(41) WOODWORKING
using 3/8" or 1/2" plywood, is profitable if you can make such items
as attractive bedside cabinets and kitchen fixtures, and charge not
more than 100% above the cost of the materials. Consult your local
library for books.
(42) A MENDING SERVICE
for single men, business girls, school-teachers, professional people
and over-worked housewives can pay well. Advertise at week-ends in the
classified section of your local newspaper. This work can be combined
with some other sewing.
(43) RAISING CANARIES, BUDGERIGARS AND PARAKEETS
You need a sunny room, starting with one or two pairs of birds. Sell
the offspring to friends, neighbours and local pet stores.
(44) MAKING AND SELLING FOODS
This pays handsomely. Items in demand are cakes, jams, jellies,
maple syrup, apple cider, cheese, cookies, candies, etc. Sell through
gift shops, tea rooms, hotels, grocers, and by small classified
advertisements in national Sunday newspapers and women's magazines.
It is usual to fix prices by doubling the cost of ingredients.
(45) MODELLING
Photographers, art schools, advertising agencies, moving picture
agencies, department stores, T.V. stations, want women, men and boys
as models for advretising, illustrations for clothes and other products,
magazine illustrations.
(46) PROFITS IN KNITTING
This is a home activity that pays well. Women buy sweaters, dresses
and two and three-piece suits; men need mufflers, gloves, socks,
jackets, sweaters; and children's knitted wear is also in demand
at good prices. Sell privately through local babywear shops, gift
shops and other suitable retail outlets; by mail order; also by
approaching suitable firms. If your standard of work is high you
may get homework from firms such as Harrop Bros., (Sirdar Wools),
Africa House, Kingsway, London W.C.2, Emu Wools Ltd, 15 Woodstock Street,
London, W.1.; Lavender Knitting Mill Ltd, 21 Kingly Street,
Regent Street London, W.1.; Laines du Pinguin Ltd., 7 Lexington Street,
London W.1. A sample of your work may be requested. Write for details,
enclosing s.a.e.
(47) NURSERY SCHOOL
Many women with the necessary experience with children earn good
money operating a nursery school simply by making their services
known through local classified advertisements.
(48) NOVELTY, TOY AND BRIC-A-BRAC SHOP
Interesting if you can make articles in demand that also sell
to wholesalers, mail order houses, stores, souvenir shops, gift shops.
Typical items: paperweights, desk sets, book-ends.
(49) DEMONSTRATIONS
Details of an attractive range of luxury skin care products for
demonstrating from your own home at generous profits are obtainable
from B & G Delaney, 18 Wellington Square, Chelsea, London SW3.
Agents to sell beauty preparations are wanted by Avon Cosmetics Ltd.,
84 Baker Street, London W.1.
(50) SELLING SHIRTS
to friends and workmates at actual wholesale prices is a popular
spare time activity. A free starting outfit of actual shirting samples,
coloured illustration, etc., is offered by K.L.Shirts, 349 Edgware Road,
London W2.
(51) HOOKED AND BRAIDED RUGS
and novelties made at home sell well in local shops. Lamp and vase mats,
handbags, hot dish mats, seat covers, toilet seat covers, backrests and
slippers are in demand. Rugmaking kits are obtainable from Winwood
Textiles, Kidderminster, Worcs.
(52) COLLECTING AND SELLING SCRAP METAL
is profitable. If you have transport you can start by collecting scrap
in your locality. Your local library will have a book on metal
identification that will tell you how to identify steel, lead, zinc,
bronze, brass, iron, etc. Your librarian will help you to track
down buyers.
(53) SELL PRINTED STATIONERY
There are many outlets, stationers, friends, and by mail order.
Books giving the know-how are obtainable from your public library
and new and secondhand printed machinery is advertised weekly in
the "Exchange & Mart". Profits are good and reliable work much in
demand. Start spare-time and develop into full-time.
(54) MUSHROOM GROWING
This can be conducted in a shed or basement. A thorough knowledge
of the subject is essential. Sales can be made through a sign in
your window; through local newspaper advertisements or a roadside
stand; and to local greengrocers, restaurants and hotels. A mushroom
growing kit is available from BM1, 421 London Road, Mitcham, Surrey.
(55) MAKING CURTAINS AND RUGS
is a pleasant home occupation. Many people are glad of such a
money-saving service. Get business through telephone and personal
calls, letters and classified advertisements in local newspaper,
sell privately and through gift shops. Get supplies at trade rates
through wholesalers listed in the telephone book and in craft journals.
(56) A FILM DEVELOPING SERVICE
can be a very profitable occupation, especially in the summer.
You can work from home and get business by offering chemists 25%
commission to act as agents.
(57) CHILDREN'S PLAYROOM
Some women have developed a profitable second income by turning one
of their rooms into children;s playroom, fixing it up with bright
walls, games, puzzles, toys and books. They take in neighbours'
children aged from 4 to 10 for an agreed rate per afternoon,
leaving parents ree for shopping etc.
(58) CURIOS AND NOVELTIES
Made at home, these items can be sold directly to the public or
through retail outlets such as gift shops, novelty and curio shops.
(59) COLLECT AND SELL AUTOGRAPHS
These can be picked up, often cheaply, from estate sales and
secondhand bookshops, also by writing to famous people telling
them how much you appreciate something they have done or written
(such letters often bring a thank you note). Sell by mail order
through classified ads in the literary magazines. Combine with No 87.
(60) BABY SITTING AGENCY
A baby sitting (and invalid sitting) agency is well worthwhile.
Operators advertise for baby sitters in the local newspaper and
check their suitability. The agency mails postcards to parents,
women's groups and church groups making known its service. Fees
to parents range from œ2 to œ3 per hour (more after midnight).
The agency takes 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the sitter's fee.
A one-woman or one-man agency can handle 35 to 40 sitters.
