craggy island
28-May-08, 08:34
hi folks,
this thread is to test the water locally because I know that there are a lot of ladies who are at home in their spare time making things as a hobby, as I do. Knitters, sewing people, painters, woodworkers, metal workers and such like. If you are one of these - have you found that you have stuff made that you then dont know what to do with? where do you sell it? Do you just keep it in boxes and then give it away eventually to friends? Have you thought how lovely it would be to have your own little shop and then the reality of costs make you think again? Do you still carry on making things even though you are just keeping it all yourself?
or is that just me?
I would be very interested to hear your views about a monthly craft fair group, moving around some of the local halls, maybe a saturday or sunday afternoon event, on main roads, to attract some business, to get rid of the boxes of handmade creations that accumulate in spare bedrooms.
My idea would be to get a decent sized group of people to make an interesting fair for local and tourist visitors, along the lines of a 'car boot' sale. the cost of the hall split between all the tables booked, an entrance fee donated to RNLI or similar local charity.
I do realise that there are outlets - I know someone will suggest a shelf in 'made in caithness' shop or similar shops, but part of the satisfaction is selling you own things.
Anyone with a view that maybe interested, please add to the thread. Or if this is already going on here, let me know that too. I am fairly new to Caithness (2006) so I dont know everything that goes on just yet.
my particular hobby by the way is signs eg. 'free range eggs', , door plaques, plant pots etc, made from wood and hand painted, funny quotes and sayings etc to hang up. I also make rag dolls and toy sacks, general sewing stuff really.
Well thats my thought of the day, any ideas, potential pitfalls and messages of impending doom for handmade goods against imported cheap stuff welcome.
Don't you think, craft persons, that most people have no idea of the amount of time spent making these items and that its never really reflected in its price?
Let me know what you think, all comments welcome.
Angie, Dunnet Bay Designs.
this thread is to test the water locally because I know that there are a lot of ladies who are at home in their spare time making things as a hobby, as I do. Knitters, sewing people, painters, woodworkers, metal workers and such like. If you are one of these - have you found that you have stuff made that you then dont know what to do with? where do you sell it? Do you just keep it in boxes and then give it away eventually to friends? Have you thought how lovely it would be to have your own little shop and then the reality of costs make you think again? Do you still carry on making things even though you are just keeping it all yourself?
or is that just me?
I would be very interested to hear your views about a monthly craft fair group, moving around some of the local halls, maybe a saturday or sunday afternoon event, on main roads, to attract some business, to get rid of the boxes of handmade creations that accumulate in spare bedrooms.
My idea would be to get a decent sized group of people to make an interesting fair for local and tourist visitors, along the lines of a 'car boot' sale. the cost of the hall split between all the tables booked, an entrance fee donated to RNLI or similar local charity.
I do realise that there are outlets - I know someone will suggest a shelf in 'made in caithness' shop or similar shops, but part of the satisfaction is selling you own things.
Anyone with a view that maybe interested, please add to the thread. Or if this is already going on here, let me know that too. I am fairly new to Caithness (2006) so I dont know everything that goes on just yet.
my particular hobby by the way is signs eg. 'free range eggs', , door plaques, plant pots etc, made from wood and hand painted, funny quotes and sayings etc to hang up. I also make rag dolls and toy sacks, general sewing stuff really.
Well thats my thought of the day, any ideas, potential pitfalls and messages of impending doom for handmade goods against imported cheap stuff welcome.
Don't you think, craft persons, that most people have no idea of the amount of time spent making these items and that its never really reflected in its price?
Let me know what you think, all comments welcome.
Angie, Dunnet Bay Designs.