Country Living Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love [Hardcover]

Kathie Fitzgerald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008 | Series: Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love

Home-based businesses are a common starting point for many entrepreneurs—and women in particular yearn for flexible hours as well as the chance to do creative work they really love. But how can that dream become reality? Find out, from the experts who already made it happen. The women artisans at the heart of this volume will inspire and motivate anyone who wants to follow in their footsteps. In illuminating in-depth profiles, they provide invaluable practical information on what it takes to get started, develop a saleable product, organize a company, market your goods, manage the finances, and handle staffing. All types of business are featured, from hand-weaving, doll making, and rug hooking to travel, interior design, and photography. Gorgeous photos showcase each businesswoman happily in her element, along with her work.

INSIDE, YOU’LL MEET:
Amy Butler, owner of Amy Butler Design
Anna Corba, owner of Found Cat Studio (home accessories)
Michelle Joy, owner of Primrose, a floral design and vintage shop
Marilyn Lysohir, owner of Cowgirl Chocolates
Lisa Norris, owner of Made by One Girl (handmade books)
Kate Shifrin Style Consultants Inc., Come Flea with Me
Jane Zaccaria, owner of Tiddlywinks and Scallywags, a child’s clothing store
And many more!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hearst (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588166260
• ISBN-13: 978-1588166265
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading for inspiration, February 10, 2008

By 

H. Erickson-Sander "Heather" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Country Living Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

First of all, this book was hard to get a hold of. Did they not print enough or what? Borders couldn't even order it for me, Barnes & Noble had no stores nearby with it and took a couple weeks to get it in.

I've been working on my own crafting business for almost two years now, and I love Country Living Magazine, so I was excited for this book. I would just recommend it to those who are looking for more inspiration than real direction and hardcore answers.

The true stories of successful crafters are very inspiring and helpful in the advice the women give. It was fun to see the other women's crafts (many of whom are well known in this business) and hear how they came to be successful and what their dreams for the future are.

I would not recommend this book if you are looking for some serious answers about the structure, laws, options and rules when it comes to setting up your own crafting business. I would strongly recommend The Crafter's Business Answer Book by Barbara Brabec, that book will answer every question you have and help you get set up. This book, however, the Crafting a Business book, just skimmed over all these topics very briefly at the end of the book. It wasn't as thorough and didn't answer all the important questions.

I'm pretty happy with my purchase nonetheless, and have really enjoyed reading through the various success stories in this book. It is encouraging and enjoyable.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profile format works well, February 17, 2008

By 

Betsy (Saranac Lake, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Living Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

This is a cut-to-the chase approach that profiles a cross-section of successful businesswomen crafters. Before you start setting up any kind of business, you'd better make sure your idea is unique and marketable. Sit down with Fitzgerald's book for a few hours, and you'll see what these women did to stand out and succeed in a very competitive business environment. I particularly liked that each profile is in that woman's own words. If I'm going to make my dream of starting a business a reality, I sure need to hear from those who stepped off the crafting cliff before me! I really liked this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, October 22, 2008

By 

netty1180 (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Living Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

It is about time there was a book like this. It's gotten me pumped to get going on my own creative business. I had the idea stored in the back of my mind for the longest time and I am so glad this book was published. It's helped me on the long way to getting started.

The individual stories are wonderful and insightful. These ladies are so creative not just artistically but businesswise as well. Many of their businesses are just amazing and full of fabulous ideas.

The only downsides to the book are:

That it doesn't give you a simple step by step check list to go by.

It also doesn't have those pivotal first steps that I've been searching in vain for.

Also I'm a little disappointed that all of the important information is in the back of the book almost to be forgotten.

Please don't forget to look at the reference pages. There are valuable websites and books listings available for more information.

Yes it well all over load your brain but this stuff is important if you want to get started in your own creative business. So do yourself a huge favor and pick up this book it'll do you a world of wonder in getting started with the right foot forward.