Someone pushed that big orange button over to the right. The one where you can ask me any questions.
Here is the latest question:
I’ve been interested in a while about starting a part time craft business but am not sure where to begin. I want to try a variety of different crafts but I’m not sure what ones would sell best. I love cross stitch but as it takes too much time I don’t know how to price it without scaring potential customers away. Could you please give some advice as to where to begin? Thanks Kate
And my answer was:
While it is nice to have a variety… it’s best to start out with one
type of product. Then you become “The Queen of ……?” You need to be
know as the professional or the expert in ???
So if you wanted to do cross stitch for example… you could do cross
stitch personalization of some craft product.
I’m just thinking out loud here:
So if you made bibs or teddy bears or aprons or what ever…
and then came up with several quick to stitch patterns that you
personalize and then sell… that might be a good product idea.
You need to find something to cross stitch that’s different… you
aren’t going to sell a cross stitch wall hanging to anyone.
But you could become the “Queen of Cross stitch pillow cases for brides”
like supper special pillow case sets for the bride and groom with their
names embroidered on them.
Or you could become the queen of 1950′s replica aprons with a cross
stitched – apple or cherry or pink poodle…
The idea is that you need to have a “niche” that only you fill. You do
it so wonderful and beautiful that lot’s of shoppers will just have to
have it.
Brainstorm a bit and get back to me with your ideas. 
Yes… Kate responded:
I’ve been a lot of thinking and one idea keeps coming back into my mind that I just had to share with you.
I am very much into personalized products as you may know and so I thought about creating teddy bear samplers.
To give a brief description of the product I’ll give you an example of a new birth in the family.
Lets just say its a little girl. I will use a stand alone teddy and dress it up as a little baby with a little pink (or any other colour) nappy and a dummy in its mouth. As I want to incorporate a bit of cross stitch into the project I will stitch ‘It’s a Girl’ on the back of the nappy.
As an optional feature; to personalize the bear and make it a sampler. I will either paint or stitch a little plaque with the important details of the birth (name, date, time ,weight etc) which will be placed in front of the bear.
I could use this same idea for weddings, christenings, birthdays, christmas, easter, halloween or just as a simple gift with no specific occasion.
My main goal is to produce products that have a sentimental value and that are personal to the recipient but not the same old thing that everybody gives as gifts.
I will continue to keep you posted on other ideas I have,
Thanks again, Kate
I shot back a quick note to Kate with a few of my own ideas…
Hi Kate,
This is a pretty cute idea… the personalization aspect it what sets
you apart.
but… I might be looking for a Large bear instead of a cheap teddy…
Or a teddy that is really cute… I mean adorable in itself.
I was also thinking of Patchwork teddies… like ones made from quilts.
The plaque idea would be better if it was a soft stuffed heart… Or
like the old raggedy anns… that had the heart under the clothes as a
surprise that would be the personalized dates and names.
just some thoughts from me about starting a part time craft business.
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