BOOTSTRAP BUSINESSES

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If you now operate—or ever operated—a successful home business that was inspired by an article you read in MOTHER, tell us (in 500 words or less) when and where—and with how much "seed money"—you started your venture. Because if your story can be fitted into an upcoming installment of BOOTSTRAP BUSINESSES, you'll receive (1] the warm satisfaction of knowing that you helped someone else find the happiness you enjoy and PI a free two-year new or renewal subscription to ME MOTHER EARTH NEWS'.

One day last year I attended an arts and crafts show ... and-after viewing the large variety of handmade items on display-[ began to think about selling my own handicrafts. After all, I'd been crocheting Christmas, wedding, and baby presents for friends and relatives for quite some time! ... so, I figured, why not use my skill to make some extra money?

That same week-while still toying with my business idea-I read MOTHER for the first time me ... a& Were in &we No. 52 on page 36, was a piece entitled "How to Go to Work for Yourself". I read it and reread it ... and finally decided to follow the article's advice. So, I registered with the tax department (at a cost of $1.00), invested $25 in a set of business cards, spent $75 on a supply of yarn ... and began crocheting! (I even used my vast mounds of leftover yarn to create a variety of multicolored vests, afghans, and the like.)

Within just a few months I had a large enough stock of clothing and gift items to really start business. My work had been displayed at three arts and crafts shows and I was beginning to create my own designs (some of which were submitted to needlework magazines). I'd been working steadily on custom orders (as a result of a commission to sell on consignment at a local gift shop) and-after having an article accepted by Crochet World-I'd even been asked to do a regular column for that publication!

Each craft show has earned me approximately $45 per day, my custom orders have proved even more profitable, and I have a future steady paycheck from Crochet World coming my way. Sure, it may take some time for my business to make its first million, but-meanwhile-I'm sure having fun getting paid for my hobby!

Barbara A. Chojnacki
Pawcaluck, Conn.

After living in suburbia for most of our lives, my family and I finally bought a piece of country land and began construction of a home. That undertaking required quite a bit of cash, though, so we soon found ourselves kicking around a number of moneymaking ideas.