Soul Searching

Last weekend Eric and I finished our income taxes and let me just say this: the counter girl at the donut shop made way more money than I did last year.

Pretty sobering thought after I've sunk my heart, soul, savings, two years, and 30% of our living space into the quilting/fabric business.

I'm not here to complain. I know it's tough to make even a modest income in the craft industry. But after the taxes, I took a step back to think seriously about the business and where I'm going with it all. I mean, is it really worth it?

I love my customers and it's fun to fulfill each quilter's fabric needs. I truly find joy in preparing and packing each order. (I like taking care of people.) I even make a wee bit of money at it.

I'm truly blessed with a wonderful, patient husband who works hard to take care of us and values my being at home. I've been very blessed to be able to stay at home and *play* with fabric all day.

The reality is that Eric and I are facing some economic challenges: selling our old house while we're paying rent in a temporary place while we're in the process of building our new home while his employer just announced that his job transfer has been delayed. Ugh. We also have two very tall teenage boys who inhale food like there's no tomorrow, and college tuition for one of our older kids.

I'd been looking for a job since moving to Delaware, and jobs are hard to come by. There aren't many, and the competition is fierce. Finding something with the flexibility I need to continue the fabric business has been frustratingly futile.

I love my customers, and I love the online quilting community. I've made friends, been inspired, *really* inspired, and this is a huge part of my life. I've been quilting since middle school, and that's going to continue until I'm no longer able.

And the fabric business? I've decided to give it one more year. A big push at marketing, more blogging, more tutorials, and more listening to the FedEx man complain when he delivers the heavy boxes of fabric. Oh, and another move when our new house is ready this summer. So, dear customers, its really up to you, too. I need your encouragement, suggestions, and most of all, your business. I want to be here for you, with every color of Kona Cotton in the yardage you need for your project. Quilt away, and, please, visit my shop often.

 
(That's just the Wall O Kona. I'll have to show you the rest.)

Comments

[Jaclyn]

I come to you for all my solids and will continue to do so. Off to place an order right now. Keep your head up, the first few years can be difficult, your shop really is the BEST I deal with.

[Jen]

I'm glad you have decided to stay in business for another year. You are by far my favourite source for solids.

[Sue]

Thank you, Jen! I really want to stay in business forever. I should have said that this next year will determine if that is going to happen. =)

[Sue]

Thank you, Jaclyn! That's just what I needed to hear. =)

[kristin]

Sue, you are by far my favorite place to order fabric, and your customer service is wonderful. I feel like you're a friend, not a store.

Here's an idea - pick a color of Kona every week, and then make a colorstory with other colors to go with it. I'm lucky in that I have a color card at home, but without one, it can be really hard to tell the actual colors online (not just in your shop - every shop).

You can do it - I know you can!

[Chantel]

You have to stay! What would I do without you! A little hint...I use a lot of orange kona :) I will be your loyal kona customer for as long as you will stay!!

Chantel
My Sunshine Designs

[taylor kate]

i love knowing about your 'kona cotton shop' and i've already recommended it to people. you can do it, hang in there! :D

[Tiffany]

Ur my one stop Kona shop around the corner... I would be so sad if you closed, its bad enough you are moving further south! I do understand tho - family and kids and economic stability are more important. I will still continue to hope tho that things work out for the best this next year and you find a way to meet all your needs and keep the shop going on a permanent basis still. *hugs* Once my buying ban is off you know I'll be over to bring you some business :)

[Julie]

I am in the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. Maybe if you were to market yourself to these guilds - that could help you out? We are in the process of a solid color challenge right now - I'm using what I have leftover from other projects with the fabric I've purchased from your store.

I think it would also be helpful if you had Kona color cards for sale. Its so hard to pick out colors on the internet but those cards are inavaluable - and hard to find!

[Heather]

You got my attention and I just looked at your shop. I'm newish to quilting and am in the midst of making one. I went to the local quilt shops and was really surprised to learn that none of them carry much for solids. Even the range for whites was very limited and I wasn't able to get what I wanted. I will have to start ordering solids online when I want them but I won't feel comfortable doing that unless I have one of those Kona Color Cards. Do you have those? If not, do you know where I can get one? When I have one of those, you can count on me for an order.

[Beth]

I need 2 yards of Kona Sage but can't seem to find your store on Etsy! I found your blog by googling you. Where are you now?