tips for a craftster working from home

Well I made it - 9 years today :) I have had a lot of ups and downs, but I am still here doing what I love ~ making pretty girlie things :)
It hasn't always been easy but I have learnt a few things. I am no way an expert, and these are only small tips, but still important. They are in no particular order, just as I think of them

  1. Don't sleep in the same room as you work ... this is very important. You need to be able to really switch off and if you can't sleep it is too tempting to just get up and potter.
  2. Do your accounts regularly (something I still find hard to get into the habit of as I find it boring!) but it doesn't take long for them to get on top of you and then it is a big job that you have to catch up with.
  3. Try and keep your work area tidy (again something that I find hard!) as it does dry up your creativity ... I always get a lot more made/done if my desk is tidy.
  4.  Make sure you take time off (either shut the door on your work or go out) ... this may sound like an obvious thing to say, but when you are your own boss there is always a job to do and you are the only one to do it.
  5. Make friends with someone else that is self-employed. This also may sound like an odd thing to say, but it can actually be a very lonely and no matter how many friends you have it is good to have some one to talk to who knows what you are going through.
  6. There will be lots of ups and down times ~ the year is very seasonal. When you are having a good season, tuck something by for the quiet times.

I hope these are helpful, as I say, I am no way an expert ... I have had some lovely & great support from my family and friends (thank you guys xxx) and some really lovely customer (thank you guys too ... I would not still be here with out you xxx) I also haven't mastered all the things that I have written in the list above as when you are self-employed you have to be very self motivated and that can sometimes be hard.

If you are wanting to be a craftster working from home, it can be the most rewarding and wonderful thing ... especially when something you made sells! So my advise is GO FOR IT!!

2 comments

  1. Kate said ...

    Belated congratulations!

    Thank you for these tips, they're very helpful. Dont worry about not following all of your tips all of the time - who ever takes their own advice?! - because you're obviously doing something right to still be here 9 years later. You obviously love your business very much, that much is clear from the care and attention you take and that is really nice and inspiring to see. You've helped me with advice a lot, so thank you for that and I hope The Scarlet Butterfly Company is around for many more happy years of trading

    Love Kate x

    PS - I hope champagne and chocolate were involved in the celebrations! x

    7th September 2009

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    Replies
    1. Aww Kate, thank you so much for your lovely message xxxx I do love my business and making pretty things and I am so lucky to still be here doing what I love especially in these horrid financial times.
      I did have a bit of chocolate, but sadly no champagne ... maybe next year on my 10 year anniversary!
      Thanks again, love Maria xx

      7th September 2009

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