Image: sxc.hu

Check out Jean’s post, How Do I Start a Home Business, for great step-by-step suggestions.  Here Jean also talks about getting your customers and will continue the discussion in another post.

In my next post, I shall present information on some reasons why a crafting home business isn’t so rosy as you might think at first glance.  Look at all angles when determining whether to start one and realize that operating a crafting business isn’t the same as pursuing a hobby.

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Starting Your Crafting Biz

• Someone asks you to make a baby quilt for them and offers to pay you.
• You have so many quilts or craft items piling up that family members say, “You ought to sell some.”
• You need extra money so ask some questions of other crafters where and how to sell.
• Accidentally when someone asks if they can buy a quilt you’ve made or displayed, a piece of pottery, a photo, crocheted afghan, a knitted sweater.

Some craftspeople may have no desire to do more than to make and sell occasional items.  You don’t want the pressure of meeting deadlines and dealing with many people.

However, others want to develop an income that might be parttime  or eventually into a fulltime.  You want a regular income coming in whether it’s small or large.

Some, too, start out selling an occasional item, realize success and fun from it, so decide to do more and earn enough to quit their outside the home job.

What type of craft business do you want to develop?

Start thinking about this and writing down your future plans.  Start to lay out a program and research your options.

Post from: Blisstree

From Crafting Hobby to Business

 Deborah Ng at The List Mavin, had a fun idea the other day, What’s in Our Purses?  She asked various bloggers to send her photos of what they carried in their purses.  Others left comments.

I began wondering…do quilters carry quilting supplies in their purses…or tote bags?

Since I carry a black leather fanny pack all the time…not stylish, but very useful since I do a lot of flying (not flapping wings, but on planes), I don’t have much space for quilting supplies.  It’s a waste of time to change everything over to a traditional purse between trips, and I can sling this over my shoulder when it’s not around my waist.

However, my hubby says I carry more in those three zipper compartments than anyone he knows…date book, lip balm, lipstick, loose change, business cards…mine and those I collect, checkbook, credit card/license/medical card holder, grandchildren’s photos (of course!), cell phone, notepad for jotting down writing and quilting ideas and “to do” memos, 2 pens (one might not work), paper clips, vitamins, and receipts.

Also, I might squeeze in a sample of fabric I want to match…or a couple of those pieces from my mom’s Wedding Quilt I’m trying to find fabric for.  Of course, some of the business cards I collect are from quilters/fabric artists/quilt shops.

I do have a denim patchwork tote my daughter made me.  So when I want to take some quilting work with me, a quilting magazine or Elm Creek Quilters novel, that seems the appropriate one sling over my shoulder along.  I also can squeeze in a water bottle, food bar, pens and note pad.

Do you carry quilting supplies in your purse?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork Wants to Know…Do You Carry Quilting Supplies in Your Purse?