Warning - ramble to follow

[sillyoldbear]

Hi all,

My sister (louise) and I are thinking about setting up a party bag business. We are aware that there is loads of competition about. My sister would be the business side of things and I would be the craft/creative side. We have sat down many times to discuss the business and think with a lot of hard work it would make us both a little bit of extra money. The only thing is my hubby (Paul) thinks that because there is so much competition about, that we should try and think of something that isn't available yet, ie find out the hottest thing that they have in the States and try to bring it here. Paul doesn't 'get' the whole crafty world I live in, he does however say that when I'm crafting he sees a change in my face apparently I look very serene and at peace.

My point for this thread is what should I do? Should I follow our idea of the 'tat' free party bags or 'be sensible' (as Paul says)?

All comments welcome!

[claireybear]

Could you maybe combine a bit of both - "hot" new stuff from America along with your original idea?

It sounds really good, I hope you do well!

[autumn rose]

I think it sounds great, sometimes we just have to try these things anyway...
He who dares wins...as Del would say :mf:

Good Luck to you both xx

[Pauline@weddingtreasures]

You will never know how things will turn out if you don't at least 'give it a go'.

I would stick to your original plan to start with and then once you are on top of things and can see how the market is going to go with what you produce, good or bad, bring in your husbands suggestions.

Pauline :D

[samigail]

I'd go for your plan.
I really don't like giving party bags with "tat" in.
I'd rather spend the same money on amazing things that incidentally with clever buying haven't cost me any more than the "tat". It's amazing how much the "tat" mounts up!!

[GlamGlass]

I think as long as it doesn't break the bank to give it a whirl, then go for it!!

You could ask your recipients about the type of kids receiving and try to personalise them a bit!!

Maybe the birthday girl has a love of flowers/fairies/cupcakes/hsm/etc and you could include a small note from the birthday girl with a small gift/keepsake from her!!
I am sure there would be a fair few takers if you can get the pricing right for both you - it has to be worth your while and them - there has to be a reason to buy them!!

Good luck whatever you do!!

[greannancrafts]

Competition is a good thing, everyone in the Western World uses soap and there are hundreds of handmade soap makers, it didn't stop me.

Research your market and go for it - what have you go to lose?

Jane

[goldieab]

If you have researched and talked about the party bag idea, then as long as you don't get into too much debt, give it a go. I hear so many people say 'if only I did it', don't pass up on the opportunity. Yes, there's competition, but don't we all live with that - especially handmade stuff. All of us on here have competition, especially when you are trying to beat cheap imports.

As stated earlier, why not give the 'new idea' thing a go too. I do believe that the States are about 1-2 years ahead of us (craftwise). You can learn alot from them and introduce something new in this country.

Good luck whatever you decide, only you can decide what you feel is right.

God, I should have been a Samaritan. (that was a joke!!)

[lauralou1601]

I didnt even know that a party bag business existed, so thats how much competition you have! If you want tat in a party bag you go the 99p shop and buy it yourself. Also, from what I remember in my party bags, and what my sister gets nowdays.... I think party bags are a multi trillion pound business, so always room for one more!

[Dizzydiza]

When I started 4 years ago making tiaras that was all I made. It was a bold move then as I did research the internet and I was disheartened to see how many tiara businesses were out there but I thought I can only try it and see. The other stuff came along as I saw potential in other areas...ie the jewellery, the fascinators and the wire wrapped jewellery and of course now the rosary beads. From the start I very much got the impression from hubby that I was "playing" at being in business. Sometimes I do feel that especially when the lean months come...Sept thru to Jan. Last night I got the ultimate compliment from hubby. He said "Diana I am really proud of you with this business". I never thought I would hear that but I think it is because I just landed the local galaday order and the local fair day order.
What I am saying is give it a go. You wont know until you try. I think that if you keep it local and advertise local then that helps but get yourself on the internet as well. Like everyone else says I didnt know about party bags either. Good luck
Diana

[cosmic grammie]

Hi all,

The only thing is my hubby (Paul) thinks that because there is so much competition about, that we should try and think of something that isn't available yet, ie find out the hottest thing that they have in the States and try to bring it here.

All comments welcome!

Well, I really don't think there ARE any ideas that haven't already been done, here, there, or anywhere else...and I always think that the other side of the Atlantic is ahead of us! It's all in one's perspective, I suppose.

I have never heard of this party bag idea so I vote you go for it! :)

When I first started trying to sell my soap at farmers' markets, I was repeatedly told - "we already have a soap person." I was always astonished and would say, "So?? There's nothing wrong with a little competition, or offering your patrons some CHOICE."
It never worked.

It always surprises me that all my GREAT IDEAS have been thought of before, by many people who have already gotten out there and done them.

SO, on I plod. I feel like I look like a copy cat, and yet I come up with most of these ideas on my own...it's dispiriting.

Success depends on your marketing approach, which also, no matter what approach you take, is most likely already done - so let yourself (and your sister) shine through!

It IS fun, isn't it. I am having great fun doing my crafts and trying to sell them.

There must be some interesting psychology behind crafters. A need to not march to everyone else's drumbeat. A need to feel like an actual individual, not just an insignificant part of the mass-produced mass.

A couple came up to me at a "pioneer fair" where I was demonstrating spinning, and rudely asked "why are you wasting time doing this?" I said "so people like you who go to these fairs will have something to look at!" Then thought of a few choice words to say but smiled and kept them to myself...heh....

I finally decided that the only people in today's economy who are going to buy my soap are people who are "natural product consumers," so I am focusing on that now - goin' green, as it were. :D It's a bit costlier to do. Yet, I still have to price to sell.

[woodtattoos]

There must be some interesting psychology behind crafters. A need to not march to everyone else's drumbeat. A need to feel like an actual individual, not just an insignificant part of the mass-produced mass.


I've written almost exactly that in the book I'm working on, after exploring the subject in my Uni dissertation back in 2000. Great to know I'm not alone!

Si.

[Chris W]

Whatever you decide if you put your heart and soul into it whilst keeping an eye on your bottom line it should be worth doing. You are bound to learn a great deal of valuable things from the process which can be useful to you for the rest of your life. It takes a bit of time to get something off the ground but if you learn from any mistakes you make, get your pricing right and you have enough funds to keep going until established you stand every chance of being successful.
I think it is important to have fun too.

[Fair Do]

I'm not sure what a party bag is to be honest ...that aside ...follow your dream ...100%

Good luck!

Fair Do