Saturday, August 13, 2011

Why are FB Boutiques Giving their Items Away?

If your in the Boutique Circle on Facebook, Surely you have bumped into a Giveaway that you think is "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE".
Well the good news is They are REALLY Giving this Great stuff away!
Facebook doesnt like it so most have had to find ways around it.
If you look at your favorite boutique page you might see a Giveaway tab on the Left side of their page. 
What are you waiting for ENTER  these.
You will find FREE bows, tutus, applique' shirts, dresses, bath products, diet products, books, leg warmers, etc.... anything a MOM would love to get FREE.

So WHY ARE THEY GIVING THIS GREAT STUFF AWAY
To get New customers.
Its a way to get you to their page and see all the great products they make or offer.  Without a giveaway you might have never found the page or stopped by to "LIKE" it. 
Yes, it is a loss for the cost of the product and labor put into making it, but these Crafty Moms hope the reward is Great!
The downside is sometimes you get a page full of fans who will never actually purchase anything.  They will only stalk around to find the next "FREEBIE" opportunity. 
This is NOT what we Crafty Moms want.  We want to give our products to the next "POTENTIAL" customer.
Have you shopped on facebook yet?
If not tell us why.
Did you know its like any other Online Purchase.
You just pay with your paypal accout (which most everyone has and use for ebay) or pay with debit or credit card.  Some Crafty Moms will accept Check or Money orders but will not start a custom order or ship till those clear.
At Crafty Moms'R'us are having a 1 Year Anniversery Giveaway.
We use an outside (of facebook) registration process.  You fill out a registration leaving info so that you can be contacted if you win.  Then you are required to be a fan of the Sponsor page.
This allows all the Sponsors to network each others fans. 
Most of the sponsors are in completely different areas of the US and some are from Canada.
You will see items and pages you would never have noticed if not for a Networking/Promoting page like Crafty Moms'R'us and the Giveway.  We know FREE always gets a little notice.
Here are a few of the items we are giving away FREE:

Check out this Great HANDMADE Dress from Girliebows!  Its in our Grand Giveaway!  FREE
Who wouldnt love a Unique Geisha Pendant from J West Studios. 


You could also WIN this Shirt in your size choice from Emmy Lou Children's Wear and Accessories!
To find all the 60 + items we have in our Giveaway visit our Album

Hope you win!

 

Monday, August 8, 2011

How Crafters Determine Prices for Handmade Items

Why do Handmade, Customized, Beautifully Made items Cost more than those you find in Retail Superstores?
Let me help you understand what a Bargain your Getting!

Lets Start with a Basic PillowCase Dress
Fabric is not CHEAP-  Average cost is $4-$6 a yard.  This dress would easily take almost a yard.
Then there is the cost of Ribbon, Thread, Bottom layer of fabric.
Then there is the Time the Seamstress puts into a great dress like this.
Its Very Well Made!  We got this from Sew In Fashion Boutique on Facebook!  This dress is well made and the fabric is Great Quality Fabric.  It washes well and hangs just right!  These dresses sell for $18-$23 on average.  Def. Worth every penny.
If you want a $10-$15 Dress you will def. not be getting this quality or the poor seamstress is not making any profit.  The Profit margin on these is very low for the seamstress unless she is using Poor Quality fabric or found a great deal on fabric.

Next is the Handmade Tutu
For This Creation the Cost is Higher than most think.  Shoppers see a $20-$40 price on Custom Tutus and drop their jaws because they do not know the time or material involve.     Tulle is around $5 a roll and This Tutu actually has a Base tutu that costs around $4 and 2 rolls of Tulle, AND ribbon, thread, and a lot of Sweat, lol.  I spend about 2-4  hours (depending on how much time I can get without kids grabbing at me) to put this together.  I have to measure and cut several pieces of tulle, Then Handsew each strip onto the base tutu, then sew the ribbon in between.   Its def. worth the Price when you see the Finished Product.  I know many of my Crafty Moms at  http://www.facebook.com/CraftyMomsBusinessPromotions Use 4 or 5 rolls of Tulle in one tutu.  You also have to think about the Convienance cost.  Most of these items are made to a shoppers specifications.  I might have to drive to town 2 x or more to find just the right colors requested.

Next is the Hairbow.   All Hairbows are def. not created equal~
You would not believe what the CENTERs for some bows cost.  This Box of Crayons Resin costs about $1- Some can cost up to $5.  There are several different ribbon types represented in this bow.  Usually a higher quality ribbon costs more.  Ribbon Typically is $1-$2 a yard.  Most small Crafters cant afford to locate and buy in wholesale quantities so we are stuck with Hobby Lobby Sales and Local stores selection.  It takes time and money to find just the right ribbon size, color, and print for custom bows.  So when purchasing a bow like this a price of $7-$10 is very fair.  The bows with the pricey Center pieces that customers love deserve a bit higher of a price.  I sometimes spend up to an hour creating one bow.  If I am making several duplicates in one sitting I can save time but with 3 kids (and most Crafty Moms have kids pulling at their pants legs) its hard to get a solid block of time.  So to add to the price a Time Worked fee is almost impossible for most of us.

I hope you will come see all the Crafty Moms items we showcase on our Page --Crafty Moms'R'us.  Most sale their items at a substantially lower price than their regular retail during our games and sales.  Also remember to compare the prices you find at your local Boutiques prices.  You will see by buying from one of our Crafty Moms you can get that Quality, Handmade Look, Custom, Beautiful, Unique look at a much better price.  Most of us are working out of our homes and dont have the overhead of a Brick Business.  You will always feel better when supporting a Crafty MOM!

WINNERS in our Crafty Moms'R'us Grand Giveaway

The List of Winners in our Giveaway will be Posted here! Emails will be sent to winner with a CC to sponsor if email address was provided!  You must Post on your sponsors wall that you won in the CMRU Grand Giveaway to claim your prize!


Winner of Item 7 is ....Rachel Dawson  -
Your Sponsor is The Skinny You
http://www.facebook.com/theskinnyou?ref=ts


Winner of Item 8 is.......Lisa Wilson
Sponsored by Crown My Baby 
http://www.facebook.com/CrownMyBaby


Winner of Item 11 is.....LyzaJo Jorgensen
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-All-About-the-Scents/153113598061335
 Sponsor is Its All About the Scents



Winner of Item 1 is.....Shanna Uptergrove mary schemelia pp brittany martinez
Sponsor is OC Slim Wraps
http://www.facebook.com/ocslimwraps


Winner of Item 9 is....Brittany Martinez
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beau-Mitchell-Boutique/223790534302429?sk=wall
Sponsored by Beau Mitchell Boutique


Winner of Item 12 is....Mary Schemelia
Sponsor is Picture Perfect Printing and Giftshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Picture-Perfect-Printing-and-Gifts/161663228521


Winner of Item 4 is.....Sara Dugar
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sewing-Girl/110961135647682
Sponsor is Sewing Girl


Winner of Item 10 is......Rebecka Lozano
Sponsored by 722Mod Photography & Design http://www.facebook.com/pages/722Mod-Photography-Design/182353305116444


Winner of Item 5 is.....Sarah Leatherman
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tangled-Up/122209954526077?sk=wall
Sponsor is Tangled Up


Winner of Item 6 is.....Anissa Flemings - 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-All-About-the-Scents/153113598061335
Sponsor is Its All About the Scents


Winner of Item 13 is....... Hannah Ermis 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fancy-Little-Lambs/234865506531907
Sponsor is Fancy Little Lambs


Winner of Item 2 is..... Robin Ball
2GirlsGifts.comhttp://www.facebook.com/2girlsgifts


Winner of Item 15 is.............. Em Hubi
The Scarlet Scintilla Boutique http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Scarlet-Scintilla-Boutique/128271800588029


Winner of Item 16 is...........Jackie Keays Jones
BuggyDCreationswww.facebook.com/buggydcreations >


Winner of Item 17 is...........Andrea Smiley
http://www.facebook.com/playfulpeanut?sk=wall
— with Playful Peanut


Winner of Item 18 is....Rebecca Witcher
Paisley and Posies Boutique for Girls http://www.facebook.com/PaisleyandPosies


Winner of Item 19 is... Sandra Bildstein
Peonies and Willow Treeshttp://www.facebook.com/PeoniesandWillowTrees


Winner of item 20 is .....Sherry Miller
Girliebowshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Girliebows/139036689441001


Winner of item 21 is......Sarah Vugrich-
Sew Loved Designswww.facebook.com/sewloveddesigns

Winner of item 22 is...... Synthis Marsiglia 

Winner of item 23 is....... Jaime Ladato Farley


Winner of Item 24 is....Ashely Siegle
Kirby Marino - Independent Scentsy Consultant or http://www.facebook.com/kirbymarino.independentscentsyconsultant


Winner of Item 25 is....Krystyl Olson
Little Lily Boutique http://www.facebook.com/LittleLilyBoutique?ref=ts&sk=info


Winner of Item 26......Tevis N Bre
Jenn's Chic Crochet http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenns-Chic-Crochet/143254152387603


Winner of item 27.....Teresa Yates
Lady Roberson's Jewelry
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lady-Robersons-Jewelry/214820168546520
http://ladyrobersonsjewelry.com/


Winner of Item 28 is.... Cynthia Woodard Hunt
J West Studioshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/J-West-Studios/323156957217


Winner of Item 29 is ......Adrianne Cordova
From Lacey Girls Boutique http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lacey-Girls-Boutique/256246119717

Winner of Item 30 is .,.....Sandra Lameey
From Palm Beach Kidz
Violet Florals Halter Capri Set - 3T/4T -
http://www.facebook.com/palmbeachkidz


Winner of Item 31 is.....Danielle Greenlee
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Savannahs-Southern-Style/108731282492562?ref=ts
Savannah's Southern Style


Winner of Item 32 is..... Kimmberly Deegan
Princess and the Pea Boutiquewww.facebook.com/PrincessandthePeaBou


Winner of Item 33 is.....Mariana Lawson-Smith-
From Teeny Tiny Tutus  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teeny-Tiny-Tutus/119919721405714?sk=wall


Winner of Item 34 is..... Melissa Skillern
Twirls N Giggles Tutus: http://www.facebook.com/twirls.n.giggles.tutus




Winner of Item 35 is.....Jessica Riner
From Emmy Lou Children's Wear and Accessories
http://www.facebook.com/EmmyLouChildrens


Winner of Item 36 is ......Farrah mcCullough
TatumBrooke Designs
tatum.brooke@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TatumBrooke-Designs/218766664815052


Winner of Item 37 is...Charming Linda
http://www.facebook.com/pinkeepetunia?sk=wall
Sponsored by Pinkee Petunia


Winner of Item 38 is....Amanda Edgerton-Miller
Diva Jordan's Boutique
www.facebook.com/divajordanboutique


Winner of Item 40 is....Sandra Lamey
http://www.facebook.com/Abby2007boutique?sk=wall
Abby 2007


Winner of Item 41 is.....Debbie Moon
Mary Kay - Staci Meehl Independent Beauty Consultant
Mary Kay NouriShine Lip Gloss.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Kay-Staci-Meehl-Independent-Beauty-Consultant/197835630273360


Winner of Item 42 is................Yvette Carter
Sponsored by Enchanted Feltshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Enchanted-Felts/182686311769427?ref=ts&sk=wall


Winner of Item 39 is.....Liz Brown
Sponsored by Enchanted Feltshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Enchanted-Felts/182686311769427?ref=ts&sk=wall

Winner of Item 45 is......Bo Sengsiry
Sponsored by Tiny Dragonflyhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Tiny-Dragonfly/152638281472721


Winner of Item 44 is.....Eg Kaufman
Sponsored by Mama Made Tutus https://www.facebook.com/MamaMadeTutus


Winner of Item 46 is......Serena Adkins
The Preppy Pink Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/the.preppy.pink.boutique


Winner of Item 43 is.....Maureen Stivers
Sponsored by Charming Treasure http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charming-Treasure/190577864305946?sk=wall


Winner of Item 14 is......Bonnie Sue Roberts
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fancy-Little-Lambs/234865506531907
Sponsor is Fancy Little Lambs


Winner of Item 47 is ......Melissa Vasquez
Adorned Creations Boutique http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adorned-Creations-Boutique/152897014777924


Winner of Item 48 is....Connie Phelps
Sponsored by Foofieswww.facebook.com/Floofies


Winner of Item 49 is....Nicole Cummings
Sponsored by Brooklyn's Bottlecap Jewelry Designs http://www.facebook.com/BrooklynsBottlecapJewelryDesigns


Winner of Item 50 is.....Kerry Kay
Cute Covers Personalized Bible Covers
http://www.facebook.com/cutecovers


Winner of Item 51 is....Felicia Grover
Sponsored by Busy Bees Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/MyBusyBees?sk=app_112078882147346


Winner of Item 52 is....Christina Proulx
Sponsored by Ruby Sweets Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/rubysweetsboutique




Winner of Item 53 is.... EB Grace Powers
Spiral Sage
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-Sage/260944152807?sk=wall




Winner of Item 54 is.....Hilary Vanderpool
Sponsored by Designs by BBhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Designs-by-BB/114919315202491


Winner of Item 56 is.......Joan Hillman
FB Link: www.facebook.com/zaainaskincare
Price: http://www.facebook.com/ZaainaSkincare?sk=app_135607783795


Winner of Item 57 is........Amy Davis
www.facebook.com/SunshineCouture
www.shopsunshinecouture.com


Winner of Item 58 is......Melissa Kauffman
Candy Kisses Crochet www.facebook.com/candykissescrochet


Winner of Item 59 is....Lisa Luque
http://www.facebook.com/ElisTreasure


Winner of Item 60 is..................Anngie T-Ski
http://facebook.com/happygoosestore


Winner of Item 61 is.....Krystyl Olson
 For more eclectic designs, visit my Etsy shop:
http://sugarshoxcrafts.etsy.com/   http://www.facebook.com/sugarshoxcrafts


Winner of Item 62 is..........Gail Gray
By Girliebows: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girliebows/139036689441001
.
Winner of Item 63 is......Linda Hill
Sponsored by Designs by Meghna
$15 Gift Certificate
http://www.facebook.com/designsbymeghna


Winner of Item 64 is........Heather Kitchens
Sponsored by Giggles and Love
http://www.facebook.com/gigglesandlove


Winner of Item 65 is.................Felicia Grover
Sponsored by Designs by Cambria
http://www.facebook.com/designsbycambria


Winner of Item 68.....Jennifer Huff Huey
Sponsored by Home Accents with Brittany
www.facebook.com/accentswithbritt
Winner of Item 70 is.....Page Forment Berghoffer
http://www.facebook.com/purefusionmakeup


Winner of Item 71 is....Mary Catherine McMenamy
Sponsored by Charming Treasure  Item 71
http://www.facebook.com/CharmingTreasure


Winner of Item 66 is........Katey Handel
Sponsored by Tickled Pink NOLA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tickled-Pink-NOLA/103225379743821?ref=ts&sk=wall

Winner of Item 67 is.....Sarah Shult
Missing My Soldier Gifts
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Missing-My-Soldier-Gifts/127182520663809

Winner of Item 69 is.........Kelly Campion
Sponsored by At Last Crafts
http://www.facebook.com/#!/atlastcrafts

Winner of item 78 is......Lindsey Fort  
Sponsored by Uneekly Urs
.http://www.facebook.com/UneeklyUrs1


Winner of item 77 is......Tina M. Evans
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sew-In-Fashion-Boutique/131053940260841?sk=wall
Sponsored by Sew In Fashion Boutique

Winner of item 76 is.....Angie Adams Booher
Sponsored by Bebe' Diva Wear
http://www.facebook.com/bebedivawear

Winner of item 75 is ......Ashley Mendoza
Sponsored by Cranky Cat Studio
http://www.facebook.com/CrankyCatStudio

Winner of item 74 is......Jackie Satcher Conklin
Sponsored by Petite Kids Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/petitekids

Winner of item 73 is......Kellie Frazier
Sponsored by Petite Kids Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/petitekids

Winner of item 72 is......Brooke Van Winkle
Sponsored by Petite Kids Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/petitekids

Winner of Item 80 is.....
Ricki Lewis Winfrey,
Sponsor is Itty Bitty Beauties

Winner of Item 79 is.....Rena Hyde
Sponsor is ......Peek-A-Bowteek
http://www.facebook.com/PeekABowtiquePlace?sk=app_169505045786

Winner of Item 81 is....Cathy Pandolfini Alger,
Sponsor is Arabellas Bow-Teek
http://www.facebook.com/ArabellasBowTeek

Winner of Item 84 is....Maira Hribik,
Sponsor is Haylee's Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/hayleesboutiquebows

Winner of Item 83 is.... Christina Benton, 
Sponsor is Pixie Wonders
http://www.facebook.com/pixiewonders

Winner of item 82 is.....Bethanie Lyn Hale,
Sponsor is Bri Ellin Designs
http://www.facebook.com/BriEllinDesignsBling

Winner of Item 85 is Kimberly Mansfield,
Sponsor is Baby Bands & More
https://www.facebook.com/BabyBandsAndMore

Winner of Item 86 is...Cara Schneider,
Sponsor is Audrey's Trinkets
http://www.facebook.com/audreystrinkets

Winner of Item 87 is... Anne Nack,
Sponsor is Little Foote Designs
http://www.facebook.com/littlefootedesigns

 Winner of item 88 is .....Darea Hastie,
Sponsor is QT Crafts
http://www.facebook.com/pages/QT-Crafts/185666064215

Winner of Item 90 is Zoey Laznovsky Modeling Page, 
Sponsor is Little Ladybug Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/LittleLBBoutique

Winner of Item 94 is......Miranda Villasenor,
ThePoshFrog is the Sponsor
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ThePoshFrog/181069638612021

Winner of Item 91 is......Alesandra Ruvalcaba,
Sponsor is Emma Grace Children's Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emma-Grace-Childrens-Boutique/143691229042510

Winner of Item 93 is ...... Sarah E Knoke,
Sponsor is Two L Creations
http://www.facebook.com/twolcreations
 
Winner of item 92 is.....Amanda Lawson,
 Sponsor is Bowlyssa
http://www.facebook.com/bowlyssa

Winner of 96 is....Michelle Biladeau Johnson,
Sponsor is Perfectly Posh
http://www.facebook.com/itsperfectlyposh?sk=app_167969729896883

 Winner of Item 95 is Hailey Howell,
Sponsor is Bella Blooms Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/BellaBloomsBoutique

Winner of Item 97 is......Erin Norfleet Ringwald,
Sponsor is BowBiz Dog Bows
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BowBiz-Dog-Bows/117558378282338

  Winner of Item 98 is.....Rachel Hurt,
Sponsor is TreSuredCreations
http://www.facebook.com/GrabbyTabbyCreations

Winner of Item 101 is Jonica Courtney
Sponsor is Sweet Lil' Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Lil-Bowtique/462069105594?sk=wall

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!