turning creativity into $$

Schmoopy - posted on 07/05/2011

Copyrights aren't that expensive. $35 is all it costs, and you can do it yourself online... http://www.copyright.gov/

Rowena - posted on 08/21/2010

Etsy is for anyone! Im in Australia and have just set up a stall on there.

Jennifer - posted on 01/01/2010

go etsy!
it's worked for me...i've been busy with orders since i opened my shoppe up!
www.poshpaints.etsy.com

Joanne - posted on 09/28/2009

a big business can not steal your idea if you patent it. what sorts of talents do you have that you would like to sell? there are so many ways. by the way, you can get business rants for women and use the money for the patent process, buying stock etc.

Sonia - posted on 09/28/2009

keep reading about this etsy site and was wondering if anyone can advise me as to whether this is for international sellers too or purely the states as i am based in the uk and try and sell on bits and pieces i make to get a few extra pennies and the site sounds fantastic

Lyndsay - posted on 08/14/2009

Start off small, and get a good network of reliable customers who will come back for more. If you can make commissioned pieces according to what people want, you will be able to attract a larger audience.

Colleen - posted on 08/02/2009

In the world of intellectual property, if you document the steps of when (date, location, etc.) and how you do something creative, photograph every step and design and purpose for your item, it is easier than it used to be to protect your 'property'. Put something on your tags that suggest it is a personal creation and not to be duplicated without permission. The flip side of that is if someone else has done the same thing before you, you will be the one to have to stop even if you never saw their creation.

Ann - posted on 07/24/2009

I would agree with all the people who have recommended Etsy. It is very easy to set up a website, post items you want to sell, and connect with others throughout the world.

I have a site on Etsy at http://www.harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com and sell translucent window stars, all-natural children's toys, hand-embroidered items, needlefelted playscapes for children, art kits, and resources for creative, homeschooling families. Come take a look!

Burcu - posted on 05/11/2009

not sure what exactly you are doing but
I sell my art and make a descent income around 4 to 6 thousand.
It is not so easy but not that hard
but Im home and I simply arrange my schedule myself, pretty good
if you have some computer knowledge , you can sell in so many places

I kind of became expert on this, how can I help?

cheers
Burcu

info@mujka.ca
email me maybe

Rolande - posted on 05/02/2009

the one who wins is the one who dares!!!

Kelly - posted on 04/30/2009

Delete Are you sure? Yes | No Posted by You (7:31 pm)

Hi! I am going to advise you to DEFINITELY go the Etsy route!! I am the same as you - not a professional, just a mom who loves to craft and I've turned my love into a great part time business. I've done so much better than I could have ever imagined. Etsy is so easy to work with, they handle all the transactions for you - you just need a paypal account for the $ to be deposited into. Etsy charges only .20 to list an item and they only charge a 3% sale fee. Starting a shop is easy and uploading your pictures is super easy as well.



If you'd like to check out my shop here is my address:

www.allthingsgirly.etsy.com



and I have a facebook page for my etsy business as well:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/...



If anyone has any questions or if you'd like some help setting up - please feel free to message me! Add me as a friend and we can discuss anything/anytime!

I've been there, done it, so I'm happy to spread the word!!!



Kelly

Tami - posted on 04/29/2009

Hi Myra!!
You can check out my page. Let me know what you think. It is FUN, EASY and ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY FREE... Just create and collect. My cousin showed me this and I am hooked now.
www.zazzle.com/tamianderson1*
I hope it works for you!

Michelle - posted on 04/27/2009

Have you gone to Etsy.com? My sis-in-law suggested it. It's a really amazing website devoted to selling anything that is "handmade"... art, jewelry... pretty much anything! It's great, and worth the look

Schmoopy - posted on 04/06/2009

Try posting your items on Etsy.com - it's an eBay-like auction community made exclusively of handmade items.

Local arts/crafts festivals are great, too. I've participated in several in my area for the last 3 years and have turned it into a second income.

Schmoopy - posted on 04/06/2009

Try posting your items on Etsy.com.
It's an eBay-like site that's solely for handmade items.

Local art/craft shows are great, too.

Abby - posted on 04/03/2009

Incorporate yourself for starters, I suggest and LLC, its not too expensive to set up and gets all liability off you. Make sure in your articles of incorporation (free to write up yourself and you can find places online that have samples) that you include specifics about your designs, this helps cover them incase of someone stealing your ideas. Last make sure you know what can and cant be copyrighted and patented. You will be surprise how many ideas you THINK you can protect that you really cant. Thats a start. If you have any other questions feel free to add me and email me. I started up my business in 1997 and am looking to expand in the next few months so I'm dealing with alot of this with lawyers right now.

Nicole - posted on 04/01/2009

What about starting a website with your creativity? You can find free websites all the time then just go to all the local shops in your area with your card and try to see if they will sell it in their stores. Worth a shot...good luck!

AmyAnn - posted on 03/17/2009

I totally understand your concern! Have you ever thought of looking for an angel investor? they invest money into business just getting started., or doing an expansion. If someone believes in you and your product then maybe they will give you the money to get the appropriate patent and begin your venture! Good luck! And when you open be sure to send me an e-mail(healthiernow@yahoo.com) with your website....Word of mouth i think is still by far the best way to get your business out there! ~AmyAnn

Rosemary - posted on 02/17/2009

Yeah I would do what they said. Don't be afraid to create because you think someone is going to steal your idea.. I'm sure there are plenty of amazing things that would happen if people weren't afraid of losing their creation! I'm into photography and frame all of my pictures and whatnot... it's fun for me and if someone steals my photo then so be it, but I have all originals so it's not a huge concern for me.

Heather - posted on 02/13/2009

THis last one is true. Musicians do it all the time, (well probably not the famous ones, but the ones just starting out do) It pproves the date and time you came up with the idea and as far as I have heard it is a legitimate way to prove ownership of an idea. Although I am not sure if you need to use certified mail or not.

Amy - posted on 02/09/2009

I have herd that a cheaper method to getting a patent is to put one in a box and mail it to urself but don't open it so that the post mark can tell that u created it first

Candy - posted on 02/08/2009

You can try online store. Take pics and post them online. You may wish to visit mine for ideas : http://iwantmyquirkystuff.blogspot.com/

Candy - posted on 02/08/2009

I would suggest just do it, worry about it later. Chances are, whatever you have thought about creating, someone else already has thought about too...its a matter of who's going to do it first and make it big..:-)

Katie - posted on 02/04/2009

Maybe start off by going to craft shows. My friend's mom did this after she retired from her day job and was waiting for her hubby to retire.