For the last few years, I’ve been making greeting cards for our family and friends. I’ve also made sets of photo greeting cards and given them as Christmas presents, with 10 cards and envelopes tied in a bunch with pretty string. Time and again recipients have told me that I should sell my cards, but I’d never given it much thought. Recently however, I started thinking more seriously about it. I love making cards, and if I could earn us a little extra money by making more of them, it would help us meet our financial goals faster.
Yesterday, we went to a nearby pedestrian mall, and I inquired at three crafty/arty stores about how the whole process would work. I still have to contact the people who handle cards at each store, and submit samples, but I’m optimistic after my initial meetings. It looks like in general the artist gets about 50% of the sale, and handmade cards sell for between $2 and $7, depending on the complexity. I have a pretty wide range of cards, and I would probably sell the photo cards for about $2.50 ($1.25 for me), and my more ornate, stitched cards for about $4 or $5 each. The photo cards are very quick to make, once I take a good picture. The hand stitched cards take a lot longer to make, so I wouldn’t make as much money on a per hour basis with those. But if I were able to have about half photo cards and half stitched/papercraft cards, I could probably end up with about $20/hour for my time.
This is of course assuming that the people in charge like my cards, and that customers buy them. I looked at the cards on display in the stores yesterday, and my designs are very different – I didn’t see anything that looks like what I do. I really like my cards, and hopefully other people will too. The nice thing about this particular pedestrian mall is that it’s in a high-income town and there are lots of tourists, pretty much all year round. And it seems that they are all spending money, judging from the shopping bags we always see people carrying and the prices of the stuff in the stores.
I’m going to work on this project this week. I have to take samples to one store, and contact managers at the other two stores to see what they’d like me to do. I’ll let you know how it goes after I get through the “interview” process.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Have you ever considered selling them on Etsy? If you aren’t familiar with it, it is like Ebay for handcrafted stuff.
Bellen says
Sounds like a wonderful idea. Just be sure your cards are displayed the way you want them to be. Stuck in with other run-of-the mill cards will not highlight your cards. Can you make, find, beg or borrow a unique disply rack? You need something to really draw the eye. Also, if you don’t already, you might want to seal your cards in acetate (?) envelopes to keep them pristine.
I, personally, look for hand-made cards – I like the products and prefer to support individuals rather than big business.
juicefairy says
I admire you for going out there and displaying your stuff. I hope it works out for you.
I used to make a lot of greeting cards when I was younger and I looked into how to sell my designs. I found a book at the library on it (too bad I can’t remember the name). The book said that basically designers submit a number of card designs at one time and the greeting card company would choose from those designs. It is hard though. No one pays you for the time you put into those designs and you only make money if they are chosen. Sometimes they don’t choose any. I have often thought about submitting crafts for sale at local shops but I never have had the guts to go and talk to anyone about it. Good for you for putting yourself out there. It sounds like a fun way to make an extra buck.
Chief Family Officer says
I love making greeting cards also, although mine aren’t as fancy as yours sound (yet)! Good luck – I can’t wait to hear how it goes :D
calgirlfinance says
Good luck with the venture and I hope to hear updates!
Krystal says
Ohhh good luck with your side job! Agreed on the Etsy.com comment … it’s a great way to get your product out there!
Mrs. Micah says
That sounds great! Too often, we crafty people don’t capitalize on our skills.
If it doesn’t work out here, keep looking!
(p.s. I don’t know if it works for you, but I’m a quilter and often do it while watching films or tv with my family and friends, or by myself. It’s a great way to just chill with someone, unless card making is very intense for you.)
SavingDiva says
I agree with the Etsy comment. It’s a great place to sell handmade goods. I would recommend also trying to get them into stores, but Etsy is a nice way for you to see more of the profits. Also, Etsy allows you to communicate more with the buyers…so you can make custom items too.
FrugalBabe says
Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! And I’m going to look into Etsy…