Help- how to start?

[Kimm57]

Ok ladies, I have started making hairbows, mostly clippies and wanted to really build up my assortment of bows so I can think about doing a craft or home show sometime next year.

How do you decide what bows to make? What is a good "base" number of bows that I should have on display? Is it better to make tons of creative bows or just classic bows?

To date, I have mostly made bows that I want for my daughter and put them on my website. Now that I have sold a few I have the money to start buying more supplies and making other bows. There are just so many out there, I don't have a clue where to start. I don't want to make 15-20 bows that no one will care about or even ever buy.

HHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!

Kimberly

[Amber427]

Personally for me- it's more of a hobby. I make what I like to make. I don't like to make alot of custom bows, so I stay away from that end of the bow buisness.

As I get better at the bows, I try more things. I just don't stress about it.

[AdrisMommy]

I just recently did my first show and I made 215 bows for it. These ranged in size from 2 1/2 inches (my smallest bow) to 6 inch simple boutique bows, to pony-o's and multi layered big bows. I sold all but 27 bows. I made more simple standard colors for the show and took custom orders to bemailed or delivered later. My show was Dec. 1st and I will deliver my last custom order tomorrow!!! (YEAH!!) Just to give you an idea!

[Kimm57]

That's a lot of bows!! I was afraid of that. I just don't know how you ladies do it. I can hardly spit out 4 or 5 bows a week. I guess with two little ones and a travelling hubby, it's just not meant to be. I will have to start working on some and see what I can get up by the next craft show registration!

Thanks for your help!

[Amber427]

I have a plate full too. I make my bows during my relaxing time! When I first started- having a base line amount was hard to keep up. Now I have a little bit more of an assortment of bows and clippies.

Also- a great thing to do is assembly line. Maybe while sitting in front of the TV- line all your alligator clips. Then the next day- glue all your embellishments to the clips. Like this year- I made about 10 turkeys. I made the turkey feathers, went and cooked dinner. While dinner was in the oven, I made the turkey bodies. When dinner was over I assembled them. like that. But instead of just making one, I had a whole line of them I was working on.

[AdrisMommy]

Now-- that's just me. I only have one daughter and am trying to get my name out in my area, so my first show was kinda a "coming out" for me. So I wanted to be well stocked -- cause the more you sell, the more people know about you. There were two other bow booths at this festival and they had probably 30 bows combined. My thing was that I didn't want to run out of bows cause then I couldn;t get my name as known. I think that if you are just wanting to do it more as a hobby, that 20-30 bows would be enough.

[AdrisMommy]

Originally Posted by Amber427

I have a plate full too. I make my bows during my relaxing time! When I first started- having a base line amount was hard to keep up. Now I have a little bit more of an assortment of bows and clippies.

Also- a great thing to do is assembly line. Maybe while sitting in front of the TV- line all your alligator clips. Then the next day- glue all your embellishments to the clips. Like this year- I made about 10 turkeys. I made the turkey feathers, went and cooked dinner. While dinner was in the oven, I made the turkey bodies. When dinner was over I assembled them. like that. But instead of just making one, I had a whole line of them I was working on.

That's a good idea. I will fold and wire about 10 bows and then when I get a good little pile going I will hot glue the clips and knots on them. ( But that is mainly because I hate gluing!! I love folding!!!)

[Kimm57]

Originally Posted by AdrisMommy

( But that is mainly because I hate gluing!! I love folding!!!)

We should get together- I HATE folding and LOVE gluing!!!

[AdrisMommy]

Originally Posted by Kimm57

We should get together- I HATE folding and LOVE gluing!!!

Oh goodness! To be able to fold and fold and fold and fold.... and never have to glue!!! That would be heaven!!!!! I have to watch myself becasue I will have a pile of like 15 bows that I have folded throughout the week and I am like ugh, now I really need to glue them.

[Kimm57]

So, yet another question... when you make your bows to start out do you buy a whole roll of ribbon in each color or do you just buy-by-they-yard what you need and then if it becomes popular, go get the roll?

(yes, I am cheap)!
Kimberly