I’ve been sewing all of my life for my own enjoyment. In the back of my mind I always wished the work I did for a paycheck somehow connected to my hobby. 2006 was the time to stop wishing and start doing something. A little step. Something doable. I needed early success. I decided to keep it simple. Sell something that I make. Period. No line of beautifully designed bags carried in every boutique across the country. Just sell one thing to one person.
Opportunity presented itself in February. The Kitsap Quilters Guild annual quilt show offered the opportunity to sell one’s wares in the Member Store. I would be afforded this privilege by working a single two-hour shift over the show weekend plus 10% of whatever I sold. I worked through a lot of designs and debated about what to put in the store. I designed, I stitched, I threw out. What was I thinking? I actually thought I could make something that someone would buy? In the end I just did it, self-doubt and all. When it was all over, $42 worth of my handmade goods sold. I had visions of selling everything and, of course, selling nothing. It felt good to just do it. Put some stuff out there and see what people thought.
Several really good things came out of being in the show. I was asked to teach a class at my local fabric shop on my zippered pouch. I also had someone ask me to make 3 special order notebook covers. This is the first. My mission: Orange. That was it. The scheduled receiver of the gift loves Orange.
I based this pattern on an idea I saw in Threads Magazine several years ago. They are easy to make. One long piece of fabric that is folded in from each end. The cardboard back to the notepad slips into the back fold. A piece of Timetex cut to 5 x 8 inches slips into the front fold. Each one I make is unique. The possibilities for embellishment are endless.
That is an excellent way to think of things! I’ve been toying with they idea of putting quilted bookmarks in my etsy store . . . it would be just one thing. Other items haven’t done well – thanks!