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Thread: Selling merch to raise funds!

  1. #1
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
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    Selling merch to raise funds!

    This is copied over from my FB, Im not sure anyone here has money to burn (I know I dont, lol) but I figured I'd post on the off chance someone sees something of my merch they like!

    Hi everyone! With university finally behind me I am focusing my efforts on paying down much of my student related accumulated debt. While I have no hopes of putting much of a dent in my student loans any time soon, credit card debt hangs over my head like anyone else! (thanks to two years of relying on it for living!)

    This summer I'll be working full time with pre-schoolers and some children with special needs. I'll also be spending weekends and some weekdays working 1-3 mermaid gigs a day too. One of the major things I like to be able to do with Raina, if offer my services for free to deserving charities and non profits. Events include ones I have done in the past like World Ocean's Day, the annual MSVU Children's Carnival, and various public speaking events. I also like to be able to lower my rates for families from low SES backgrounds. In able to do all of these things I donate a lot of time (that could be spent obviously working) as well as money. I do it because I believe in it, and charity is a major core of who I want "Raina" to be.

    Unfortunately, everything costs something! This fall I may be lucky enough to be chosen to do a special intern-ship which would see me working with students who desperately need my teaching abilities in a different country. I'd also be taking my tail to try and spread literacy awareness and motivation, as well as educate tourists on the local ecological issues. Because the internship wont pay very much, making sure my credit card is paid down is a MUST. I simply wont be able to afford monthly credit card payments and have to eliminate this as quickly as I can. Now, this is all simply as possibility. When I know if I get the placement, I'll be writing a series of blogs and shooting vlogs to keep you updated on my journey. I'll also be doing some fundraising to raise money to send children to school in that area. For now, this is all hypothetical "thing I hope to do". You can be sure you'll be notified the second I find out

    For now, paying off my credit card debt will make it significantly easier for me to offer my services for free and discounted rates.

    So how can you help? Well, I'm not asking you to throw money at me. But I have worked hard to update all my merchandise websites! I have three different websites that you can browse through for everything from prints, puzzles, tshirts, jewellery, and more! Lots of things I think will make perfect gifts for those people in your life that enjoy mermaids. I've tried hard to keep the prices minimal- but each website has a base cost. My earnings go from .50-5$ depending on the item.

    It's only because of people sponsoring my efforts to purchase a high quality tail- that I was able to achieve this dream. I promised the people who previously sponsored me that I would keep to my principles of literacy, ecology, and the Three I's, give my old tail away to someone for free, and try to donate my time when I could. I've worked very hard to hold up that end up the bargain! Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful.

    Currently I'm donating my time directing a musical at my local school, I'll be donating my time for many different events this summer, depending on the placement of a previous professor I'll be speaking about literacy 1-2 times at my former university, I'll continue trying to help newer mermaids gain their "footing" by participating in the community and answering questions, and I'll continue working on the community emag with my partner called "Tail Flip" something we both donate countless hours to.

    So how can you help?

    - Consider sponsoring Raina directly by making a small donation via Paypal! send to thefineartoffallingapart at hotmail.com via paypal or click http://tinyurl.com/ksa8yj

    -Visit one of these websites to purchase official prints, tshirts, and merch!http://rainamermaid.deviantart.com/prints/ (best for prints and puzzles)http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid (best for t's and jewellery)

    http://www.zazzle.com/hfxmermaid (misc, will be updates soon)

    No money? No worries! You can also help me out my sharing my FB especially if you're local (though you can still do it if you're not) sharing my page helps me raise funds because you're helping me book paying gigs! So even sharing can help, be sure to share my website www.rainamermaid.com and my FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raina...83327321702019

    If you've read this far, kudos to you. Thanks for being a part of my mermaid journey. Thanks for helping me achieve all that I do and all that I will!
    Some photos of some of the gear:

    (actual link has the bleed corrected so there isnt that white text chopped off)
    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.649177509


    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.550694440



    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.649177519


    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.649177513


    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.649177516


    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.649177517


    http://www.cafepress.com/rainamermaid.550694478


    Then I've got prints, puzzles, mugs, etc over here http://rainamermaid.deviantart.com/prints/

  2. #2
    Well you certainly have me trumped in the merch department. All I sell is etched glass and yarn tube scarfs. Lol but that tank top does look pretty cool...hmm...-thinks about buying one-

  3. #3
    You have some really nice stuff ^_^ Does any of it ever actually sell?

    ~ Facebook ~ Youtube ~ Model Mayhem

    Need a logo? Website? Business Card? Or anything else?
    "You are anything but ordinary, why look it?" E-mail or message me.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
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    I sold 1 shirt, lol and I sell a lot of photo prints, but the websites take like soooo much of the profit especially on prints I make like 10 cents on a small print!

  5. #5
    Have you looked into Redbubble? Or perhaps making several prints in advance of the most popular ones, signing them & selling them on etsy or something?

    ~ Facebook ~ Youtube ~ Model Mayhem

    Need a logo? Website? Business Card? Or anything else?
    "You are anything but ordinary, why look it?" E-mail or message me.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Rocky Mountain Pod Mermaid Dottie's Avatar
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    so cute, Raina! I wish I had money right now to help you out...
    Mermaid Dottie
    ATTENTION: Please use extreme caution when feeding the mermaid. Failure to do so could result in loss of digits.



  7. #7
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
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    I have a redbubble account, but I think I do better on DA since I've been there for nearly 9 years I've built up a loyal following. Ive thought about doing some prints before hand, but most customers are in the states so it still costs a lot to ship. :/ I find it ends up being fairly close to what youd pay online.

    Im doing everything I can to try and pay stuff down now, Im like 2 months behind on rent (that thankfully bf is covering for me til I get on top again) I rarely use my phone and dropped the services down on it but still paying lots for it, just financially stressed.

    It really all ended up this way because I was supposed to get a 4000$ grant. The day it didnt come when it was supposed to I called and I was still supposed to get it. So, I planned on 4k of my budget coming from this grant, then they decided no- I didnt qualify anymore. lol so after using all my money to pay down my bills, tuition, etc I had 0$ and had to use credit for everything. At least I CAN start paying things down as money comes in instead of needing to save for school. it's been like 8 years of all my money going to school >.> at least that part is done lol

    I may make some prints for some events though and try to sell them

  8. #8
    gumroad.com might be worth a look then, don't worry no matter how bad it gets you will always find a way to fix it. I know this because you are a determined young woman who has already beaten a million odds and will continue to do so.

    ~ Facebook ~ Youtube ~ Model Mayhem

    Need a logo? Website? Business Card? Or anything else?
    "You are anything but ordinary, why look it?" E-mail or message me.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    14,650
    aww thanks for the vote of confidence mermaid sister!

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