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is it really possible to make money selling handmade cards?

35 replies

MakemineaGandT · 11/04/2008 14:21

I'm thinking of doing this - what should I know first?!

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 11/04/2008 15:10

i don't think it is - sorry.

unless you make qvc type
a/ get card blank
b/ slap pre-made embellishment on
c/ stick on a peel-off

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peasoup · 11/04/2008 15:11

Probably not, no.

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BetteNoir · 11/04/2008 15:13

Lots of competition out there.
Do you have a unique style or angle that would help to market your particular cards?

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zippitippitoes · 11/04/2008 15:14

i doubt it unless you value your time as zilch

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PrimulaVeris · 11/04/2008 15:15

No

I have friends who do it

They all go to the same school and craft fairs, sitting looking across at each other's stalls

Not selling very much at all. Sorry

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Whizzz · 11/04/2008 15:40

I think it is, if you are very good - know your market (have a market !), know what you are doing & offer a service that others don't. ie personalising cards, making specific themes to order. But you need to buy so much stuff up front I don't think you will ever be rich - but if successful you could cover your costs + maybe a bit!

'Handmade' or 'hand finsihed' cards are in many of the high street shops now at very low prices, so you will always be up against them, plus a lot of people want to spend as little as possible on a card ie 50p from Asda!

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MakemineaGandT · 11/04/2008 16:07

hmm...I feared this. I guess I do have a "style" - almost aplique (handcut pieces and lettering) and I don't use ready-made stuff (a la qvc!). I find it takes at least 15 mins to make a card. So, I guess I am never going to make much am I. Ah well, perhaps I'll carry on doing it for fun. Everyone loves my cards but I'd need to charge at least £2.50 a card to make it at all worthwhile...no-one really wants to spend that much do they?

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Whizzz · 11/04/2008 16:16

Well I think they would for a special occasion and/or a personalised touch. See if Dingle comes along - she makes lovely cards & may have some tips

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 11/04/2008 17:33

makemineaG&T - if everyone loves your cards then you already have a market! next time someone says they love them tell them you take commisions - thats what i do - i charge upto £8.00 for a very personalised card but i don't really make money on it as i put so much time into it - so it's always going to be just a hobby for me.

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NoBiggy · 11/04/2008 17:37

A lot of those on sale are very alike, lots of gold stick-on messages and so on.

I buy handmade cards if they're good, and don't look like I made them!

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 11/04/2008 17:42

there are some of mine on my profile - they were all comissioned from family and some from people i've made ones for from other people IYSWIM

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Whizzz · 11/04/2008 19:03

I must also add - if anyone is after any card making stuff - shout up - I have loads I'm trying to slim down (in order to get more beads )

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Dingle · 11/04/2008 20:17

I don't make money of my cards, I spend far too long on them to ever make any profit. I would love to branch out but time just always gets the better of me.

I don't sell many but I charge £2.50 for an A5 card, whether it is personalised and often I give 10% of that to my local Down Syndrome Charity - so after actually taking the cost of materials into consideration it really doesn't leave that much left. I keep saying I will put prices up for the really personalised ones but that's something else left "undone!"

The compettion out there is tough, I tried my first Craft Fair at the beginning of the year and all around me 50p cards with a peel off stuck on the front were selling...but I won't go down to that level, I do it as a release for me and the stress of life!!LOL

Welcome to have a nosey here

Good luck.

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 11/04/2008 20:39

dingle did you get my email about stamped images?

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Dingle · 11/04/2008 20:49

No vInTaGe....where did you send it, blueyonder or yahoo? I am having a bit a nightmare!!

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 11/04/2008 20:57

blueyonder shall i send it again?

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MakemineaGandT · 11/04/2008 20:58

Great cards VintageViolet and Dingle, and thanks for the advice. I think I will give it a go - I'll let you know how I get on! (If I feel brave I might even put a few examples on my profile!!)

Where do you recommend for card supplies? I've only used MadaboutCards so far

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Tillyboo · 11/04/2008 21:25

In my opinion, no, not with the likes of Phoenix selling for £1.00 - just can't compete.

I made my own cards last year with my own photography and although they were very well received you just can't charge enough to cover your costs.

Good luck though.

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dizzyday07 · 11/04/2008 23:29

if you can draw you could apply to join the Pheomix Cards design team

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harpomarx · 11/04/2008 23:33

actually, I have an old friend who started out doing this and is apparently now doing very www.kissmekwik.co.uk/well, so it's not all doom and gloom!

I guess you just have to find something that is commercial enough to gather its own momentum.

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expatinscotland · 11/04/2008 23:47

Shit, Dingle, you are a really really good crafter!

Wow!

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Dingle · 12/04/2008 09:13

LOL expatinscotland....don't really know how to take that but I will say thank you!

Vintage..still no email?

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vInTaGeVioLeT · 12/04/2008 12:04

just resent it dingle!

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morningpaper · 12/04/2008 12:10

blimey Dingle your cards are AMAZING

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Dingle · 17/04/2008 15:41

Vintage got it, will email back a few details..hope to post out tomorrow!!!

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