Organized and Ready

Hi all,
I finally got some organization in my sewing room and ready to start on some projects. So far I have three totes of what I call everyday crafts.
Here is the two totes (one with crafts for my website) the other (is everyday crafts) which is for spring next year.

Yep, I'm already thinking of spring and christmas isn't even here. But I think that's how it goes with everyone who is into crafting. We are like Santa...we never sleep. As for the crafts on top of the tote...not sure what I'm gonna do with them. Some are fall baskets and a santa in a sled idea which I can't remember the idea any longer. Darn old age.

I also found some bunnies and a basket of goodies I want to make for my sister. See those pieces of material between the bunny and basket; I think that's suppose to be cut outs for a bag holder. lol
This tote is full of unfinished dolls which I plan to get to after Thanksgiving.

Of course I still have 2 more totes in storage filled with crafts but I'm not gonna worry about that now. My main thing is to finish what I have here and then take a mini vacation until January....hopefully. :-)
At least I can say I got organized today! Right now I'm gonna run to market and get supper for hubby. I have a craving for stuffed pork chops, mash potatoes and gravy....yummy.

Yes, I know I've been Missing!!

Hi,

Yes, I've been missing in action for a few months. It's not my fault...really its not. :-)
Hubby and I did some moving and down sized from a huge house to almost a cottage like home.
I took a break from craft shows and then I wrote a book. Whew!! that's enough to make anyone go nuts! Well I'm back!!!
Today I'm going to take the time to do some blogging. I have alot of catching up to do and I want to get back into some pattern making. I came across this cute doll I want to make for myself. What do you think? Prim isn't she!!

Hopefully my doll will look ok. I'm not the good with fingers. :-)
Well gotta run and do some errands. Talk soon

Advertising and Promoting Your Business

I always thought that advertising and promoting your business was easy but I will be the first to say....NOOOO it is a never ending struggle and sometimes it sucks! lol First I advertise on Yellow Pages.com which they claim is FREE. A few weeks later I get a call from an AT&T rep who states your ad isn't seen on the first page unless you advertise with them. So I say...What!! this is suppose to be FREE. The rep goes on to say how for $242 a month he can put me on the first page. Oh like I really have money to give away. Then I say....well no one will see me unless they click on Yellow pages.com so how is that helping me? Of course he goes on about how they are on google if someone types in certain words it will show them high up on the listing. Again that is all good but yet he failed to see that IF NO ONE clicks on Yellowpages.com....I won't be seen and $242 is high. Well he got it down to $142 a month and was insisting that without advertising with them...I won't be seen.....Yeah right!!! He doesn't know about the power of communities, friends, family, facebook and newsletter. And I didn't get orders from Texas, Australia and other states by just sitting on my butt! The nerve of him. So if you ever get a call from a AT&T rep....RUN!!!!

Too Many Jobs...Not enough of me

Yes, I'm a victim of having too many jobs. I have a full time job which pays the bills for my job that I love owning a craft shop. So I work one to help support the other. I pull myself in so many directions that I forget to take time relax....relax never because I have a goal to run my shop full time instead of just 3 times a week and on weekends.

To make a long story short...I found a building, cleaned it up and opened a handmade craft & gift shop. Yep and the grand opening was yesterday which was a great turn-out but by 5pm my body ached and I just wanted to go to sleep. If I had it my way I would have been in bed by 6:30pm. Yet I couldn't do this because I have a husband and a business both which require alot of time. So I get off at 5pm and come home to find that hubby is ready to go to a birthday party...my nephew. Darn! I totally forgot about it and lucky hubby picked up a card. So I stick some money in the card, take a pain pill, sit down for 5 minutes and then I'm up and ready to head out the door again.

Sister's house is about 25 minutes away so it's not too bad. We were suppose to just show our faces, hugs and best wishes then head back home. 3 hours later we are now driving home and I'm so tired that I start talking like I'm on some strange drug.
I say things like....today was a beauuutiful day. Hubby looks at me and said "How many drinks did you have?? But I only had a glass of wine and some chips.
Needless to say....there is just not enough of me to go around. :-)

Pricing your work

With a home based business it could be frustrating to figure out a way to pricing your own work. When selling your product, price is determined by what you put into making it such as material, supply cost, time and labor. This means keeping records of everything and how much time it took to make each product.

I find pricing according to your location is a good way to start. For example: The cost of living is higher in New York, therefore your work is priced with that of others in your field. Let us say you are a photographer and charge $375 for a photo package. Yet, your competition prices are at $500. The customer chooses you because your price was lower but are you getting what you put into your materials. With a home based business you don’t want to break even and not have enough money to recoup your inventory or your time.

Another way to determine price would be to follow a formula. An example of a formula was found in James Dillehay's book The Basic Guide to Pricing your Craftwork. This formula showed a basic way to determine a fair price for your customers that consisted of Figuring a percentage of your Fixed Costs +Cost of Materials + Your Labor = wholesale price x 2 = Retail Price. Fixed costs are your tools, equipment, rent, utilities, travel expenses, etc. Material is what you use to create your product and labor is wages you pay yourself.

In a regular nine to five job you are paid wages for a service you've completed and the same should hold true with your home based business. When using James Dillehay's formula you may not agree with the outcome of the price. Yet, it's one of the easiest ways to determine what your quality of work is worth. A rule of thumb to remember is that pricing is an art form which takes time and patience. The price must attract the customer and in the end give you a profit.

Oh Joy!!

When running your business you never know what paths the lord will lead you to. Today I'm up at the usual time, checking emails and I get a GREAT SURPRISE. I had applied to be the editor of the Norfolk Examiner about 3 days ago and never thought I would get in...Well I'm in!!! I have to send in my photo and bio to get started but will keep you posted.

Sales during Slow Times

Today I want to talk briefly on home boutiques. These are a great way to get your business noticed. The best places to find boutiques is on eventlister.com. Of course the membership fee's are higher but it's worth paying the price.
I've come across 4 that I've been a member of for three years now. One boutique does 3 shows a year. They take an average of 20% commission which is the lowest I've found. It's a great way to sell your work during the slow times.
If you would like a listing of the one's I'm familiar with, please don't hesitate to email me at tbacon09@gmail.com