When I picked my company's name 17 years ago I had
just started out in my business. I was doing a
mixture of wood items that were more of a country
flair than primitive. Over the years my style has
changed quite a bit to more of a primitive look. I
have thought about changing the name many times to
suit my work now, but when you have a good client
base it is hard to change something that important.
Clearville, Pa
I
do fall craft shows, internet, country shoppe, and
sell from a antique mall.
We
offer many handcrafted country/primitive items,
signs, primtive pictures, candles and fixin's,
pottery, stacking boxes, lighting, wooden stacking
block sets, decorative plates and home decor, and
many seasonal items.
I
have been crafting for 17 years as a full time
business. I started out when my youngest child was
two, what a challenge! I done local craft shows, and
for some time I had a home party business locally.
In 2004 I opened my country gift shoppe at my
residence, I do open house events several times a
year for my local customers. I have made alot of
friendships throughout the years with them and I am
looking forward to that with my online store
also. I opened my online store in 2006, it is a
very exciting adventure to be able to offer your
homemade wares across the country. Many of my
customers send me a email when they receive their
order and tell me how much they like what they
ordered. It makes my day and gives me the strength
to continue creating and strive to bring my
customers top quality merchandise for their homes.
My
greatest success has been that I have been a self
taught artist, my favorite subject in school was
art. But I never dreamed at that time I would be
doing what I do for a living.
I
think it can be a challenge to keep coming up with
new ideas all the time, but that is what sets your
business apart from everyone elses. I have little
notes everywhere when a idea comes to me, and then
finding the time to work on new ideas can also be a
challenge. Your style has to be something different
from everyone elses for your customers to keep
coming back. You can give two artists the same items
to make, but they will both have a different look
when completed. There
are so many great artists, shoppes and websites
today, it can be quite a challenge.
My
biggest dream for my business is just to be able to
continue what I love to do. I hope someday to be
able to find the time to make my own candles, cloth
sew items and offer patterns for some of my wooden
primitives.
If
you have a passion for it don't give up. This
business can have many ups and downs, it can take
several years to get a good client base. But there
are many rewards also, it was not easy trying to
work full time in this business when my children
were little, but the years go by so fast with them.
You need to be prepared to put alot of hours and
patient into a business like this to make it a
success. Sometimes you have to work endless hours
during the fall show season, but being able to work
out of your home and take care of your family is
worth it. ~ God Bless~
