wordpaintervs

I just finished number 3 of these turtles. I would like to sell them if I can figure out who to sell them too and how much to ask. This money would include postage to mail. The profit after postage would go into a non-profit fund I keep to help us with mailing out free cloth dolls I make for kids with devestating medical problems. It costs me 21 to 23 dollars per doll to mail these out.

I am hoping someone can give me some idea of what they would sell for...each or all 3...including postage. The turtles are almost completely handmade and each took 2 or 3 hours.

Appreciate any answers as I've never sold anything on line. I currently have enough to mail 4 and a half dolls, and after that it is back to being out of pocket. Please understand I am not asking anyone to buy these dolls, but hope to paste them under FOR SALE... under that heading in the forum.....if anyone thinks they are worth much.

Thanks. Vickey S.

Prism99

I think the postage cost will make these an ineffective way of raising money, especially considering the hours that go into each one.

What I would suggest instead is making a lap quilt to raffle (assuming you are in a state where raffles are legal; check first!). Before making the quilt, ask around for people/venues that would help you sell raffle tickets for it. Possibilities would include friends, neighbors, quilt guild members, churches, stores, or even private schools that have annual fund-raising events. After the quilt is made, take a photo and make color prints for people to use when selling tickets. Sell the raffle tickets for $1 each, 6 for $5, and allow plenty of time to sell as many tickets as possible. The quilt doesn't have to be a heritage type to pass down for generations; a colorful DP9 would be fine as long as the fabric selection is colorful and attractive.

Even simple raffles of quilts tend to raise around $500 or $600; raffles that are given enough time and opportunity can raise considerably more than that. If you keep receipts, you can deduct those from the raffle proceeds.

To me, it makes sense to make a single larger item, get other people involved (selling tickets and buying tickets), and skip what always shocks me as horrendous postage charges for shipping.

I am soon going to need to mail two crib quilts to Quilts for Kids, and it may be the last time I do it simply because postage is so expensive. Our local quilt guild accepts quilts for local distribution, and I think that is how I will contribute in the future. I don't regret getting a kit from Quilts for Kids, though, as it taught me a lot about how to select a focus fabric and accent fabrics that are easy to put together in a simple pattern and result in a really cheerful quilt for a child.

Just my 32 cents worth of thinking....... (inflation)

wordpaintervs

you are right on postage. I have problems putting whole quilts together because of time spent making the dolls for the sick kids, but I see your point. I think certain organizations can do raffles in our area, but not private people. That would be great however, and certainly something well worth consideration. Thanks so mjuch for taking time to get back to me. I honor your time. Hugs to you and yours. thanks so much.

Vickey S.

Prism99

Can you find someone who would take care of distributing the dolls for you? Our quilt guild has a couple of people who do this for quilts that are donated. They transport the quilts to organizations that then hand them out to people in need. One of the organizations is a hospital, I think. That would eliminate the postage costs.

wordpaintervs

that is a good idea. We are in a real small place (8,800) Maybe I could find a sponser ???? thanks

Anastasia

Sponsors would be good and maybe you could get a church or something to host the raffle for you (I could make a quilt for you to raffle) or if actually have non-profit status for what you're doing with the dolls you would qualify to do it yourself, and then get them to "donate" the money to you once they're done?

That said.. for those.. I'd say something like $20. Shipping is hard to figure because of different distances costing different prices.

patricej

there'd be no point in trying to sell them in the QB Thrift Shop.
we cannot sell here for profit - even if our stated personal intent is to donate those profits to charity.

given their apparent size, you are spending much more than necessary if you're paying $20 or more postage.
you could fit at least two or three of those into one padded flat rate envelope.
unless they're stuffed with something heavy, rather than poly-fil, even flat rate might be more postage than necessary.

themachinelady

I think she was talking about the cloth dolls costing 20 plus dollars to mail, not the turtles.

Grace MooreLinker

the post office has boxes that you can mail them in for less that $15.00

nativetexan

try your Senior Center and quilt guilds in your area. they do have craft shows. good luck.