Creating and selling unique handmade products - with Debbie Scott - Sheila Sells Sea Shells

Bring Your Product Idea to Life

In today's podcast episode, we're chatting with Debbie Scott from Sheila Sells Seashells. Debbie specialises in transforming oyster and scallop shells, naturally formed by the ocean and artistically enhanced by her, into stunning creations. Debbie’s shell creations are unlike anything I've seen before. Her miniature works of art are utterly unique making them popular gift items.

I was intrigued to learn about Debbie’s process: how she acquires these shells, the artistic journey to transform them into art pieces, the time involved, and particularly, how she determines the pricing for such labour-intensive work. Debbie shares lots of information about how to price hand crafted items both for general and wholesale.

Debbie’s day job is running her PR Agency, Scott Communications, so she also shares her top tips for how small businesses can boost their PR.

There is so much value packed in this punchy episode.

• An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:38)
• Debbie’s products, crafting art from shells using decoupage, gold leaf and resin (02:41)
• Debbie’s inspiration for working with shells this way (04:20)
• Moving from having a craft hobby to making it into a business (05:41)
• Selling her art via wholesale (07:32)
• Bespoke commissions (08:17)
• Working out how to price a unique piece of art (10:44)
• The importance of factoring in time when working out your pricing (11:23)
• Working out pricing for wholesalers (13:14)
• Sourcing her shells responsibly (13:44)
• Balancing pricing her art to cover her costs but also making it affordable (16:24)
• The practicalities of creating your product at home (16:54)
• The power of networking (20:10)
• Managing imposter syndrome (20:57)
• How to do well at markets (24:42)
• PR tips for small businesses (25:46)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sheila Sells Seashells Website

Sheila Sells Seashells Instagram

Sheila Sells Seashells Facebook

Scott Communications Website

Debbie Scott Linked In

Bunnyfish Website

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This month’s podcast episodes are proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Have you ever had a great idea for a product? Or does creating a product to sell appeal to you? Where do you begin? How do you come up with a product idea? Or, if you have an idea, how do you know if it’s even viable? In Bring Your Product Idea to Life, I take you through the process of creating your product, step-by-step. From developing your product idea, to finding suppliers and launching your product we cover it all. The book includes advice on how to price your product, where to sell it and how to find out if anyone will actually buy it. Designed to help you make real progress, Bring Your Product to Life is both practical and motivational. Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

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