I have recently gotten into doing cookie bouquets. I think they look great and are a little less hassle (less to go wrong) than cakes. However, I sold my first bouquet and it was totally not worth it when I consider all the time it took me, plus materials. I was trying to get started and advertised the cookie bouquets by giving a free cookie with a flyer to all the ladies at my Bunco night. I offered the bouquets at $20-$30. and told them that was a discounted rate for the Bunco ladies only. I sold one bouquet and charged her $20. Then she asked if I would deliver it and I said "Sure!" (sure, I'm stupid enough to agree to that, sure!)
I painted a terra cotta pot yellow, made a bouquet of 7 cookies, which took me pretty much all day and now I still have to deliver it to a neighboring city. Not even in our town! I did a really bright colored bouquet and had to mix about 7 different icing colors. I probably made an actual profit of about $15. minus the gas for delivering it, so maybe $10. profit. That works out to something like $2.00 per hour! Why am I doing this? Is it worth it?
I know I underpriced the bouquet, but even at $35. I would have to question whether it was worth that much of my time.
I'm wondering how many of you do this regularly and if you find it profitable.
I am going through the same thing. I discovered that after a while you can find ways to make them great and save money. First thing is to look at what other places are charging for a dozen cookies, hand painted, and in a special holder. (which by the way...you might want to stay away from heavy material like a terra cotta pot). I live in Boson and can charge $30 for a dozen and that is in a regular UPS box with colored paper (and some bubble wrap for security). I don't have pixs yet, but will get them soon.
For me, doing bouquets is more of a creative outlet(like for those who do amazing cakes here)-doing 100 of the same cookie quickly loses its appeal. I made sample ones for my children's doctor's office, my bank, school, hubby's work, etc.. There are a ton of holiday fairs starting soon-maybe donating a few there will generate business. I have always had a least one additonal order from a donated bouquet-usually more. I usually will make up a bouquet when I am doing cookies anyways-use them for pictures for my book and then find someone for whom the bouquet would be appropriate. That way I don't feel as if I am wasting my time mixing the icing and such....
I also find that seeing the actual bouquet generates more business than a picture does.
I've never made a cookie bouquet yet but sure am getting inspired by others that have. I just don't know where to get started if I were to try and sell them. I also wonder how long a wrapped cookie will stay fresh.
I found the instructions on-line. Just google how to make a cookie bouquet. I used the NFSC and Antonia's icing. I made sure the cookie was about 1/2 thick and poked the stick in right after I took it out of the oven (cookie contracts when it cools). When cool, I put a dab of royal icing to secure cookie with stick. Then decorate. I used sandwich bags and twist ties for the large cookies and smaller bags (at craft store) for the smaller ones. Such fun. I just sent out a dozen to my mom in VErmont in a box with yellow fun paper. Crossing my fingers I get a call saying they are in good condition.
I stick the cookie pops into floral green blocks to secure them. ?? I am new at this any other tips?
Where can I buy the dry floral foam at a good price?
my sister told me about this stuff you can pour into any shape and it hardens, but is still able to poke stuff through! How exciting is that..lol
Just another item to find a place to hide from my DH. Hee
Dizz,
Why do you think the terra cotta pot is a bad idea? I thought the weight might be a good idea for support so the heavy cookies don't tip the thing over or something. No?
cakegurl- I think once you get used to making the cookies you're able to make them in a lot less time. I personally find that putting MMF on them as soon as they come out of the oven saves a ton of time......then you already have your background color done and it's ready to decorate in about 10 min. Then it's just a matter of doing some simple dec. with royal icing. Also......I try to pick out different designs that incorporate the same colors.......for instance you can make hanakkuh and christmas bouquets by using white, red, gree, and blue.......tons of different winter bouquets etc. all using those four colors!! Spring bouquets.....I stick with yellow, pink, lavender, green........make it easy on yourself if someone wants to order something with 10 different colors of icing.....they're not getting it for 20 bucks!!! No way!!!!
I'm definitely gonna try the MMF! That does sound a lot easier than outlining, waiting for it to dry, and then flooding and waiting for that to dry before decorating!
Thanks for the tip!!
I would charge no less than $7.00 per cookie. If you offer a variety of containers, state that for certain containers there is an additional charge.
FOAM: I have a fitness equipment store 1/4 mile from my house. I asked them if they would keep foam blocks for me to pick up on a specified day of the week. (They deliver and set up for customers than dispose of packing)
I cut these to the size I need than cover with green plastic wrap. It works great.
also to cut the cost of making them check out the dollar stores...i mean like dollar tree where everything is $1.00..i was in there today and they have tons of fall/halloween containers and they are pretty darn sturdy...everything from plastic to ceramic...i got this one there today and its ceramic..heavy, but not so large that you have to put a dozen cookies in it...they also have the shrink wrap that goes on baskets that you shrink w/ the hair dryer...2 bags in package for $1 you can go cheap and not look cheap 
oh and hefty baggies...150 per box..like 1.19 at walmart...come w/ twist ties work great for cookies too
cakegurl, I am totally with you on the not knowing if it is worth it. I love to do cookies and so happy when I get an order for them, but by the time I have the order done I have more time into them then they are worth. I have found that some customers are happy with bring you the container to put them in I always offer that as an option to them to cut the cost a little that way I don't have to shop for them and they get just what they are wanting. I also keep my royal icing in containers so I do not have to mix colors every time I get an order. Hope this helps.
I do not always think it is worth it doing the cookies because I charge only $25 for a 9 cookie bouquet.
I think we figured that I make LESS than $2 an hour! But, I figure since I am not an actual store (like CBD) I keep my prices low.
I get my containers from the dollar store or I always keep my eyes open for items on clearance after a holiday. I have just about 50 of these ceramic containers that I bought after Easter last year for about .25 each!
I really can't believe some of the deals that I find!
The last bouquet I did, (in my pics) I used a box that I got from Michaels. I put the top of the box underneath. I bought just about all of them that were on the shelf. I think they were reduced to $1.00 or .50 They had about 4 different kinds!
The bad thing about finding all of these great deals is STORAGE!!!
Oh, and I use the green foam blocks. I get a 6 pack from Michaels for $2.49
Dizz,
Why do you think the terra cotta pot is a bad idea? I thought the weight might be a good idea for support so the heavy cookies don't tip the thing over or something. No?
Sorry, I was thinking of shipping. I don't ususally deliver so I try to find light weight containers. I agree that a heavy container would make it easier to keep cookies from falling over. 
Well that brings me to another topic. Can you ship cookie bouquets, and if so how do you package them to keep them from breaking??
I ship them in a box with colored paper (wrinkled) and some bubble wrap. For extra hold, I stick the cookie pops into floral blocks. I need a name for this...any thoughts?
i got this one there today and its ceramic..heavy, but not so large that you have to put a dozen cookies in it...
That is such a cute container! I'll have to go check out my dollar store... I hope they carry something like that! Too cute!
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