4Real Forums: Cottage Industry Ideas?

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Topic: Cottage Industry Ideas?

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Donna Marie
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
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Posted: May 29 2007 at 5:44pm \| IP Logged

My family would love to do something out of our home...for both monetary and hands-on learning reasons(a learning experience for the kiddoes). The thing is, we need ideas of what kind of a cottage industry type thing we might be able to accomplish as a family.

Does anyone have any ideas that they can share?
We are clueless, but mean well

God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc

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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity

ann@home
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Joined: April 26 2007
Location: Iowa
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Posted: May 30 2007 at 2:30am \| IP Logged

Well, I think it's important to start with what you love. What are your interests and talents? You don't want to do something on a daily basis or over the long haul that you don't really enjoy or care about.

The other hard part is pricing things to sell but that still make you money. You may put hours of time into something but if you can only make $20 then it's not really worth it in the long run. So you have to find something that has a low materials cost, reasonable labor time, and good pricepoint.
If you choose something with higher costs/labor like wood working then you have to work hard to find a niche that will pay the higher prices so you make a profit.

Don't forget to think about shipping costs-many items almost make them cost prohibitive due to shipping because they are heavy, large, or breakable.

Just some ideas of things I've heard recently that are popular:
-handmade tote bags-fun and funky but functional
I just saw these with quotes on them that were just ironed on with some transfer paper-very cool and popular at the event I went to-they sold out of about 20 bag in 2 hrs. Pick quotes that are relevent to a certain audience and maybe embelish with trim or beads?
You could do the same with t-shirts or onesies.

-sewing vintage children's clothing is popular-like pillow case dresses, prairie skirts, and peasant tops.
Easy items if you know how to sew.

-personalized/painted woodworking items like benches, stools, shelves for children

-nice quality wood items like shelves, book ends, benches, etc

-birdhouses/birdfeeders with fun themes

-handmade crochet hooks or knitting needles

-handmade journals/books

Good luck

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Ann, Full-time Mama of a 10yr old Lego master, 7yr old DIVA, 4yr old King of the Mountain and one more in June '09!

Betsy
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Joined: July 02 2006
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Posted: May 30 2007 at 6:45am \| IP Logged

+JMJ+

My 2 cents would be to find a SCOREoffice near you and really talk to them.

If you want to be successful (which you need to define what that means for you and your family) you will need to put a lot of prep work into this project. You will need a business plan, and to really study your market...how much can you sell it for, where are you going to sell it, expenses. You will definitely want a lawyer and need to look into tax implications, etc.

Once you take $$ for something there is an increased responsibility.

I don't mean to deter you in any way...this part of the project would be EXTREAMLY educational. You would get to see every side of a business and really see education come to life! Just be aware of this work upfront and know that it will always be there.

Betsy

Mary G
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Posted: May 30 2007 at 8:56am \| IP Logged

I'm with Ann -- do something you really love and the money will follow, maybe not much, but some. I knit (in case you hadn't heard

) and I don't make a whole bunch from it, but I so enjoy it .... some folks do books (like Margot at Hillside because she has a real passion for english and teaching kids the good stuff; MicheleQ does Family Centered Learning as a way to help us all be more organized (and a way to spread her love of CM's education methods). These are not easy businesses, and definitely take the whole family's help. My knitting is just small and myself, but may someday include the kids ....

Just research things and see what would work for your family -- maybe pm MicheleQ, Margot, or some of the other hardworking ladies and ask them for advice too.

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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)

my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!

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