[Nfb-krafters-korner] Starting a Business in Crafts

Sun Oct 3 07:11:51 UTC 2010

I have made soap a number of times at the Diamond Spring Lodge, which
is associated with the AFB and now once with my friend.  I was
actually the one explaining to her how it works while she read the
instructions.  Granted, we used a kit but the basics of it are not
that difficult and both of us truly loved what we did and even got
creative in the second batch.  We have not made candles yet but are
intending on doing so as soon as possible.  Of course, there is alot
more to all of this than simply trying it once and doing the basics,
but at least, it will help us get started.  The process of contacting
my counselor, getting everything straightened out to see which
channels I need to go through (whether them or PASS), creating a
formal plan, learning about business requirements and taking the
online marketing course from BOS, if we/I choose to do that, will give
us plenty of time to learn and to try our products on friends and
family.  We've worked with basketry but I don't think we're ready to
do that professionally, as we only made one basket and that was from a
kit.  She did most of the work there, since she had to learn in order
to explain it to me.  Next time, I'll be doing alot more under her
guidence.  But also remember that they provide training.  So they may
give me that before the money for the actual business, which is fine.
I just didn't want us to be completely ready to go and then to get
overwhelmed with proceedures and not know where to go or what to do.

Thanks,
Eleni

On 10/3/10, slery <slerythema at insightbb.com> wrote:
> Eleni,
>
> There is one thing I have noticed in your round of questions, you do not
> seem to have any experience making the items you want to sell. You must be
> prepared to try making some of these things first to see if you will be able
> to make any of a quality to sell. Please do not take this as a criticism. If
> they give you the money to buy supplies to make 32 items, then they expect
> you to sell 32 items. And if it takes you 31 completed items to learn how to
> produce a sellable item you will not be able to earn enough to buy supplies
> for the next batch. Most people will not be able to make something
> perfect/sellable the very first time they try something; it takes practice.
> Also, once you try making the item, you may discover that you absolutely
> hate working with that material and can't see yourself making the amount of
> quantities needed to maintain a business.
>
> This is just something you should probably consider before talking to your
> VR representative.
>
> Cindy S.
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Eleni Vamvakari
>> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 8:59 PM
>> To: List for blind crafters and artists
>> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Starting a Business in Crafts
>>
>>
>> Hi Greg,
>>
>> I know that my family is willing to help me as far as sending
>> things to the post office so that won't be a problem.  On the
>> off chance that they're unavailable, I could ask a trusted
>> friend.  As far as craft shows, I would need to work on that
>> in advance.  I might have my boyfriend, a family member or a
>> friend take me.  I'm actually planning on starting this
>> business with a friend.  The reason why I didn't mention this
>> is because I'm sure it will create even more of a headache
>> come tax time and I wanted the basics answered first.  She's
>> visually-impaired, not totally blind like me, so could help
>> with some of the more challenging aspects of creating these
>> things until I feel more comfortable.  She's on SSD, so I'm
>> not sure if she qualifies for the PASS or if it's only for
>> those on SSI, if we could make a plan together or if I would
>> be better off applying as an individual and listing her as an
>> employee.  I don't want to do anything that might cause
>> trouble in the longrun.  At any rate, I'm sure that we could
>> put our heads together when it comes to some of the
>> calculations.  There is also software that can help us keep
>> track of purchases, costs of shipping and materials, income
>> earned etc.  But I think that when it really comes time to
>> crunch the numbers, we'll go to an accountant. You're
>> absolutely right about yard sales and the like, which is why
>> I would always attend one with someone sighted who has a good
>> eye for catching these crooks.  I don't consider this
>> discouragement at all. In fact, I'm very greatful that you're
>> taking the time to explain all of this to me.  The more I
>> learn the better.  I sincerely hope that this isn't going too
>> offtopic, but perhaps the advice that I get and the questions
>> that I ask could help someone else who's interested in
>> starting a business in crafts.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Eleni
>>
>> On 10/2/10, NCBootman <ncbootman at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > I never discourage anybody who wants to work. But, the fact is that
>> > one of the biggest factors in failure of a blind person's work
>> > experience is due to transportation. This is an area that you will
>> > need to have a rock solid plan of how you will deal with
>> the issue of
>> > transportation. Employers Will ask and if you seek funding for a
>> > business, they will ask. So, spend a lot of time with this and have
>> > alternatives. Alternatives are necessary because what
>> happens when you
>> > have a deadline for delivery or a show or just a scheduled
>> day and the
>> > main transportation fails. Drivers have surgery, get mad, aren't in
>> > the mood, ...
>> >
>> > Another important area is if you are in a selling business, you'd
>> > better love math or hire somebody to do it. There's the
>> actual adding
>> > up of a sale, calculating sales tax, figuring item cost,
>> paying bills,
>> > reporting income taxes, reporting to Social Security, and
>> just doing
>> > the day to day accounting. If you have a yard sale or go to
>> the flea
>> > market and have no backers of any kind, you've still got to
>> deal with
>> > that crook who wants ten $5 items for $25. They'll work so fast you
>> > won't even know what happened if you aren't on your toes.
>> >
>> > Again, this is not discouragement. This is work related
>> facts and must
>> > be considered as a part of beginning work or any business.
>> I'm happy
>> > to answer any questions and do anything I can to help.
>> >
>> >
>> > Greg
>> > Greg
>> >
>> > --------------------------------------------------
>> > From: "Eleni Vamvakari" <magkisa83 at gmail.com>
>> > Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 5:14 PM
>> > To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
>> > <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>> > Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Starting a Business in Crafts
>> >
>> >> Thanks Annette and Joyce.  I haven't gone to any crafts
>> shows, since
>> >> I don't know where any are located in my area and have no
>> one to take
>> >> me.  That said, my boyfriend might be able to if it's during the
>> >> weekend.  I'm terrible with mathematics so all of this would just
>> >> give me a headache if I tried it on my own.  That said, I've saved
>> >> your questions and will attempt to work on them, if only
>> for myself.
>> >> Your strategy for estimating is very logical.  But I will
>> still seek
>> >> help in actually writing these things out.  I didn't know that you
>> >> needed permits or a business license just to sell on Ebay and/or
>> >> Craigslist or on your own site.  I doubt that I could use
>> my income
>> >> in the beginning to cover my monthly living expenses but they'll
>> >> probably lower my SSI payments etc. if I go this route
>> anyway.  I'll
>> >> check into these resources if I don't hear back from my counselor
>> >> etc.  I'm not really sure how much The Comission would be
>> willing to
>> >> help me, since they already paid for a part of my college
>> education
>> >> and for an independence centre experience.  Still, it's
>> worth trying.
>> >> But I'm really interested in this online course.  It sounds doable
>> >> and I don't need to worry about transportation at all.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks,
>> >> Eleni
>> >>
>> >> On 10/2/10, Blindhands at aol.com <Blindhands at aol.com> wrote:
>> >>> Greg is right.  My state agency for the blind actually
>> drove me  to
>> >>> a couple of classes that the small business  was giving.
>> >>>
>> >>> Joyce  Kane
>> >>> www.KraftersKorner.org  (http://www.krafterskorner.org/)
>> >>> Blindhands at AOL.com _______________________________________________
>> >>> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>> >>> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>> >>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>> >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>> account info for
>> >>> Nfb-krafters-korner:
>> >>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbn
> et.org/magkisa83%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>>> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/ncbootm
> an%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/magkisa
> 83%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/sleryth
> ema%40insightbb.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/magkisa83%40gmail.com
>