Monthly Box Subscription of Handmade Products

[Former_Member]

So glad I found this thread! Box of Happies is a brand spankin' new monthly box subscription of handmade goods. I have provided some information below regarding our "featured artist" campaign and would love for you to apply!


We are looking for talented artists and crafters from every genre to participate as a featured artist for Box of Happies.  As a featured artist, you will be featured on our website with a link directing viewers to your shop.  A link to your website/online shop will be accessible to both current and future website visitors and will remain on our site forever.  We also feature all of our artists on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram pages.  Please see marketing strategy attached for a better understanding of the media mix we use to promote you and your small business.
We ask that you provide 105 handmade products upfront for the month you are a featured artist.  The handmade products you provide can all be the same, or you can mix it up a bit -- as long as the retail value of your products are relatively the same.  We will purchase these handmade goods at cost.  Please keep in mind that we are trying to keep costs low in order to offer the Box of Happies at an amazing value to our/your customers.  This is a great way to disperse your handmade products to a wide audience, and you can expect to receive repeat customers for many years to come. 

If more boxes are in demand for a particular month, we will ask you to provide more handmade products.  Please also keep this in mind when applying to be a featured artist.  We will pay for the shipping of your handmade items via USPS large flat rate priority box (per each shipment of handmade items provided to us).

There will be 3 to 6 featured artists per Box of Happies per month.  Each featured artist may provide up to 2 tangible forms of marketing material per box in conjunction with the handmade products (Example: coupons, business cards, post cards, etc.).  Please note that both your products and marketing material must fit into an 8” x 6” x 2” box.  We highly encourage you to package your handmade products with your marketing material as one cohesive unit.  This is achieved with the use of elastic bands, small drawstring bags, etc.  This will allow the recipient to make an immediate connection with your product and your company. 

Currently, our “shop” section is under construction.  We will have it up and running by September 1, 2013.  We are currently in the application process with several artists who are interested in becoming featured artists for Box of Happies, and we want to make sure we have all of the handmade products available for a successful shop launch.  Customers will be able to purchase the October Box of Happies starting September 1, 2013.  Any leftover boxes will available for purchase as “single boxes” until they are sold out.

Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions/concerns:  BoxofHappies@gmail.com

Please find vendor application here:  http://www.123contactform.com/form-593890/Artist-Application

Thank you for your interest in Box of Happies!  We look forward to working with you!

 

Thanks!

Anna V.

www.BoxofHappies.com

[Former_Member]

There are a number of sellers who sell at wholesale prices but I'm not sure how many businesses are willing to sell 'at cost' to you.

Most businesses do need to make a profit on their sales in order to sustain the business.

[Former_Member]

@crotchetgal - I was going to apply but put it off for the same reason....

[PineBranchDesigns]

As an opportunity to get additional exposure for key products, this sounds like a feasible option. I am going to give it a try. :0)

[FroggyGirlDesigns]

At cost is what throws me off as well :(

[FlossFlowersandCraft]

I need exposure - so I will give it also a try.

[Former_Member]

Jackie, if its exposure you want there are much better ways to do so than to hand your work over to someone at the cost of your supplies.

[SamsCrochet]

It does have to be a big order, or lots of exposure to make an 'at cost' venture as this one profitable in the long run.

[FlossFlowersandCraft]

I see your point, thanks Samira and Crochetgal - the sales have been almost non existent since early spring, so maybe i am panicking...

[TheHomespunLoft]

The only thing that concerns me with all of this.. Is that there is no track record. This is a brand new site and brand new business venture.
I agree with CrochetGal on this one.

There are so many other venues and other ways to get traffic to your account... where you don't have to practically give your things away, just to make someone else some money off of your items.
Spring and Summer is slow for most.. wait until another month--after the kids go back to school before you panic.

[FlossFlowersandCraft]

Agree - I will calm down and continue to build my inventory. There are a couple of fairs I will be attending, so hopefully that will give me a good start for the season!

Thanks for the "grounding"!

[sharonscandlessoaps]

I would be willing to do it at 20% above cost, which is still less than wholesale price. 105 items to give away is a lot!

[Former_Member]

Yes, I'd have to agree. Not sure how box companies are supposed to start but it seems like it's a raw deal for the first few artists who get featured... there's no audience yet, no one is looking.

Chicken and egg problem?

Also for the sellers, you have to remember that your time is worth money, as well. Selling product at cost doesn't really cover all your expenses. Something to think about.

[Former_Member]

I think wholesale would make a little more sense. Maybe the "at cost" wasnt what we are all thinking? BoxofHappies, do you want to comment?
When I first started out, giving products away never did anything. When I won something, I didnt in turn go and buy that product either (unless it was an item I would run out of, like soap).
One thing you have to think about is this-
What kind of exposure is best for your business?
I have learned that mine is 'online', or 'very local'. I say online exposure because my business is online. It is about getting someone to make their mouse click to my shop. How can I do that? Maybe the boxofhappies will have amazing promoton online and just get your shop some views. I dont know. If you have a print ad in a magazine, for instance, with your website on it, how much effort will it take to get someone to remember that link address, type it into somewhere and start shopping. Its very unlikely that a majority of readers will do that. So start thinking about who your audience is, where do you think your traffic should come from? If someone opens a box of goodies, will they come back to you again?
Everyone will have a different answer.
I also say 'very local' because local communities have a way of gravitating and feeling good about shopping local, and passing on the word etc. Local newpapers, articles, local events etc are a good way for me to promote. However, the immediate locals here dont spend a lot on jewelry, so I have to head to the biggest towns that are local, like Boston.
It can take a while to suss out who and where to advertise. The boxofhappies is an advertisement for us.