Can you really make money with your passion?
02-19-2011, 09:20 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
No, I couldn't. As soon as start doing something I do for an avocation as a vocation, I hate it. I sewed appliqued skirts for a while years ago when they were popular and hated it. i don't quilt for money either. But I do teach, and I like that.
02-19-2011, 09:32 AM
#52
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Originally Posted by Maride
Originally Posted by #1piecemaker
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
The best example of making it work is Bonnie Hunter. She started with quilting for others and now is the no 1 sought after teacher, lecturer, and author. She is booked solid for a year in advance. If you have the energy, the passion, and the personality, and a DH that isn't your shadow, you can make a big success of quilts as your income
02-19-2011, 09:50 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 327
Mostly one cannot make a living off a handcrafted product. The general population is not willing to pay a decent hourly wage. In this industry the money is in knowledge ie teaching classes pattern development or the mass manufacture of a tool/ gaget. At this point I quilt to relax and keep me in "mad money". Once the kids are in kindergarten I can focus on making some of the ideas in my head marketable.
02-19-2011, 09:50 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 1,196
Originally Posted by allie1448
Both my husband and I quilt and we wanted the opportunity of finishing our tops ourselves so have just invested in a LA and have started a small business. We are not interested (and frankly no where near experienced enough) to quilt others quilts but are offering lessons in the basic use of the machine and then clients can rent 'time' on the machine to finish their projects, with us around to offer any help or advise. This will not be a huge income for us but will keep the machine in use while we make up our projects and will give us a little income to put towards the cost of the machine. One other HUGE bonus is we are making friends as we go!
02-19-2011, 11:55 AM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Originally Posted by Surfergirl
Where do you think the best place online would be to sell our lap quilts, runners, etc.? I know about ebay and etsy...are there any others?
artfire.com
bigcartel.com
ecrater.com
your own website
02-19-2011, 12:06 PM
#59
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 113
Years ago I wanted to purchase a LA machine and start a business. Unfortunately, I didn't have the space at the time to house the machine. So, instead I started a decorative concrete business, where at least the tools of the trade can be stored outside. And one HUGE thing I've learned is that no matter how closely you try to figure expenses, they will always be much larger than anticipated. Once you purchase the expensive equipment, will others be willing to pay to keep you working to capacity? And after expenses, how much do you really make an hour? And now that you're self-employed, you're probably no longer contributing to social security, you may not be able to afford health insurance, etc. etc.
I love what we do with concrete, and I still hope one day to be able to purchase a LA machine. However, I have no illusions whatsoever about being able to make money with it!
I love what we do with concrete, and I still hope one day to be able to purchase a LA machine. However, I have no illusions whatsoever about being able to make money with it!
02-19-2011, 12:23 PM
#60
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Originally Posted by ConcreteSher
And now that you're self-employed, you're probably no longer contributing to social security,
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