Dave and I were talking on our way to Portland yesterday. We always take ideas and make them into yet more dreams. Everything doesn't have to be a dream though! Our license plate on our car says "DREAMRZ' and quite rightfully so! In any case, I am considering, heavily, making this blog into a full fledged website. I just have too much information for just a blog and have too many ideas rolling around in my poor brain, especially after reading the 2 comments I have received so far!
I would like the website to have information on how to start a business here in Maine and where to get the proper paperwork, which I still have to research myself, I would like to have interviews from 'up and comings' and 'brick and mortar' establishments (not chains!), I would like to make every possible resource for marketing yourself available in one stop, I would like to have upcoming venues available for the 'up and comings' and have many many more ideas.
I am also considering having 'sponsors' for a ridiculously low fee....like $30. a year! Not a month, a year!! Posting the banners and links to their websites, etc. So if anyone is interested let me know ASAP!!
My PayPal email is: christina@goodquillhunting.com
I received a comment from Matt Zito, who owns and runs
http://mainecreates.com/ ( <--also in Maine Links on the left)
This looks to be very interesting and worth checking out!!!
Thank you also http://barefootstoryteller.blogspot.com/ for your comment!
I would like to address this in another blog entry!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday-A Day of Rest?
not if you are self employed!! If you are anything like me, you eat, breath, sleep work! I have woken from dreams of designs in my head, those were not sugarplums, although I could buy sugarplums if my dream remains in my head long enough to get to some paper!
Every waking hour is devoted to my goal! I have a constant flow of inspiration, it is actually kind of annoying. I can't look at anything without seeing something else in it. This is what I refer to as my 'curse and my blessing'.
Yesterday, we had to go into Portland. We didn't have to go until late in the day. I started thinking about the 'heading' on this blog and thought a panoramic view of Portland would be cool. I started looking for one and then said wait! We are going into Portland, Dave loves taking pics, so he can take one for me and I will use it instead of finding one and hoping no one minds LOL So the panoramic image above is 'by Dave'. I asked him to take a photo of my new work for me while he was at Bug Light as well. It came out great!! I was almost done my new piece and we had to get going. I took everything with me and was finished by the time we got to Westbrook.
No rest for the weary!! I have rightfully earned these bags under my eyes! It's all for the greater good though and perserverance pays off!
Did you know Henry Wadworth Longfellow lived in Maine?
http://www.hwlongfellow.org/
Every waking hour is devoted to my goal! I have a constant flow of inspiration, it is actually kind of annoying. I can't look at anything without seeing something else in it. This is what I refer to as my 'curse and my blessing'.
Yesterday, we had to go into Portland. We didn't have to go until late in the day. I started thinking about the 'heading' on this blog and thought a panoramic view of Portland would be cool. I started looking for one and then said wait! We are going into Portland, Dave loves taking pics, so he can take one for me and I will use it instead of finding one and hoping no one minds LOL So the panoramic image above is 'by Dave'. I asked him to take a photo of my new work for me while he was at Bug Light as well. It came out great!! I was almost done my new piece and we had to get going. I took everything with me and was finished by the time we got to Westbrook.
No rest for the weary!! I have rightfully earned these bags under my eyes! It's all for the greater good though and perserverance pays off!
Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the night.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Did you know Henry Wadworth Longfellow lived in Maine?
http://www.hwlongfellow.org/
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Networking
At one of my shows last year, a customer came up to me and announced my business name, rather loudly, as she read it. She says "OHhhhh, you're Good Quill Hunting!!! I have seen you all over the internet." I chuckled and was very pleased, because indeed, she does see me all over the internet!! I belong to places I don't remember! I did that for a reason. I am home bound because we only have one car, which works for me 99.9% of the time. I don't need to drive all over the place to access anything really. I can go to Japan in 2 seconds right from my chair (with cable internet anyway). I can shop online, I can talk to other people online, online works in many many ways, at least for me, and has paid off already! I spend about 8 hours of my day networking, blogging, designing, getting inspiration and working on my website and graphics (which I really LOVE doing!). I then spend the other 8 hours beading until bedtime. I belong to a lot of Yahoo Beading groups and have even opened my own. I belong to forums and have also opened my own. Some would say I spread myself too thin, but how is it too thin when it is getting me recognition and/or sales?
The start of any business is many hours, long days, sleepless nights, no profits. They say it is like a marriage and the first five years are the most work. Well, I am 3 years in and have been teaching for 2 years and business is snowballing, slowly and at my own pace, thankfully, because I am only one person. I am actually ready to open a shop. I even have glass jewelry cases, in storage. They were free and need a little tlc, but that's a-ok with me! Creativity and necessity will make the most awesome cabinets! I have displays from my shows that I make (which I also sell, not in great abundance..yet), I have oodles of inventory and I also teach and have tables, but need chairs. I am closing the gap, slow but sure.
The benefit to this is that, although I will have networked myself into a tizzy, when all is said and done, I will have developed a well spread name for myself and will have a customer base good enough to pay rent on a shop.
I would rather create sometimes then be on here and have heard many people state the same. That's great if you want a houseful of artwork and keep it or give it to family members or friends. To sell, is to network and get your name out there. With internet access, you have the world at your fingertips and don't have to rely solely on 'word of mouth'. That is still one of the best ways to sell, but it all works hand in hand. You do not have to go to the sites you have signed up for everyday, you couldn't possibly begin to do that, time-wise, but at least set up a profile page and buy a Rolodex for passwords and user names. Pick your favorite places to maintain your visibility and go to them daily. Do not shut yourself into one corner and mainly chat with peers, because that isn't networking at its finest.
Another great form of networking is doing shows! I accidentally fell into this. A Yahoo group had posted my Daily Digest into my inbox. Someone was looking for a beading teacher. I hadn't taught before, but I had always considered being an English teacher, so figured, that would work out. I thought I had it in the bag, but she ended up blowing me off. I was working as a recep for H & R Block at the time and one day came home to an invitation by someone who had read of my interest to teach. It was with Bead Fiesta. I promptly replied and I have been teaching there for 2 years, entering my 3rd year! I have to travel, but it is so worth it! I also get a free table for teaching!! It is New England based, so usually not too bad a drive. With that experience, I have had other offers for teaching at my local shops, The Beadin' Path and Beads On The Kennebec. I was offered to be a vendor at 8 Pow Wow's next year as well. Tables are $10. , that is worth the gas money (2 1/2 hrs drive)!!
Occasionally, you also have to go out on a limb. I heard of a new Renaissance Faire here in Manchester, ME. That then prompted me to find out more, which led me to a show in Kingston, NH late last October. I had to buy a 10' x 10", but it was worth it because now I have it for the Pow Wow's and another Ren Faire I have been asked to do this year.
One of my favorite sayings is: YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.
- Henry David Thoreau
If you have any valuable input here, please leave a comment. I encourage comments, so we can all learn do's and don'ts from others.
The start of any business is many hours, long days, sleepless nights, no profits. They say it is like a marriage and the first five years are the most work. Well, I am 3 years in and have been teaching for 2 years and business is snowballing, slowly and at my own pace, thankfully, because I am only one person. I am actually ready to open a shop. I even have glass jewelry cases, in storage. They were free and need a little tlc, but that's a-ok with me! Creativity and necessity will make the most awesome cabinets! I have displays from my shows that I make (which I also sell, not in great abundance..yet), I have oodles of inventory and I also teach and have tables, but need chairs. I am closing the gap, slow but sure.
The benefit to this is that, although I will have networked myself into a tizzy, when all is said and done, I will have developed a well spread name for myself and will have a customer base good enough to pay rent on a shop.
I would rather create sometimes then be on here and have heard many people state the same. That's great if you want a houseful of artwork and keep it or give it to family members or friends. To sell, is to network and get your name out there. With internet access, you have the world at your fingertips and don't have to rely solely on 'word of mouth'. That is still one of the best ways to sell, but it all works hand in hand. You do not have to go to the sites you have signed up for everyday, you couldn't possibly begin to do that, time-wise, but at least set up a profile page and buy a Rolodex for passwords and user names. Pick your favorite places to maintain your visibility and go to them daily. Do not shut yourself into one corner and mainly chat with peers, because that isn't networking at its finest.
Another great form of networking is doing shows! I accidentally fell into this. A Yahoo group had posted my Daily Digest into my inbox. Someone was looking for a beading teacher. I hadn't taught before, but I had always considered being an English teacher, so figured, that would work out. I thought I had it in the bag, but she ended up blowing me off. I was working as a recep for H & R Block at the time and one day came home to an invitation by someone who had read of my interest to teach. It was with Bead Fiesta. I promptly replied and I have been teaching there for 2 years, entering my 3rd year! I have to travel, but it is so worth it! I also get a free table for teaching!! It is New England based, so usually not too bad a drive. With that experience, I have had other offers for teaching at my local shops, The Beadin' Path and Beads On The Kennebec. I was offered to be a vendor at 8 Pow Wow's next year as well. Tables are $10. , that is worth the gas money (2 1/2 hrs drive)!!
Occasionally, you also have to go out on a limb. I heard of a new Renaissance Faire here in Manchester, ME. That then prompted me to find out more, which led me to a show in Kingston, NH late last October. I had to buy a 10' x 10", but it was worth it because now I have it for the Pow Wow's and another Ren Faire I have been asked to do this year.
One of my favorite sayings is: YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.
- Henry David Thoreau
If you have any valuable input here, please leave a comment. I encourage comments, so we can all learn do's and don'ts from others.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
http://www.barharborinfo.com/
The Bar Harbor Chamber hosts 2 Art shows a year, one in June and one in September, painting and photography only.
The Maine Crafts Guild holds their annual Directions show at the high school in August.
There is also a fine arts show in August in its second year. Contact me for contact info.
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Subject: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
The Bar Harbor Chamber hosts 2 Art shows a year, one in June and one in September, painting and photography only.
The Maine Crafts Guild holds their annual Directions show at the high school in August.
There is also a fine arts show in August in its second year. Contact me for contact info.
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Subject: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce
http://www.midmainechamber.com/
There was a disclosure notice on their reply, so for confidentiality purposes, I am adding only pertinent information.
This organization has a great community calendar on its site. Many of their events are focused around the arts.
www.rem1.org
Downtown Arts Fest-
www.watervillemainstreet.org
A local gallery to check out:
Blue Marble Art Gallery
"Taste of Greater Waterville"
This year's Taste will be held on August 5th. Although the event doesn't primarily focus on the arts, its a great opportunity to set up a booth to feature some of your Etsy Maine Team's work. Last year's price for a booth was only $75 for non-members and $60 for members. In the past, the event generally attracts between 5,000-15,000 people.
For info contact me and I will contact him.
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Sunject: MidMaine Chamber of Commerce
There was a disclosure notice on their reply, so for confidentiality purposes, I am adding only pertinent information.
This organization has a great community calendar on its site. Many of their events are focused around the arts.
www.rem1.org
Downtown Arts Fest-
www.watervillemainstreet.org
A local gallery to check out:
Blue Marble Art Gallery
"Taste of Greater Waterville"
This year's Taste will be held on August 5th. Although the event doesn't primarily focus on the arts, its a great opportunity to set up a booth to feature some of your Etsy Maine Team's work. Last year's price for a booth was only $75 for non-members and $60 for members. In the past, the event generally attracts between 5,000-15,000 people.
For info contact me and I will contact him.
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Sunject: MidMaine Chamber of Commerce
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
http://www.bangorregion.com/
Email me for contact information:
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Subject: Bangor Chamber of Commerce
We are having our annual Craft Fair the first Saturday of August (August
1st) downtown on the waterfront. As soon as I have more information on ours
I will forward it to you. In the past years set-up has been at 6:00 AM and
the fair runs from 8:00AM-4:00 PM. The Airport Mall has craft fairs the
first Saturday of each month starting in the fall.
Email me for contact information:
christina@goodquillhunting.com
Subject: Bangor Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Welcome
A small handful of you know that I was considering this idea. I needed a place to consolidate my thoughts, questions and ideas on being an entrepreneur in Maine. I also want to share with you things I have learned along the way. I am not even close to where I want to be, but I am for sure headed in the right direction and working my way to the goal/dream I have held for 15+ years now. I hope you will follow me and share your thoughts in comments as I work through day to day life living and working towards the ultimate in American dreams.
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