I was thrilled when I saw one of my b5media blogs, Home Biz Notes and my name listed as one of the Women Bloggers of 2008 at Virtual Women’s Day Celebrations.  This included a list of 25 women’s blogs and bloggers for January. 

According to Heidi,  

Women are blogging in record numbers these days – so may blogs, so much content and so little time to check them all out. Each month during 2008, I will be highlighting dozens of blogs written by women, on a variety of topics, genres and locations around the globe.

What fun to be included among them!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Mary Emma Allen Named as a Women Blogger to Watch in 2008

Blogging has become an important part of many quilters’ lives, as well as numerous other people.  It keeps them in touch with others, lets them express themselves and their creativity, helps them promote a business, and makes them happy.

(Just take a look at the article, Blogging, How it can Expand Our Creative & Personal Growth, in the Jan./Feb. issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.) 

The question, “Why do you blog?” has become the determining factor in the final (8th)week of the challenge at the b5 Business Channel.  The blogs have been narrowed down to four.  Home Biz Notes, where I co-blog with Yvonne Russell, is one of the finalists.

If you’ve been following the challenge (and if you haven’t!)  stop over at Home Biz Notes and read the final entry, “Why Do I Blog?”   Also, a portion of the final determination rests with the readers and your comments.  If you leave a comment, that will be a vote for our entry. 

Perhaps, while you’re there,  you’d like to let us know there why you blog.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters – Blogging Question at Business Channel Challenge

I chose to relate the story of my mom, who influenced many people throughout her years as a country grocer, and hoped this would inspire Kay and others.  As I wrote about Mother, I realized (as I said in one of my comments at the post):

I think we all can find inspiring stories within our families. I hope, with this story, I encourage others to look at their lives and the people they know. Someone, somewhere has inspired them in a way they may not realize at first.

Mother also inspired my quiltmaking by encouraging me to make and sell these items in her store during the Bicentennial years of 1975-76. 

****************************************************************************** 

Runner-up in this week’s contest was Biz Chicks Rule with the post, What Keeps Me Going When I Need Inspiration.  This is their second week in a row, either coming in first or as a runner-up!

What inspiring stories do you have among your family and friends that encourage you? Let us know about them!

Post from: Blisstree

My Mother, The Country Grocer…a Winner!

The lady making quilts and selling them in Mother’s country general store at the time couldn’t keep up with the orders.  So Mother encouraged me to use the fabric scraps from my dressmaking business and create some quilts. 

So when we (those who write blogs at b5media’s Business Channel) were asked for a “success story” to encourage Kay, our prototype business owner in the “apprentice” type competition., I decided to tell about My Mother, the Country Grocer…Success Isn’t Always What You Think. 

As I wrote Mother’s story at the Home Biz Notes blog on the Business Channel, it seemed to be one I MUST share…with “Kay” and others.  This was something I’d begun to realize…my mother’s value to others…when friends and strangers wrote or called after she became ill with Alzheimer’s and following her death.  They wanted to let me know how much she’d inspired them. 

Do you have a “success” story to share about someone in your life or a quilter who has inspired you?

Post from: Blisstree

My Mother, The Country Grocer, Inspired My Quiltmaking

 Stop! Look! Listen!

Will there be regulations that restrict you from doing this from your home?  Or in another location? Will you need a business license? 

When I operated a dressmaking business with gift shop and later my quiltmaking business from our home, a number of years ago, there were no regulations that prevented this.  However, would there be regulations now that directed the size and type of sign I placed before our home, objected to deliveries and pick-ups, and raised complaints because too many people and traffic came to my door?

These are factors to consider, if you’re going to expand your quilting interests.  Some home and apartment leases may even object to online businesses, particularly if they involve pick-up and deliveries. 

I’ve written about this topic at Home Biz Notes as well as here at Qulting and Patchwork…articles you may want to glance over as you accumulate more information if considering turning your quilting hobby into a money making venture.

More Objections to Businesses in the Home 

Local Ordinances May Cause Concern for Home Businesses

Look Before You Leap Into a Home Business

Check Out Zoning/Licensing Before Starting a Quilting Business at Home

Post from: Blisstree

What Regulations Will Affect Your Quilting Business?

This is the Christiansen family in Utah, who developed an online business based on the sons’ need to learn how to tie their ties.  They decided to create a web site to disperse this information…and then sell ties and related items.

I’ve mentioned them at my Home Biz Notes blog, in the post, Fun Story About a Tie Tying Home Business.

Is there something about your quilting and fabric art experiences that others would like to learn about…something you could develop into a blog or web site and then promote or sell your products or services there?

Additonal Quilting & Patchwork Related Posts:

How Do Customers Know Your Quilting Business Is Open for Business?

Developing a Business Plan for Your Quilting/Fabric Arts Business

Pay Attention to the Small Details in Your Quilting Business

Post from: Blisstree

Springboard Ideas for Your Quilting Business

If you’ve been following the “apprentice” type competition

Kay’s problem for week #4 involves her business expanding too rapidly for her to fill her Christmas orders. (Kay has started a business producing chef’s aprons and hats for children.)

What’s she to do to solve this challenge, which actually is a good one to have?

Rachel Clarke, at Behind the Buzz, hosts our entry this week. If you’re following Kay, our prototype business owner, and her challenges, check out When a Business Gets Successful. Find out how Kay can solve her problem and fill all her orders before Christmas.

You may find you have some of these situations in your business and will benefit from the advice given to Kay.  (I’ve had quilters ask me how to get a business started and keep it going.  Substitute what you’re making for Kay’s children’s items and put yourself in her place.)

Posts about Kay’s challenges in the b5Media Business Channel “Apprentice” type contest:

Week #1 – Starting a Business on a Limited Budget

Week #2 – If You Handle “Made in China” Items in Your Home Business

Week #3 – Top 5 Interview Tips

(If you’d like to vote for our Home Biz Notes blog, visit Taxgirl for the poll in the right sidebar. Here you indicate the blog you think should win this “Apprentice” type challenge.)

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters Take Note…”Apprentice” Type Competition into 4th Week at b5 Business Channel

 Quilters and fabric artists have been asking me questions

Yvonne has just posted a list of Popular November Home Biz Notes Posts You May Have Missed.  To make it easier to locate those you’ll find helpful, Yvonne has categorized them.  (I’m so fortunate to have such an organized co-blogger!)

If you can’t find the information you seek there, check out other blogs on the Business Channel.  Also, let me know of other questions you have.

Other Related Posts:

Staying Excited and Motivated in Your Quilting & Fabric Art Ventures

Do Quiltmakers and Quilt Businesses Need Resumes?

Mistakes to Avoid in Your Quilting Business

Post from: Blisstree

Links for Quilters With Business Questions

When I was a reporter for our local newspaper and a writer for quilting magazines, I interviewed quite a few quilters, both those who weren’t widely known and others who were   Do don’t be surprised if what you’re doing is of interest to a reporter somewhere.

The next question…“What do I do if someone wants to interview me?”

You’ll find 5 great tips at the b5media Business Channel’s Home Biz Notes (5 Top Tips for Newspaper Interviews) with further expansion at Pimp Your Work (Top 5 Interview Tips). 

Part 3 of the Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge consisted of our giving interview tips to Kay whose prototype business  supplies chef’s hats and aprons for kids.  A newspaper reporter has asked Kay for an interview; she  wondered what to expect and how to prepare.

The tips are fairly general.  So if you’re asked for an interview from a newspaper reporter or magazine columnist, you should find these very helpful.

If you’ve been interviewed, perhaps you have some other tips for quilters. 

(Interviews via e-mail for online publications are a different story, but very popular nowadays.)

Post from: Blisstree

5 Interview Tips for the Quilter/Fabric Artist

This “Apprentice” type contest, continues through December.  If you’ve become a Business “Apprentice” follower, you can check out weekly results at Home Biz Notes regularly.)

See the ACES entry at: Greener Assets in the post, Facing the Lead Dilemma in Your Small Business.

Related Posts: Do Any of Your Quilting/Fabric Art Items Contain Lead?

Is Lead a Danger to Alzheimer’s Patients?

Great Advice for Home Business Startups

Starting a Business on a Limited Budget

Bring in the Dough: Yielding Wealth in Your Own Business

b5media Business Apprentice Updates

(Incidentally…if you’re wondering about the chef’s hat above…the prototype business featured in this “apprentice” contest involves a startup selling chef’s hats and aprons for children.)

Post from: Blisstree

For Quilters Who Are Following the “Apprentice” Type Contest