I’m back
progressing toward a goal
I’ve been remiss at updating this blog, but away from here I’ve been working at finding my way under new circumstances. I’m still working full time and living in the home of my soon-to-be 96-year-old mom. I assist her so that she can remain in her own home. This isn’t a new circumstance as I moved in with her with my father passed in 2019. What has been new is my post retirement plan. As mentioned previously, my rock-solid plan to return to the Phoenix area to be near a close and supportive friend was ended when she died of cancer. It was a blow to the gut and to have it wipe out firm plans was unsettling for a while. But I am resilient if nothing else. I know this about myself. I began researching alternatives and admitted from the very beginning that I am a lucky person in that I am rich in friends and wonderful family members who want to spend time with me. I have talents. I like working and have lots of ideas how to keep myself challenged and engaged in an active life, an active social life, and a successful retirement. This post isn’t about where I will spend my retirement but how I will be spending my time, possibly. Here’s what’s changed, and some ideas I am researching.
There was a time I couldn’t wait to retire from my job, but that changed. I’m enjoying working at the University and would like to stick around for a couple more years. I’ve always liked being part of a team, and the group we have right now makes for a pleasant work environment. It’s a very international environment and I get to work with brilliant, young people from many cultures. Working for a university one does not get rich, but the time off we are afforded is a real perk. The low cost of health care premiums makes me want to put off becoming a Medicare customer. Many employees have a side hustle, which is not only necessary sometimes, but workable with the vacation hours we have. Since I love textiles, quilts, and sewing and creating my own products, I’ve decided to seriously move forward with two things, my quilt appraising, and selling my handmade products.
As a quilt maker myself, I have ample materials to create products to sell. A businesswoman at heart, I’ve deeply researched others who have done this through craft fairs, Etsy, their own ecommerce site, and booth rental at local galleries and antique markets. Fortunately, I have prior experience as an entrepreneur and immediately created spreadsheets to compile costs and project margins. The margins look worthwhile. I feel as if I’d had a couple signs from the universe that I should be pursuing this. One was accidentally finding quality materials at slightly less than wholesale costs. I’ve also happened upon deeply discounted, or at least perfect-for-the-job display elements. It seems as if things are being set up for me. I just need to do the work.
In my research I’ve heard advice from experienced sellers. One warning I hear repeated is to not try to be everything for everybody. This means that finding a niche is the best approach no build a following. To that end I reflected on advice from a close family member to make project bags for knitters and crocheters. She’d seen my tote bags, liked them, but thought that customizing them for this audience would be best. I gathered different styles of these bags and made two small bags for her and her mother to try. Both ladies are currently crocheting small projects. They were pleased with the way the bag is designed. I added a couple extra conveniences to the plain bag pattern I found on YouTube, a pocket that is segmented to hold a hook or needles, a D ring for stitch markers, and a double yarn guide with a snap for easy swap to another bag. So far, so good. I’m about done with making that portion of inventory and will move on to another style project bag and have ideas for other related quilted bags.
Other valuable comments from the seasoned sellers suggest that one always has on hand a less expensive item. I am making small, quilted pouches good not only for crafters’ tools, but as cosmetic bags and coin purses. I will have some quilted sunglass cases as well. I will market these as inexpensive gift items. But for the most part I will stick to the project bags for crafters.
I recently applied to participate in a holiday craft fair at a large church in my county. By the questions asked on their application form, I do not anticipate being accepted. They asked for my website or Etsy site, neither of which is established. They asked for photos of my projects, which I provided in as neat a fashion as possible. I’m sure they want local artisans with a following to bring people into the event. I’m not yet at that point but feel that I am close. I have my business name, have owned the domain name for many years, and have been deeply considering my branding and display. My goal is to have established at Etsy shop and have a working, but simple, website up by August. I believe this is a realistic goal. Stay tuned.
