My turn to AW craftiness!

[dixienormous]

A group of my invisible mom friends banded together and got me a gift certificate for a spa. Several of them have sent me things individually for either me or for PF. In thanks, I'm making them each something. This is the first craft. I'm (for the moment) calling them "Feeling Folk." They're about 95% done. I need to put on the wood finish and add hair.

Wooden clothes pins, wood burned clothes details and expressions and then painted. On the non-detailed sides of the pins I have painted colors. Each doll is double sided. Same clothes, but different expression. I'm hoping that this is a toy that can be used to teach expression, different feelings, and throw in some color recognition.

This is going to my friend and her toddler. She's a SAHM who is big into "tot school" and every week she and her son do activities based on a theme.

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[tiramisu]

Those are amazing, dixie! And such a sweet, thoughtful gift, too. I could see lots of kids loving those.

[bullygirl979]

Those are awesome! They are cute and useful!

[partiallysunny]

Very cute! It's a great idea.

On a side not, while look at the red woman (second from the left) I thought it was funny you drew boobs on her and then realized it was her arms. But I can't stop seeing boobs.

[dixienormous]

I thought about that PS. I am not so good with drawing hands. I might need to figure out how to do hands.

[partiallysunny]

I'm not bashing your artistic skills! I think they are wonderful. Maybe I just have a dirty mind.

In the interest of being helpful, you could do something like this for hands:

[dixienormous]

PERFECT! Thank you!

[partiallysunny]

No problem. I also noticed that the ones I think are boobs, you gave a higher waist to (comparing red woman and the man next to her) which made their arms shorter. Keeping the waist lower and the arms longer would help the arms not look like boobs, I think.

((I'm honestly trying to be helpful. If this is coming off as mean or a know-it-all, I'm so sorry!))

[dixienormous]

I appreciate the feed back. I'm considering making more stuff like this and attempting to sell them. Any help on design is appreciated.

speaking of.... how much do you think a set of 6 with a woodburned box to keep them in should go for? A package of 24 clothes pins is $4 (and I can get in bulk for cheaper), and a box to put them in would roughly be $5-6.

[partiallysunny]

How long does it take you to complete a set?

[dixienormous]

This set took me about 3.5 hours to get to this point. I still need to add the finish and glue on hair so let's say about 6 hours.

[captainmel]

Those are so cute! I have no painting skills in the slightest. I get envious when I see people that do! I love their long legs.

[dixienormous]

Mel, I can't paint to save my life. This is just coloring in the lines

[partiallysunny]

So a set of 6 clothespins cost $1, plus the box at $6 = $7.

Plus a dollar or two in paint, finish, glue, and hair?

So say $8-$10 in supplies.

Then ask yourself how much you'd like to make in profit per set. If you charge anywhere from $12-$15 (which is probably what I'd do) you're making less than $1/hour, but an extra $5 is nothing to sneeze at either.

[dixienormous]

Keep in mind that the paint, finish and glue are not supplies to be bought for each set. So that beings down production cost.

Looking at Etsy it seems that just painted and with no box dolls are going for about $12.50 for a set of 5. I think with the storage box, $15 isn't too bad for a set of 6.

[captainmel]

It is still impressive! I have shaky hands so I need large scale lines. The kind for like, 5 year olds.
I would probably pay around $20 for a set. That was before you went into detail about time and price. Maybe put them at $18 so you're getting a good profit but since it is less than $20 people think it isn't a lot of money to spend.

[starrieskies]

dixie, I love them!!!

[imoan]

Those are great! You are über talented!!!

[Muddled]

I am amazed that you find time for all your crafts.

I am sofucking lazy.

[dixienormous]

May 17, 2013 15:24:06 GMT -5 Muddled said:

I am amazed that you find time for all your crafts.

I am sofucking lazy.

It's the only down time/me time/sanity time I give myself. I'll give up my walk/run if I can create.

[starrieskies]

I think it's important (especially with all of the challenges you face in your life) to take that time for yourself! And, seriously, dixie, these really are amazing!

I ditto mel, I'd have no problem paying $20 for something like this. Anywhere between $15 and $18 and I'd feel like I was getting a great deal!

[margarita]

Amazing! I love those.

[hippygirl]

These are awesome! Could you send me a pm when you are selling them? My students would love these!