Arts and crafts from home - for money?!

[hunkermunker]

Does anyone on here make cards or similar and make a living from it? I've made cards since I knew what pens and paper were and have improved over the years(!). I was wondering about setting up and possibly making scrapbooks, baby record books, etc as well, but wondered if it was a lot of outlay and time for not much return.

hi hunkermunker. layla might be able to help. also a few others. I do think you have to make quite an outlay at first. but there is alot of money to be made.

Thanks, Champs. Sounds promising... Fingers crossed!

will see if I can find her.

Hi,well don't know if I'll be a lot of help but I think making scrapbooks etc could be good.I saw a lovely baby record book with a wire pram on the front,ssh that's where I pinched my idea for my new baby card.I'd say go for it you never know.If it's just cards I'd say you'd find it difficult to make a living from it.I've only been making them for 6 months but have made quite a bit out of selling them.I've given up on shops though.But found that a lot of people would like a brochure so have made one and have only just sent some off through word of mouth but now have two orders from them.But mine isn't very proffesional yet as that's still in the design process.Trouble I'm having is knowing when to stop designing keep coming up with new ideas I like all the time.Setting up your own website would be a good start.If you vissit do ccrafts and ask on their noticeboard quite a few people have one and they can recommend peple to set one up.It's very much word of mouth.I find it quite an expensive hobby so I've yet to make a proffit.I plough it all back into buying more craft things so won't be giving up the day job.It's such alovely hobby though.You've probably got quite a lot of craft stuff so won't need to make too much of an outlay unless you are buying pages for scrapbooking etc.Sorry I'm not much help but i had to reply.Hope some of it helps to encourage you to go for it.Keep us informed of how you are getting on.

hi layala!!
hunkermunker, forgot to say before that you could make all sorts of stationary like invites etc. You could have a party plan idea where you showcase your stuff.

I did my first Wedding stationery order earlier this year, loved it and I would love to do more. I am doing invites for my God-daughter's Holy Communion next year. These are more "favours" than business but with my details on the back of the cards, I live in hope that they will act as advertising too.
Sell a few to friends & family but that's about it really.
I would love to do more and I am thinking of trying to sell them through the charity I am envolved in with my dd.
I have also thought about the possibility of making up scrapbook albums for weddings,christening...etc. It's just finding the right market that's my problem. (and the lack of time I have at the moment..perhaps next year when dd is at nursery 5 mornings a week!)
Buying in bulk can help reduce the outlay but it's preferable to have a deposit up front to cover the cost of materials I think. I personally don't feel I would ever be able to charge enough to realistically cover the cost of the time you put into your creations, that part is purely through the love of your craft!
Good luck.

There are so many people doing this kind of thing - it's a shame we don't all get together and...ooh...! Anyone?!

where abouts are you hunker??

I'm new to all this, hunkermunker, have just started adventuring into cards, but would think that there is a bit market for scrapbooking. It looks great, and for special occasions if you could do it and make enough profit, I would think that the market would be good, especially if it could be laminated or something to protect it. I would have loved something like that to remember my wedding, birth of my children by.
Would be worth investigating and maybe trying at craft fairs, ladies nights etc.

I'm in west London, Champs. Just going to get my dining room sorted out, then make a start on my business! Won't be til after Xmas, but it's my New Year's Resolution!

good luck hunkermunker, keep us posted.

My friend makes cards and is inundated with orders for Christmas - she sells them at £2 each and they are very popular. She has made a book of examples that she gives to friends to take to their offices, schools etc and has lots of orders so far.

Good luck.

Just to say that I think it would be a good idea to go to playgroups where there are Mums who are watching their children play. One lady brought her cards to a playgroup and the mums were grateful for something to look at other than the children. She sold lots.