OK, I know we have discussed me doing my sewing as a business and Kate has been immensely helpful in giving me contract ideas, etc. However, it appears that it is time to get serious. DH mentioned a few days ago that if I'm going to continue to stay at home until our youngest goes to school full-time (in 2 more years) that I need to do "something" to contribute to the family income and he *REALLY* wants me to use my sewing skills to do it (how's that for a lovely compliment!). Anyway, I have gotten some work by pure luck (recovering cushions for a couch and chair, hemming and mending work, etc.) and have done some so-called "contract" work with the PTA of the elementary school. What I was thinking about was checking with some of the local businesses in the village (Stuarts Draft) and seeing if they would be interested in purchasing some of the garden flags. I will also be trying to get in touch with the heads of the PTAs of both the middle school and high school regarding the flags and hopefully talking to the owner of my LQS to see if she would be willing/ interested in carrying some. Second part of the plan is to try and find out who I need to talk to at the high school with regards to getting my info to the students about formals, etc. Today it dawned on me that I could talk to one of the other elementary schools that feeds into the SD middle school and see if they would be interested in garden flags as well (of course, this means finding out their mascot, etc.).
I have talked with a friend who has a small side business making totes out of placemats (lovely creations, and if she hadn't told me they were simple placemat totes, I never would have known!) and she said that she has her business license, and paid the fees, but that she never really makes it to the limit that the state has before we have to pay taxes on the income. She does have to charge sales tax, though, which is something that I can read up on without too much of a headache. SHe said basically that it is a minimal amount to pay for the license and that, once you have the license, you can participate in the craft shows and trade fairs which is where she brings in most of her money.
So....I guess I just want feedback on if you all think this is a feasible way to get started on bringing in some extra money. I'm still a bit shocked that DH hit me with this out of the blue, but given the last month - Niece staying with us, legal matters regarding the house, trying to squeeze in some FAMILY vacation time, etc. - things are a little strained and hectic. And DD has hit a MAJOR growth spurt, which means new clothing and shoes for her before school starts up again (she wore a size 7.5 shoe at the beginning of June and has jumped all the way to a size 9 now!!! SHe is also wearing some size 4 clothing already when she was last wearing size 3T and most of them were too long!!! But at least my preemie girl is catching up to everyone else!).
Larisa, tired and frustrated and would rather earn extra money with sewing than with working part-time nights doing retail