Many crafters have sewing talents they may wish to turn into income producing ventures, whether full time or parttime.  This can include dressmaking and alterations, quiltmaking, fabric art, making curtains and draperies, doing upholstering and more.
I operated a dressmaking and alterations business for a number of years that evolved into a quiltmaking business.  These enabled me to be at home when our daughter was small. 
At Home Biz Notes, I’m writing a series, with tips on operating these businesses, that you might like to follow.  The tips also will apply to many arts and crafts businesses as well.
Let me know what tips …read more

If you’re operating a crafting business, you may be wondering if or how President Obama’s “changes” will affect yours.  Will some of the policies he’s introducing and, in some instances, already passed have a positive or negative effect?
I have a “change” poll at Home Biz Notes, where you can express your opinion.  You also can write your view in the comments section of this post or the one at Home Biz Notes.  It would be interesting to see whether you expect, or already see, a change of some magnitude.

With all the “changes” occurring since President Obama has taken office, whether you agree or disagree, you’re likely to feel some effects in your life and craft business. 
Over at my Home Biz Notes blog, I’ve set up a poll, where you can express your thoughts about the changes this is bringing about or will cause in your craft business.  Since many crafters have developed an income source with their talents, they may be looking into the changes that could occur to this method of making a living.
Even if you live in another country, you may be wondering how changes in the United …read more

I discussed Aprons as Fabric Art in a previous post and mentioned how they’ve also become collectors’ items.  I’ve recently learned about aprons as business.
Sarah O. Green, of Mountain Ash Design, creates aprons from vintage and other recycled fabrics for a unique business that I feature at Home Biz Notes.  She also makes other items from these fabrics and older clothing that put her in the category of  operating a “green” businesses, as well.
Aprons that bring back memories seem to be making a comeback.  I also recalled that my first “clothing for sale” project consisted of aprons  I made to …read more

Quilters and crafters enjoy recipes and often share them at quilting bees craft fairs and online groups.  They also compile cookbooks as fund raisers.
Also, they can put together e-cookbooks or CDs to give as free items to customers, readers, and blog/web site visitors.  This is one way authors have promoted their books and crafters their other products.
Over at Home Biz Notes, I described how I’ve been involved in creating free e-cookbooks as promotional giveaways for my books.  This was a project initiated by author/publisher Kathleen (Katy) Walls.
Check out the post, Developing a Free e-cookbook for PR, and learn more about the two …read more

Have you thought about outsourcing and whether it’s feasible for your craft business?  It’s becoming more and more popular these days. 
This is hiring outside professionals, services, and workers to do some of your production and take the workload from you. They don’t work at your place of business, but generally from their homes.
Also, you may decide to outsource your bookkeeping, tax work, and other organizational tasks.  This has become popular with many doing it via the Internet.
 Outsourcing doesn’t mean you must send your work overseas.  Frequently you use someone locally. However, when online type services are involved, you can utilize …read more

Blogging has become a great way to establish yourself in the arts and crafts world.  Whether you’re developing an income producing business based on your craft(s) or simply desire to become better known in your particular field, establishing a blog will help you.
Blogging also can be an enjoyable experience as you share with others some details of your crafting world.

A blog is a place to display your work and photos.
You can call attention to your web site or sales site like Etsy.
Daily or periodic posts on your blog help your fans keep up with your projects.
You might describe classes and workshops you teach.
Host other craftspeople on …read more

For several years I wrote Home Biz Notes at the Bizzia portal; then Jean Murray was the blogger there until recently.  I’m posting at Home Biz Notes again.
Since many artists and craftspeople operate home businesses, earning a living or parttime income from their work, I’ve found they are interested in the information at Home Biz Notes. 
Some posts of interest this month:
“Going Green” With Your Home Business
Finding Your Home Biz Niche
Outsourcing – An Option for Your Home Business?
What business topics would you like to see discussed at Home Biz Notes?
(Art.com image at Amazon)

When I wrote the post, From Crafting Hobby to Business,  I didn’t realize Jean Murray, at b5’s Home Biz Notes blog, would be writing a series that goes right along with this and gives you additional information.
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 …read more

Thanks to Mary Emma Allen for guest posting on Blog Fabulous. Mary Emma Allen writes four blogs for b5media: Alzheimer’s Notes Quilting and Patchwork, Home Biz Notes , and One Book Two Book.
“Setting my kids up for Alzheimer’s! No way! I’m a good mom,” you exclaim. “All the kids play soccer and football and sports like that.”

When I saw my granddaughter and her teammates stopping soccer balls with their heads and taking whomping hits, I cringed. That’s not how we played soccer in my day. (Yes, I did step into a depression on …read more