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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

WOW Wednesday

WOW Wednesdays with the Cross Marketing Gurus...
by Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream Creations


This week's featured artist is Kim from VaBeachQuilter

Kim has been featured in a USA Today - Sports Edition article by Seth Livingstone for her custom work for Yvonne Upton.  Yvonne's son, BJ, plays (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays and her other son, Justin, plays (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks.


How did you get started with your craft/art?

I started as a cross-stitcher. An aunt of mine had been trying for years to get me into quilting. I finally did with the intentions of putting my cross-stitch designs into quilts. Needless to say, after a class or two, I realized how much faster you could have a create something (compared to cross-stitching) that I never really returned to cross-stitching. I'm a quilter...through and through.


What prompted you to set up a home-based business?

I had a decent stash...then after working at a quilt shop for 3 years, my stash was out of control. I saw a CNN article on Etsy and thought that I had enough quilts and ideas of things to create, that I could give it a shot. I joined Etsy in Jan. 2009. At a craft show, that April, another vendor told me about Artfire. I've been on Artfire since April 2009 and it's my most popular store (though Etsy is doing "okay"). I sell on a variety of other sites, as well.

What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)


Creating is my favorite part of my craft...though quilting, and more specifically, APPLIQUE is my real passion. I just LOVE to machine applique and when I get custom orders for anything appliqued, I'm really in my element!



How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?

I've broadened my sewn items...I make so much more than quilts now. Until recently, I haven't sat down and actually sewn any quilts (other than baby quilts that were gifts or custom ordered). But I've been making new quilts for my 4 kids, so I've enjoyed getting back to basics.

What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?

Just juggling 2 blogs, a personal FB page, business FB page, running an Artfire guild, the guild FB page, the guild blog, and all of the endless promoting that I do (on a daily basis)



How did you come up with your shop name?

Well...it's pretty self-explanatory...ROFL And I guess not very original, now that I look at it, but it's ME to a tee! VaBeach (Virginia Beach, VA) Quilter (ahem).... LOL VaBeachQuilter

Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?

I was recently asked this, in another online interview, and I don't know...I don't see myself long-term....this is for FUN and I don't really look at it like a job. Though it was successful enough, last year, to pay for family day trips and completely paid for my family's Christmas, it's still for FUN. If it ever started to FEEL like a job and stopped being fun is when I'll close my shops' doors and quit the "business".


How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?

I'm pretty lucky that I'm a SAHM. My youngest kids (at home) are 12 and 14 year old boys. They're old enough not to want to be with MOM and old enough to fend for themselves. By this, I mean, if I don't feel like cooking dinner one night, they'll make their own. Right now, they're in school all day and I'm home alone. Come summer, they'll be hanging out with friends and at camps, etc. so I still have lots of time to myself.

What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?

I'd have to say the best experience I've had, in the past year that I've been online, is all the wonderful people and good friends that I've met.



If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?

Promote, promote, promote. You have to do it tirelessly and endlessly. No one's going to promote you but yourself. I'd recommend starting a blog with a "theme" or "idea" or some sort. Start a Facebook fan page and join Twitter. Establish online friendships and networks. It's difficult and time consuming but well worth the effort when the sales start rolling in.

Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?

Artfire http://vabeachquilter.artfire.com/
Etsy http://vabeachquilter.etsy.com/
Made It Myself http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/vabeachquilter.aspx
Twitter www.twitter.com/vabeachquilter
VaBeachQuilter's Blog http://vabeachquilter.blogspot.com/
Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shops-With-Less-Sales-Artfire-Guild/147888917526?ref=ts

4 comments:

  1. Nice write up! You are a talented lady and kudos to you for doing what you love. It is so important to love your *ahem* job.

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  2. Aw...thanks Fantasy!

    Thank you for the feature...you know me, already bragged on Facebook and Twitter. LOL

    Kim

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  3. Beautiful feature! I love Kim's (your) work!! Much success to you and keep on having fun!!!
    ~Julie =]

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  4. woo Hoo!! Congratz Kim!! Great Feature!!! :D

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