Comments on: Starting up your Craft business – Feel the Fear (and do it Anyway)

By: anne-cecile

anne-cecile — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:19:26 +0000

Your blog is great, thanks for all your tips and advices.
I feel the same when I get in my also messy (just a bit) work room:)!!!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:02:24 +0000

Thank you for a very personal insight. It’s funny, when people such as yourself are successful, you don’t think that they went through the fear stage like we do. It’s lovely to know that you overcame that and are doing well. You’re a hero to us all I think.

Melanies last blog post..This is… My Best Op-Shop Find(s)

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:54:20 +0000

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for your kind advice. i’m a 29 years old argentinian living in New Zealand, i start making handbags no even knowing how to sew (back then…) because i was sick of my dayjob (by sick, i meant Sick i was o stress leaves every 3 o 4 month) at that point i had a lot o different courses done but nothing that could be MY CAREER… so kinda a 27’s crisis. I’m 29 now living in a beautiful country and I decide that i want to go for it… this particular post GIVE ME THE LAST PUSH…
tHAKS SO MUCH

pd: none of does courses that i took seems now so unrelated is almost like they are exactly the variety of information that i need to put my project together, and off course people like you sharing they knowledge and kindness.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:37:39 +0000

Lisa, thanks for articulating so clearly the reasons why I do what I do.
Its something, I think, that you cannot explain to others who don’t (as my hubby would say) ‘make stuff’.
The joy I feel getting up in the mornings when I know I don’t have to go to work, but can have the day sorting orders, creating artwork, sewing or just moving the mess around in the work room; knowing I don’t HAVE to get up, but WANT to!
You’re a star!

By: joy

joy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:29:06 +0000

Thank you Lisa for this encouragement. I am in a similar position as you were, only
I’m 48. I’ve spent the last 24 years raising our family. Now I’m ready to take myself out around the block to see what I can do.
I love your work; it’s inspirational.

By: Anary

Anary — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:29:37 +0000

It is all the way…you are a craft hero.

By: Miss*Laurence

Miss*Laurence — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:09:44 +0000

Lisa,
Thanks for this post, it is inspiring to see a success story.
I’d say that what’s holding me back is that I am not mobile and I can’t make myself visible without spending lots ( galleries, fairs, travel etc…). I can’t travel far on public transport, and be back when school finishes at 3:15 and I have to be home then. I also do not have a room dedicated to “making things”, People may love what I make, but they don’t want to pay for it, or only if the price comes to £2 for an hour’s work! These are the things that hold me back, it is not fear. How did you get over those?

By: mycraftyways

mycraftyways — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:34:34 +0000

Thank you for sharing your own experience, really ! It’s nice sometimes to get to see what’s actually happening backstage !

I always find your CraftBoom posts not only useful, but encouraging and inspirational.
I’ve been planning a virtual craft business (though “business” seems such a big word) in my head for months (ok, years) now, but still find myself in the “too overwhelmed to start” phase.

For what it’s worth, you definitely contribute to putting me on the path to making it real !
Hugs !

mycraftyways’s last blog post..Four Crafty resolutions

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:15:12 +0000

Have you been reading my mind? I swear you wrote that post just for me. Thank you SO much. I’ve been working on ideas for crafts to produce for sale and have asked those same questions. I just need to *start* – thank you for that!

By: Julia York

Julia York — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:50:45 +0000

Thank you for the work you put into these posts, Lisa.

Like you I feel over-educated with nothing that sensibly fits together. Every possibility you consider – someone suggests that perhaps you should study something else! Self-confidence spirals lower. My refuge is my sewing machine. I want to sell what I make and I want to make a living from it. That is a challenge and the ‘fear’ is huge at the moment even though I recognise it’s getting in the way. Your posts give me the energy to keep trying a little longer and give myself a bit more of a chance.

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:52:02 +0000

You must be mad! I'd take public speaking over rusty fork in the eye any day! Kelvin Kao's last blog post..LCC presents: I’m Feeling Lucky!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:58:12 +0000

Lisa,

THank you for this thoughtful post. I have been contemplating starting a craft business and I have been saying the same thing to myself. What if I don’t try can I really live with that decision. THanks for the inspiration. I am so glad to have found you web site. THanks

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:39:20 +0000

This post must have been inspired! I've been asking myself those same questions very recently. It's exciting and scary at the same time. Thanks so much for your blog! Erin's last blog post..Easy Coordinated Ribbon Tutorial

By: Rosalie

Rosalie — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:44:28 +0000

Great blog! You came highly recommended and I’m glad I listened. I just started my own craft business this year and this will be a great resource. Thank you!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:01:27 +0000

Thank you so much for this post. I have started a mini crochet business (mostly friends and family/word of mouth so far) but I have a passion for what I do. I have been offered incredible opportunities to sell my creations and I have not jumped on them yet. It is my fear holding me back. But as you said, my greatest fear is that I won't push forward and see what I can do. I am going to start today thanks to your inspiration. It is so neat to find a community of people who feel exactly how I do! Thanks again! Shannon's last blog post..Yay...More Handles!

By: Lane C

Lane C — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:46:47 +0000

I understand that you have to dive in to what makes you feel good. But how much planning really goes into making you successful? How much should you concentrate on devising plans vs...making things? I just found your blog and I am in love with it! Thanks for your great posts! Lane C's last blog post..I'm Back and ranting....

By: Colleen

Colleen — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:44:05 +0000

Thank you. I just found this blog yesterday and added it to my blog role - so glad I did. Your message today really hit home on a number of levels. Time to work on my confidence and devise a plan. Colleen's last blog post..a milestone of sorts

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:06:09 +0000

I second Florence's amazement. Two years? Wow. That is incredible. Even without all of the great articles, you are an inspiration in and of yourself. Sarah's last blog post..The 7 deadly sins of creative professionals: Part two

By: Florence

Florence — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:22:27 +0000

Lisa, I do love your Craft Boom posts – they are so very encouraging, inspiring and generous of spirit.

I had no idea that you’ve only been running U-handbag for two years – it is amazing that in such a short time you have created something that, in the crafting world, seems to have become something of an institution.

I love the picture that goes with this post. x

Florence’s last blog post..Sneaky peaky bits