A post in which I gauge interest

[wordinista]

I was talking withsomnambulicious the other day about possible fundraising ideas to help offset some of the cost of this trip to the IGA conference, and she had the idea that I might run a bake sale out of my LJ.  Since I do love to bake, and I flatter myself to think I'm pretty good at it.  I've been thinking about this idea fairly seriously, but I've been hung up a bit on some of the logistics.

#1: Shipping costs.  This would crank up the prices quite a bit, I think, since some things would have to be shipped 3-day priority AT LEAST so they didn't go stale.  This would not necessarily apply to items like cookies, but more to muffins, scones, and quickbreads.  Most cakes and pies are out of the question entirely (though maybe coffeecake type cakes?).  But my point is, it's going to be expensive to ship baked goods, and I'm lousy at figuring out what prices.

#2:  Organization.  I'm not sure if it would be better to make a certain variety of things and freeze them and then figure out who would want what, or take a poll beforehand and bake based on polled results, or state ahead of time what I'm planning to make and (like: "This week I'll be making banana-nut-chip muffins, maple walnut scones, and strawberry walnut bread!") and base how many batches I make dependent upon interest.

#3: Time:  I am going to be having surgery on my right hand on April 30, and will be in a splint for six weeks thereafter.  So if I'm going to do any sort of bake sale, I'm going to have to make the decision sooner rather than later.

So, glorious f-list, what are YOUR thoughts?

Comments

[dqbunny.livejournal.com]

Nimmeh's Nummies. ^_^ I like the sound of that.

Really, the total cost should be the materials plus time plus a little profit for yourself. The other thing to really make sure to be careful about is that the state doesn't think you're running a business out of your home without the proper licenses.

... *has idea and boots up InDesign*

[darkfrog24.livejournal.com]

...or you could auction off a story.

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

That had occurred to me, but I wasn't sure if I'd come off as hugely egotistical, assuming that anyone would be willing to pay for me to write them a story. Besides, I'm trying to write this conference paper too, and I have a backlog of storystuffs I also ought to be working on (I owe two NYR stories for the Yuletide challenge, on top of everything else). I mean, unless I could auction off the ending to OGAM. ;) I also wasn't sure of the logistics for any sort of story auction.

[darkfrog24.livejournal.com]

Legit enough.

...this is a good reason to take pictures of food. I should start doing that. I mean, you never know when you're going to need a pic of Oatie Outstanding Archenmuffins to round out an online bakesale brochure.

Do you want any of my recipes? Apricot scones travel well, I'm told.