Scrapbooking/Cardmaking as a business

[Am0rcita]

Does anyone scrap and/or card make as their business? I'd like to pursue it, but I have no idea how to start or even if it's viable.

Also, how do you price stuff?

I have read extensively PW B2B site. It gives interesting ideas to those who are independent business owners.

Any advice would be appreciated.


Cathy

[kasiahbug]

I own my own business-- the biggest thing is to remember that you need to review the angel policy for everything that you use. Some companies do not allow the reproduction for money on their things, while others allow a certain amount. The best thing is to start with a business plan. There are a lot on the web on handmade cards. I actually provide a service for people and I also sell things retail. It's hard work, but I'm finding it to be great!

[cantstopstampin]

I've had a few people ask me to make them a mini album etc - I did my son a 21st birthday album/book - which was more like a card and everyone loved it and asked me to make them one........................When you work out the time you spend on such an individual project, plus the cost of stash - it doesn't really pay (I feel) - my card making skills aren't very good so I know I wouldn't be able to sell my cards.

I made a customer of mine a 'birth of your baby boy' mini album - she absolutely LOVED IT - told all her friends, a few came to me and asked me to make them one for their kids - I said I'd have to charge £25 per mini album - NO TAKERS ! I suppose they looked at how small the album was (7" x 6" x 10 pages) - they haven't got a clue how much stash costs, and didn't factor in any 'my time' wich is about 4 hours (at least).

Good luck with your venture if you do decide to go down that route tho - I think you are also 'More Aware' of Scrapbooking in America too than here in England, although I think we are catching up fast ..................................

[fabyon]

Does anyone scrap and/or card make as their business? I'd like to pursue it, but I have no idea how to start or even if it's viable.

Also, how do you price stuff?

I have read extensively PW B2B site. It gives interesting ideas to those who are independent business owners.

Any advice would be appreciated.


Cathy

Cathy I don't want to rain on your parade but there's more money to be made in selling the supplies for card making than selling the final products. Some people are funny about handmade cards they always believe that because they're made that way then they should pay only a buck for it whilst they'll happily pay five dollars for a Hallmark card which is only printed with no embellishments.

Having said that I've seen a very talented scrapbooker selling layouts (blank so people just add their pictures) for up to 120 dollars per LO on Ebay (yep you read right but her LO are something else).

I would suggest to join one of those direct selling companies (you know which ones otherwise PM me for a list) where you can do weekly workshops have fun and sell their wares, then slowly you can spot the customers who haven't got the time but would like to have completed scrapbook done for them and offer to make those LO/cards for a fee (you sell them twice : supplies and the final finished scrapbook or cards). This way you won't have a big outlay to start with and once you got a customer base you can stopped representing that Direct selling company and branch out with other suppliers. Alternatively you could order supplies from paperwishes (http://www.b2b.hotp.com/) in bulk as they have a B2B website for retailers and then do your worshops adding your extra services ! :)

Hope that helps,

X
Fab
PS: Also look for this book > Scrapbooking for Profit: Cashing in on Retail, Home-Based and Internet Opportunities (Paperback) by Rebecca Pittman

[Am0rcita]

Great info guys!

Any others appreciated.


Cathy

[Kissedby2]

You guys are so helpful. Cathy do you feel like you have angels looking out for you. Great advice everyone.

[Sonshine]

Ditto what everyone else has said - I also own a business and Fab is correct when he says you can make more money selling scrapbook supplies than actually making the the end product. To give you an idea of what's out there for sale, check out a couple websites that sell just what you're talking about.

Etsy.com
ShopHandmade.com


You have to be honest in critiquing your work against those of others (not for conformity as much as design appeal, quality and price) , and if you think you could sell your product competitively, go for it. You can try selling your products on ShopHandmade for no investment whatsoever. There's no fees, you'll get your fees paid for by a scrapbook sponsor.

I actually know of one woman in my area that has quite a following in end-product minibooks, full scrapbooks and cards. She took a unique approach that eventually paid for her in the end. But she doesn't make many friends on the craftshow circuit because the average person cannot make albums for what she sells hers for. She'll make and sell her cards from 1 to $2 a piece. It's ludicrous actually, but she sacrificed profit for many years making these until now she has such a following at every show she's able in volume alone to purchase below wholesale now, and she does indeed make a profit. She's lined herself up with people that make things for her, cut chipboard for her at a fraction of what it would cost me just to purchase bare chipboard. She didn't get her strategy out of any business manual that's for sure - but it's paid off for her. One last thing - if you plan to purchase wholesale, you have to pay the piper. Meaning you have to jump through all the proper hoops and each state is different on it's requirements for issuing a business license to get your tax exempt status for retail so you can purchase wholesale. After doing your homework, honestly critiquing your work, and making up a business plan, if you still feel the need - by all MEANS - do it, girl.

[lillian]

Okay ... selling product is fine, but if making cards is your passion (and you have the time to make them in bulk), then check with your hair stylist, or anyone else you know that owns a small salon. I have a friend in Prescott who has her own massage therapy salon and another friend in Alaska who owns her own hair salon. I typically send them 75 to 100 cards every three months or so (or more often as needed). I charge them $4-$5 per card, depending on the dollars I have invested into the card. I tell them to mark them up according to what they think their clientele would be willing to spend on a quality, one-of-a-kind card. And they sell like hotcakes! Now granted, I probably won't retire on this extra income, but it does allow me to purchase more supplies and keep me up to my elbows in what I love doing best - making cards.

BEST OF LUCK in your cardmaking venture!!

[Am0rcita]

Thanks for the additional info Lillian and Sonshine. I JUST started scrapping and cardmaking--I have lots of techniques to learn and perfect. But I think about it becaus I keep hearing that peopled should "do what they love." This is the only thing, so far, that I've tried that I've really enjoyed doing.

I really appreciate the info. It's been very interesting to read your individual experiences.


Cathy

[Sonshine]

If you're just starting out - then by all means - E N J O Y the process of creating. Because once it becomes a business - - some of that joy disipates once you're committed. I totally agree - you SHOULD be doing what you love. And you CAN. And hopefully - you will. Make it a goal - do your homework. Go to craft shows - get on line and see what's out there. Stick with the message board, and each day, do something, no matter how small, to work towards your dream. :)

[Am0rcita]

Sonshine,

Thanks for the encouragement. :)

[Sonshine]

:p Oh - I have an ulterior motive - I'm expecting you to become published someday with your beautiful cards - and feed me lots of material to lift. :D

[fabyon]

:p Oh - I have an ulterior motive - I'm expecting you to become published someday with your beautiful cards - and feed me lots of material to lift. :D

Our Sonshine is one sharp tack ! :D

[egarcia]

I decided to start selling my cards when I realized how much fun it was to make them, but how little space I had to collect and keep all of the cards I make. So I did decide to sell them and to donate half of what I earn to charity. I price them from $4-$5 each. I know that if I calculate my time I'm not really making a profit. But the half of my earnings that I keep is enough for me to cover the costs of all of the product I buy. So even if I don't make enough to make a living, I at least can spend money on shopping for product without feeling guilty about breaking the household budget. And not to mention how rewarding it feels to be able to do something that I enjoy doing and at the same time contribute to helping those that are in most need, especially in these difficult financial times. I donate to the local food pantry. And who knows, maybe I'll gather enough of a following that I might be able to make a living off of my hobby some day.

[Heather]

Elizabeth, what venue do you use to sell your cards?

[Am0rcita]

Nice Elizabeth. My husband is trying to start a dry cleaning business. All he needs at this point is the location. I've already talked to him about renting/using some space to display cards. He thinks that would be a good idea. Again, I'm not saying my work is good enough that others would want it, but I've enjoyed making cards and scrapbook pages so much that I'd really like to be doing more of it for some $$ so that I too, can at least support my paper/embellishment addiction.:D

[cardz for u]

I can ditto everything you all have said. As a former scrapbook store owner, I can testify to the hard work involved, and you also have no time left to enjoy doing what you love...creating. Amorcita, find a scrapbook store in your area, and let them know that you'd like to make albums for non-scrapbookers for a fee. I used to hook people up all the time. One girl made $300 for a very simple, down to basics album. Also, check with your local library on classes that they offer to the public and let them know you'd like to teach scrapbooking or cardmaking. I get paid very well to teach card classes at our state library. Some nursing homes will pay to have a crafter come in and teach workshops to the elderly. Good luck and keep working on it. You'll find a way to do it! :)

[love2scrap]

Sorry, I'm jumping on this thread late.

Cathy, I'm with Fabyon on this one. Check out the Direct Selling companies, I a consultant for one. Sometimes it's hard to find customers but if you work hard at it, it will be great. You can PM me or e-mail me for details if you'd like

I was part of another MB and one lady decided to make albums professionally. She had one customer and she worked so hard on this one layout that she posted about (absolutely beautiful) and the customer tore her apart about how it came out. It was a horrible story and I felt so bad for her. I guess my point is that everyone has their own likes and dislikes and when you're working with customers (in any retail type environment) sometimes you can get some really nasty ones.

I'm not trying to deter you, just wanted to share that story.

My aunt did say to me once "Do what you love and the money will come."

Hope that helps you:)

[egarcia]

Elizabeth, what venue do you use to sell your cards?

I started out selling to my colleagues at work to see if others found my cards as nice as I did and they encouraged me to keep making more and selling more. I just started branching out a bit, and I now sell a few sundays during the coffee hour at my church and this past weekend I served as a vendor at a local storytellers conference. I also have my website and have started to look into local small-scale craft fairs like in local schools, etc.

[Heather]

Ok, thanks!

[Am0rcita]

Great Ideas Elizabeth. I like your website.


Cathy

[egarcia]

Thanks Cathy. Nice of you to say, and thanks for visiting :).