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#8146 - 01/25/03 08:28 AM
Starting Over
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Member
Registered: 11/28/02
Posts: 887
Loc: SW Florida
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My mom started a full service yarn shop in our area 16-17 yrs ago. I joined forces with her about 9 yrs ago. At one time we had 3 stores - two in our town and 1 in the town to the south of us, but as my mother got older and even more set her ways, it was obvious to me that I had a choice. I was either going to continue to work with my mom or have a relationship with my mom -- but it wasn't going to be both. I choose a relationship with her and quit the shop.
A few months ago she finally closed the shop and was going to just "give" it away -- so I took it. I put everything in a warehouse for awhile and now its stored in my home. I want to get started back up with it, but with lack of capital -- I need to start slowly.
I've done really well with eBay in the past - selling things that didn't "go" in the shop - so I will start back with that, but I want to get back into the community too. I need to start small, as I said, so my thoughts are to try and get into the nursing homes and assisted living facilities -- getting a "knitting club" started for those ladies that can't get out any more. In the past I've tried going to the schools so young girls can get lessons and have something creative and productive to do, but the schools in our area weren't very responsive at all, but once I get going I'll try that again. BUT, I'm not going to make any money doing that because most of that will be volunteer due to lack of funds on my clients part ;-) This idea is more along the "heart" lines -- not the pocketbook lines ;-)
I have the inventory, wholesale contacts, and experience, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about. I can contact all our past customers and let them know I'm back in business, but since I can't afford the start up costs of getting into a store front, I don't have a proper place to service them. A bank loan is out and I don't have any rich friends ;-) Suggestions please !!
So ladies, anyone out there want to adopt me ??? ;-)
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#8150 - 01/28/03 05:29 AM
Re: Starting Over
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Member
Registered: 10/18/02
Posts: 13
Loc: harford county,md.
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My mom is living in a senior complex in Fla. She's 69 and is much younger than the gals teaching her how to crochet and knit "lap blankets" for the senior citizen centers.What I find sad is that what you learned from your mom needs to be taught to others or else it is a craft that might be lost. Is there any way you could teach classes? With the material you still have you could go into a rec council and maybe build a customer base that way. Just a thought, good luck!
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#8151 - 01/28/03 05:01 PM
Re: Starting Over
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Member
Registered: 11/20/02
Posts: 317
Loc: Towson
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At the super bowl party on Sunday night several women were talking about knitting. It seems that quite a few woman my age are taking it up. One of the women there has been knitting since she was a child and is quite good. They were talking about how there are only 2 local shops and both are very pricey. The avid knitter uses very high quality yarns apparently and they are expensive. I bet these women would love to have a source for their supplies. If you like I'll get their email addresses for you. Let me know.
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#8156 - 01/30/03 05:03 PM
Re: Starting Over
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Member
Registered: 11/03/02
Posts: 90
Loc: baltimore
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I think the Knitting should have an ETC. added on. I love knitting and crocheting.Crocheting has the advantage of going a bit quicker,versatile to the point when as a passenger on a long car trip one can enjoy the scenery and still not drop a stitch. How about putting it under "stress relief"? Actually I taught my class of 7th graders,yes,boys and girls, to crochet.We made squares and I sewed them into a quilt for the homeless.The first 2 weeks were hectic but after that it was so incredible to look up from my desk and see the kids talking and crocheting during homeroom. Because of the time factor I just haven't been able to repeat this,but the possibility of having a class offered after school or at recess-for a fee- might be a way to revenue and a feeling that you made a difference.
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#8158 - 02/07/03 07:09 PM
Re: Starting Over
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Member
Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 221
Loc: Clifton, Ks. USA
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Recently, I was crocheting on an afghan I am making for myself, when my grandchildren saw what I was doing and asked if I would "sew" them a blanket. I promised to crochet an afghan for each grandchild. So far I have done 2 of the 5 needed and am working on the third. The kids also wanted to learn how to "sew". So I taught the two older children how to do the chain stitch and once they become proficient at that, I will teach them single crochet. They are so excited at being able to make a chain from a hook and skein of yarn. It is good exercise for their brains and fingers and keeps them occupied for a few minutes while they rest from other more strenuous play. They learn hand/eye coordination and self confidence. And its fun for grandma, too. I don't crochet complicated items, just simple afghans, pillows, and scarves. I know how to do the more complicated items, but like being able to just crochet without counting stitches. I highly recommend it as a stress reliever. As far as how to catalog it as a forum, I think Arts/Crafts should be an entirely separate forum. Some of us use it for recreation, some of us sell our work, and all of us, I believe, enjoy doing it.
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