So if you could only pick one of your hobbies...
08-29-2011, 03:52 AM
#21
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 76
Your dolls and their clothes are beautiful. Have you thought of opening an ETSY shop or selling on e-Bay? If you don't want to sell that way do you have another venue? Is there a local store (perhaps a fabric store whose fabrics you have used for the dolls and clothes) where you could display a few dolls on a trial basis? I think there is the potential for making some good $$ based these pictures but only if you can get into a place where it would be seen by people who would buy custom work like this.
As an alternative, what about going into your local fabric store(s) and showing the dolls and clothes and offering to do classes teaching how it's done?
As an alternative, what about going into your local fabric store(s) and showing the dolls and clothes and offering to do classes teaching how it's done?
08-29-2011, 04:02 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Campton,Kentucky
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by Butterfli19
...which would it be and why?
There are 3 things I really like to do - sew, cross stitch, and write. BUT I want to make some moolah on the side and I won't do that by cross stitching (takes waaaay too long) or writing (ever try to publish something?) so that leaves sewing, which I also love.
But what I want to sew I'm not sure there is a market for. Ready? I want to make cloth dolls. Small-ish ones with their own blanket or outfit or stuffed puppy or carry-all.
Attached are some I've made in the past which I'm sure some of you have already seen.
What do you think? Do you think they would sell? Do kids / adults still play with dolls?
There are 3 things I really like to do - sew, cross stitch, and write. BUT I want to make some moolah on the side and I won't do that by cross stitching (takes waaaay too long) or writing (ever try to publish something?) so that leaves sewing, which I also love.
But what I want to sew I'm not sure there is a market for. Ready? I want to make cloth dolls. Small-ish ones with their own blanket or outfit or stuffed puppy or carry-all.
Attached are some I've made in the past which I'm sure some of you have already seen.
What do you think? Do you think they would sell? Do kids / adults still play with dolls?
08-29-2011, 05:25 AM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Niles, OH
Posts: 236
Nancy, if I did not sew I would definitely buy Amelia and Elizabeth for my granddaughters. They are absolutely adorable. Find a children's boutique or sell them on line. A young woman in our local area is selling dolls on line. There was a write up in the paper within the last several months and she said she started out in her house and has now moved into a seperate building and has two other women helping her.
08-29-2011, 06:17 AM
#26
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seacoast New Hampshire
Posts: 1,177
Well you have all given me hope! lol
I've wanted to do this - something - for quite some time and find that I just keep thinking it or saying it or posting on mb's and have decided that I'd better either do it or shut up about it. As far as quilting I like the piecing but not the quilting, AT ALL, and tend to make small things occassionally so I don't get too frustrated.
I also contemplated making children's clothes but decided that I would have to deal with the mothers and not being a real "people person" that's probably out, unless I make to donate and that would be ok but I donate gently used clothing anyway and am looking to make some money.
That leaves the dolls, who seem to make most people smile. After you put them together and give them faces they just let you do what you want. They don't complain about their hair or their clothing and are always happy to see you and listen to your day, and put up with the venting on how the hair or skirt just isn't quite right and perhaps some beads may be nice, and are very agreeable even when there are pins sticking in their heads to keep their hair on. (Can you tell I have real kids? lol)
So after I finish my living room curtains - four panels and three sets of tiebacks to make - I will make a doll or two and post and take suggestions.
I love having you all for sewing friends! :) :) :)
I've wanted to do this - something - for quite some time and find that I just keep thinking it or saying it or posting on mb's and have decided that I'd better either do it or shut up about it. As far as quilting I like the piecing but not the quilting, AT ALL, and tend to make small things occassionally so I don't get too frustrated.
I also contemplated making children's clothes but decided that I would have to deal with the mothers and not being a real "people person" that's probably out, unless I make to donate and that would be ok but I donate gently used clothing anyway and am looking to make some money.
That leaves the dolls, who seem to make most people smile. After you put them together and give them faces they just let you do what you want. They don't complain about their hair or their clothing and are always happy to see you and listen to your day, and put up with the venting on how the hair or skirt just isn't quite right and perhaps some beads may be nice, and are very agreeable even when there are pins sticking in their heads to keep their hair on. (Can you tell I have real kids? lol)
So after I finish my living room curtains - four panels and three sets of tiebacks to make - I will make a doll or two and post and take suggestions.
I love having you all for sewing friends! :) :) :)
08-29-2011, 06:19 AM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 181
Beautiful creations :thumbup: I also paint, do gardening and write.
This year though, I have really spent my time on my quilting.
I've got 2 paintings started and haven't looked at my book in months. I've got 3 quilt projects to do before Christmas, then in the spring I'll work on building up my flowers that were lost the the terrible freeze we had last winter.
I'll get out and finish the paintings in the spring air. I'll have to devote at least 3 hours to my writing. ( This is the Idea...)
:idea: I'm retired yet still have lots of work to do between a DH and GKs to watch once in a while. WOW! :shock:
This year though, I have really spent my time on my quilting.
I've got 2 paintings started and haven't looked at my book in months. I've got 3 quilt projects to do before Christmas, then in the spring I'll work on building up my flowers that were lost the the terrible freeze we had last winter.
I'll get out and finish the paintings in the spring air. I'll have to devote at least 3 hours to my writing. ( This is the Idea...)
:idea: I'm retired yet still have lots of work to do between a DH and GKs to watch once in a while. WOW! :shock:
08-29-2011, 07:17 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North Central, NC
Posts: 2,741
Some members of our Guild made American Doll clothes one year for the boutique. They all sold within the first morning of the show. They are a high end doll and the little girls who own them seem to like to have a huge wardrobe for them. Might this work for you?
08-29-2011, 07:19 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 326
There are people who collect dolls and especially handmade ones. I think there is a market for your dolls, it would be in finding it. Jurried craft shows would be good place to show your wears to a lot of people in a short time. I commend you for making dolls and selling them. I have made 3 dolls and to me they are worth a millon $ each LOL. Good luck, take care,
Linda
Linda
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