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

If you’ve developed a reputation for yourself already, you definitely can get top dollar when you begin a business.  But what if you’re fairly new and don’t have a household familiar name?

Jean Murray discusses this topic at Home Biz Notes, Should New Home Business Owners Charge Less?  Take a look at Jean’s post and see what ideas you come up with about charging in your own business.

Remember – Don’t downplay your talents and abilities.  Keep in mind what the market will bear in your area.  It will differ in various parts of your country and the world.  Also, figure out your costs/expenses so you don’t lose money.

How have you worked out the “charge factor” in your business?

(warehousedirect72 image at Amazon)

Post from: Blisstree

What Should You Charge in Your Quilting Related Business?

If you’ve begun to earn some income from your quilting or related activities,  when does this transition from a hobby to true business?

Jean Murray, at Small Business Boomers, has a great post with information about what the IRS (Internal Revenue Service in the US) considers a true business. You might like to check out her, Boomers Retiring to “Fun” Businesses: Is birdwatching a business?

She mentions some of the criteria the IRS uses to determine whether you’re en titled to deduct your losses from the business you’re operating or starting up. Jean does mention that writing is one business that’s easier to justify some of your expenses under the “hobby loss” rules than others.  So if you’re a writer, as well as a quilter/fabric artist, some rules may apply to you that won’t to others…and vice versa.

Jean will lead you to information that could prove helpful.

(Amazon image) 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Does the IRS Consider Your Quilting a Hobby or Business?