Meet the 'Hugglies' in my Profile

[Tillyboo]

I've just booked onto a 2 day craft event at the end of the month and wanted to make something different to sell, other than cushions, laundry bags etc.

So...... meet the Hugglies in my Profile Photo's.

I thought I'd charge about £12.50 for each 'Huggly'. They are about 12 inches high from ear to toe (although they don't have any toes but you know what I mean).

I need to do some 'Boy' colours and fabrics so that's next on my to do list. Each one has an individual name, like DAVE, to make them 'one off's'.

I am also making different shapes.

Do you think £12.50 is a fair price ? Should I charge more ? less ? Do you think that they might go down well or am I way off the mark here ?

All have difference fabric on the back from the front - sort of hotchpotch.

Some feedback would be great & much apreciated

[Whizzz]

oo they are cute

[Tillyboo]

Ooh, thanks Whizz !

They are fun to make as all the while I'm thinking up daft names which are so untypical of a huggly type of thing.

I like Brian ! It's my dads name but I haven't made one as yet that looks particularly like a Brian

[Whizzz]

HAve you seen Gingermonkeys horses ??
There was a thread this morning - what a talented bunch

[Tillyboo]

Just this second seen them and they are fabulous !
I've made some hedgehogs with ribbon for spikes - my daughter loved ribbon as a baby.

Yes, we have some seriously talented people on here - your gorgeous jewellery included.

Perhaps Mumsnet ought to have their own huge craft & gift bonanza ?

Has it ever been done before ?

Perhaps have a couple all round the country on the same day and proceeds of buying a pitch goes to local small charities.

[lucykate]

tillyboo, they are cute!

[dizzyday07]

I think they are lovely.

One thought - you might think about making some on with all embroidered features (i.e. no buttons) then they could be bought for younger children.

If you wanted to make them individual to the purchaser, could you make a little paper "Birth Certificate" to sell with them and then the purchaser could "name" the huggle themselves

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

[Tillyboo]

Dizzyday - thx for the suggestions about no buttons, it had crossed my mind so I'm in the process of making some other shapes made out of an old Pringle jumper.
It was up for recycling (unwanted gift) but it'd a lovely soft wool so I'll use this for younger children together with felt.

I've made a felt tag for each with an embroidered name for individuality but I like the idea of a blank tag and then people can choose a name.

Thx for the suggestions

[Tillyboo]

Hi iCod - do you mean that £12.50 is too expensive ?

What price would you consider to be a reasonable amount to pay ?

They are quite big at 12 inches high.

[Tillyboo]

Hi iCod - do you mean that £12.50 is too expensive ?

What price would you consider to be a reasonable amount to pay ?

They are quite big at 12 inches high.

[collision]

I agree that they are too expensive.

why not make them smaller and stuff them with lavendar so that they have a purpose?

Just an idea.

what do I know? No talent here at all.

[Tillyboo]

I have made some smaller bunnies but I think stuffing with Lavender is quite an expensive option - it's not cheap, and I wonder if children would like the smell of Lavender ?

If you could get stuffing that smelt like chocolate, sweets, bubblegum ......

What would you say was a fair price ? It's good to get feedback.

[MadEyeMisdee]

you can come and cut sdome lavender for free from my palce.

[Tillyboo]

Ooh, where are you MadEyeMisdee?

[MadEyeMisdee]

herts.

its not a massive lavender bush, but i havent done much gardening over the last year so it does need sorting out.

think its currently in flower, see i dont even know lol.

[lucykate]

i think you need to bear in mind how much money visitors to a craft fair will have in their purse to spend on the day. my spending budget would be around £20, so i guess, i would be looking out for smaller, cheaper items.

the bubble bath we use for the dc's atm is lavender 'night time' bath, supposed to help them sleep , so yes, i think children and lavender go together. you would only need a small amount tucked inside with some wadding, otherwise the smell may be too overpowering.

you could make tiny ones for pin cushions, finger puppets or egg cosies?

[Gingermonkey]

bugger - I had just typed out a really long post and the computer just froze!!!!!
Um, what was I saying? When I was pricing the Merrylegs Horses I asked about and did reserach for similar things on the internet and in shops and it seemed that people were happy to pay £10 for a friend's child's present but no more unless that child was a family memeber etc. So my horses are $18 (£9) plus postage and they are doing really well. I think they are really lovely, and I think they would do well on etsy...have you thought about setting up a shop there? I've only been selling for a week or so but I am doing well, 11 horses in total on and off of etsy. Have a look at my shop search about the site (Most of mine have sold now - so check the sold items section, I'm sewing like a mad woman trying to get restocked!). If you need a hand with anything cat me . The great thing about etsy is it is cheap to list ($20 an item). You just have to use American words to list things so they come up in more searches!

[Gingermonkey]

dizzyday07 just pointed out to me that I have put that it costs $20 per item to list, I meant 20 cents (ooops!!!!!!). So it is really cheap!!!!

[Tillyboo]

Hi everyone, after listening to advice from mumsnetters and friends and family (I conducted a little market research on price) I have decided to sell the big 'Hugglies' for £10.00 - it worked out to be the average price so we'll give it a go.

Lucykate - good point about how much money people take to craft fairs. I'm hoping there will be some cheque books around too. Most of my takings at the school Xmas Fair last year were from cheques but I don't think that was typical.

I also take the point about babies and lavender, dd has lavender bath soak so I was being very dim and thinking the whole thing would be stuffed with lavender, DER ! But I could put a little sachet inside some of them.

Gingermonkey - I know I said it on your post but I really love your neddies. Horses are my thing in real life so anything to do with them is great. But yours are so refreshingly different, I'm sure they are going to be soooooooo popular.

I will look into Etsy & have a think about it. Did you mean $2.00 to list an item ?

Know what you mean about sewing like mad. I'm like a thing posessed trying to make enough in time for the craft weekend - 31st Aug-2nd Sept. My fingers are so sore.

Anyway, if anyone is local to Berkshire/ Hampshire & interested, the craft event is being held at Kitstone who sell fabulous garden furniture and interiors, art and other bits and pieces. They are having a big sale at the same time. Take a look at www.kitstone.co.uk for directions etc.

Wellington farm shop is also on site and they have a tea room/ cafe.

If you do come along, please come and say hello - I think you'll know who I am by my 'Huggles'

PS the word Huggles/ Hugglies comes from a cross between a cuddle and hug - my dd made this up.

[Tillyboo]

20 cents, blimey that is cheap - I'll be on Etsy before the end of the day .... Maybe, if my fingers can stand anymore.

[MadEyeMisdee]

if you want the lavender let me know when the best time to cut it is, and i will post you a box full of the stuff. you pay for postage though

[chocolateteapot]

What about stuffing a few with wheat grains and a bit of lavender oil like the wheat bags that you put in the microwave ? My two both have teddies that you can do this with and they've gone down well, but the Hugglies are cuter and I think they'd be lovely for a warm bedtime toy .

[Gingermonkey]

Tillyboo - let me know if you plan to set up an etsy shop - I will happily buy from you (and therefore boost your feedback) . You know people, it is christmas soon (well, not soon, but it'll come round quickly) and every child wants either a horse from my lovely shop, or one of tillyboo's Huggly . Go on, help us poor sore fingered mumsnetter out

[Tillyboo]

Gingermonkey - I thought you said you didn't like the sales bit (was that you) ???

You big fibber, you're doing a grand job so far. Fab that you've got some sales from MN and well done for promoting Christmas. It does creep up quickly.

Bless you for wanting a Huggly - I'll let you know if I get my bot into gear and get an Etsy shop.

If you have enough pink felt left over my dd would love a pink neddy. Her bedroom is pink, lilac, bit of light bright green and yellow (sounds gross but really very lovely).

Also, Hobbeycraft in Reading are seling 4ft of ribbon for 99p, all sorts of colours and designs. I would imagine they sell it online to if you haven't a store nearby.

Perfect for your manes