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

Sun Oct 3 15:11:35 UTC 2010

I wouldn't expect to sell anything but the best. *smile*  I too am a
perfectionist when it comes to things like this, so I know that
something of inferior quality simply won't make it.

On 10/3/10, River Woman <riverwoman at zoominternet.net> wrote:
> The items we make to sell have to be exquisite and perfect. It has to look
> wonderful and be made of the best materials possible. Shabby does not get
> it, nor does mistakes and sloppy work. The crafsmanship has to be spot on if
> you want to see it to customers who are discerning.
> Lynda Lambert
> River Road Studio, Since 1976
> www.lyndalambert.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "NCBootman" <ncbootman at gmail.com>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 9:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Starting a Business in Crafts
>
>
>> Eleni,
>>
>> Thank you for understanding my intention to get you thinking.
>>
>> The reason I was willing to post to the list is that a question for any
>> crafter is what are we going to do with our treasures! Otherwise, we soon
>> live in a warehouse that just gets more crowded. But, we have to think
>> about selling and business and all of that. There's just so much to think
>> about.
>>
>> Greg
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Eleni Vamvakari" <magkisa83 at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 7:59 PM
>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>> 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
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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