I know the difficulty of getting started helping these kitties out. I would be more than happy to share some of the things that have worked for me. I started with a small craft booth at one of our local bars, they have a rummage type sale every month and have expanded to some shows that I have found on Facebook. Start by calling some of the local bars and ask if they will hold bottle caps for you. This is the main part of my booth, more on that in a sec. We have even had a few of them offer to set up a small display after I told them what I was doing. Then get on FB and look for local craft shows. High Schools and Churches do them regularly for fundraising. Sometimes you have to donate a small gift, and I try not to pay more then 10-20 for the booth space.
Now for the crafts.
I do three things that cost very little per unit and have sold really well.
Bottle Cap Magnets, Pins or Pendants
I found these stickers on Amazon that are 1 in cir and they fit perfect in a cap:
Printed pictures/old comic books (Which you can get in back issue for really cheap at comic stores, never pay more then a couple bucks for these), Newspaper, wrapping paper or anything with a printed pattern that will stick.
I stick the circle on and then cut around it, then glue it into the bottle cap. You can use hot glue or E6000 (an adhesive available at Walmart, get the bigger bottle from the craft section, it's cheaper for some reason)
Then you can glue on a magnet (I also use amazon for these, but they are cheap at Walmart too), a pin backing (Walmart) or bend a small section of wire and glue it on the back for a pendant.
These I sell $2 each, 3 for $5 or 7 for 10.
The other thing I have had a lot of success with is bottle cap flowers. Think Redneck yard decorations.
I glue them together in different patterns, sometimes I sort into brands like Budweiser, Coors light etc.. other times I spray paint them bright colors, or Christmas colors in the winter. I usually use 8-15 caps in a flower and glue them together with the same E6000 from before. This is the biggest money maker for me. The caps are free, a can of spray paint is 4 bucks at Walmart and I can make 40 flowers or so with a large tube of glue. I do these $4 each or 3 for $10. I've done some with hand painted lettering or in local sports team colors too. You can really let your imagination run wild with these. With these I've even had some people custom order in their favorite colors.
The last thing I do with seed bombs. These are fun and cheap and sell really well too, Just remember to label them.. the first few months no one knew what they were!
For these you just need a pack of paper confetti and wildflower seeds, both from the dollar store.
Soak the confetti in water for 5-10 minutes and let it get really mushy, then add the seeds and stir well. You can then form them into small balls, smash them into heart molds or mini cupcake tins, just be sure to get out as much of the water as possible when you mold them. I use paper towels and my weight pressed down on them. I package these 3 to a bag and sell them for a buck. They have done really well this spring.
At most shows you don't need a fancy tent or anything, I started on a card table and purchased a 6 footer recently for $30 at Walmart. Don't be afraid to start small.
I also printed some pictures of the kitties I currently have in foster and attached them to a cardboard display board from the dollar store. This brings people in and starts some really good conversations, some even end in adoptions!
I have a couple other things that I am working on... but haven't quite perfected. I have 8 bars saving caps for me now, 4 with small displays and have made an average of about $200/mo with just two craft shows and those.. with maybe $50 in expenses including rental fees. The months before Christmas were really good selling months.
Sorry for the book. Let me know if you have any other questions or I can help with anything!
Now for the crafts.
I do three things that cost very little per unit and have sold really well.
Bottle Cap Magnets, Pins or Pendants
I found these stickers on Amazon that are 1 in cir and they fit perfect in a cap:
Printed pictures/old comic books (Which you can get in back issue for really cheap at comic stores, never pay more then a couple bucks for these), Newspaper, wrapping paper or anything with a printed pattern that will stick.
I stick the circle on and then cut around it, then glue it into the bottle cap. You can use hot glue or E6000 (an adhesive available at Walmart, get the bigger bottle from the craft section, it's cheaper for some reason)
Then you can glue on a magnet (I also use amazon for these, but they are cheap at Walmart too), a pin backing (Walmart) or bend a small section of wire and glue it on the back for a pendant.
These I sell $2 each, 3 for $5 or 7 for 10.
The other thing I have had a lot of success with is bottle cap flowers. Think Redneck yard decorations.
I glue them together in different patterns, sometimes I sort into brands like Budweiser, Coors light etc.. other times I spray paint them bright colors, or Christmas colors in the winter. I usually use 8-15 caps in a flower and glue them together with the same E6000 from before. This is the biggest money maker for me. The caps are free, a can of spray paint is 4 bucks at Walmart and I can make 40 flowers or so with a large tube of glue. I do these $4 each or 3 for $10. I've done some with hand painted lettering or in local sports team colors too. You can really let your imagination run wild with these. With these I've even had some people custom order in their favorite colors.
The last thing I do with seed bombs. These are fun and cheap and sell really well too, Just remember to label them.. the first few months no one knew what they were!
For these you just need a pack of paper confetti and wildflower seeds, both from the dollar store.
Soak the confetti in water for 5-10 minutes and let it get really mushy, then add the seeds and stir well. You can then form them into small balls, smash them into heart molds or mini cupcake tins, just be sure to get out as much of the water as possible when you mold them. I use paper towels and my weight pressed down on them. I package these 3 to a bag and sell them for a buck. They have done really well this spring.
At most shows you don't need a fancy tent or anything, I started on a card table and purchased a 6 footer recently for $30 at Walmart. Don't be afraid to start small.
I also printed some pictures of the kitties I currently have in foster and attached them to a cardboard display board from the dollar store. This brings people in and starts some really good conversations, some even end in adoptions!
I have a couple other things that I am working on... but haven't quite perfected. I have 8 bars saving caps for me now, 4 with small displays and have made an average of about $200/mo with just two craft shows and those.. with maybe $50 in expenses including rental fees. The months before Christmas were really good selling months.
Sorry for the book. Let me know if you have any other questions or I can help with anything!
