In my area there are quarter auctions, and I can have a table there if I want. Since being a doula is a service rather than something that can be auctioned off, I am looking for easy things that I can make and sell that have to do with pregnancy or babies. That way the doula part of my table is only one aspect. I can sew, so I was thinking of baby bibs to start. I can't put tons of money into it, but I do need something that can be given away (auctioned) and also have the chance to bring in a little money to cover the cost of the table at least. I'm open to any suggestions!
Thanks!

Wow! I just saw this and that no one here responded. Well, it's probably way too late and you probably had some great ideas but here are mine....

Make: baby hats, leg warmers, slings
Buy and resell: Got to noodlesoup.com they have lots of cheap things like those $1 bracelets you could put in a basket and sell for $2.
Giveaway: Stuff with your logo on it (notebooks, pens)

Ann - Thanks for your reply! The first show I may go to isn't for another month...so it's not too late!

Thanks for your ideas. I love the idea of giving away things with my name on it, but not sure where to get them. Vista print is way to expensive for pens, but I'll see if I can find another source that wouldn't be so much money.
Here's what I've come up with. Pacifier clips. You can make them with ribbon and they're pretty cute. Also, nursing cover ups. Both of those wouldn't require lots of time or money invested in them. I will let you know how it goes.

Try and find out what other businesses will be there. I know in my location...soother clips, baby legs, bibs, baby headbands and tu-tu's etc have saturated the market and trade fair booths. Everyone sells them. You need to find something unique. Otherwise in all honesty, you will go home with what you came with.
Also think about what items you would purchase if you were just walking around. What would make you stop at a booth? and how much would you spend?

If I ever get a spot at one of these quarter auctions, I think I'm in a good position, since I'm pretty sure I'm just about the only one selling anything having to do with babies/mommies. At the one I went to they had tables with chocolate, health drinks, purses, home decorating, clothing. So either it will be great since I'm the only one selling something this like, or really bad, because no one is interested in baby stuff! lol I bought some super cute fabric, and I'm hoping to start my sewing tonight. My price range will be between $5 - $20. So not real expensive. Trying to figure out how to set up my table. Not sure what to use as a table cloth. I was wondering about those plastic covers (those disposable ones you get at party stores), but I'm not sure if that will look too cheap or not. What do you think?

Since you sew, you could buy some inexpensive cloth diapers, like the Gerber ones they sell at Babies R Us. They're worthless as cloth diapers (or so I am told), but they make fabulous burp cloths. You could get pretty (remnant!) fabric and matching ribbon, and sew pretty stripes on the plain burp cloths.

Great tip on the cloth diapers! Thanks!!

You're welcome!

What about swaddling blankets too? It is hard to find ones big enough at the stores!

~Krista Wampler

http://www.jouneybirthsupport.com

Yes, I'm making swaddling blankets as well. But these are not just big blankets, part of the blanket is narrow like ties (wide ties) so you can secure the blanket. They're pretty cute!
Here's what I've decided on. Nursing covers, pacifier clips, burp cloths, bibs, and swaddling blankets. I also have signed up for 3 shows in the beginning of October. I'll be sure to get a picture of my table and post it.
Thanks for all your help!

Another idea...partner with another doula to share the cost and have more "stuff" to sell? Assuming its all different? Plus, then you can have someone to watch over your stuff for potty breaks. Plus, having done boutique and craft sales, it's so boring alone sometimes. If the show is a bust, you spend a ton of time just sitting around....

Alice2002, have you had any of these events yet? How did it go? I'd like to know more about how people are doing this and what the success is, especially in getting your name out there.

Well, I've done two so far. One was a vendor show, and the other a quarter auction. The the first one, a pastor's wife took a card and brochure to post at her church, and also someone took the info because her co-worker is pregnant. Oh, and I sold a nursing cover.
The second one I went to, I did give my info out to someone who's hoping her daughter in law will be pregnant soon. Both places were in small towns with VERY low turnout!
This weekend, I am participating in a goup for Moms of Multiples, and they told me they're expecting 150-200 people. This is more a baby/parenting minded group, so it may be my best bet. As long as I'm giving my card out and making connections with fellow vendors (who may know someone down the line that's pregnant) I'm ok with how it's going. I really have no way to know how it will all work out as far as births go. I may get a call a year later, because of a card I gave out last week. I don't think any other doula in my area does much advertizing outside of mabye the baby fairs that hospitals do once in a while.
I am hoping to sell more stuff this weekend, as the price to be a part of it is $40! At some point, I'm going to have to not do any more till I get a birth...so I can pay for the event. All in all, I know I'm getting my name out there, and connecting with people I would not normally ever meet so I'm satisfied with that.
Thanks for asking!

I am a postpartum doula but I offered a gift certificate for a four hour visit (plus prenatal meeting) for a local organization's fundraising auction. You could also auction off a service like "birth plan consultation" or a small gift basket of things a mom might like during birth (aromatherapy, water bottle, words of encouragement). I think it is better marketing to sell something you actually do, so if you dont really make baby headbands, don't spend time marketing them.
Also, I plan on reaching out to other local baby businesses and asking for donations for my next show. That way, its a chance for me to meet other local baby businesses and show parents local goods (and support those businesses) without spending a lot of money.

I am a postpartum doula but I offered a gift certificate for a four hour visit (plus prenatal meeting) for a local organization's fundraising auction (it is a bigger donation but I care about the organization). You could also auction off a service like "birth plan consultation" or a small gift basket of things a mom might like during birth (aromatherapy, water bottle, words of encouragement). I think it is better marketing to sell something you actually do, so if you dont really make baby headbands, don't spend time marketing them.
Also, I plan on reaching out to other local baby businesses and asking for donations for my next show. That way, its a chance for me to meet other local baby businesses and show parents local goods (and support those businesses) without spending a lot of money.