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craftgrrl2010-11-09 01:09 pm
daystarclarion.livejournal.com) wrote in craftgrrl2010-11-09 01:09 pm
purses and things?
hi gals! i need some advice. i've gotten into knitting a lot lately, and i find its pretty restful and fun. i knitted a purse for my friend's bday and it was pretty well received, although it was the first i've made and had some errors that bugged me. but the sister of the bday girl suggested i open an etsy store and sell purses.
the idea has some merit, as i like knitting and making things but it costs money and you eventually run out of scarves you need for yourself and presents for other people. so i thought i'd ask my fellow craftsgirls if its a feasible idea. how do you advertise? how much to charge? and where can i find cheaper materials? (the magnetic snap closures and the rings used to attach the strap were RIDICULOUSLY overpriced!).
i'm thinking it could be a fun way to make some extra cash, but i have zero clue as to how successful something like this would be. advice? ideas?
pics of the purse i made below. be kind, it was my first try!
i made this purse out of red heart brand spark a doodle yarn in night light (black with silver angel's hair in it). i used 2 skeins and knit this using an extra large (yellow) circular loom.
this is ribbon from the xmas aisle! i folded it in half to make the strap and hot glued it together. the strap is 45 inches long, so the bag hangs at her waist.
the yarn is a long, thin line with a pom pom every 2 inches. so the weave is done tightly, but there are "bald spots" because of how the yarn is. i patched most spots, but it's actually cool because you can see the lining (i used the same ribbon) underneath it.
the bag is about 12 inches long, maybe 10 inches wide. a surprisingly nice square considering it was made on a circular loom!
the strap is connected to the purse by brushed nickel square metal pieces. kind of expensive. i think the hardware store might have some nice looking rings that won't cost $6.
the squares are tied to the purse by more yarn, so a couple of pom poms hang off the sides of the squares. :)
the idea has some merit, as i like knitting and making things but it costs money and you eventually run out of scarves you need for yourself and presents for other people. so i thought i'd ask my fellow craftsgirls if its a feasible idea. how do you advertise? how much to charge? and where can i find cheaper materials? (the magnetic snap closures and the rings used to attach the strap were RIDICULOUSLY overpriced!).
i'm thinking it could be a fun way to make some extra cash, but i have zero clue as to how successful something like this would be. advice? ideas?
pics of the purse i made below. be kind, it was my first try!
i made this purse out of red heart brand spark a doodle yarn in night light (black with silver angel's hair in it). i used 2 skeins and knit this using an extra large (yellow) circular loom.
this is ribbon from the xmas aisle! i folded it in half to make the strap and hot glued it together. the strap is 45 inches long, so the bag hangs at her waist.
the yarn is a long, thin line with a pom pom every 2 inches. so the weave is done tightly, but there are "bald spots" because of how the yarn is. i patched most spots, but it's actually cool because you can see the lining (i used the same ribbon) underneath it.
the bag is about 12 inches long, maybe 10 inches wide. a surprisingly nice square considering it was made on a circular loom!
the strap is connected to the purse by brushed nickel square metal pieces. kind of expensive. i think the hardware store might have some nice looking rings that won't cost $6.
the squares are tied to the purse by more yarn, so a couple of pom poms hang off the sides of the squares. :)
i made the inside lining by measuring and cutting the ribbon and gluing the pieces together. i like the ribbon because it is heavier, sturdier, and a bit water resistant. the lining is hot glued in place at the top, because the nature of the yarn would not hold stitches well. (the lining is also uneven at the top.... blerg...not happy about that).
you can't see it well, but there is a strip of lining glued in that runs horizontally to provide a waterproof bottom for the bag.
the bag closes with a magnetic snap closure. there are no inside pockets because i haven't figured that out yet.
i didn't take a picture of the bottom of the bag, but i closed that end by hot gluing the lining in place and then using leftover red yarn to stitch the bottom closed.
also not happy with the way the snaps are placed; they are mounted on a piece of ribbon reinforced by cardboard (so the magnetic snap doesn't rip out when you pull the bag open with force to break the seal) and were glued in at the same time so they lined up properly. as a result, they aren't placed too evenly in relation to the lining.
you can't see it well, but there is a strip of lining glued in that runs horizontally to provide a waterproof bottom for the bag.
the bag closes with a magnetic snap closure. there are no inside pockets because i haven't figured that out yet.
i didn't take a picture of the bottom of the bag, but i closed that end by hot gluing the lining in place and then using leftover red yarn to stitch the bottom closed.
also not happy with the way the snaps are placed; they are mounted on a piece of ribbon reinforced by cardboard (so the magnetic snap doesn't rip out when you pull the bag open with force to break the seal) and were glued in at the same time so they lined up properly. as a result, they aren't placed too evenly in relation to the lining.