Saturday, March 31, 2007

practice

Since I am opening up a new shop, I am selling all my fabric, books and patterns to generate more cash. I will have lots of new fabric at my disposal soon! I have invited fellow quilters and they have come in groups. This morning was another 'sale' day. A group of about 6 came. They are a friend's sewing group, not real advanced but they get together anyway. I took a day off from work twice and went out and taught them a class. It was good practice. And it teaches me patience! So I stood at the bottom of the driveway and greeted them all, also more practice! I was helping a lady look for fabric for a project she was working on and another called for me. Then the one lady was picking fabric I didn't really like or thought went together, but she liked it and it will be her quilt. All this good practice!
Later, Tina and I went to Target to get a mini fridge that they had on sale.
My uncle came to mass with us tonight and then we drove across the border (about 10 miles) to PA to get his lottery tickets. We stopped at the new store since we have to drive right by and he looked in the window. I got excited again, and then I start to worry if it will be enough room. People are asking about classes and I don't really have the room for them and the machine but think I can make it work for 4 people; small classes. I am not ready to teach regularly. I don't know what I am going to teach, and I don't have any samples made, or quilts for the walls. We go to Quilt Market in 32 days.
My goals this week are to look at and hopefully decide on phone service, talk to the insurance guy and settle that, and talk to the newspaper about listing a quilter's garage sale and future grand opening, and other little papers for the grand opening-advertising.

Friday, March 30, 2007

sign and a look see

Yesterday I talked to the sign people about the lettering on the door, the illuminated sign in the parking lot, and static stickers for cars. We did a logo design so I will have to wait to hear from them and proof it and get a quote. I also went to a new bank close by about business accounts. They wanted me to fill out some papers since I do not have an account there. I told them I don't want to fill out papers, I just want to know fees and such. They gave me a booklet. Then I met the owners at the building and another guy who will build me shelves. The owner is going to custom build a counter check out area that matches the place. I am so excited I could piss myself! I also picked up the lease. I get so excited just being in there. I called the electric company to find out about a security deposit and that wasn't too bad. And I left a message for the insurance guy. And now I wait. Again.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

getting there

well things are going well. I found a place!!! I should have known that the other place was not for me. I guess I knew it all along but just didn't think anything was out there...that I could afford. I know everything happens for a reason, and that is why all the difficulties with the other place. So I was driving down to PA; I am about 10 miles to the state line. I was going to drop off a quilt to a customer. I saw this beautiful place I used to do consignment at. It is a log cabin type place and it was a high end furniture store billed as Adirondack charm. I knew it was for sale for almost 200 grand so I thought there was no way I could afford a lease. It is $50 a month more than the 1st place and I don't have to put a dime into, where as the other place I was budgeting 10 grand for remodeling. The place is perfect and beautiful and made for me. It has quilt racks on the windows from the previous people and the back part has a garage door and a huge counter and shelf unit that would be awesome for shipping. I plan to do a website too!
I am signing a lease for June 1st. Tomorrow I am going down to talk to the sign guy about the sign, the lettering on the door and a static sticker for the car. I also get to go in the place again. I am meeting up with the owners to pick up the lease and talk to Mike about building me a counter check out area to match the store. The store is done in reclaimed barn wood; the floor is chestnut.....simply gorgeous.
There is still so much to do like getting phone and internet service, electric changed over and propane. Not to mention what computer system I will use, and the ordering of all the supplies. I go to Quilt Market 5 weeks from today, then it will fly by.
In the mean time, I work and extra hour and a half every day at work, try to come home and do a quilt, and plan for a store in between. I am getting backed up on quilts.
The owner is giving me so much help along the way about all these little things that she had to do when she set up her business. I also have an option to buy and she said what I pay to her can go towards the purchase price.
I am so excited, but the closer I get, the more I doubt myself. I plan to be open 7 days a week and run it myself. It will be a lot of work, but it's my passion. How many people say shoulda, coulda, woulda...

Thursday, March 15, 2007

not sure where to start

Well I am not sure where to start. Vacation was great. We went to lots of quilt stores and they were so helpful and gave me great advice about opening a business. I was told about THE big trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah in May...so guess who is now holding plane and hotel reservations?!
Robert has been great. I have been looking for a location and have one I really like that has great parking and is a half mile from my house. BUT it needs work. There are more problems, it is for sale. And Chris went to look at it with me and he said it is more work than he wants to take on so I need to find a contractor. I was so upset last week after looking at it. I don't want to put 10 grand in to it, have it sold and get booted by a new owner. Robert said if I thought it was worth buying that maybe he would buy it and lease it to me. I wasn't expecting that.
I am amazed at how no one returns phone calls, especially when you are looking to give them money. The guy who is in charge of the building has to talk to his partners. He told me he would get back to me 2 days in a row and guess what, no return call.
I looked and called on a few other locations, nothing I like and way too high rent, plus some you have to pay property taxes on. It has been terrible. The cut off to be in the phone book which comes out in August is in May, so I really want to sign a lease by May 1st, otherwise I won't be in the phone book for a year.

My mom had the diamond my father gave her reset in a ring along time ago and that setting was old and cracking. Tonight she gave me a ring, a brand new setting with the diamond in it. It looks like an old setting which I love. The diamond is 42 years old! I have the best mom. She was upset when I came back from Texas and told her I was opening a shop. She is upset that I am walking away from a 16 year career & health insurance. But she is coming around.