This is one of those posts that between scheduling and posting, lost its value. Thus, a deep delete with a sort of start over.
Sorting the folders I removed from the file cabinet I gave away, old memories fly out. Most of them I remember. A few I had to think about. One project has been in my notes for well over 20 years. There are pages of notes.
Guess for a second what it is.
Ready?
Holiday ornaments! I have been wanting and planning to make holiday ornaments and cards for years.
One of the impediments is the paperwork, registrations, taxes, and such. For a very small craft business, there is no easy way to set up.
Vermont has a business portal to help folks. Right off I meet a major problem. In order to receive a start your business check list, the type isn’t found on their list. Soybean Farm is not my goal. The point is, there is a lot of reading to do of material made more complicated than it should be.
Want to make a difference? Research how your state is set up for a small at home business. If you discover a need for improvement, then contact your local legislators.
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| Worcester Mountains Vermont 5x7 inch watercolor |
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| Plant on table, corner over from my work desk with a view of Lake Champlain (right window) Skiff Hall, Champlain College circa 1993 (finished Liberal Arts Associates degree 1995) |
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| Backgrounds for greeting cards |
Wow! Your paintings are wonderful! When I was selling on Etsy and other online outlets, it was pretty basic how to set up my business-having it at home and so small (my own art), all I had to do was register my business name at my county clerk's office, pay the fee for that ($25) and contact my state sales tax for a sales tax number so I could collect tax. You could sell your art and ornaments in person to shops local to you, or get an Etsy shop. I'm not selling on Etsy now, but it was fun the almost 10 years that I did. It was a wonderful experience, in fact.
ReplyDeleteDebra,
DeleteSounds easy in New York state.
In Vermont, using your own name is the easiest way to sell art. That is the option I will take.
May
Your paintings are lovely. I especially like the plant on the table. I know very little about setting up a business here.
ReplyDeleteLorrie,
DeleteThe planter in real life is gorgeous.
May
Great art. Yep, different states have different rules for businesses. Be nice it if was all easy and the same but we gotta do the research for sure. Wishing you a fun rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteA fun weekend to you as well Ivy
DeleteReading the instructions to set up a business gives me a headache.
The suggestion to use a lawyer feels more like a threat.
May
I'm sorry it gives you a headache, that's not fun. Maybe you can find better instruction and a better teacher online. Or reach out to a local business and ask to take them to lunch to ask for some advice and help. Some folks are willing to help out. Businesses open all the time. You can do it! I believe in you.
DeleteI've been sorting through old folders, too, but I haven't found anything as beautiful as your art work in any of them! But lots of things that really aren't all that relevant anymore. It's a good way to really redo the filing cabinet!
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
DeleteYour artwork is beautiful wherever you have stored.
I think there are more memories in artworks than in photos.
May
Making holiday ornaments and card is delightful. Anything homemade is special. That's a creative idea.
ReplyDeleteSheri,
DeleteFinding crafts that are relaxing, to me, is as good as taking a nice walk in the woods. I think our brains need to move as much as are feet do.
Generating income from such craft is even better.
May
I've toyed with opening an Etsy shop and then that whole idea comes to a screeching halt when I remember that it's pretty much impossible to price anything consistently when I would have to deal with shipping costs. Having to make two trips to the post office to get an 'estimate' for shipping, and then another trip to actually ship is a big time user, plus with gas prices the way they are at the moment, it's just not doable. I horrified myself the other day when I looked at some comparable (with less embroidery than I do) in size fabric landscapes and saw the asking price of nearly $2000. Many of them were marked sold and I was astounded that anybody would pay that much. I can't imagine it.
ReplyDelete