[MissyAmomChina]

Hi All,


Ok, so here I am trying to think of ways to earn some extra $$ for another adoption. I have one idea--and it seems a bit out there--but I thought I'd bounce it off of you all.

I'm having some pretty good success at creating digital scrapbook pages for my daughter's lifebook. I've had a few requests from some ladies in my FCC chapter to do theirs (which they would pay me for).

So, as the wheels are turning, I'm wondering do you all think there is a market for this? If so, what do you think would be a fair price? I'm really open to any opinions. I'm just trying to problem solve.

Here are some of my pages so far.

[ManyTimesBlessed]

I have no idea about pricing, but I definitely think that there would be a market for this. These are just beautiful! Honestly, they are really wonderful. Good luck with your business idea!

[Momof2boysinOH]

Melissa,

These are lovely. I think there would definitely be a market for this, particularly on E-Bay. I searched on E-Bay and found they were selling pretty basic scrapbook pages for $3.50 each, but I don't know what it would cost to have one personalized the way you have done. Maybe $10 each? I hope someone else knows about this and can give you an answer.

Great job!

[drmalcolm]

Melissa, I agree with Rachel and Mary. Those pages are just lovely! I think there is definitely a market for them.

Since this is essentially graphic arts work, I wonder if you might do an internet search on some sites where graphic artists offer their services. You may see some rates (a variety of them, I am sure). After you do the first few projects for people, you'll feel more comfortable with whether what you are asking is sufficient for the time and costs you put into each project.

I've done freelance writing and editing, but I've always gotten paid by the hour, not to mention that mine is a tried-and-true industry. For your work, though, I am guessing you might want to ask for a "per page" rate? Others might know better.

Best of luck to you! Again, great job.

Christina

[bethnil]

Your pages are amazing! I agree that you definately have a flair for it!

Maybe you should consider how long it takes you to create a page. Start with a "basic", "intermediate", and "advanced". If it takes you 1 hour to create page, (I honestly have no idea-I am only throwing out a number), decide what the minimum amout per hour you want to make. The more advanced pages increase the price.

Good Luck!-Let me know what you decide. This is something that I might want to do when we get closer to our referral!

Beth

Also, I am sending you a PM. I have a client that is a contributing editor to a scrapbooking magazine and sells digital scrapbooking supplies. She is very nice. She may be able to help you with prices for this type of service-at least in our area.

[Mommy Kim]

Your Pages Are Beautiful. I Have A Friend Who Owns
A Salon And She Loves To Scrap, Both Digital And
Paper. She Has Clients That Pay Her $20 A Sheet
And We Live In A Small Town. I Know That There Is A
Market Out There For This If You Could Find An Out
Let You Would Have It Made.

I Am Also Fundraising And Would Love To Share My7 Ideas.i Make Many Things, I Make Jewlery Such As
Name Bracletts And Earrings Out Of Schwaorski
Austrian Crystals And Silver,handbags Out Of Any
Material(these Are Really Fun In The Summer Months), And My Newest Find- Designer Baby Items
Such As Burp-clothes I Found Them Selling For $25
For 3 On E-bay.(i Will Not Charge This Much) And
Security Blankets To Match.

I Also Am Making Dresses For $. This Is A Bit More
Expensive But I Love Doing It And I Have Great Ideas For A China Themed Dress. I Don't Mind
Shareing My Pricing Or Profit But I Am Not Sure
If I Can Post That Here. If You Are Interested In
Any Of These Items And Need Pricing You Can Pm
Me. That Is An Open Invitation To Everyone.
Hey We All Are Here To Help One Another.

I Hope This Has Been Helpful.

[SuzanneS]

I'd say you have a flair for this!! I would be willing to buy something that would teach me how to make something similar. Perhaps you can put together a how to booklet with examples, and such, and sell that. I would imagine that lots of people would want to make it personal and do it themselves, but have no idea where to start. If you put together a booklet, and sold this, I think you would have lots of takers, plus you just have to put the time into it once, and then have copies made. I am thinking a workbook of sorts. I would pay $20-$40 for this, and I think FCC chapters and some online adoption shops would list it as well.

Good luck! And if you do a how to, let me know via PM, I'll send you some $$

[journeytograce]

Melissa,
Love Suzanne's idea!! I would like try my hand at digital scrapbooking...but really am clueless where to start (And lack the scrapbook gene ) A "How-To" book would be awesome! What a great way to fundraise! I bet there are quite a few of us needing a helping hand with scrapbooking, and would find a How-To book so helpful!

Originally Posted by SuzanneS

I'd say you have a flair for this!! I would be willing to buy something that would teach me how to make something similar. Perhaps you can put together a how to booklet with examples, and such, and sell that. I would imagine that lots of people would want to make it personal and do it themselves, but have no idea where to start. If you put together a booklet, and sold this, I think you would have lots of takers, plus you just have to put the time into it once, and then have copies made. I am thinking a workbook of sorts. I would pay $20-$40 for this, and I think FCC chapters and some online adoption shops would list it as well.

Good luck! And if you do a how to, let me know via PM, I'll send you some $$

[drmalcolm]

Suzanne, that is a terrific idea!

Who knows, Melissa... someday we might see YOUR business on the green hyperlinks of our messages. At least that is one link I would actually visit.

Good luck!
Christina

[twoinblue]

Melissa,

Love the scrapbooking and Lilianna is always so beautiful. When I look at the pages I think they would look cool in an album but I would really love to do something like that for framed artwork in my home.

Would it be possible for you to frame some of the work and to sell it that way? A well done, customized, framed picture would be something I would pay $50 dollars for.

[stephdpenn]

Melissa, you can make money off of this! The pages are wonderful. I would order them form you, no doubt. I believe anywhere from $7-$10 would be a fair price.

On my agency's yahoo group there is a link to a web based business that an adoptive mom runs. Did the agency that you used before allow anything like this? Of course there is always Ebay too.

Another thing that you could sell is the bracelets that you have made (you are the one right? ) I have bought red thread bracelets myself from Ebay as well as hand painted items. I have shown a picture of the stuff before but will include another one. I also wanted to add that maybe you could figure out some type of attractive folder for paperchasing families to keep all their documents in. Something that once the process is over it could be kept as a memento of all their hard work. I have no imagination but would love to somehow present all the paperwork that we went through in an eye pleasing format.

[happynifer]

they are beautiful, i'd buy them!

[waitingforMM]

I love the suggestion of making some sort of how-to book. Your pages are beautiful but I'd like to make my own and have no idea how to get started. I'd pay about $20 for a how-to book. That's about the price of some of the scrapbooking books I've gotten.

[foreverluv]

First of all, those pages are beautiful! You are truly talented. I do agree that a how to book, with page ideas specific to China, or international adoption would be a wonderful idea. I'm always looking for new ideas. Good luck!

[MBA62]

Wow Melissa your pages are great. You've gone from stressing your lifebook to possibly beginning a "cottage" business from it. I think that is just wonderful.

I agree with everyone that there is definately a market for this and you may have found your niche. I say (and I know how busy a mom is) could you try to do both? I would pay to get a "how to guide" and ultimately end up paying to have the pages done for me (lol)!

I've actually started mine since we were last in touch and so far so good. You gave me excellent advice. I only hope my pages come out as good as yours!

Best of luck in what you decide. Keep us posted.

Mary