However, no matter how much you enjoy this venture, there will be times when it becomes routine, monotonous, frustrating, and perhaps discouraging.  For instance, when I was making children’s quilted vests, I had to set up an assembly line type of routine to be most efficient and earn the most money for my time.  Basically, it became somewhat boring as I cut, appliqued, sewed, and made vest after vest, even if they had different designs on them.

When I’m writing books, I have to spend a great deal of time revising, revising, revising which can become monotonous and doesn’t seem so creative as coming up with the original ideas.

How to you stay motivated when some of the excitement wears off?

Laurie Neumann has written a very helpful article,  Achieve Work from Home Business Success, on her Christian Home Business Connection web site and provides great tips on staying motivated no matter what your business is.

“The difference in seeing success while you are working from home is that you need to keep yourself motivated,” Laurie says.  “You don’t have a boss urging you on, telling you what to do.” 

Utilizing some of the tips Laurie offers should help you remain excited and stay motivated through some of the times that could become discouraging.

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Staying Excited and Motivated in Your Quilting & Fabric Art Ventures

The Jump Start Your Business contest at b5media’s Business Channel might just be the place to start getting you organized, start you writing a business plan, and have the possiblilty of receiving $2,000 in prizes and consulting. 

So, finish your entry and submit it by Tuesday, September 25 for the  “Jump Start Your Business” contest?  There will be a Grand Prize winner with two runner-ups. Prizes and consulting total more than $2,000.

This is a great way to get your small business off the ground or to give your new (within the past year) one momentum.  Check out the details here…..

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Jump Start Your Quilting Business With the “Jump Start Your Business” Contest

   She answered questions an Alzheimer’s Notes’ reader, Kathy of KnowItAlz.com, asked about obtaining books for such a venture.  Even though Yvonne specifically addresses Kathy’s question about Alzheimer’s books, the information she gives is universal for any bookstore.

So, if you’re considering this type of business, you’ll certainly want to check out Yvonne’s post, Your Specialty Home Based Alzheimer’s Bookstore – Publisher Discount Basics.

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Tips for Acquiring Books for Your Home Based Quilting Bookstore

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Juggling Your Quilting Business with a Family

As Laura says, “Today’s interview is with Mary Emma Allen, who began as a dressmaker [and quiltmaker] and eventually transitioned to the writing and blogging business.”

This was an enjoyable experience, and I feel honored that Laura selected me to begin her series.

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Quilter Mary Emma Interviewed on Work From Home Momma

Many home businesses doing business online utilize the PayPal banking services for receiving payment and purchasing.  This is a quick way to undertake these transactions.  You also can transfer payment deposited into PayPal to another bank.  Or you can withdraw money from PayPal by having them send you a check, for a fee.

PayPal does charge slight fees for their transactions, but you generally have to pay fees for other types of banking, too, especially when they involved other countries. 

PayPal continues to expand its services so that more and more companies are using it, making international banking and business less difficult.

Mark at Digital Money World informs us that PayPal just announced its partnership with GPShopper, enabling it to offer Mobile Checkout.

“Mobile Checkout is a simple payment mechanism for consumers on-the-go and merchants with online storefronts. ”  Through Mobile Checkout, consumers (in your case your quilting and fabric art customers) in the U.S., U.K. and Canada can purchase items securely through PayPal by using their mobile phones!  Has the world just become easier?

Although I’ve not used PayPal to pay for purchases, I’ve found it great way to receive payment promtly, especially from companies and individuals in other countries.

Also, PayPal is being utilized by the travel industry…something to consider when you travel to quilt shows. 

 Northwest Airlines announced it will begin using PayPay as a way passengers can pay for their tickets, opening up the area of airline flight to this method that’s recognized internationally.  Mark at Workboxes has more on this topic and PayPal’s new look.

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Using PayPal for your Quilting Business

I’ve not encountered many who didn’t pay me.  I found, when someone was late, the situation usually could be resolved.  If there was a problem with the product or service, we were able to work it out.

I learned when contracting for a project, especially a larger one such as a quilt or wall hanging that ran into quite a bit of money…both for my supplies and price from the buyer, I would divide the payments into increments.  That way, I had money in hand for supplies.  Customers didn’t find it so overwhelming when it came to payment.  I would request the balance upon delivery (or before delivery if it was something I shipped). 

Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts, relates a situation she encountered, The Case of the Missing Payment – Happily Resolved. Then Laura mentions four tips to ensure you receive your payment in a timely fashion.

Of course, Laura’s examples generally relate to writers.  However, the tips she gives can be applied to other businesses,  such as quilting and fabric arts, to help keep you from encountering a payment problem. 

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Collecting Payments in Your Quilting Business