[rapf777]

Ok, I got a brain storm today (which rarely happens ). Anyway since I got my cricut (and LOVING every minute of it) I have been making homemade cards for birthdays, thinking of you etc. I thought about having a workshop where I invite a limited amount of people and for $10 they can make their own Valentine's Day card for their loved ones. The amount includes...usage of cricut machine cutouts, card stock, glue and drinks and snacks. I figured I have soo much scrapbooking supplies that needs to be used as well as make some extra money. What do you guys think??

Thanks for any advice.

Rose

[Theslaws]

I have a friend who does this. She is a rep for some stamp/scrap company so thats where she gets all her stuff. Each month she has 4 different style cards and eaach person leaves with 2 of each card. She charges $10 to walk away with 8 cards and envelopes. SHe then makes some on her own and sells them (to those like me who cant come) premade for the same price.

Cool idea! I say go for it!

[guatgal]

Not sure what a cricut is, but if you lived near me, I'd go.

[SKL]

I think it's a great idea, and you could also take orders for customized cards for people who have the idea but not the time/motivation to do it themselves.

Have you ever thought of offering a scrapbooking service, if you are into that? I know I can't be the only person who doesn't have time to do that, even though I want to! Using the computer and/or other materials, if someone could help me put together memory books of special events and such, I'd pay for that. I keep thinking about it because I have always wanted to send my girls' foster families such a keepsake, but never get around to doing it myself. Am I making any sense?

[angelstamper]

There are several companies out there that offer this service with their own product to push. I would research who your competition would be before jumping in. How many reps from each company are in your area and what they offer. Two of the ones I'm thinking of offer their reps their own webpages to promote and post calanders for their events. You might want to consider joining one of them for their promotional material, circle of support for new ideas, etc. PM me if you would like the name of some of the companies. I used to work for one of them.

[JoshGuat]

I would go if I lived near you just to get out and do some girls night out!! Sounds good to me!! I have known people who have done similar with Creative Moments.

[kzwief]

It is a good idea to have people over for crafting, but be careful about selling cards you make with the use of Licensed products. Some companies (Cricut included, because they license Disney, Hello Kitty, Seasame Street products) have strict laws about the sale of crafts made with their products. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Cricut. I have had it for 2 years now and it has made my scrapbooking so much nicer!

[keirasmom]

What about offering this for service for kids. I'd gladly pay my friend $10 or more to my preteen for awhile while giving her the opportunity to make some cards.

Another idea for you to make money with your cricut would be to cut letters and pictures for bulletin boards and sell them in theme packs. As a teacher, I'm always looking for easy bulletin board stuff that's cute and original not like the stuff they sell at teacher stores. If I had more time I'd love to make them myself.

[rapf777]

Originally Posted by guatgal

Not sure what a cricut is, but if you lived near me, I'd go.

It's a machine that cuts out the letters and designs. Very cool stuff.

[rapf777]

Originally Posted by kzwief

It is a good idea to have people over for crafting, but be careful about selling cards you make with the use of Licensed products. Some companies (Cricut included, because they license Disney, Hello Kitty, Seasame Street products) have strict laws about the sale of crafts made with their products. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Cricut. I have had it for 2 years now and it has made my scrapbooking so much nicer!

I am actually not making the cards....for the fee people will be designing their own cards using my machine and supplies. Thanks for the warning tho. I will make sure to try to stay clear of that.

[rapf777]

Originally Posted by keirasmom

What about offering this for service for kids. I'd gladly pay my friend $10 or more to my preteen for awhile while giving her the opportunity to make some cards.

Another idea for you to make money with your cricut would be to cut letters and pictures for bulletin boards and sell them in theme packs. As a teacher, I'm always looking for easy bulletin board stuff that's cute and original not like the stuff they sell at teacher stores. If I had more time I'd love to make them myself.

OMG that is a great idea. I do know a lot of teachers too. And my neighborhood is filled with kids too..I can send out flyers when I know there is no school. Awesome thanks again.

[devildogwife]

Sounds great to me! Really fun idea.

[Devora]

Even if you're just providing them supplies, the copyright and licensing laws still apply -- you're making money and part of how you're doing that is you're making materials available to them. If any of those materials are licensed then you can't offer them, technically.

I think it's a good idea, but I think its success depends on who you market to. For instance, if you are marketing to people who already get together with friends for scrapbooking clubs or craft nights then I doubt anyone would pay money for it when they already get together with people to share supplies, swap ideas, etc. for free. You would really have to market it as offering something above and beyond that. I don't know that the availability of a cricut would be enough to draw people, especially if they already have access to one through other craft clubs.

If you like this kind of stuff then you might want to become a rep for one of the scrapbooking/memory book companies. They provide you a lot of the materials for marketing, put a professional look to what you do, and will draw in people you don't even know because they know the brand and are looking for a rep for that brand.