Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. My financial goals for my Etsy shop are to help support our family. My husband is a home builder and I also help him out when needed.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. Sometimes, my 3 year old, likes to help me with packaging. He loves to put the packing peanuts in the bubble mailers for me. So, I have appointed him my shipping manager. My 5 year old, is not really into helping me, because he has an engineering brain(like his daddy) so he tries to engineer some sort of contraption to speed up the process. I get really scared when I hear him needing a pneumatic nail gun and blow torch. lol!
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. That is tough for me to answer. Some days, I can accomplish everything I need to do. Some days, not so much. When I worked in the corporate world I had a legal size notepad on my desk at all times with my to-do list. I was very organized. Now, I am the complete opposite. I am working really hard to get this house organized & get my studio organized. Just the amount of organization I have done in the last month has helped tremendously. So, I guess my tip would be getting organized, if you are not. A few months ago, I found a really great blog. http://simplemom.net. She has some really cool to-do lists, grocery lists and home management tips. They are available here: http://simplemom.net/downloads I have fallen in love with her blog. Check it out if you haven't.
Check out her awesome shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=66511
Showing posts with label SAHM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAHM. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Kids and Crafting, Another Great SAHM Interview!
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. For now my sales cover all my crafting costs and sometimes a little something extra for me as well:)
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My goal is to make enough that it contributes to our household income.
My kids help me by being my size models. I use them when I make childrens jewelry. my 6 yr is often my model for clip on earrings -only fitting since she was my inspiration. My 8 yr old son is very interested in internet sales. He is amazed that you can take pictures and post your item for sale. He likes to look at how many views I have on an item.
I was home alone with my 6 yr old when I started my etsy shop. I needed a profile picture and handed her the camera (then 5 yrs old). I think she did pretty good!
When my daughter is older I'm sure I'll have her making jewelry too. She already loves it, but her taste is questionable (being 6 yrs old and all).
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. This summer has been tricky, working with the kids being home is no easy task. I respect every mother out there who works from home. Plus I think crafters have it extra hard. we run the house, take care of kids, run earrands, create ideas and make our items to sale, take pictures of our stuff, post items, and market our stores.
we are the ultimate CEO's.
I check email in the morning and after lunch, ship in the afternoon, and craft at night.
A. For now my sales cover all my crafting costs and sometimes a little something extra for me as well:)
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My goal is to make enough that it contributes to our household income.
My kids help me by being my size models. I use them when I make childrens jewelry. my 6 yr is often my model for clip on earrings -only fitting since she was my inspiration. My 8 yr old son is very interested in internet sales. He is amazed that you can take pictures and post your item for sale. He likes to look at how many views I have on an item.
I was home alone with my 6 yr old when I started my etsy shop. I needed a profile picture and handed her the camera (then 5 yrs old). I think she did pretty good!
When my daughter is older I'm sure I'll have her making jewelry too. She already loves it, but her taste is questionable (being 6 yrs old and all).
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. This summer has been tricky, working with the kids being home is no easy task. I respect every mother out there who works from home. Plus I think crafters have it extra hard. we run the house, take care of kids, run earrands, create ideas and make our items to sale, take pictures of our stuff, post items, and market our stores.
we are the ultimate CEO's.
I check email in the morning and after lunch, ship in the afternoon, and craft at night.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Not Moving, But That's Okay
It turns out it's just going to be too much drama to move. Th expenses and the hassle were overwhelming. So, we need to make a better go of it at the current abode. Step one was reorganizing my office/studio. That's pretty much done and I feel SO SO much better. I will be taking photos soon to share my space with everyone. Step one-b is to get the rest of the house organized/super cleaned. We have not adjusted to having a tornado toddler yet. It seems like no matter how much we clean, she is always right behind us, tossing everything back out again. This too shall pass, right? I have to admit, I'm totally messy too. I'm trying to be better, though, because it is such a stress reliever to have a clean house and to have everything in its place.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
SAHM Interview with SnugBugClothing
Today is a great interview with SAHM SnugBugClothing!
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. My ultimate financial goal for my Etsy business is to contribute finacially to my family. My intention is to run my business as a real business, not just a hobby, and as with any business I expect financial gain eventually. I belive that Etsy will make a fantastic addition to my existing website and wholesale business, and allow me to reach a broader market.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My son is only two so he doesn't help much at this point. Mind you, he is really great at cleaning up fabric scraps. That is, of course, if picking them up, running away with them, and scattering them all over the house counts as "cleaning". I don't plan to have him help when he's older - with the nature of my products I don't feel that there's much he can really help with. But he'll always be welcome to help with dinner!
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. The best advice I can give in trying to balance children and an at-home job is to schedule your time. It can sometimes be too easy to become distracted by work and before you know it, the entire day is gone and you realize you haven't played with your kids. Play with your kids! It is great for clearing your mind to allow those new ideas to come through. I designate nap time every day as my work time, along with an hour or two after my son goes to bed. I don't like to work too much in the evenings as that is my "alone" time with my fiance. Designate time for each person and each task (including yourself!), and no one will feel neglected.
Visit Her Shop Today!
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. My ultimate financial goal for my Etsy business is to contribute finacially to my family. My intention is to run my business as a real business, not just a hobby, and as with any business I expect financial gain eventually. I belive that Etsy will make a fantastic addition to my existing website and wholesale business, and allow me to reach a broader market.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My son is only two so he doesn't help much at this point. Mind you, he is really great at cleaning up fabric scraps. That is, of course, if picking them up, running away with them, and scattering them all over the house counts as "cleaning". I don't plan to have him help when he's older - with the nature of my products I don't feel that there's much he can really help with. But he'll always be welcome to help with dinner!
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. The best advice I can give in trying to balance children and an at-home job is to schedule your time. It can sometimes be too easy to become distracted by work and before you know it, the entire day is gone and you realize you haven't played with your kids. Play with your kids! It is great for clearing your mind to allow those new ideas to come through. I designate nap time every day as my work time, along with an hour or two after my son goes to bed. I don't like to work too much in the evenings as that is my "alone" time with my fiance. Designate time for each person and each task (including yourself!), and no one will feel neglected.
Visit Her Shop Today!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Elsa Toy Explosion
I keep a bag of her baby toys up in her closet. It's nothing she really loves, just a bunch of random stuff. Well I was trying to finish a project and I just could NOT interest her in any of the usual activities. So, I sat the bag in her room, unzipped it and let her have at it!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A Great Interview!
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. I do want to make a serious business out of my it and hopefully (one day) be able to help out with the money I earn. Right now, any little bit I make goes back into supplies.
My husband, Julian is very good at helping me balance my business finances. We keep very strict records on what I spend and what I make. We also have a plan and goals for the business. We are aware that seeing a profit might take time.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My 10 year old, Julio loves to do whatever I am doing. I love to work with him because he is so willing to learn. My 13 year old (Caleb) is not very crafty and prefers action games and sports. Daisy, my 8 year old is too busy being the boss to do crafts. She does prefer scrapbooking and paper crafts, but she prefers to work alone.
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. Well, I homeschool as well as run a business out of my home, so I have had to learn to balance many tasks at once.
My advice would be to always put the family things first. After the kids have done their school work, hubby's lunch has been fixed and the household chores are done, then let everyone know that you are working....Take it seriously. If it is going to be a business, it has to be treated like one.
My family knows that when I say I will be in my work room "Working" it is "Do Not Disturb Mom" time. My 13 year old is very helpful when it comes to keeping the 2 youngest in line when I am busy working.
Also, never take on too much work at once. Go at an even steady pace and don't expect to get rich quick.
Thanks Renee!
A. I do want to make a serious business out of my it and hopefully (one day) be able to help out with the money I earn. Right now, any little bit I make goes back into supplies.
My husband, Julian is very good at helping me balance my business finances. We keep very strict records on what I spend and what I make. We also have a plan and goals for the business. We are aware that seeing a profit might take time.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My 10 year old, Julio loves to do whatever I am doing. I love to work with him because he is so willing to learn. My 13 year old (Caleb) is not very crafty and prefers action games and sports. Daisy, my 8 year old is too busy being the boss to do crafts. She does prefer scrapbooking and paper crafts, but she prefers to work alone.
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. Well, I homeschool as well as run a business out of my home, so I have had to learn to balance many tasks at once.
My advice would be to always put the family things first. After the kids have done their school work, hubby's lunch has been fixed and the household chores are done, then let everyone know that you are working....Take it seriously. If it is going to be a business, it has to be treated like one.
My family knows that when I say I will be in my work room "Working" it is "Do Not Disturb Mom" time. My 13 year old is very helpful when it comes to keeping the 2 youngest in line when I am busy working.
Also, never take on too much work at once. Go at an even steady pace and don't expect to get rich quick.
Thanks Renee!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
SAHM part two with Oldbagcrafts
And now for our second featured shop: oldbagcrafts
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store?
A. At first, I was looking for money for extras - the little treats and luxuries. Since my husband got made redundant two weeks ago, it's become a little more important (since I would like to carry on staying home!) and now I aim to cover housekeeping costs like groceries, toiletries etc.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My youngest (two and a half) provides entertainment and demonstrations of bobbin-rolling and thread-unravelling. My daughter aged 5 is an expert at 'un-inside-outing' (as she calls it) the sewn bags. She likes to sit next to me and do it as I sew. We have lovely chats doing that while her little brother naps. They are both great party bag testers! My daughter also likes to design bags for me and keeps asking when will I make them.
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. If they can be involved it helps enormously - even little things like having a box of scraps for them to play and craft with. I have my workstation set up in a family area so I do little things whenever they are occupied and don't need me - I get most of my cutting and pinning done when they are colouring etc. It's hard, though!
Q. Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store?
A. At first, I was looking for money for extras - the little treats and luxuries. Since my husband got made redundant two weeks ago, it's become a little more important (since I would like to carry on staying home!) and now I aim to cover housekeeping costs like groceries, toiletries etc.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My youngest (two and a half) provides entertainment and demonstrations of bobbin-rolling and thread-unravelling. My daughter aged 5 is an expert at 'un-inside-outing' (as she calls it) the sewn bags. She likes to sit next to me and do it as I sew. We have lovely chats doing that while her little brother naps. They are both great party bag testers! My daughter also likes to design bags for me and keeps asking when will I make them.
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. If they can be involved it helps enormously - even little things like having a box of scraps for them to play and craft with. I have my workstation set up in a family area so I do little things whenever they are occupied and don't need me - I get most of my cutting and pinning done when they are colouring etc. It's hard, though!
Featured Shops With Stay At Home Moms
I wanted to ask my fellow SAHM and Etsy sellers a bit about how they run things with children.
Today I will feature two of these great Etsians: Kymsart777 and oldbagcrafts
First up is Kymsart777:
Q.Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. My financial goals are ultimately to have a successful business which is profitable, productive and enjoyable! I have had several crafts businesses in the past, one in particular was extremely profitable...but at the time, my kids were little and the money simply was not worth the time that it took away from my family. I decided to close at that time and about 2 years later, started my Etsy business. At present, I reinvest most of my profits back into my business...I have high hopes that I will soon be able to maintain a profit.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My children have always helped me with my business. We used to joke that they would be born at a crafts fair or covered in glitter and glue! They always come up with ideas and I listen with open ears! I bounce ideas off of them as well. They help more as they get older, and have always been a part of helping with crafts fairs, promoting and the like. My oldest daughter has just started her own jewelry business...I have to get her to open a store on Etsy!
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. For me, home and family are always first...Always! I have taught my kids to respect what I do as "work", often people assume that because you are at home, and crafting, that it is just a hobby. I have a dedicated space that is for my "work", and treat my home business as I would any other. I get up, get dressed for work, and close up shop in the evening for family time. I give myself vacation time and sick days...It helps. My family knows that this is my "job", and respect that fact. It helps to make sure there are boundaries, but that my family feels a part of what I am doing. We celebrate the highs, and work through the lows together. Like I said though, Family is first..that is why I am a SAHM.
Today I will feature two of these great Etsians: Kymsart777 and oldbagcrafts
First up is Kymsart777:
Q.Being a SAHM, what are the financial goals for your etsy store? (To help support your family? To just support your craft? Etc.)
A. My financial goals are ultimately to have a successful business which is profitable, productive and enjoyable! I have had several crafts businesses in the past, one in particular was extremely profitable...but at the time, my kids were little and the money simply was not worth the time that it took away from my family. I decided to close at that time and about 2 years later, started my Etsy business. At present, I reinvest most of my profits back into my business...I have high hopes that I will soon be able to maintain a profit.
Q. Do your children help at all in your crafting or etsy store? If they aren't old enough, do you plan on having them help when they are older?
A. My children have always helped me with my business. We used to joke that they would be born at a crafts fair or covered in glitter and glue! They always come up with ideas and I listen with open ears! I bounce ideas off of them as well. They help more as they get older, and have always been a part of helping with crafts fairs, promoting and the like. My oldest daughter has just started her own jewelry business...I have to get her to open a store on Etsy!
Q. Do you have any tips for balancing children with an at-home job?
A. For me, home and family are always first...Always! I have taught my kids to respect what I do as "work", often people assume that because you are at home, and crafting, that it is just a hobby. I have a dedicated space that is for my "work", and treat my home business as I would any other. I get up, get dressed for work, and close up shop in the evening for family time. I give myself vacation time and sick days...It helps. My family knows that this is my "job", and respect that fact. It helps to make sure there are boundaries, but that my family feels a part of what I am doing. We celebrate the highs, and work through the lows together. Like I said though, Family is first..that is why I am a SAHM.
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