Making and Selling Envelopes from Recycled Magazines - Great Business for Kids!

Handmade Envelopes from Recycled Magazines

It's easy to make envelopes out of old magazines and catalogs if they have pages that are big enough and thick enough. It's also a good way to recycle, and they can be sold for money. Many businesses that use a lot of envelopes in their daily work might be interested in buying handmade envelopes from a kid businessperson. Just be sure to price your envelopes a little less than the ones selling in stores and office supply shops. 

You will need a brown envelope to use as a pattern, some scissors, tape, and a stack of old magazines. 

 

 

First you remove the staples from your magazines and lay your pages flat. If your pages are not big enough, you can always tape two pages together to get a sheet large enough to make an envelope. 

Using your brown envelope as a guide, fold your magazine page over and cut away any excess.

Use tape to secure the edge. Then, fold the bottom end up and tape it.

Then fold the other end over, but do not tape it. This will be the opening of the envelope.

Next, remove the brown envelope that you used as a pattern.

Your envelope is finished!






Envelopes made from recycled magazines can be very handsome, especially those made from magazines and catalogs that use a lot of color pictures. They are attractive, environmentally friendly, and unique. It is a great way for kids to earn money. Ask your parents to help you decide which businesses to approach to take orders.

Singing Telegrams

Photo: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Can you sing? Do you play guitar? A great way to make money is to offer a singing telegram service. These are especially popular around Valentine's Day, but can be done year-round. There are always occasions for a singing telegram. Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc. Talk to your parents and see if they are willing to take you around to deliver your singing telegrams. Practice until you have several songs to offer to customers. Then advertise in local papers or put your flyer up on bulletin boards. You can even make a video of your great singing talent and post it on youtube.com.

For Valentine's Day, you can offer a choice of 3 or 4 love songs. For Christmas, you can work up several Christmas carols. And the same goes for all the other holidays. Even on non-holidays you can come up with some songs that people might need. Perhaps you could learn the song "I'm Sorry" for people who need to apologize, or "Happy Birthday" for people who want to send birthday greetings to someone they love. You could offer small cards, like florists do, that your customers can sign their name to and you deliver when you sing your song.

If you don't play an instrument, you could take along a recorder that will play the music and you can sing to that. You could charge up to $25.00 per singing telegram! It's a great way to make money using your talents.

On Making Money

     In my book, James Willis Makes a Million, James becomes interested in making money when he gets his first job, sweeping for a store owner. He doesn't necessarily want to make money fast, but he does hope to someday know how to get rich. James figures out ways to make money. He starts his first business when he is very young. James is a dreamer and doesn't stop to think there aren't many jobs for kids. James believes in himself and is lucky to have a supportive father who encourages him. When it comes to money making ideas, James has a few. Although he starts a very successful greeting card business, he doesn't stop there. He branches out and starts several different businesses before he is full grown.
     Kids can make money, too. James did not let his young age stop him. In fact, he used it to his advantage. Most people are impressed by children who work, and want to help them by buying their products or services.
    James asked himself, "How can I make money?" Then he set out to find the answer, thinking up ideas, and working hard to make his ideas happen. He also was on the lookout for good advice. Asking for advice is a good way to learn helpful things that might otherwise take years to discover.

For money making ideas:
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Staying Out of Trouble - Following the Law

It's a good idea before starting your business to check with your local authorities about laws and regulations, licensing, etc. There were a couple of young boys who got into trouble for selling cupcakes without a permit. Here is the news story: Cops Called on 13-year-olds for Selling Cupcakes.

Talk to an adult about what you need to do to comply with laws and regulations. Ask a parent, teacher, or business leader in the community. You don't want your business to get off on the wrong track.

Learning to Draw

In my book, James Willis Makes a Million, James starts his first business at the age of 8 drawing and selling greeting cards. Before he does so, however, he takes an art class through the mail. The book is set in the 1970's and the internet was not yet available. Today, there are many wonderful resources online to help kids learn how to draw. Here are some sites to check out:

Drawspace
Toad Hollow Studio
Drawing Step
Drago Art