You need the money so you will do what I want!

[BeenThereDoneThat]

pageantmama, do you sell anything for adults? I don't mean costumes, but any type of accessories or other items that someone like me might use? I would be happy to buy something from you...I just don't have any little kids to dress up

[EricKei]

I'm not sure if my private message sent. I can never tell if people are getting my messages until they reply.

When composing a PM, scroll down to the bottom of the page. Under "Miscellaneous Options", one of the choices is "Request a read receipt for this message". Make sure that is checked, and you should get a notice when the recipient reads the message.

[pageantmama]

pageantmama, do you sell anything for adults? I don't mean costumes, but any type of accessories or other items that someone like me might use? I would be happy to buy something from you...I just don't have any little kids to dress up

I also make hair pretties for adults, like the headbands with the pretty fabric rosettes. And I make jewelry and I knit. I am a woman of many trades, lol. I used to sell those things a few years back, first I specialized in jewelry sets, then I learned to knit and moved on to knitted items, then I had a daughter and used my sewing skills to learn to make pageant stuff and moved on to that. I would like to kind of offer everything I can do on one business page but I am afraid I will get overwhelmed so I am just stick with one thing until it seems to fizzle out. I was really hoping the pageant thing worked out because I LOVE the ways I can be creative with it but it seems to go up and down business wise. I am almost thinking in the "off" times to offer the other stuff I can do just to keep up sales.

[EricKei]

I am almost thinking in the "off" times to offer the other stuff I can do just to keep up sales.

That's actually a really good idea.

[Seshat]

For right now, put some photos of things you already have, or ideas of things you can make, on a web page. Perhaps not one linked to anywhere from your pageant page.

Let us know the URL of the page.

Let us know what colours of fabrics/beads/crystals/etc you already have in your stash. (EG 'I can make this in purple, green and blue, would have to buy fabric to make it in other colours')

Those of us with spare money (alas, not I) can opt to look at the page, and order things from you. We all need gifts for our families at this point in the year - why not help each other?

(Note to everyone else: remember that Spark and Kanalah also rely on sales from crafts for at least some of their living money. Check pageantmama's page, also check theirs. )

[Pixilated]

pageantmama, diversifying in the 'down' times is an excellent idea, if you can manage it.

Also, is there a particular spot here where the URLs of crafty members are posted?

[Kristev]

I'm sorry your purse got stolen. A lot of people's things are being ripped off lately.

And I wish you great sales, from good shoppers.

I shall give you no advice, because I know nothing about the clothing industry. And may you have a Christmas miracle.

[HappyFun Ball]

I'm glad you told her no.. I wouldn't have been nearly as eloquent as Lupo and would've told her to fuck off and die in a fire.. But that's just me.

[Beckpatton]

Pageantmama have you heard of a site called iOffer.com? I recently started buying off there, and it allows you to negotiate prices with sellers. You put in an offer (or can choose to buy at the listed price), and the seller can either reject or accept your offer. I don't know what the fees are, but it might be worth looking into.

I just did a quick search and people are already selling girls pageant dresses on there, so there must be a market for it!

So sorry for what happened, hopefully you get the support you need to get through these next couple of weeks, and I am so glad you stood firm and said no to that horrible cow of a woman!

Edit: I just had a quick look through the selling policies on iOffer, and there are no listing fees, you only pay if your item sells! You can pay additional fees to upgrade your ad, otherwise nothing except a small fee is charged based on the final sale amount. For example if the final amount is between 0-$4.99 you pay them 50c! Not bad! I don't think there is a time limit either on how long the ad can run..

[Marszenka]

I don't know if you know anything about Irish Stepdance, but maybe you could consider making dresses for feisanna (competitions). While I personally prefer more traditional-style dresses to the madness they have going on now, you can do SO MUCH with them. Very sequiny, more modern style dresses are popular now and they're in demand for kids and adults. And people will spend money on them.

Two rules:
1. I've never seen a low-necked or short-sleeved feis dress, so I'd avoid that.
2. For the love of everything please don't let the skirt be shorter than mid-thigh if you DO decide you'd like to do these. People wear them shorter but man, it just ain't classy. XDDD

[pageantmama]

I don't know if you know anything about Irish Stepdance, but maybe you could consider making dresses for feisanna (competitions). While I personally prefer more traditional-style dresses to the madness they have going on now, you can do SO MUCH with them. Very sequiny, more modern style dresses are popular now and they're in demand for kids and adults. And people will spend money on them.

Two rules:
1. I've never seen a low-necked or short-sleeved feis dress, so I'd avoid that.
2. For the love of everything please don't let the skirt be shorter than mid-thigh if you DO decide you'd like to do these. People wear them shorter but man, it just ain't classy. XDDD

I will have to look into that. Lol, sounds like the opposite of pageant dresses. When I first started making them for my daughter I made them about an inch above her knee and she got points counted off. I got comments like, great dress but too long. I then talked to several pageant moms and judges and found out they have to be mid thigh or shorter. The shorter the better, just not as short as to show the booty, but right before that point. Who knows why I also hate the white shoes rule. You have to wear white socks and shoes no matter what the color of the dress and once I made my daughter a beautiful royal blue and gold dress and let her wear gold sandals with heels. Judges wrote, Great dress, next time wear white shoes. In my opinion the white shoes looked HORRIBLE with it and the sandals looked soooo much better. But who knows the method to their madness, lol.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

I agree with everyone that it would be a great idea for you to sell your other stuff in the "down times". I really love handmade items and I'd love to shop from you, so please do keep me and your other CS friends in the loop

[Seshat]

The shorter the better, just not as short as to show the booty, but right before that point. Who knows why I also hate the white shoes rule. You have to wear white socks and shoes no matter what the color of the dress.

The first rule seems ridiculous, the second incredibly arbitrary.

[EricKei]

The first rule seems ridiculous

Maybe it's just me, but I find that rule a bit creepy >_> I really hope I'm not reading too much into it.

[Seshat]

See, I'm hoping it's ridiculous rather than creepy.....