I was wondering if I should open up my own little shop and invest in making cute tote bags or some kind of simple accessories in one way to pay for college tuitions and books/supplies
I want to try and go into an art school but the school that I want to go it's rather expensive. I'm talking about $80,000-
So I need one way to pay for it.>.>
I'm trying to get a job at the moment but it seems that no one has even called me or anything so the odds of that are kind of bad. But even so with a part time job it still wouldn't be enough. I am applying for as many scholarship I can as well.

So I was wondering if opening up a little shop would be a good idea? I do like to design as well and I know a couple of friends like to draw and color.
What do you guys things? Do you have any other suggestions?

This is what inspired me of this idea. I bought this at an anime convention about a year ago and it looks simple to make.

Now I made this in 7th grade in 2007 it's much more complicated then the one above but I think it come out great. It has lasted me this long after many years of being used, the color is a little fainted though. This was a class project during our sewing class so I didn't get to make the design.

I think if you wanted them to sell really well, you'd have to use really high quality fabric in cute prints and designs. There's no way you're gonna raise $80,000 on that alone though, the world economy just won't allow for it.

Have you looked into getting financial aid from the government or state/province?

I think your idea is very cute, but i hardly think it will pay off very well. If your in great need of money, keep searching for a job. Don't wait for them to call you back, keep calling them (ask if they have read your CV and if you may come on an inteview). Be pushy and you'll have a job soon! Good luck!

I would suggest not relying on selling bags alone; do go out and look for part-time jobs, and apply for those scholarships!

You could try getting a table in AA (artist alley), and try selling some there, but do not rely on that solely (I have been at artist alleys before, and so has my friends, but we sold art; the most popular artists only make about $2,000 - $3,000).

Also, have you looked into student loans?

i'd suggest looking into student loans as well as getting a job and selling your bags(though that's a lot to juggle).

the thing about selling your own totes/accessories is that so many people are doing it that you have to be very high quality/unique to make any kind of money at all, the profits just wont be enough to replace even a minimum wage job, and especially if youre making all the totes yourself and not just buying them in bulk and screen printing onto them. making your own and selling your own stuff would be fun, but the volume youd have to make/sell to make okay money is A LOT. you could try just selling a small amount for spending money, then relying on your job and student loans to pay your fees :)

university is a lot of money, i just applied for student loans and got a small bursary, i'm having an ebay clearout over the summer to raise extra cash.

To echo what others have said, it's not going to earn you enough to make a dent in your tuition. I'm not saying you can't do it and earn a little, but from a practical standpoint...

$80,000 y/r is about $220 a day. If you sold them for $20 e/a, you would have to make AND sell 11 per day. Very unrealistic. From personal experiance, the time involved in making them v.s. the price you can sell them for (plus subtracting out materials) is going to be a lot less than minimum wage. I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying don't rely on it... and don't invest a lot of money in it right off the bat.

1. If you are in the US fill out the FAFSA


2. Apply for scholarships. Try to think of things about you that are unique. There are scholarships specifically for girls, specifically for people who's parents didn't go to college, specifically for certain nationalities, specifically for people who have certain hobies even. See if there are any out there that are very specific; a lot of people don't bother with them. Also look for scholarships that aren't for a lot of money. Many people don't apply because it doesn't seem worth it, and that gives you a higher chance. And little bits all add up.

3. take out a student loan. Your parents may be able / may need to co-sign it.


4. continue to look for a part-time or summer job. It's probably not going to be fun or glamourus. Apply to local stores and resturants. Try not to turn your nose up at things... the jobs that seem the 'coolest' or the most 'glamourus' or even the ones that people think of first (cashiers in a store, for example) are going to have the most competition and be the first to fill up. If you have an open mind, and a good atitude, and are willing to try anything (within reason of course) you will find that there are a lot of positions that get over looked. Try calling a store or someplace you might apply to and ask what the hardest basic positions to fill are, or where they have the biggest need.




Also, when you fill out an apllication anywhere, ask to meet the hiring manager or HR rep if you can. Give it to them yourself and thank them for taking the application and let them know that you are open and willing to try new things. Overall be confident, cheerful and respectful. You can tell them something about wanting to pursue a college education and wanting to take on the responsibility of paying for it/part of it, so you are looking for work towards paying for that...

really your main goal is going to be to stand out in a good way, and to come off as being down-to-earth and focused.







IF you are under 18, and jobs are hard to find where you are, apply for the lowest position they have (bagging, cart collecting, etc). It sucks, but if you show up, work hard, learn quick and have a positive attitude it's possible that they will promote you to a better position.

Thank you all for your wonderful answers ^^ I appreciate them very much
I have yet to fill out the FAFSA and and I would also get a I think some money from the military to pay of part of my college tuitions as well so I'm guessing the range now would be up to 50k+. Which still is a lot for me. I am still a junior in high school so I guess is a better chance to get a part time job. I want to have the money right away and just be over with it.
And how do students loans work? Do you have to pay them back eventually?
I never thought about applying for scholarship for small amount. I should do that. That's a good idea.
I've been also talking with my mother about making bags and selling at art galleries is well another way to pay for it (in a fun way). Yes it might not be much but atleast I wouldd make a few extra bucks. I still have about another year to plan this out. but for now I think I'm going to stick with getting a part time job.

Thank you all for helping ^^