| If you sell crafts, then why not create gifts under 5 | | | | items that can create a small craft, or like with like. This |
| dollars? I know you think this is probably not worth | | | | is a great way to use up your leftover supplies, that |
| bothering with, but this can be a great business model | | | | you were not going to use anyways. This is especially |
| for this time of year. | | | | good for beading, and sewing. This gives your |
| Many people are feeling the pinch of this years | | | | customer a chance to try a craft without the big |
| economy, and some people I have talked to are not | | | | expense of full package supplies. |
| even bothering with gifts this year! So, you may have | | | | One year, I had changed the type of paint I was using, |
| to appeal to a different market. | | | | and had many bottles of acrylic paint, that had been |
| Instead of creating elaborate and expensive products, | | | | opened and partially used, but were still good. I then |
| why not consider smaller items. Not only do adults | | | | purchased a few bare wood items from the dollar |
| shop at these craft shows for something unique but | | | | store, one for each kit, such as frames, boxes, |
| children also shop for their gifts as well. A friend of | | | | canvases, and created a craft kit for kids. I sold these |
| mine, gives her older children (10-12 years) some cash, | | | | for 5 dollars. I got rid of my leftover supplies, and yet |
| and tells them to go off and shop when they go to a | | | | someone else got to create something with them. I put |
| craft show. As a crafter, that has sold in many shows, | | | | them in see through zip lock bags, and had them in a |
| I can tell you, there are a lot of kids in that age group | | | | large basket. I labeled the basket my “bargain |
| shopping. | | | | basket”. |
| Here are 5 ideas: | | | | Everyone loves to look in my "bargain basket" This |
| 1. Christmas ornaments, that are unique, but don't take | | | | attracted people, and it also help me sell many of my |
| much time or materials to make, have a small | | | | other more expensive items. The "bargain basket" |
| Christmas tree and hang your ornaments on the tree. | | | | was a good leader and attracted many kids, who |
| 2. Small craft kits, you can create from your leftover | | | | were looking for gifts under 5 dollars. |
| supplies. These are a great way for people to venture | | | | 5. Make a DVD of you creating a craft. Most digital |
| into crafting. Such as a package to make a tree | | | | cameras can make movies now. A "how to" movie, |
| ornament etc, in a small zip lock bag. | | | | and put a picture of your finished craft on the front of |
| 3. Craft CD's.. You can get creative here. Spend the | | | | the DVD. Something simple. You can really put your |
| time and create a CD of craft ideas, and some of | | | | computer to good use here. Once again, you can sell |
| your own craft patterns. It will take some time in the | | | | many copies of this for 5 dollars each. |
| beginning, but you can make and sell many copies of | | | | Hopefully this give you some ideas for gifts under 5 |
| this CD and sell it for 5 dollars. Create a decorative | | | | dollars. As a crafter, you want to offer and sell your |
| cover for your CD and copy it. You could have a | | | | best crafts at craft shows, but sometimes you have |
| printed version in a binder, to give the customer an idea | | | | to appeal to a younger crowd (kids) and also to |
| of what is on the CD. These make great gifts. The | | | | people wanting something different for gifts, and don't |
| beauty of this, is you can sell many copies, and CD | | | | want to spend too much. |
| blanks are quite cheap now. | | | | Having a "bargain basket" at a craft show, does NOT |
| 4. Grab bags, of supplies. Such as scraps for quilting, or | | | | make you look cheap, it actually attracts people, and |
| enough leftover wool to make a scarf and directions. | | | | everyone loves a bargain. Plus this also helps pay the |
| Leftover embroidery thread, and some embroidery | | | | rent for the show. Those 5 dollars here and there add |
| cloth. Go through all your bins, and put together some | | | | up quickly. |