Following up on the Craft Inc. giveaway comments, today is my first weekly post on The Business of Craft. Disclaimer:
I rely heavily on my intuition to make decisions about my business. Even in the corporate world I often relied on my instincts and ‘feel’ for things vs. my analytical business education. This column will be about my experiences not my advice on the best way to do something. I also want to make each one short. An idea to ponder or an experience to share. I encourage you to add your own experiences and opinions to the comments.
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In 2006 it was time for me to stop thinking about doing. I had a good time reading my own words about selling one thing. Too much planning can lead to crippling inaction. Do something and do it right now. Decide what you want to make and sell one thing before the year’s over. I guarantee it will lead to the next thing. Before you know it you’ll have a whole string of things. When that happens, watch out, you might just have a plan.
That’s pretty good advice for a lot of things in life. Stop daydreaming and just get to it!
I agree with you. I have so many ideas on what I want to do that I plan all these projects and spend less and less time on actually making my business a success. I need to focus on one thing at a time and go from there!
Thank you for writing about this! Like I told you before…I was getting hit over the head with signs…and I’ve finally just DONE it! Actually just today I uploaded my photographs to a ‘portfolio’ site. I’m still working on which photos to display but it’s coming together.
I’ve ’soft-launched’…
http://www.sjlimageart.blogspot.com/
Next thing is a ‘real’ website where I can sell my fine art photographs.
I just got my copy of Craft, Inc yesterday and started reading it. (HOW did I get lucky and get it for $13?!?!) And I look forward to hearing more from you on this topic!!
Thanks!
Thanks for starting this section. I am sure there are a lot of women thinking about starting a business in something they already love doing as a hobby. I think it will be great to share ideas about how to do it, and your first tip is really smart I think
Good advice! I plan too much and nothing is getting done, I need to focus on one thing. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thanks for this! I am in this position right now…crippled into in-action. Sometimes we all just need a kick in the butt!
I just love you!
Too much planning can lead to crippling inaction. Dear goodness how I know that.
Very nice – and look at where all this has led in only 2 1/2 short years – so awesome!
I’m so open to this post right now. I’m feel like I’m crafting like whirling dervish over here with the idea that something will fly out of my vortex and onto the shelves of a chic boutique. I’ll keep reading you as always, but I am trying to spend less time researching and more time doing. Thanks for your little nugget.
Oh, one more thing.. this is one of my favorite quotes (it used to be the first page of my journal):
“Whatever you think you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has a genius, magic and a power in it.” — Goethe
For me, it was Spoonflower that started me going into business! I’ve been a quilter for several years, but I’ve alway been a creative artsy person and making a living with my art never crossed my mind. When I learned about Spoonflower, though, I was determined to be one of the first to have my fabric printed. So, I sat down with my sketchpad and drew and drew and drew until I created something so ridiculously cute that I couldn’t believe it came from inside of me!! And I kept drawing more and more and adding different characters. At night, I would dream about adorable scenes to draw and eventually had to keep a notepad by my bed so I could write it all down when I woke up. I’ve created a whole world of characters now & have created all sorts of products with them- not just fabric, but bags and tshirts and plushies, etc. Everything has just snowballed from that one afternoon when I read a blog on Sew Mama Sew…
thank you for this post!!! i have so many ideas swimming in my head. and have people tell me all the time you sell this or that. and i’ve planned and dreamed… i just don’t know how to get started!!! i look forward to your next post!
I didn’t see an email link for you (probably missed it) but wanted to ask you a question about the mail sack pattern. I am trying to find a messenger style bag pattern so that I can make my young son a bag for his guitar books and accessories. I know your bag has child proportions, which I like. Is the bag part able to be modified? His books tend to be about ledger sized (11×17). Thanks for the input. I have some very cool musical fabric just waiting….
Ooh, you’re going to start a craft business revolution! I can’t wait to read your future posts.
water works: You could easily expand the width of the bag or make it longer. The yoke, bag base and lining pattern pieces could all be made wider down the center line or made longer above the darts (in that case you would only modify the base and the lining). Hope that helps, as always, if you have construction questions while making one of my patterns I’m more than happy to answer questions, just send me an e-mail.
Everything I’ve seen on your site is beautifully thought out and accomplished with exquisite craftsmanship. Every detail on your projects is complete and perfectly executed. Outstanding quality.
The branding and marketing of your products show the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
If crafters follow your example success will follow.
This is exactly what I have done this week. I have started a blog and talked about all the things I have been making with my friends. Seems daft now not to have said anything to my supportive friends, and they are keen to come round for coffee and have a look. Just have to show Mum now when she gets back from holiday!
Very inspiring post. It feels overwhelming sometimes to just look at all the choices out there in the craft world.
Oh, analysis paralysis, I know it so well.
I need to go work on my “Mack Sack” I like to call it – why didn’t you?
When you are on sabbatical leave (this year working on my master’s project), do only thing you can do is stashing. Got some nice fabrics from your shop. Thanks
Thanks for the input. I’ll be shopping this weekend, hopefully!
Thank you, thank you thank you. I have been sitting outside pondering my life and waiting for my bub to arrive – maybe today maybe tomorrow – and wondering what it is i will do, if i will return to work or try something else from home. You have just given me the little push i needed.
Again Thank you
I’m blog hopping and enjoyed your posts about costing.
We had a retail consultant (husband and I have a small business) call this over-planning “paralysis of the analysis” his wife’s name is Lisa, wonder if she’s the same lisa on a previous comment? LOL!
Hi Kathy
I just finished my first holiday craft show. It was a very frustrating experience for me. There were no more than 5 people showed up at this craft show. Of course, I only sold one item out of my whole collection. I think I have quality handmade itmes and I priced then very reasonally (about 30% lower than Etsy prices). The most important thing is that I poured my heart (and money) into this. I hope this is an unusual incident. I hate to be turned off by this experience since it is my very first time doing it. I love creating things wtih my hands and I want to enjoy doing it and make a little profits the same time. I hope to get tp meet you one day since I am in Seattle too. I have been reading your blog for a long time and really enjoy it.