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Wednesday 4 May 2011

Tatty Button, and some advice please?




Hello All,

Firstly I would like to thank you all for your kind wishes, I really do appreciate them all. I am up and down at the mo, but I am sure I will get there.

These are some cards I made while at My Aunties house last week, I mostly just did colouring in, but I found that I was able to do little mini cards as it didn't require too much thinking, then It gave me an idea for a larger card .... this system is working for me at the mo, so I am just going with it.

The Tatty Button stamp is one borrowed from my Auntie and I teamed it with a Do Craft Tulip stamp set .... I cant begin to tell you how much I love this set, I think it will be so fab for creating background, and I know it will be perfect for so many things I can see me reaching for it again and again. Not much too this card, just basic stamping an colouring, which I have done with copics.

This is my entry for:

Cute and Girly - Anything Goes
Crafty Calender - April Showers bring May Flowers
Kaboodle - Its the "B"s knees - embellies beginning with b (my faux buttons)
Papertake weekly - Anything Goes
MAWTT - Anything Goes
Charisma Cards - April Showers bring May Flowers
Paper Cutz - Aything Goes
Crafts for Eternity - Anything Goes

Now, I was looking for a little advice. I have had my hours cut at work, my boss says its on a temporary basis, but to be honest I cant see it going back. Anyway I was wondering about selling cards as a little extra income ... I appreciate its not the easiest way to make money, as the time involved doesn't really make it worth it, but I thought I could try and there would be nothing lost.

I know a few of you run small businesses and I was wondering if you had advice on where to start, and any pitfalls e.c.t. I am in the North of Scotland, there are no real craft Fayre's as such so I am not sure how much of an option that would be, anyway Any help or advice would be much appreciated. My e-mail addy is theglitterchick@gmail.com

As always thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

41 comments:

  1. Hi Juls
    It is so hard to sell our cards and sadly you will find many don't want to pay the price for a handmade card. What you could try is any "one off" shops that sell trinkets, handmade items etc.
    Also try school fetes. It is coming up to that time of year at school.
    Also your main library if it has a shop may buy your cards off you.
    Hope this helps
    hugs Sarah x

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  2. Hey Juls! This card is awesome! The image is so fun and love the 3D umbrella.
    Hugs, Dena
    P.S. I only sell my cards if someone asks for it! haha! No good advice here sorry!

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  3. Juls I found approaching shops with samples sometimes works but you will only get trade prices so keep them simple...why not try Etsy or Folksy on-line, you may have more luck there, you should get more per card atleast.

    Love your cards so much detailed colouring, bought some Tatty button stamps recently and they're still to see ink!

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  4. I got your email,I'm thinking of you,take it each day at a time.
    Adore your cards,love the scenes and gorgeous pastel colours.
    My advice with your cards is put them on ebay, costs are minimal and you have a world wide customer base.
    goodluck with what ever you decide.
    big hugs and kisses.janex

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  5. Hiya Juls
    This is gorgeous - the colours are so pretty.
    I am loving Tatty Button and might need to have one lol!!!
    Thanks for sharing it with us at MAWTT this week and good luck.
    {{Debs}} xx

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  6. Such a beautiful scene, I love her long skinny legs, adorable! Good luck with selling your cards, they are beautiful and you will surely do well!

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  7. Just love your soft colouring...oh how I wish I could do that!
    Selling cards is hard work at the moment, as someone said earlier, people arent always willing to pay a fair price - sometimes Im lucky if I can get a pound for one of mine.
    Im sure youll have better luck than me - your cards are a lotmore appealing than mine - good luck!

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  8. hi Juls,
    I don't have any advice really - cos I only make for friends and family, but have you tried asking local groups and schools for a stall at their Spring and Xmas Fayres?
    Your Tatty Button cards are so pretty quine
    Debz
    xx

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  9. Super cute cards Juls, works well as a small and larger card. I saw these images on tv but thought they would be too skinny:( But they look stunning!! About selling your cards. I do sell 99% of my cards. Its hard work, for very little money but I love it. I try to keep costs down by not putting too much on the cards and sourcing a lot of free resources. I give out calling cards with each card, word of mouth is great and with cards like yours you should have no bother. Email me if you want.
    Pinky

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  10. Hi Juls love your Tatty Button cards the one with the scene is just perfect. I don't have any advice on the card selling as you say the price of the card would never be enough for the time and effort it took to make it. I have seen a few on ebay that might be the best way, good luck in whatever you decide and hope you feel better soon.
    Take care
    Angie x

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  11. Hi Juls, I've tried to make a bit of cash from cards too... not easy I'm afraid. I tried a few local florist shops, one's that also sell cards and small gifts. They usually wanted to do sale or return but I did earn a few pennies. How about a Folksy or Etsy shop? Also, have you considered signing up to Stampin Up or Do crafts? Expensive to start with but I've noticed that some girls seem to do well at it, but have to put in alot of work. There does seem to be some money in demonstrating. Try your library for Adult Learners week (coming in the next two weeks I think) and offer to demo for them. You can take some cards along to sell. Your cards are lovely so I'm sure you'll find success somehow. Hugs, Jo x

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  12. Hi Juls

    Beautiful card, gorgeous colours. Love the little scene. I only do cards if I am asked which isn't often - sorry I can't be of any help there then! Good luck hun.

    Hugs Ali x

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  13. Beautiful and pretty cards Juls, love the mini versions, such a cool idea! Sorry to hear you've had your hours cut at work...I only sell my cards to the girls I work with and my friends I don't have a scoobie about setting up a business! Donna x

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  14. Oh Juls .. I am so sorry to hear about your work hours being cut. :( Please keep your chin up and try to keep smiling okay? Easy for me to say, I know .. but believe me when I say that things always get better. :)

    Well, your card is wonderful as always! Gorgeous colouring and I love the scenery you've made once again! Brilliant work hun!!!

    Sending you lots of sunshine and hugs,
    Elise

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  15. You made a super scene, i don't know do that, i hope one day... !
    Love your card my friend as always !
    xxx

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  16. Gorgeous and so pretty Juls...I so love these tatty images..

    Sorry I have no idea how to get started about selling cards....I only sell to friends and family..so I cannot help you sweetie :o(

    take care hun...hugs Vicky xx

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  17. Hi Juls, I've not been hoppin much lately and have only just read your post about your miscarriage - i'm so sorry for you and now probs at work too! Bet you're right fed up! On a positive note, you have been given some great advice with regard to selling your cards and I agree with everyone that your cards are gorgeous so you shouldn't have too much trouble! I sell to work colleagues and I charge £1.50 for a 51/2" square card. I don't sell loads but it's enough to buy more stash with so if you try shops too you should make a bit more. Good luck xx

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  18. Lovely cards, and the colouring is lovely. Thanks so much for joining MAWTT this week. Please come back again.

    I do sell some of my cards, and some other bits and pieces as well, such as decorated boxes. Does where you live have a summer fete, or do the schools have summer fairs - these are usually my sort of outlets, and local individual shops.

    Hugs
    Valxx

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  19. Adorable card Julia, I watched the preview of Tatty Button and fell in love with her long legs - at 5' and not much more I can but dream.

    I sell quite a few cards at shops etc., as you say it won't make you rich but it does help feed the addiction. I will mail you.

    B x

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  20. Gorgeous cards Juls, love the little scene on the first one. Love the soft pretty colours you've used.

    I haven't got much experience of selling cards but one of the girls I know does or maybe used to do a lot of wedding invitations etc. Hard work and a bit repetitive though. She also keeps a basket of cards in her aunt's hairdressing salon. Unlike me my friend can make cards very quickly.

    My hairdresser keeps a basket of cards too. I've looked at them and they're at least £1+. They're not nearly as nice as yours and look very amateurish and as if they cost about 10p to make. My hairdresser told me this person has a basket of cards in lots of places including a busy farm shop. Your cards are so lovely that they should easily sell but you might have to try more than one way to sell them.

    Take care,

    Kat xx

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  21. Hi Juls.

    I'm so sorry you're losing some of your hours but it will give you more time to craft!!

    Selling - hard work. I'll email you.

    Lesley x

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  22. Hi Juls, wow this is so lovely. Tatty looks fab against the tulip background. You've inspired me to get mine inked up. Fab buttons in the corner and love the brolly, so dimensional. I haven't any advice about card sales hun, wish I had, all I know is yours will definately sell as they are all stunning.

    Big Hugs.

    Donna x

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  23. fantastic cards juls.i love the fab tatty button stamp.i picked this up the other day but resisted.after seeing how stunning your cards are i wish i`d got it now :D
    love the beautiful background on your bigger card and your colours are gorgeous.
    can`t really help with the selling of your cards. i have mine in a sewing shop and an off license and sell very few.i only charge £1.50 too.a lot of people seem to sell more through ebay or etsty. :D

    xx coops xx

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  24. Fabulous colours and colouring as usual Juls. I love your work, as do all the people above, so if you can find the right outlet I am sure you will find some buyers.
    luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

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  25. Sorry about your work hours being cut, sweet friend. My daughter got me selling on etsy. She loves it, I love it. Maybe that would work for you? I love your new cards! Best to you...♥ Kath

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  26. Awww! Cute image and great background. Love the two versions . Those buttons look fab also.
    As to selling cards, I do sell a few to friends , workmates,stc, but I'm sure I don't really even cover my costs sometimes! LOL!
    Hope you feel better soon.....

    Viv xx

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  27. Hi Juls love this set you created, pretty colors and images, never saw those before! ~hugs

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  28. Hi Juls,I am also playing catch up,but I don't think I will ever catch up.I am so sorry for your loss,it does take quite some time to get over,just give yourself time and take care of yourself.BTW I have had a sticky beak at your blog and all your cards are STUNNING,such beautiful work!!
    Big Hugs xx

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  29. oh hun sorry about your hours hun know what its like trying to sell our cards,people just wont pay the money which is sad as they are happy enough to pay shop prices,yet ours are more,stunning,like this one of yours hun I am going to try some trinket shops too,they seem to have more people who are willing to pay for hand made cards,your card like all of them you make is just stunning,wish you luck hun,lots love hugs cheryl xxxxxxx

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  30. Gorgeous cards Juls, love the beautiful soft colouring.
    luv
    Debby

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  31. Beautiful, beautiful cards Juls. I'm sorry I can't offer any fresh advice on selling cards..Etsy or Folksy does sound a good idea..what about on your blog? not sure if you could have them in the side bar or a seperate page at the top.. I would definately buy your cards they are STUNNING.
    Been thinking about you a lot this week hunni. Take care ♥

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  32. These are both so beautiful and sweet, Juls! Hugs!

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  33. Lovely card set Juls. Beautiful, soft colouring!
    Good luck taking the plunge into selling your work. I only sell at Craft Shows but once you find some good customers they'll keep coming back for more!
    Glad to see you at Kaboodle Doodles! Good luck.

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  34. Juls this is such a cute little scene - i think you are right that background stamp is defintaely a winner. Love the Tatty Button stamp too she is adorable!

    When i started selling mine i sold them in hairdressers, small paper shops and little one off boutiques. The one off boutiques were where i made alot of the money. I havent sold mine publically for around 6 months now so i may be a bit out of the loop!

    love tasha xx

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  35. Stunning card! Sorry to hear your hours had been cut :(
    Thank you for playing with us at BTC&G and good luck! X

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  36. What a gorgeous and sweet card this is! And such lovely colors!

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  37. i don't know much about operating a REAL business, but i seem to do okay at craft fairs and in small venues where i can sell my cards on a pseudo-wholesale level. i keep a small variety box at work so the gals can flip through if they need something on a whim, and there are a couple of small local retailers (look at flower shops, or gift shops, or even doctors' offices or gyms) where i'm able to make a few bucks. :)

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  38. Love this card, the colours are so pretty. You are very talented. xx

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  39. Pretty cards - thanks for joining us at Papertake Weekly

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  40. Stunning cards sweetie and love the way you have combined 2 different stamps sets...very clever!!
    hugs and xxx

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