much for things compared to the time it takes to make and sell them), and where you will sell them - are there any local craft markets etc you could do on a sample basis? But you'll need to be careful about your initial outlay too...Lots of research needed I should think. I imagine finding the people who want these things is the tricky thing, as I'd guess ads in baby mags etc are expensive - though you could try sending samples to see if they'd include them in a feature. Maybe you could take samples to local nurseries, playgroups etc? It would be quite labour intensive though.

[boudicca]

sorry to put a dampner on your idea,but I agree with M2,people are v reluctant to part with hard cash for 'crafty' things,which is a great shame copnsidering how much time and effort is put into making them.
That said-people seem happier paying exorbitant amounts,rather than what you might think is fair,so don't price cheap!
good luck,anyway B