Help on items

[bhenr99]

We have a small store opened up in my area and have a chance to put stuff in it.The problem is items have to be fairly low priced and they mark them up 50%. My cost should be from $1. to $15. max. Any ideas for me what to make that I could sell to them in my price range that sell good? Thanks for any help.

Bob

[GrayBeard]

What area of the world is this?

Small town or large city?

Age range of shoppers...

~~~GB~~~

[bhenr99]

Med. size area and of all ages. Most shoppers will be adults.

Bob

[julief]

Bob, I have merchandise in a few stores.  To start off with, what do you like to make?  There is not a lot in that price range.  You might start with some small boxes, puzzles, ornaments, local team items.  Stuff that involves scraps and common woods because the pricier woods will price you out of the market.  Dog breed puzzles do well because everyone wants their dog breed.  You might put one or two on display and take orders.  Also 4"X6" photo puzzles do very well on a "take order" status - then you can sell the a box to put the pieces in.  What sells for $15.00 in one store sells for $45.00 in another.  It's hard to tell without knowing more about the area and type of store.  Crosses do well at any price.  I've sold Sue Mey's crosses for as little as $50.00 and as much as $350.00 for the exact same cross.

[Sawdust Dave]

Bob, things you can stack cut like trivets, key chains candle trays etc might do well. Steve has several patterns and so does Sheila sheilalandrydesigns.com And like julie mentioned Sue Mey. With Valentines day coming up I'm sure you'll find plenty of heart themed projects that are fairly quick to make also. If the store owner allows it, you could make a nice business card holder and put some of your cards in it with an email address so people can contact you. Let us know how things go Good luck!!

[tux_linux]

Try the Fairy Sticks. Simple to make and on grant demand here. You can sell them at a low prize, as it doesn't take much to produce them. I calculated a price under 5 Euro here. (prices are in general a bit more expensive in Germany).

Also go for the simple stuff - try cutting cats, dogs and similar patterns (Steve has some door toppers e.g.in his catalog). Puzzles won't sell at the right price I think - except they are at a big size and made for kids.

regards
Torsten

[boxmaker]

Great question Bob, and a lot of great answers also. I would definitely stack cut items, this way you get two or three items for the time invested in cutting one.  Try to find a cabinet shop where you can get there cut offs, this will help offset your cost of material, sometimes you get lucky and come across some Walnut or Cherry. I would take a variety of things there, and see what sells, that are fairly easy to make, and that you enjoy making. You never know you may end up with someone wanting several of the same thing, ornaments are a good example.

[mrsn]

is it a shop for "tourists" or "locals". If you have any thing that you can use to make souvenirs. Around me there would be the river, a bridge, maybe an old building I could use as inspiration. The river leads to lots of possibilities (boats, sail boats, fish...) something like a simple object and "YourTown" may make a good seller.  Here or on another site someone did something like that with a cut out of the state.
If you could use local wood and advertise that fact, it might help. "Made by a local artist from local lumber" is a really cool selling point. Depending on the finish of choice you could also throw a "green" card in the mix.

What else is the store selling? If you are in direct competition with other stuff, you may not sell.

[Sawdust Dave]

"Made by a local artist from local lumber" is a really cool selling point.

Here in Maine there is a program for artisans. If you join you get tags and stickers etc with the "maine made" logo. The qualifications are, it must be made in Maine using mostly materials manufactured in Maine. Check where you live to see if they have a similar type program. Like MrsN said it's a good selling point.

[jimbo]

Hi Bob is it sale or return or are they buying off you?  I would not put my stuff in a shop sale or return as if it gets damaged they will not take responsibility and there should only be a mark up of 25% plus sales tax. if they are paying you for the goods it is there call
Jimbo

[Russ C]

I don't do stores or shows. To much of a pain. A mark up of 50%, wow. Have fun and good luck in your endeavor.