Considering selling cards?

Does anyone sell their cards on local sites like craigslist? (Here usedwinnipeg and kijiji are popular.) I've considered selling some of mine. But I don't know. I'd feel silly if I put them up and no one bought them lol. Or if people I knew saw my ad and thought I was vain...
I mean, I was thinking just a buck each. Who could argue that? Homemade is way better than dollar store cards. And I could even make personal cards with people's names and stuff if they requested... (Or making little tags or embelishments to sell separately...) The only issue might be peoples time and gas spent getting to my house.
I don't know, thoughts?

I don't sell my cards because I wouldn't be able to recover the cost of supplies and my time. My one thought is that if you are concerned about feeling silly or vain, then maybe this isn't for you. Otherwise, why not give it a try?

Thanks for the reply. I'm not worried about my time since I do it for fun. If it stopped being fun I'd stop selling them. I don't think my supplies cost more than a buck a card but maybe I'm underestimating that.

I would say to give it a try. What can you lose? As you said, if it stops being fun, then you would stop selling them.

Go for it... I sell tons of my cards... although I would not let them go for $1 a card... that would barely cover my supplies for a card... I usually sell them between 2.50 and 4 depending on the card itself... I love it and sell quite a few.. it seems people want the handmade touch without having to buy the stuff to actually make it themselves

Bravo! That's awesome!

Jessie where do you sell your cards? Just word of mouth? Friends?

I sell cards at a local home decor boutique. I simply went in and asked if they'd be willing to sell cards made by a local artist. Don't sell yourself short by thinking people will think you're vain. If you want to sell something, sometimes you've got to sell yourself as well

They provide the stands and I keep about 30-40 cards in stock. I get paid when my cards sell. I charge $3.00 per card and they get .25 for each sale. I do get a lot of materials from design team work though, so my overhead is low.

I also offer custom orders and I'm getting those more frequently as well. Do you have any local businesses that would be interested in this type of arrangement? I find it works very well for me - no advertising, no shipping, just card-making

Amy I'm not sure! I'll have to think on that. It sounds like you've got a great thing going. I should definitely try something.

I sell mine for $4.50 each they each of a magnolia or other stamp that is hand colored. I don't' make money on them but at least I recoup a little bit so I can buy more stuff.

Don't get frustrated it's taken me a while to get a following.

I've sold a few cards and tried setting up a booth at some craft fairs. I did better with individual sales than the craft fairs. I sell my cards for a minimum of $4 and more for bigger/more complex cards (up to about $7). I think if you want to do it just for fun, then go for it. I don't think anyone could really make a lot of money making cards though.

Ok I posted an ad! Eep. I'm nervous lol. I posted them as 2 dollars each and listed that I could do custom ones. I'll keep y'all posted.

My cards average from 4 to 7 dollars depending on the materials and techniques I use. I started selling cards two years ago and it was slow-going at first. Now, I have a nice solid client base that I don't have to advertise or self-promote. It keeps me very busy and very happy

Thats You!!!! lol I was just "window" shopping and saw your ad!!!!

Ok I'm slow! You're actually in winnipeg!! What are the odds? Your work is awesome. Love it.

You are selling yourself short, both in self esteem and price! Just because they are handmade does not make them less expensive. A lot of people appreciate an artist made card and are willing to pay a bit more for it. Also, consider bundling your cards.

Thank you! And bundling is a great idea.

Susy- I don't know if you are bilingual, but I know that my friend who makes french cards can't keep up with her orders. Not a lot of people in BC speak French, but a fair number of kids go to French Immersion school and parents like having french birthday cards for parties and french thank you cards for the teachers. I know there is a large french population in Winnipeg.

Oh that's a great idea too! I took french for 8 years in school. Funny how little you actually learn in 8 years lol. But I'm sure I could muster a "bonne fete" or two. lol.

• bcblondie Said:

thanks!!!!!!!

• amandahugandkiss Said:

I agree with this my kids are in french school and only 10% of the families speak french. I always make cards for teachers etc in french, but I have to look it up LOL!!!
great idea!!!

Just wondering....
I am not 100% sure but I think with some stamp companies there are certain limits if you want to use the stamped images for items you sell. I think with the Stamping Up products for example you need to credit them. And a lot of the digital/hybrid stuff you can get on the net is "personal use only", too.
Is this really the case? Of course I can't stamp an SU image and claim I designed it, but apart from this - am I free to use my supplies in any way I want to?

That's crazy! Well most of my stamps are from close to my heart. Anyone know where they stand on this?

All of the digi stuff I have found/used allows for using their images in the items you sell. However, you can't sell mass produced copies of the image, even the free ones, or post the image on your own site and sell it as a digi. Also, with rubber stamps you can't stamp the image several times on paper and then sell to someone who doesn't want to buy the stamp. Most stamping companies have an angel policy that allows you to use their images in your work and to sell your original creations.

Stampin' Up does have a rule that you have to post their logo on anything with their stamps. That's fine. Now, I sell a lot of cards and nobody cares about "Stampin' Up." They're just thrilled Alissa made it.

• bcblondie Said:

You're best off checking the angel policy of the stamp companies you plan to use. Most stamp companies allow you to use their stamps for projects that you plan to sell, but it must be coloured in and a finished product. There are some that don't allow you to use their images to income of any sort. Some also require credit on your projects and some don't. One more thing is that some companies will put a restriction on the number of projects you can use the image on that are for sale. Its all quite complicated for some of the companies.

• bcblondie Said:

This is from their site Suzy


~Close To My Heart designs may only be used in the creation of original, hand-stamped artwork.
~Any artwork created using Close To My Heart designs must not infringe third-party copyrighted material. The artist must accept full responsibility for his or her artwork.
~No stamp design may be reproduced or copied by any means, except hand-stamping, including photocopying, computer scanning and printing, or by freehand drawing. Artwork for sale must be personally hand-stamped by the selling artist, and any mass production or use of paid workers is prohibited.
~The following notice must appear on hand-stamped artwork created for resale: “Designs © CTMH Co.”
~Completed hand-stamped artwork may be sold at craft fairs, fundraisers, retail locations, and over the Internet. In the sale of hand-stamped artwork, Close To My Heart trademarks and logos may not be used prominently or in any manner which might lead consumers to believe the hand-stamped artwork itself is a Close To My Heart product.
~Hand-stamped artwork may be sold alone or in conjunction with Close To My Heart products.
~Sales may be made only in the United States (including U.S. Territories), Canada, or on U.S. military installations (as permitted).
~Close To My Heart designs and images may not be used in non-Close To My Heart business logos, trademarks, or promotional materials.
~Close To My Heart may amend its policies governing the use of its copyrighted designs and images, including the Angel Policy, at any time. Amendments to such policies are effective upon publication unless otherwise noted and will be posted on the official Close To My Heart website. Close To My Heart reserves the right to deny or terminate permission to use Close To My Heart designs and images with respect to any particular person.

Oh awesome! Thanks Ashley.

bcblondie, good luck to you in selling your cards! Someone told you about selling in a home decor store, or something like that.

I always thought that would be a good idea. Also, privately owned salons and spas would be good too. In fact, you could offer to make gift card holders for businesses that don't have their own. Customers could be given the option to buy a holder with gc purchase.

A long time ago, when I was a total novice, someone I babysat for who owned a salon wanted me to do that and to make cards for her to sell and she get a cut. I had to refer her to the friend who got me into scrapping, as I was just not good enough for that.

I used to sell a Wife Survival Kit. Not sure about craigslist, but I sold them to the UPS drivers I work with. It had all of the cards they would need for a whole year. Birthday, Mother's Day, Valentine's, Anniversary, Sorry, Just Because. (if they didn't have kids I'd substitute an extra sorry card or just because card). I did it $10 for 5 cards, and they sold pretty well. I only wanted to use up some stuff and make some extra money doing it.

I've been selling my cards occasionally. I put them at $3 a piece or 2 for $5. If I went through Ebay or other online site I'd sell them for more as they'd get a percentage. As everyone else has said Go for it!