The Arts Bloggers Visit Again. 
Today they’re offering crafty ideas and business suggestions to inspire you.
Angels can be tiny
Noreen has designed some tiny spool knitted angels that are easy and charming.
Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi explores making small quilts from rusted fabric. 
Painted Hearts Champagne Flutes
Make two of these romantic flutes for a special couple. Add a bottle of bubbly for a complete gift!
Photo Phun!
Some photos to use for your journals any way you choose.
Should We Brand or Not Brand Our Quilting?
Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork discusses the latest buzz word in business…branding.
What to Do With Used Disposable Pens
Don’t …read more

Although I write about quilters and various events they may be involved in, I don’t have personal contact with everyone.   One reader wanted to know if I could tell her if a quilter would be in her shop on specific days when the reader was visiting nearby.  If so, perhaps they could meet.
The best way to find more information about quilters you’re interested in is to visit their web sites and blogs.  If they have a shop or gallery, and you know the name and town, see if you can find that web site.  It often will give you schedules, a phone number and …read more

When operating a home business, or any type of business for that matter, you’ll discover some things are out of your control, no matter how wisely and competently you plan.  With your home based quilting related business, you’ll discover this, too.

 Currently the state of the economy in general may affect you as people have less money to purchase the items and services you provide.  Try to find something that’s necessary or practical and buyers are more likely to look for you.
 Your health can enter into the picture and interfere with your ability to produce or direct your business.  During most …read more

Many quilters and fabric artists have developed their craft into an income producing business.  Or they would like to. 
My guest post at Susan Gunelius’ Women on Business blog gives you 10 Tips On Finding Time for Your Home Business.
Whether you’re balancing a quilting business, writing business, or even a non-quilting business, I hope you find these tips helpful.
(Amazon image)

When you start a quilting related business, whether providing services or selling products, you always wonder what to charge.  Should you start out lower than the competition because you aren’t sure if you’re as good as others?  Or should you charge what everyone else is?
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 …read more

President Obama has called for a $500,000 cap on the salaries of corporate employees if the business uses bail out money. 
 Will this mean eventually there will be a cap on the income quilters and craftspeople can earn in their businesses if they accept government grants?  (Government grants aren’t necessarily bail out money, but they are government issued funds.)
Many artisans and writers accept grants for furthering their work.  These usually have guidelines or requirements for qualifying.  However, as far as I know, no cap on what the person(s) can earn in their business or as an individual has been instituted.
Is the capping of salaries in …read more

Superior Threads, producer of fine quilting threads, has an e-mail newsletter that I’ve mentioned previously.  As of January 30, Superior Threads has a blog, Mother Superior’s Blog.  It’s interesting to see photos of the Superior Threads home in St. George, Utah and to read about Bob and Heather Purcell’s work.
I’ve enjoyed the newsletter where I’ve learned much about threads, realizing there are threads and threads.  I’m looking forward to Mother Superior’s Blog.

Branding has become a buzz word in recent years…developing a word or phrase that is associated with one’s name or business.  We see it in many businesses, with individuals and even in political campaigns.  For instance, the word “change” became a catchy brand or buzz word in the Obama campaign…one that really captured the attention and imaginagion of his followers and some who were “sitting on the fence.”
Des Walsh, at Thinking Home Business, has a thought provoking post, Just How Valuable is Personal Branding.  Here Des differentiates between business and personal branding.  Is there a need for either?  When is one better than the …read more

When I saw the term “Twiggy Quilt Kits” mentioned on a web site, I thought of Twiggy, the stick thin model so popular in the late 1950s and ’60s.  I wondered, “Do they now have nostalgic fabrics about her?”
Then I took a look and realized my memories had dated me.  The quilt kits and fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop were Twiggy by Sanae for Moda Fabrics.  These include fabrics, fat quarters and charm packets with delightful designs including twigs and branches and leaves for a natural look.
Have you made anything with these Twiggy fabrics?  It seems to me they should fit …read more

Quilting Business
Quilters/fabric artists, who develop their hobby into a home business or even a small business in a store front, often think because it’s a “little” business, they don’t have to worry about taxes.  However, they generally still do have to pay taxes and Social Security and develop a system of keeping track of income and expenses.
Jean Murray, at Home Biz Notes, has a great post with some initial tax information.  Check out 5 Myths About Work At Home Business Taxes.