Often a mother’s creativity is inspired by her children or some incident arising from parenting.  It may be something the children did or said.  Or it’s one of those, “Ah, ha!” moments, when they realize they can create something that will make parenting easier.
The mom who designed the ReSnackIt pouches for sandwiches, snacks and other edibles ran out of plastic bags and wondered what to pack the youngsters’ lunch in.  She came up with these reusable snack bags which are making a hit, especially in our “green” conscious society.
Read about it in “Find a Need and Fill It” & One …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.

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

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

Many craft and quilting businesses evolve from a hobby.   How does this happen?

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 …read more

Many of us involved in arts and crafts work at it as a business, a way to earn income either full or parttime.  Your crafting business (whether quilting, jewelry making, mixed media, sculpting, fabric arts, scrapbooking or something else) may have freed you from a “job,” but has it turned you into a workaholic?
Jean Murray, at Home Biz Notes, has some thoughts on this…Working 7 Days a Week from home and finding time for yourself and family, especially if you have to replace your “job” income.
How do you manage the balance between home and a craft business and still have time …read more

This question appears somewhere on-line several times a month.
As you might imagine, there are infinite lists, opinions, rants and advice — about how to recognize when it’s time to leave your company…including the most obvious signal: the money isn’t there for you.
For me, the warning signs were typical and maybe even subtle at first — you know — more personal days, poor eating and sleeping habits…and
lordy! the occasional crying fit. (out on the streets of NYC, of course — never in the ladies room:).
Later in my career, the actual message came in the form of a physical and …read more

If I were a smart blogger, I would have created a survey which would help determine the eating habits of small home business owners.
However, it would probably depress me…because, I think most of us in this category don’t eat as well as we should.
I know I don’t — which is weird because I’m kind of a self-proclaimed foodie.
I’m hoping in the year ahead, I change several of my bad habits — in the mean time, I thought I would give you a glimpse of how this small business owner  deals with meals during the working week:

Breakfast: Tea
Morning snack: Handful …read more

This is a piece about giving serious thought to understanding the difference between a “traditional job” and a small, home-operated business.
I learned today, according to a key member of my business team that I am a “perfectionist monster”. That phrase took root in my mind more powerfully than if this person had called me a thief. And maybe I am. Because of my, so called, affliction or pre-occupation with details…perhaps I am stealing this person’s time.
My business is about perfection. Every detail has to do with managing customer expectations in the manner that was layed out in my business …read more