posted on December 19, 2004 07:59:54 AM new
Mom and I are bizzy crocheting and knitting ponchos galore! We would like to "attempt" to sell them on ebay. The problem that we have is neither of us has any desire to model them. I'm interested in purchasing a mannequin or mannequin form to display the ponchos. What should I look for in a mannequin? I'm thinking of starting out with just a mannequin form, and then if all goes well, graduating to a full-sized mannequin. Any help from my fellow Vendionians would be greatly appreciated.
posted on December 19, 2004 08:13:12 AM new
Hi Diane,
The mannequin idea for modeling your items sounds like a good one. I never really liked the idea of buying somethings that a "real" person was modeling. I don't know why exactly, because I have certainly purchased slightly used clothing and worn it, I just don't want to "see" someone else wearing it. Maybe just a pet peeve though.
Some of the auctions I've seen for clothing are displayed on some absolutely gorgeous mannequins - they almost look human. But I'll bet they are very expensive. They really do improve the marketing aspect of the product. I've also seen vintage clothing displayed on old dress forms or wicker dress forms, but I think newer products would look out of place on old dress forms.
I wonder if you went to some of your local department stores, you could get a lead on maybe acquiring an older mannequin that they are no longer using, and then gradually moving up to a newer one. Of course you can find full body female mannequins on eBay for around $150+/-, but the shipping cost is usually around $50, but still maybe a good investment if you can swing it. It would certainly look professional to your buyers.
~ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. ~
[ edited by cta on Dec 19, 2004 08:20 AM ]
posted on December 19, 2004 09:08:19 AM new
Hi Diane,
Depending on where you live, if you are close to a big city, they may have a fashion district. You can find brand new or used businesses who will offer many different varieties of dress forms or mannequins. I myself own a industry dress form which I purchased in the Los Angeles fashion district. If you do not live near such a place, then maybe you might want to look on Ebay or Google it. You would be surprise who and what you can find on the internet.
Good luck.
Rosanne
posted on December 19, 2004 09:19:54 AM new
Keep an eye out for stores going out of business, or even stores that are down sizing. There was a really good deal here when a bridal store went out of business. Manniquin's were $10.00.
Poncho's are in and doing great. My daughter got a beautiful one from her mother in law in the Green Bay Packer Colors. She also gave one to her granddughter that was absolutely beautiful.
You bring back old times bizzy. I made those for gifts for my neices in 71. Fun to crochet.
_________________
posted on December 19, 2004 11:09:27 AM new
Hi all,
Diane, for what you're planning to photograph, I think you would be fine with a neck-to-hip mannequin, as opposed to a full-body.
I have one but I can't find the picture... It's made of dense foam with a muslin cover. No head.
I bought mine on eBay, it was listed as a dressmaker's dummy, not a mannequin, which is how come I got it at a bargain price. The shipping was kind of high, mainly because of the size.
posted on December 19, 2004 01:14:38 PM new
Diane,
Check your local phone book under "store fixtures". Even our small town has a store that sells used fixtures. They usually don't advertise, so you have to seek them out.
The local guy here sells counters, mannequins and all types of display racks.
posted on December 19, 2004 03:10:18 PM new
Bizzy - check in your area for a store fixtures warehouse or store. Many of these places buy out they inventory of stores that are closing and you can often find maninequins at very reasonable prices from them that may need a little touch up paint, etc. They do get pricey though and you can buy a T-shirt form for about $15 that will serve the purpose just as well.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on December 19, 2004 03:20:17 PM new
Thanks so much for the responses. I was surprised to see so many responses when I got back home -- especially classic's!
Actually, Japerton, the poncho my mom completed and I took pics of today is made from that fuzzy type yarn. It's very soft and unlike the ponchos that I looked at on Ebay.
We'll give it a go and see how we do. I will check into a fixtures supply store. I do live in a big city, Miami. The biggest problem that I have is that stores such as a fixture supply store are usually found in a high Spanish district and my Spanish is pretty bad! Of course, I'll drink some good Mexican tequila before I go. From what I understand from Sparkz (or is it Fenix), you speak really good Spanish after drinking good Mexican tequila.
posted on December 19, 2004 04:01:26 PM new
Libra -- My mother would knit these ponchos for my sister and me when we were kids (back in the 70's). She now sells them at craft shows and they sell very well! She just grabs her knitting needles and whips them up. Me -- well, I only do well with a pattern. I have yet to design something of my own simply because I don't have the desire to design.
And my grandmother would knit us hats and mittens. We had more hats and mittens in a variety of ombres than any other kid in the entire school!
posted on December 19, 2004 04:04:22 PM new
marc -- I just checked out that site. They have some great stuff! I've bookmarked them until I can price around and see what I can get for the best price. But, they have things that I can use for when I do a craft show. Thanks for providing it for me! I'm not very good at doing searches. I always seem to end up with over a million hits with very few actually making the mark.
posted on December 19, 2004 05:15:10 PM new
Diane did we have the same grandma
We probably had enough mittens for the whole town. We had a knitting mills nearby and their end pieces were free and just enough for a pair of mittens. We went every week to go through their bins. Now I wish I would have saved a pair.
_________________
posted on December 19, 2004 05:57:34 PM new
<< Think more about those fuzzy scarves, like the ones that are made with the nifty yarns you get in the knitting boutiques. >>
Those fun fur or miracle scarves can be purchased wholesale here in NYC fo $2.50 and are selling at shows for $5.00. They are made on circular needles so they are like a long tube, which takes double the amount of yarn and at $4.00 a ball there is no way to make them and even get the cost back let alone anything for the time to make it.
posted on December 19, 2004 05:57:35 PM new
<< Think more about those fuzzy scarves, like the ones that are made with the nifty yarns you get in the knitting boutiques. >>
Those fun fur or miracle scarves can be purchased wholesale here in NYC fo $2.50 and are selling at shows for $5.00. They are made on circular needles so they are like a long tube, which takes double the amount of yarn and at $4.00 a ball there is no way to make them and even get the cost back let alone anything for the time to make it.
posted on December 19, 2004 06:29:30 PM new
Manneguins? Did someone say Mannequins? Do I,,know about Mannequins! ..........yup,,,around $150.00..and the shipping is MURDER! Yer stuffing a BODY in a BOX! A BIG!!! BOX! The Postal people just go,,,,,,,What!!!!!!!! use to sell them like crazy,,,,PITA to pack.....the Greatest e mails came about from these mannequins,,,,,As the post man drives away he hears this muffled,MMMM,MMMMMM,,,,mmmmmmmm bang , bang banging,,,,,he looks back,,Nah,,I Always gagged them. Stuffing them in the box was,,,something ELSE! GET In There! Shut UP! MMMM ,,,,,,,MMMMM...mmmmm.....I was YOUNG to e bay and Energenic! packed ANYTHING...Now,,,,I find smaller things,,,,
posted on December 19, 2004 06:34:37 PM new
Classic,,,,the FIRST thing I get rid of is the ARMS,,,,So hard to roll them over,,,they just get in the way of the ACTION!
posted on December 19, 2004 06:54:54 PM new
Just go to a local adult novelty store and buy one of those inflatable playmates. Pump it up, dress it, take your pictures and then deflate it and store it away in a drawer (preferably where hubby won't find it).
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on December 20, 2004 09:34:51 PM new
You will never believe this,,,,,BUT! today,,,,,I bought 4 mannequins! 3 definite,GUYS!!!!!!! and One woman....oh yeah, she has ALL the parts .......Ah and so DID/Do the guys! for some weird reason the sell real good at LIVE show Car shows,,,,,So yeah I STILL buy them, just NOT list e'm on e bay.....
no heads,,,,,no arms,,,,,,nothing blow the knees......
$5.00 A PIECE! HOW COULD I JUST WALK,,,,,????? Nope,,,,,bought!
It's made of dense foam with a muslin cover. No head.
