Need a way of making money...

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

DP lost his job today and I need to find a way of making a bit of extra cash for the kids Christmas. Do any of you make money from things that you make?

[puddleofpiddle]

Sorry to hear that, I make some money from occasionally making longies for cloth nappy covers, but not enough considering the time put in.
I know a couple of people who supply cakes to local cafes, others make jewellery/cards. Is it worth looking to get some stuff together to sell at a Christmas fair?

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

That's my plan how well it will go remains to be seen!! I have no idea how much to price things at or what might sell. DS's nursery are having a table top sale so getting rid of some old bits and hopefully will have made a few bits to sell by then

[plipplops]

What are you good at/do you enjoy? It might be a good place to start, so for instance are you any good at baking/sewing/papercraft etc??

[plipplops]

Also do you have any equipment that would mean you don't have to spend too much first? (Do you own a sewing machine/decent baking trays etc..?)

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

I've got a sewing machine and I can hand sew as well. Baking I can do but not sure if I could honestly charge people to eat it!! Lol

[plipplops]

I made some cloth drawstring bags for our toys, with patterned fabric to go with whatever was in it (animals/toy food/cars etc). Or bunting - just cut it with pinking shears and stitch on ribbon. I made some out of an old curtain and can't believe how often people ask to borrow it! Or get a load of beads and make some simple stretch bracelets, they're really quick and you can make a decent margin on them (if you're interested I can recommend some good websites to buy beads). I also sold a few bags of beads at a toys & equipment sale - great for crafty kids. I think cards would be good as long as they were lovely (I really hate rubbish handmade cards but am sure they're not that hard to do well). Good luck!!

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

Thank u for the suggestions trying to brainstorm now the kids are in bed and I can think about adult things as opposed to peppa bleeding pig!!

[starfishmummy]

I would avoid food as there are food hygiene regulations to take into account; likewise there are safety regulations regarding hand made toys. If you are going to do craft fairs they would expect you to comply with these; so other things might be easier.

[anniebear]

Must be a day for it, My Brother In Law got given his 30 days notice today, the whole place is closing :( Hope you make lots :)

[puddleofpiddle]

I've tried to stick to simple ideas so I'm doing tunisian crochet cowls. Not such a good idea to have started in sockweight yarn as they are taking forever to make up! But it is lovely yarn and it is the leftovers from yarn I bought to make the dc's socks...

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

He didn't even get notice as still on initial probationary period. Hoping he can at least pick up some temp work to tide us over until something permanent comes up.

[HenriettaFarthingay]

1morestep, I make and sell bags. I started off just making an odd tote bag or two and my girls told me I should try selling them. This was in January. I'm now making around £200 a month (ok it's not crazy money, but it's a start) between doing craft fairs, market stalls, and commissions. I'm booked in for a number of markets in the run up to Christmas and expect to make quite a bit then. If you do go in for something like that, you can get a Folksy or Etsy account, which is quite good for selling, but where I've found the most coming in apart from at stalls/fairs, etc is through my Facebook 'Like' page. I put up photos of what I've made, and it's amazing the number of people who buy through that, or else just ask, could you make the same thing in X colour or pattern or whatever. I've graduated from totes to making some quite involved evening bags, handbags, etc, and making my own designs, etc.

If you go for something with your sewing machine, google whatever you decide to make and you'll find loads and loads of advice, ideas, patterns, etc out there.

[HenriettaFarthingay]

Oh, and best of luck! I hope everything works out for you.

[jenniepanda]

I've been doing a few bits over the last year, making aprons, cushions, bunting etc. I've done a few fairs with varying success. However I have found that I have spent far more out in fabric than I have made in sales. But I do now have a very lovely stash - which I had to buy a new cupboard to house .

Henrietta - what's your facebook page, can I have a nosy?

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

Thank you for all your ideas. DP has got a new job but i think I'm still going to have a go at making a few bits to sell it'd be nice to have my own income and that oooh yes henrietta what's your Facebook page?! I want a nosey, I do like a nice bag or 7

[HenriettaFarthingay]

Have PM'd you both!

[1morestepalongtheworldigo]

Oooh they look really nice going off to dream about handbags.....

[SoftKittyWarmKitty]

Henrietta, please could you pm me too? I'm looking for a new bag, plus they sound great to buy for Xmas presents! Thanks.

[spikemomma]

And me henrietta - i'm loving a bag!

[prolificwillybreeder]

And me please! I need a another new bag :)

[BrianAndHisBalls]

Apologies op, my message was deleted because I added my etsy link.

What I was saying, without the link, was that if you need any help or advice with an etsy shop, please feel free to pm me and I can talk you through setting one up.