Monday, November 12, 2012

Could this work?

I had this idea today while sitting here crafting.  I like to craft, and I run out of people to give the stuff to, and I am sure that some people just take the stuff I make to be kind and then foist if off on someone else, or make a little profit off it at their next garage sale.
I think it would be a good idea to organize an "artisan cooperative."  A place where artists and craftspeople could come together and sell their wares.  Finding a place to do this could be a problem, though.  I thought about having it once a month on a Saturday (the same Saturday each month) at our local Senior Center.  We could price our own things, man our own booths, and donate 10% of our total sales to the Center.  It would be win-win  for both.  It would probably start out small with only a few booths, but as word got around to both craftspeople, and the general public, I think it would work.
I have no idea how to organize or start something like this, but I would be willing to learn, and help. 
Another possibility would be setting up booths at my church on the first Saturday of each month in conjunction with our Community Outreach Breakfasts that we hold there.  Craftspeople and artists (aren't they the same) would not have to be members of our church.  I think the cooperative could donate the 10% of the sales to local charities, or local food banks, or our new free clinic, or our local mission store. 
I have made numerous hats, scarves, shawls, and etc and given them away.  I could use a little profit to keep my yarn supply active, as well as the incentive to make more for the public's consumption, and also help out the community as a whole. 
It's just another idea milling around in there in my mind.  What do you all think?

Peace,
JE

3 comments:

Curley said...

Sister asked me over the weekend to join her next fall at the local electric company craft sale. You are welcome to add some of your stuff with us.

Marcia said...

My mom's apartment building does this at Christmas and it goes very well. The tenants love it, and it gives visitors who aren't crafty a chance to get some neat things.

Terry said...

Go for it! Sounds like great fun and an all around rewarding adventure.