My cloth labels arrived in the mail today. They look so professional! Very exciting.
I've been researching what it takes to be licensed etc. Turns out I have to get a license from the city and pay a tax to the city, with a minimum of about $60 per year... Umm yah, this business business is looking expensive. I'm starting to see why people try to live unlicensed, but I don't want to be the example that gets slapped with a misdemeanor.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Relieving the Guilt of Computer Potatos
As an online shopper and a future online seller, the environmental impact of all the shipping and packaging involved was bothering me. TreeHugger has an article about the greenness of shopping online. It is worth a read Online Shopping vs. Driving to the Mall: The Greener Way to Buy
The bottom line is it depends on what you buy. Definitely relieved my guilt about ordering items I can't get locally.
The bottom line is it depends on what you buy. Definitely relieved my guilt about ordering items I can't get locally.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Going Green, Frugally
We used cloth diapers and homemade cloth baby wipes from the beginning. But there are more changes we've recently made that are happily both frugal and green.
Paper napkins are easy to replace with cloth.
We're working on switching off paper towels for cleaning. So far, my favorite for paper towel replacements are squares of doubled flannel.
Then there's toilet paper. The term used most often for cloth TP is "family cloth". If this is the first time you've encountered that concept, then take a moment, breath deeply. It takes a little time to get used to the idea. I waited at least a year before making the switch. Some people use cut up t-shirts, which is what I'm using now. But I think I'll be much happier with a combination of flannel and velour, like the wipes I made for baby. Cloth diapering mamas know that fabric softeners ruin cloth absorbancy. So, if you, or your t-shirt source, used fabric softener, your squares may not initially be as absorbant as desired. Some stripping may be necessary.
This article summarizes the changes you can make in the kitchen: How to Eliminate Paper Products in the Kitchen
Paper napkins are easy to replace with cloth.
We're working on switching off paper towels for cleaning. So far, my favorite for paper towel replacements are squares of doubled flannel.
Then there's toilet paper. The term used most often for cloth TP is "family cloth". If this is the first time you've encountered that concept, then take a moment, breath deeply. It takes a little time to get used to the idea. I waited at least a year before making the switch. Some people use cut up t-shirts, which is what I'm using now. But I think I'll be much happier with a combination of flannel and velour, like the wipes I made for baby. Cloth diapering mamas know that fabric softeners ruin cloth absorbancy. So, if you, or your t-shirt source, used fabric softener, your squares may not initially be as absorbant as desired. Some stripping may be necessary.
This article summarizes the changes you can make in the kitchen: How to Eliminate Paper Products in the Kitchen
And So It Begins
I'm a work at home mom, with a full time job. The little one is ten months and about three weeks old.
So, why am I starting an online business? Well, we could use a little extra income, and I enjoy the creative time at my sewing machine.
This hippie at heart feels strongly about reducing and recycling. I like to alter thrift store dresses, turning them into skirts for myself. So my focus will be on using fabrics that have already served a purpose. It brings down the cost of supplies, but increases my time investment, first in finding the right fabrics and then puzzling together clothing or other items.
I've created my Etsy shop - I've been calling it eat-see, like ebay, but from an etsy video I've learned it rhymes with Betsy, who knew?
I have to figure a few things out yet, like California tax, licensing, clothing tags, shipping costs...
My first item is in progress. A sweet skirt made of linen blend fabrics. It will be tough to let it go. It has a wonderful blue floral fabric, plus a dark blue and periwinkle (my favorite colors). I intend to make skirts with drawstring waistbands, to maximize my target customer scope.
My style is... hippie fusion.
So, why am I starting an online business? Well, we could use a little extra income, and I enjoy the creative time at my sewing machine.
This hippie at heart feels strongly about reducing and recycling. I like to alter thrift store dresses, turning them into skirts for myself. So my focus will be on using fabrics that have already served a purpose. It brings down the cost of supplies, but increases my time investment, first in finding the right fabrics and then puzzling together clothing or other items.
I've created my Etsy shop - I've been calling it eat-see, like ebay, but from an etsy video I've learned it rhymes with Betsy, who knew?
I have to figure a few things out yet, like California tax, licensing, clothing tags, shipping costs...
My first item is in progress. A sweet skirt made of linen blend fabrics. It will be tough to let it go. It has a wonderful blue floral fabric, plus a dark blue and periwinkle (my favorite colors). I intend to make skirts with drawstring waistbands, to maximize my target customer scope.
My style is... hippie fusion.
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