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THE LIVING IS EASY

© Barbara Massie

"Summertime and the living is easy." The music we all recognize. Summertime is great, but does that make living easier? No way. You can make your living a little easier for the rest of the year by preparing for it. Read about the Porgy and Bess opera written by the Gershwins.

Now is a slower time for many crafters; it's a good time to invest in your own personal development:

• Take the painting class you've been wishing you had time for.
• Research new techniques
• Research the history of your craft.

The local library holds so much *information that can be valuable to your business. If you don't see what you need, talk with the librarian. All libraries lend back and forth among themselves and will make materials available to you. Find information from around the world in the Gateway to Europe's National Libraries.

Another learning experience for you is to practice being a customer. Why? To learn more about your own customers. Walk in their shoes. Do some serious shopping during the next month. This doesn't mean you have to spend money (maybe you want to!), but look at crafts, talk to sales people, listen and remember.

Analyze what you see and hear. What do you appreciate most? It might be the quality of the crafts you see or the friendliness of the crafters. Do you feel appreciated as a customer? Why or why not? What can you learn that will help with your own product and/or sales? Make several shopping trips. After you analyze the first trip, you'll be aware of what to look for on the following trips.

Q. I recently decided to quit my job to work out of my home selling crafts. My job was low paying and I know I can make more selling dolls. My friends and family now call me at anytime during the day and even have asked me to babysit because "I don't have to go to work every day."

How do others say "No" without hurting everyone's feelings?

A. You're on the right track when realizing you must say "No." To have a successful home-based business, you must treat it as the business it is. This means establishing set business hours. You might want to set your hours at 8 to 5, or 10 to 4, the hours that fit you and your business.

Stress to family and friends that this is your work schedule and you will schedule non-business activities, like babysitting and long personal phone calls outside these hours. Learn to Be Assertive - In a Positive Way.

Q. Instructions I am using tell me to use No. 9 ribbon. I will have to go to the

The copyright of the article THE LIVING IS EASY in Crafts is owned by Cheryl Lewis. Permission to republish THE LIVING IS EASY in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.