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If you now operate-or have 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 en upcoming installment of BOOTSTRAP BUSINESSES, you'll receive III the warm satisfaction of knowing that you helped someone else find the happiness you enjoy and (2) a free two-year new or renewal subscription to THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS".

MOTHER's article on "Fine-Feathered Hatbands" (issue 60, page 118) helped me establish a rewarding home business in less than one week's time!

I live in a region that has a large pheasant population, so I did a bit of investigating (atter studying your hatband write-up) and found that there were quite a few out-of-town hunters who needed help dressing out the fowl they killed. I let it be known-in the local filling stations and motels-that I was interested in providing such a service . . . and within two days I'd received a batch of 18 pheasants to prepare.

I set my rates at $1.00 a bird, but my first customers were so pleased with my work that they paid me $30 . . . a $12 bonus over the fee I'd requested. In addition, my clients left me the pheasants' plumage, which I put to good use in my experiments with hatband designs. 1 invested $7.00 in a variety of suede scraps at the local shoe repair shop, and promptly sold five handmade headwear adornments at $7.50 each . . . for a profit of $30.50!

Well, that was just six days after I'd first read MOTHER's article, and already I'd established a pretty steady income. Word of my new service spread throughout the community and-before long-I acquired a number of regular customers. I've come to count on a pheasant per day, for example, from one fellow who's made a habit of hunting along the lengthy route from his home to his job here in town. And, on occasion, I dress out chickens and ducks in addition to the more exotic birds. (Recently, one load of barnyard fowl earned me my fee plus two ducks ... and-while cleaning the birds' gizzards-I found four tiny pieces of gold!)

Meanwhile, I'm saving up feathers for my hatband handiwork ... because Easter is on its way and-since that holiday causes folks to look for fashion finery-I know I have a booming business to look forward to. Thanks, Mom . . . this sure beats sitting behind a desk!

Lord Ides
Corning, Iowa

I recently put MOTHER's "Sun-Burned Art" idea (issue 58, page 128) into action . . . and It's been bringing in money ever since.

First I purchased a small, $4.00 magnifying glass and began to experiment with the art form on some lumber scraps that I had around the house. After a number of trieswhen I felt I'd mastered the skill-I set out to find a way to peddle my wares. As luck would have it, an outdoor craft bazaar was soon scheduled to be held nearby. So I bought a $2.00 piece of 318" X 4" X 8' cedar and-with my 3" magnifying glassset to work singeing wooden buttons.

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