Question about creative or different sources of income

[bevann]

For those of you who sell your manure 1.does it have bedding mixed with it?We use shavings in our stalls on top of woody pet type pellets with Barn Dri to take away odor. Our neighbor takes it away for bedding for his steers loafing shed,but I would love to be able to sell it.We also have about 20 ewes who are out on pasture but have sheds for shelter

 

[disneyhorse]

I think the best compost is bedding-based. This supplies the best ratio of green and brown ingredients for healthy plants.

 

[Marty]

Performance Mini, I'd be happy to help you on a consignment shop. It was easy peasy. It was work but so much fun. If you know a lot about saddles and bits and everything in between you can't go wrong. I didn't have a license because if anyone gave me any grief, I would have used our business license for our flooring store but no one ever questions anything in these parts. .If I wasn't so remote I surely would still be doing it now. Not sounding like a know it all or anything but I happen to know tack very well so people appreciate if you do something that you are skilled at. I have plenty of friends that do all kinds of things right out of their garage, no problems. I have another friend who paints and is an artist, another who does ceramic work, another who makes adorable crochet items, and these things sell the minute they put them on facebook. I have one friend who makes custom show blouses and sells them from about $150 to $499.99 for them and once in a while she sells them on ebay. No kidding. As far as cakes, fondant is huge and you can learn a lot about it on youtube or any other type of cakes. I would not partner up in any way with anyone and just do it from your home but taking your work out to show people is a wonderful tool. Be good at what you do and word of mouth travels very fast. If it were me doing cakes, I'd be focused on kids parties first. Just my humble opinion. Whatever you guys want to do, my advice is to love it, be passionate about it and know what your product.

And here's my pile of ca-ca and yes there's some shavings in it and maybe a bit of hay but heck I can't stand under there with a bucket LOL. Right now I made enough $ to buy my first hundred bales and I'm working in advertising this weekend and hopefully be able to sell more quickly. YAY> Oh and didn't mean to sound like we were destitute but dang, I like to make my OWN money.

 

[Silver City Heritage Farmstead]

Very interesting to read all the ideas! I've seen quite an upswing in manure ads in this area too. rabbit droppings is getting the biggest advertising boost, with various poo brews close behind.

Debby, how do you use the glycerin to preserve? Can glycerin still be purchased at the pharmacy?? Trees are my favorite plant, I've always wanted to decorate them, just haven't been in a position to do so until now.

Marty's comment about do what you love and be knowledgeable is so very true! When you love your product, your confidence and passion shines through and instills a desire in people to know more. If you can get people to touch your products, it seems to activate that two year old "mine" response, and is an easier sell.

Do any of you use hobby shops to learn basic skills, like sewing, crochet, small wood crafted items, etc.? When considering a class, what types of questions should I ask? Is it rude to request samples of their finished work?

I'll be coming back here to get more ideas and ask more questions in a day or two!! Thanks for sharing everyone!

 

[Marty]

I never took any classes for anything but if you are into crafting Hobby Lobby has classes for a lot of things.

I've always played with paper and I like design so I learned how to handcraft cards on my own. I'm addicted to origami and make all kinds of things. Here's some dresses I made to put on some cards.

 

[Debby - LB]

I think it was like 1 part glycerin / 2 parts water? you also have to check the ph of the water before you add the glycerin and soap. I got mine at CVS. You can also press them flat for a couple days then cover them with decoupage.

 

[Silver City Heritage Farmstead]

Decoupage!! Yeeeaaaah!! LOL

 

[Marty]

I used to make candles and soaps too. I loved it and I still dabble when I get the notion. Its fun.

 

[Performancemini]

I need a job where I can just talk talk talk to people (but not sell sell sell-I am a lousy salesperson-feel too pushy). One of the good natural dog food company's is advertising for help-but the catch is it's weekend only work. Bah!