I'm sure you've noticed the boom in creative crafts these days, it's quite hard to miss. Mom's everywhere are using their skills to make things they enjoy making that are cute, fun, functional and even tasty... and some even, all at the same time, use these skills as a way of income for their families.
and these cute bows made by Becca.
I have a couple of friends like Ariel that make nursing covers and sell them.
My friend Karen makes the most uplifting fun cards
and I love getting them for my birthday every year.Anything Kellie touches pretty much turns to gold.
There are amazing blogs out there like my friend Kristi's
that help us to be more creative and inspired in the functionality of our home and budget and to opening up our minds to new ways of doing things, saving money, and simply help us to think outside the box.You can even find great furniture on Ana's blog to make for your own home which will give you a sense of accomplishment as well as save you a couple (hundred/thousand) dollars.
(bed made by a reader of Anna's Blog)
And then there's people like Ashley who decide they want to learn something new so she 'youtube's it and poof she has an amazing new skill and talent.
Don't her cakes look yummy and fabulous?!There are TONS more blogs out there too! Those are just some by people I personally know (except Ana... I don't know her).
My point is~ I don't know if this "new age" craft era is a trend or if it's something that will stick around for a while. With the economy the way it is and just life being more and more expensive in general, women, who might otherwise choose not to, are having to leave their homes and their children to help make a living. I am inspired by the women I have linked above and all others that have figured out what they can do to contribute to their homes and society, all the while magnifying their talents and creating fun and beautiful and once again tasty... well... anything!
I am blessed to have a job where I get to work from my home. It is not what I consider fun though and sometimes I wonder~ Could I be doing something more enjoyable and still bring in money for my family? I'm sure I can! I have some great talents, the most obvious being my mad sewing skills. I have been thinking a lot lately on what I can do to market my talents. I need a Million Dollar Idea!!!! In the past I've made wedding dresses. I haven't done many since moving to Utah and it takes a lot of time away from my family and frankly isn't really realistic as far as making a living goes right now.
So I need something time efficient/cost effective. Something I can make a turn around on the money I invest. My biggest set back to discovering my Million Dollar Idea is when I see something that already being done a lot I hesitate to take a venture at it myself. I want a product that's unique. Something that people won't look at and say... "That's really cute!!! I could just make that myself." I want to corner a market and if it goes boom after me, well that's fine if I already have a clientele built up. I made crayon rolls for my nieces and nephews,
but I'm not so sure it's cost effective and I'm afraid it's one of those things people will see and choose to do themselves rather than buy (I suppose making a how-to blog about doesn't help my chances of being able to sell); plus they are becoming quite common already.That's what I've been thinking about lately. Anyone got any million dollar ideas for me?
With your talents Mel, you can do anything! Good luck with your Million dollar idea, I need one myself!
ReplyDeleteOh friend. You're oozing with fabulousness! I too have been on that same quest for MANY years. And I think the best thing to do is just dabble and play around with things that you enjoy doing. You have MAD sewing skills and I think you should just go ahead and make things that you like to make. And try new types of craft and art. I realized one day that for me it will be doing something that I love and that I already do. For me it's not realistic to be sewing a bunch of stuff together because it's not my thing...I'm not good at it...and I don't sew just for fun really ever. But one thing I do that is automatic is blog. And come to find out people are making millions blogging. And there's lots of room for more to do that because if you're like me...I'm always looking for a new blog to read. So maybe for me someday...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice things you said about my blog. I hope to make it better and better. Please email me and tell me your favorite things. I want to do more of what I already do that people like.
xoxo friend...you'll find your thing. Just do the things you love. It'll be worth it. Just like finding your soul mate right? It's worth the wait to find the right thing you love :)
:) You are too cute! Thanks for the little promo!
ReplyDeleteP.S. You shoudl do something with your awesome reupholstry skills, get some junk and turn it into a treasure, then sell! :) That's my idea for you!
ReplyDeleteThere really are so many things you could do. You can do tutorials and make money. If you have enough page views you can charge for people to advertise on your blog. The biggest thing if you'll notice with the big ones is they've made friends with others and promote each other. As far as unique and creative that's not me, sorry:( But your right with your mad sewing skills. You just have to think of things that you would like to have yourself and try it out. The thing is that somebody can always copy, but not all of us now how to sew so we'll still buy it:)
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