How to Make Cat Furniture and Sell it on the Internet
If you already own a furry little feline friend, you know that keeping him occupied is a MUST. It's important to have a scratching post or "cat condo," as some call them, but buying them from a retail store can get expensive. Most cat owners are willing to invest in cat furniture as long as it's affordable. Building scratching posts is easy and inexpensive, and can bring in a profit for you if you are willing to put in a little effort. Here's how to build a basic scratching post, and how to sell such creations on the Internet.
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Things You'll Need
- ½-inch plywood
- 4-by-4 post, 2 feet in length
- Circular saw
- 2-inch wood screws
- Carpet
- Carpet Knife
- Staple gun/staples
- Carpet glue (optional)
- Digital camera with USB hookup
- Computer
Instructions
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Building the Furniture
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Cut the base to size with a circular saw, using 1/2-inch plywood measuring 2 feet by 2 feet.
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Cut carpet using a carpet knife, with measurements of 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet.
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Apply glue to the base and cover with carpet, making sure it will wrap around the bottom. Staple the carpet into the bottom of the base about every 2 inches or until secured.
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Cover the top of the 4-by-4, which you will use for your post, with approximately a 6- by 6-inch piece of carpet. (Make sure it not only covers the top but wraps around the post.) Glue and staple until secure.
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Wrap the rest of post with a 2-feet-by-16-inch piece of carpet, making sure to cover the carpet you've secured on the top of the post. Staple and glue as necessary.
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Using five 2-inch wood screws, fasten the 4-by-4 to the center of the base. A screw should be fastened through the bottom, with one screw in the middle and one on each corner of the post.
Selling Your Furniture Online
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Once you've mastered the craft and learned how to build upon this simple model, you can start selling online. Take several pictures of your furniture with your digital camera. Make sure to get lots of different angles that show the quality of your work--consumers want to know exactly what they're getting before they buy. Upload the pictures onto your computer.
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There are several ways to sell online. Websites such as Craigslist.org and Oodle.com are local classifieds sites that allow you to post a free ad, and interested buyers contact you via email or phone (whichever contact info you provide.) Another option is selling via an auction site like eBay.com or Ubid.com--these sites allow you to put your item up for auction and potential buyers bid on said item. Usually these sites will charge a small fee depending on the item and how you choose to sell it, so make sure you read up on their conditions.
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If you want to take a more serious approach by making several pieces of furniture, you can create your own website that will exclusively market your product. Using an online payment service such as Paypal is a safe and secure way to receive transactions online, and it's quick and easy to set up.
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Tips & Warnings
You can spruce up your post by attaching dangling toys from the top or sides.
Always wear eye protection when using power tools.
Make sure you're capable of shipping your products. This can get a bit costly, so weigh the pros and cons of selling online versus selling on site.
When using a site like Craigslist, you're most likely going to have to meet someone at a designated location. Be sure this is a safe, well-lit and populated area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cats toys image by Galyna Andrushko from Fotolia.com
