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Due to extraordinarily unfortunate circumstances, not to mention ridiculously poor timing, as of last Monday, I am no longer at my job. I had been thinking about doing something more creative and was hoping to further investigate those possibilities after returning from our honeymoon anyway, but still, I would be lying if I didn’t mention how disappointing all of this is.
But, not one to let things like this get to me, I figure I can make lemon-cello from lemons (what…that isn’t the phrase? Guess I’ve been in Italy too long.) and move on towards something better.
As you know, I designed and created many things for my wedding and I have long been a card making/scrapbooking enthusiast. Although many of the things I created were not my own idea, but rather were ideas inspired by things I saw others have made in the past, I do think that I have some degree of talent in the area and it really is something that I love to do.
So my question to you readers is this:
If you are not a DIY kind of person, but want to include DIY elements in your event; would you be willing to pay someone to do the DIY for you? If so, what would you expect to pay? What services would you find most helpful?
If you already do this type of work for people, how did you start your business and what are some tips you can share?
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. 
Thanks,
Mrs. Corn
Firstly, sorry to hear about the job! But life has a way of challenging you when you least expect it!
I have been supplying brides (and others) with handmades for a few years now, and I have a home-based business. In my case, I quit a 13 year career to follow this path.
Let me say that creative people ARE inspired by others…so if you see an idea you like… it’s okay to make it in your own style. I think all DIYourselfer’s would agree. And once the juices get flowing….you will surprise yourself.
Pretty much, you start with just your ideas and a few bucks, and depending on your drive and motivation ….you can surely make it happen.
I have worked with a few planners, and from experience, I can surely tell you that people who are NOT crafty will be your biggest clients. For those who are creative, they usually forge ahead with their ideas. It’s the ones who (think they) are not who will seek out your wares.
So couple a hard work ethic, and open mind, and your people skills…and you will be surprised how your notebooks will fill with ideas!
Good luck to you!
etsy.com
start small,
hit up the design blogs an get inspired
build a portfolio site online for yourself,
good luck
Talk about deja vu! I lost my job under (it sounds like) very similar circumstances a month before my wedding with my last day being four days before. I started my own business when we got back from our honeymoon. Now, four months later I couldn’t be happier with that decision. It hasn’t been easy for sure, but I don’t feel like I’m working, which rocks! I would also say that it is stressfull to my shiny new marriage - but we considered that aspect carefully before making the decision to go for it. I do invitation and event stationary design as well as wedding photography. If you want to gab - feel free to email me, I would be happy to share all I have learned. Molly (at) Mthreestudio (dot) com
Best of luck and keep your chin up! How exciting to start a new chapter of your life (marriage) right along with a new chapter in your career!
I would SOOO pay someone else. I love that handmade DIY look that I see on this site, but due to lack of time and talent, it just ain’t gonna happen. Good luck, and again, congratultions on your marriage!
Hi, Mrs. Corn!
Here are a few books that we got while we were starting that were pretty helpful and encouraging:
how to run your business like a girl (good for the nitpicky stuff that you may not think about)
craft, inc (good for artists and crafters specifically)
and creatively self-employed (good for coping strategies!)
and our biggest tip? If this was a good idea to you a month ago, and you still think it’s a good idea, GO FOR IT! You can do anything you put your mind too–dorky and cliche but true. Yay Mrs. Corn! (Also, make sure your husband is on board, and you have a cheering section–v. helpful.)
I’d target the high-budget (but not impossible to please) DIY-inspired bride who is hiring you not only to be the labor (saving her time), but also to provide ideas and inspiration (saving her from burning out). After all, anyone who’s busy can order whatever she can afford online. You’d provide value-added service and an eye for design.
I’m a DIY nightmare and I would pay someone to do stuff for me. How much? That would depend. But I think, like Plum mentioned, that what people sell their items for on Etsy is reasonable, and perhaps, for weddings in particular, I would even be willing to pay a bit more, especially if things are customized for particular couples, brides, etc.
I can barely use scissors…yet I am attempting to DIY invites. So yes, not only would I pay you, but I would pay to fly you to me, so you could work in my house, you know, so then there would be paper scraps and such laying around and I could convince the people that I really did make every escort card and program!
Good luck Mrs Corn…and I gotta add that I lost my job 10 days before Christmas 2006, it sucked then, but now, I recognize it as one of the best things that ever happened to me. I took 3 months to be me (I wasn’t engaged then, oh how useful the time would have been!) and then got back into the job market. I know it is easier said than done, but enjoy this break. 
It sounds like you’ve been thrown at your hobby sooner than expected. I hope it works out!
I recently completed a survey for a local stationary company ran by a woman who left her accounting job for more true-to-herself pursuits. She wanted to know some similar things and wanted to see where she should focus her new business. Check her out at http://www.mmmpaper.com to see how she’s doing.
Were you thinking of any DIY projects related to weddings or events in general? I think more people could use support when it comes to pulling off their ideas. Not everyone has friends and friends with time, so I think it’s possible. My DIY experiences were certainly interesting.
I’ve also noticed that wedding coordinators will sometimes dabble in helping brides with DIY projects. Maybe the bridesmaids can’t help, it’s a destination wedding, or there just isn’t time. Maybe you could bill yourself as an event assistant and be there to get ideas from the bride and groom, do research on their options for what they want, and then help create it. You could make favors, stuff envelopes, help create programs etc.
For example: If I wanted picnic baskets for my reception, you could give suggestions on what to put in them, do research on the least expensive options, and create the tags that will identify what basket goes to what guest and help fill them.
I’ll see if I can find more after some research. In the mean time do you have a specific idea on what kind of business it would be?
HECK YA I WOULD!! I love to give as much business as I can to locals. As long as price is reasonable and service is a nice too
Maybe try setting up something simple like even a MYSPACE page. put some samples up.
I know a little cupcake business here in miami that got their start that way.
Good LUCK! and everything happens for a reason
OMG - yes!!! Please make my wedding DIY stuff!!
I’d be willing to pay prices comparable to etsy… or even more if it is something customized for my wedding.
Please post samples ASAP (Can you tell I’m excited?)… and I’m sorry about your job situation. I was there in 2003.
Honestly, the reason I want to DIY is because I want to do it myself. Part of it is the savings, the other part is the joy of putting together projects. BUT I would find it to be very helpful to have templates/rulers. A DIY DIY guide, perhaps? For example, I have no idea what a Gocco is or what tools should be used for what–is a scorer really needed when you can just twist the scissors a certain way?
I do feel pretty overwhelmed when entering Michael’s or reading about so many peoples’ projects. Also, I spend way too much time figuring out dimensions and stuff. So perhaps you may want to consider making DIY kits? Or prepare everything so someone can DIY–precut ribbon/paper…
Just some thoughts, but really I want to say–use this opportunity! I am too afraid to quit my job to venture out into the unknown. And while it may be tough, it could also be a blessing in disguise. Keep us updated on how you’re doing!!!!
Hey Miss Corn,
I too want to do this as my own little biz while working full time. I’ve already started a little.
I’m doing all the projects for a friends wedding from invites to table numbers.
Basically to keep this up, I’m solicting myself to people when I hear they are having babies, getting engaged, planning a 1st bday! Just dive in to it all!
I’m mostly doing invites now with some party planning too mixed in!
Prices can be worked out based on their buget or you could research what others are charging in your area.
For designs I’ve come up with thing off my head or the client has sent me one piece of inspiration and I ran with it.
Does that help? I guess post on here if you have more questions!
I want to do this too…
my friend just bought invitations from a store that makes “custom” (aka DIY) invitations and we had to put them together. they looked EXACTLY like mine and she paid almost 1000$ for it.
There is money in it but like everyone said… start small and get a portfolio in order. Find suppliers and do lots of research!
Sorry to hear about your job but sometimes life throws you curveballs for a reason!
Congratulations on this new chapter in your life (remember, Lemoncello).
DIY literally translates to “do it yourself”. Someone interested in doing it themselves probably won’t pay…that is unless you’re providing a DIY kit that they can complete. However, there’s a huge market out there for handcrafted goods. Just look at the success of websites like http://www.etsy.com.
You could also start your own blog and website at very little cost to you.
I wish you all the best!
I agree with plum! Etsy.com is an awesome place to get started. As a wedding planner, I’m constantly on the lookout for cute or out of the ordinary things to promote to my brides. Etsy’s usually one of the first places I check. Good luck with everything!
While your wedding and its related projects were lovely and the newlywed feeling is still so new that it hasn’t rubbed off yet; losing your job is still very, very tough. I’m sorry to hear that.
DIY kits are an amazing idea. I’m not a natural DIY-er with loads of materials, equipment, etc. laying around the house. However, I did like “kits” that I found here and there that enabled me to add my personal touch to our wedding (which btw is this Friday, whoot!).
To organize your thoughts, write out a business plan as any entrepenuer would do. Not that you’re looking to borrow funds from a bank but it will help you more from a marketing perspective. Another two cents: if you design a website, make it as top-notch as possible. Give surfers a way to contact you via email. Nothing frustrated me more than finding cool stuff on a website than learning I had to pick up the old-fashioned phone, call, leave a message, and hope someone got back to me. If you’d like to brainstorm any marketing ideas, pls feel free to email me. You had emailed me right before your wedding about where to find the Anna Griffen hydrangea stamp if that rings any bells.
Good luck.
The answer for me was Etsy 1.5 years ago. It’s small enough that i can do it after work, but at the same time I feel like I’m getting my name and products out there. I can’t sustain myself full time of course, but it’s been very good to me as a side job. Let me know if you have any questions and best wishes to you!
ww.waisze.etsy.com
Mrs. Corn, I’m so sorry to hear this. However, I think if DIY-style projects for the DIY-impaired is something you’ve been wanting to get into anyway, this may just be a great opportunity rather than the unfortunate loss it seems at the moment.
I think you should look into doing completely custom-work. You should probably either target very high end clients with a big budget and do custom work, or you’ll need to still do DIY projects for under the price most people would have to pay to get the work outsourced. As someone else pointed out, usually people go the route of DIY to save money, though some do it just because they think it’s fun or like the look of homemade, personalized stuff. If they’re trying to save money then going to an expensive professional is not going to fly.
I think the DIY kits are a great idea. Another thing that I personally think is fun is to hold a DIY wedding craft get-together with my mom and bridesmaids and assemble projects, so maybe you could help organize DIY parties? Provide all the supplies, snacks & refreshments, and do a demo with instructions on how to make the craft for all the DIY’ers? As a bride I might pay for that service.
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Mrs. Corn, Newport, RI Age and Occupation in '07: 31, HR for public accounting firm Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Consultant for public accounting firm Engagement Date: October 7, 2006 Wedding Date: September, 2007 Blogging Since: June 1, 2007 Venue: North Lawn of Fort Adams State Park About Me: I am a lazy scrapbooker who loves the instant gratification of making cards and I am very easily distracted by all things shiny. In honor of my childhood nights spent hibachi BBQing on the beach with my family, we are hosting a traditional New England Clambake for our reception.
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