Things to consider...

As most of you know, I make a lot of things. I have a lot of hobbies and I have often been described as a "crafty" person. Not crafty as in scheming, but crafty as in I'm good at craft-like projects. Every once in a while I make something that I really enjoy making - I come up with reasons to make several of those things, usually just giving them as gifts. Sometimes people suggest I should make and sell things, sometimes I think, there must be a way to make money off of my extra talents. This is not for the express purpose of making money (although that's a happy side effect), it's more because I am having fun being creative and using my time to make something rather than just sitting around watching tv and surfing the internet. Speaking of which, with the internet a whole new world of possibilities are open to me...a huge market to sell to without the hassle of paying for a table at a craft fair and such.

I suppose I just want some input (and I ask you to be as critical of my work as possible). Many of you have seen my handiwork or received gifts from me. My major doubts when I consider starting something like this is the time most of these projects take, the money I need to have in the first place to buy supplies and whether or not my technical skill (or workmanship) is good enough to encourage people to buy something I've made. I am a perfectionist, although I realize my limits and can only expect perfection to go so far.

Ideally I would love to be able to turn an idea like this into something I could do to help other people. Like choose a charity or organization for the money I make to go to or use that money to be able to do something extra special for those in need during the holidays. I've been feeling the need/desire to find a way to reach out, especially during the holidays. With all that I have, I should be able to figure out my own way to provide help and kindness to those who need it.

Right now, there are two things that I think would be relatively low-cost and easy to make. The first being tutus. I made two this Christmas and I really just had a fun time making them. Frankly, I think they are cuter than a lot of the ones I have seen out there. I would have to perfect the style and experiment with fabric, but they are very very easy to make (one small tutu takes about two hours from start to finish - including measuring, cutting, gathering, and sewing the final product together). Of course, I don't really know that there are a lot of people in the market for tutus. haha. You never know, though, right?

The second is embrodiery. Onesies, towels, pillowcases, bags, etc. The major glitch here is that I would want to create my own designs and not use purchased ones (for artistic integrity and copyright reasons). I can draw, but I don't always like what I draw so I would have to get past that mental block. The cost to make these things would be higher (making the selling price higher) than the tutus simply because the base materials (onesies, bags, etc.) are more expensive. The sewing of these usually takes more time as well so I would probably start creating the products until I had a good base to offer people.

Okay, so this post is a lot longer than I intended, but this is what I've been thinking about and that's what blogging is for. Now, if you have any input, any suggestions, any cautions, etc. feel free to share - that's also what blogging is for and the reason I am explaining all of this.