10 Ways to Green Your Holiday
As much as we love the holidays, they can be a major drain on resources. Remake your been-there-done-that traditions into newer, leaner, greener traditions. "Being green doesn't need to feel like a sacrifice," says Anna Getty, author of I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More (Chronicle, 2009). "You can create really special and magical new traditions."
Click through to find out our favorite green tweaks for the holidays.
Click through to find out our favorite green tweaks for the holidays.
When to Repair and When to Replace Home Appliances
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Repair or Replace?
Dishwasher
Broken and rusting dishwasher racks are a common issue, says Eric Kleinert, author of Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances
At about $100 apiece, they may not be worth replacing if your dishwasher is on its last leg already. Less expensive fixes are cleaning out the inlet screen (where debris can build up) or replacing some seals (broken seals can cause water to leak). More expensive would be a broken pump.
Vacuum
Vacuums range wildly in price, but if you're even mildly handy, it's nearly always worth it to replace a broken belt ($5-$10), which just requires loosening a few screws, says John Sowden, vice president at RepairClinic.com and host of the radio show "The Appliance Repair Show" Sunday mornings on 760 WJR in Michigan (listen at WJR.net). Can't do it yourself? You're probably looking at a minimum of $30 to take it somewhere. On the other hand, if you're smelling a burning smell, it might be the motor-a major repair that likely isn't worth it for less expensive models.
TV and/or DVD player
A general rule of thumb is that if the cost of the repair is more than 50 percent of the value of the appliance, consider replacing it, Kleinert says. That's almost always going to be case with today's televisions and DVD players. "Everything in a plasma TV is expensive to fix," he says. And DVD players are so inexpensive now that almost no one attempts to fix them. One important tip, Kleinert says, is to always use a surge protector to prevent voltage spikes--one of the number one things that ruin televisions.
Lawnmower
If your lawnmower is running sluggish, it could be something very simple, like bad gas (gas left from the previous season), which should be drained. It's usually worth it to get a tune-up for your mower, and to replace the blades (about $20 and one bolt to loosen, Sowden says) or even to have them sharpened (also inexpensive). However, if your mower starts knocking or blowing smoke, that's a much bigger and costlier problem that might empty your wallet.
Fridge
If your ice cream is soft and your milk is warm, don't panic yet. It may just be a dirty condenser coil--an easy fix. If you know your way around a fridge: unplug, take off the back, and use a vacuum to blow air onto the coil to clean. Otherwise, have a tech do it. It's also not too costly to replace fan motors, light switches, or water valves. If your compressor dies, however, that's a big-ticket repair, says Kleinert. Ditto for anything involving the electronics of your fridge.
Oven & Range
If your oven isn't heating, it's likely the bake element coil (in electric ovens) or the igniter (in gas). At around $30-$50 for a coil and $50-$80 for an igniter (plus labor if you can't do it yourself, but they're quick jobs), it's usually worth fixing, Sowden says. For burners that aren't working, it's usually the electrical connection (especially if the burner is working intermittently)--usually worth having a tech look at.
Microwave
While there are a few minor and inexpensive fixes for microwaves, like door switches and light bulbs, it's often not worth it, says Sowden. First, working with microwaves is generally not for do-it-yourselfers (unless you are well-versed in electricity), so service can be costly. Second, the price has come down so much that it's cheaper to replace your $100 microwave than to pay $150 or more for a major repair, such as a circuit board.
Sewing machine
One of the most common issues with sewing machines is stitches getting gummed up. It's usually an easy fix though: check your manual to see how to clean under the needle plate--where lint and dust builds up. The toolkit that came with your machine will include the basic tools for removing the needle plate and cleaning the space below. Sewing machines are all about having the right thread tension--something you can usually troubleshoot yourself. If it's failing to work at all, that's a case for a repair shop--which should at least be able to give you an idea if the problem is worth fixing (and it may be for a very high-end machine) or if it's smarter to just replace.
Room air conditioner
If your room air conditioner isn't cooling anymore, it could be a quick fix or it could mean it's time to throw in the towel. Cleaning the back of the coil is the first step--a job for a DIY-inclined person (or a service person can do it relatively inexpensively). However, if it's an issue with the refrigerant, that's a pretty expensive repair, Sowden says. It may be worth it if you have a larger wall unit. But for smaller window units, it makes more sense to replace.
Water heater
It's pretty simple with water heaters, Kleinert says. "If you have a leak, don't repair: replace." In terms of maintenance and getting the most out of your water heater, once a year, it's a good idea to pull the plug, drain the tank and wash it out so that sediment doesn't get stuck in the tank (which can lead to brownish-looking water).
Countdown to Thanksgiving
The countdown to Thanksgiving is on! Photo: jupiterimages
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's likely that you're suffering from a very serious condition known as Thanksgiving Madness. But fret not, there is help! Follow our countdown to Turkey Day, and put a lid on your Thanksgiving panic this year.
Three weeks before
If you haven't yet done any planning for Thanksgiving (or the holiday season in general), don't worry. But do take this time to consider what kind of Thanksgiving experience you want to have and make peace with it, says designer Susie Coelho, who has designed a holiday décor collection for Grandin Road. "Decide if you want something simple or extravagant, or if you want to travel or stay at home, so that you're not caught at the last moment feeling depressed and anxious," she says. "From harvest to holiday-think the whole season through."
Your three-week checklist:
• Set a rough budget for everything: food, drinks, and decorations.
• Invite your guests, if you haven't already.
• Plan your menu, including snacks, the main meal, dessert, and drinks. Be aware of various dietary restrictions your guests may have, and try to be accommodating (but also realize that people are grownups and don't have to eat everything in front of them).
• Decide how you will be cooking your turkey, and what kind of turkey you'll buy (fresh, frozen, organic, etc.). Thinking of ordering a fresh turkey? Check out organizations like Local Harvest to find a turkey farm near you.
• Assess the decorations you have and decide if you're going to buy more, or go DIY (all part of your budget breakdown).
• Begin putting up outdoor décor; if you did a Halloween display, repurpose as much as possible (such as pumpkins).
"This is when you can start implementing your plan," Coelho says. "This is the creative process at work-you're not under stress yet and you have the time to play around with ideas." This is when Coelho really focuses on her indoor décor, including what her table setting will look like. "Invite a friend over to help-she'll probably see your stuff differently and give you great ideas you hadn't thought of."
Your two-week checklist:
• Get a firm commitment from guests if they're coming or not.
• If children are coming, think about what kinds of simple kids' activities you could offer (go old school: a table with crayons and coloring books/other crafts, or board games)
• Plan your table settings and centerpiece. Pull out linens and make sure they're clean.
• Polish your silverware.
• Assess your serving pieces: do you have enough plates, cups, bowls, and platters? What can you borrow from friends?
• If you're buying a frozen turkey, you can buy it now (if you haven't already). Not sure how big your turkey needs to be? The USDA offers this guide for buying and preparing turkey.
• Begin to buy drinks (and if you're serving wine, make sure you've got enough wine glasses)
• Assess your coffee situation. Will your coffeepot suffice, or do you need a larger one (which hopefully you can borrow)?
One week before:
Now, your attention really turns to the food. "You're going to need to go to the grocery at least twice," Coelho says-once for dry ingredients/non-perishables and again a day or so before for your fresh things. Plan your time. If you need help nailing down the dishes, turn to AOL Food for Thanksgiving recipes.
Weekend before Thanksgiving:
• Before you shop, take the opportunity to clean out your fridge and freezer so that you have space for groceries.
• Make your shopping list, and buy as many non-perishable items as you can.
• Begin making what you can ahead of time (relishes, for example).
• Do a thorough cleaning-all the places you don't hit up regularly (behind the couch, your crown molding, and that forgotten, filthy space between the dishwasher and the wall).
Monday
• Make your pies: pumpkin pie will easily keep (and maybe even taste better).
• Depending on its size, you may need to start defrosting a frozen turkey. Refer to the USDA guidelines again.
• Make a list of each dish, how far ahead it can be prepared, and set a schedule for the week. Remember that things like broth for stuffing and gravy can be made ahead (even frozen if necessary).
Tuesday
• Buy your perishables, like fresh fruits and fresh veggies, and lettuce for salad, at the market.
• Now is a great time to buy any fresh flowers, or create fresh flower arrangements, or arrangements with pinecones from your yard.
• Finish up any last minute décor projects (such as writing names on place cards).
Wednesday
• Time for spot cleaning: tidy up things like books/magazines, kids' rooms (get them involved in as much as possible), dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning the toilets and sinks.
• Put clean guest towels in the bathroom.
• Chill beverages.
• Give your table linens a good pressing.
• Set the table (so that you can focus on cooking tomorrow).
• Set a cooking schedule for Thanksgiving day: know the timing of when everything is going in and out of the oven.
Morning of Thanksgiving
• Follow the cooking schedule you've laid out for yourself.
• Don't forget to pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy your guests and the delicious meal!
Solutions, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays
A Sewing Renaissance
In the early 1940s, the saying "Sew for Victory" helped resurrect the waning art of sewing in the United States. Sales of patterns and fabric skyrocketed as women -- both young and old -- used their sewing skills to turn out clothing, blankets, and other goods for European war refugees; they also learned to repurpose old clothing into new clothing to help save fabric for the Allied war effort. Women took classes on remaking and mending clothing at sewing centers, and met in church basements and living rooms all over the country to put their sewing skills to use.
While needlecrafts have never been off the radar, the 1940s were probably the last big sewing renaissance. It was the last time young women had a strong purpose to pick up the needle and thread -- until today.
As today's young women grab their dressmaking shears, tape measures, and skeins of embroidery floss, they're sewing for victory too: a victory against ready-made, throw-away culture. Many are deeply influenced by their mother or grandmother's generation -- but they're taking sewing and making it their own.
While needlecrafts have never been off the radar, the 1940s were probably the last big sewing renaissance. It was the last time young women had a strong purpose to pick up the needle and thread -- until today.
As today's young women grab their dressmaking shears, tape measures, and skeins of embroidery floss, they're sewing for victory too: a victory against ready-made, throw-away culture. Many are deeply influenced by their mother or grandmother's generation -- but they're taking sewing and making it their own.
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A Sewing Renaissance
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood was always curious about those tech podcasts her husband was listening to. One day, he suggested that she make a podcast about crafting. So Ackerman-Haywood, a Michigan journalist who writes frequently about art and craft topics, started CraftSanity in 2005. Her podcasts feature discussions with crafters all over the world. "Everyone has a great story," she says. "It's a great way to talk to the movers and shakers in the craft world, plus, it has really inspired me to stay focused on my own projects." Her podcasts have an enormous following: At first, she was thrilled to reach 100 downloads; now, she gets in the thousands.
Ackerman-Haywood is a self-described crafting junkie, but she especially enjoys sewing and crocheting (she set herself a goal of making a new apron every week for a local TV segment she tapes-so far, so good, even if it means a few late nights before the taping). She's also a mother of two daughters, and is thrilled when her daughters show interest in crafting.
Jenna Lou Dauer
Sometimes her friends call her "the world's youngest grandmother" because she takes such pleasure in the domestic arts like sewing, baking, and gardening, but that doesn't bother 21-year-old Jenna Lou Dauer, who started Jenna Lou Designs in 2006.
Dauer, who lives in southern Minnesota, is having the time of her life selling her striking hand-made bags, sewing patterns, and other items on Etsy.
Dauer may be young, but she's full of creative energy and business savvy-and although she's part of the generation that came of age on the Web, she's astute enough to see that while technology is moving us forward, it's also making it possible to take a step back make more mindful choices. "People are sick of cheap items made and imported for pennies, and they're getting smarter about where their money goes," she says.
"I feel very lucky to have become part of the indie craft movement. It's an indescribable feeling to get feedback directly from the consumer and the acceptance for careers like mine has never been broader."
Kymy Johnson
Kymy Johnson, who runs the blog Everything Your Mama Made, fondly remembers tagging along with mother and grandmother to craft bazaars, and hearing the familiar refrain, "we could make that."
Now, Johnson, a mother of three (2-year-old twin girls and 4-year-old boy), in Whidbey Island, Washington hears herself saying it too whenever she sees something interesting made from fabric. She grew up being crafty, but turned to sewing again as an adult to soothe her soul. "When I got a divorce and was a single mom, I used it as a way to deal with my kids going to visit their dad," she says. Now, the soon-to-be-remarried mom squeezes sewing projects into naptime and works on her wares late at night.
Her newest interest is repurposing old clothing, what she calls "upcyling." T-shirts, thrift store finds, clothing from yard sales-it's all fair game, and provides fun (and inexpensive) fabric for recreating something new. Johnson, who is just 25, dreams of starting a sewing-related business eventually. "It seems like a whole new generation wants to learn it, which excites me," she says. "I just hope that I can teach and inspire others like my grandmother did for me."
Amy Karol
Amy Karol comes from a long line of crafty and talented women, and has been sewing as long as she can remember. Fabrics were a playground growing up, and she continues to make things for one simple reason: "Because I can," she says.
How To Start a Crafts Business
Most crafters are familiar with the moment: you're feeding fabric through the sewing machine, stringing beads at the kitchen table or embossing a birthday card, so in love with the work at hand that a thought pops into your head: "Could I do this for a living?"
The growing number of Etsy shops and retail stores committed to carrying handmade items (and consumers committed to buying them) suggests that now is an ideal time to launch a crafts-based business. Wondering what it takes to get your creative endeavor off the ground? Here are ten tips from business owners who know.
1. Treat it like a business.
Crafting as a hobby and crafting as a business may be equally enjoyable, but they aren't the same. If you're going to start a crafting business, you need to treat it like a business, which means giving it the attention it deserves. Colette J. Aizen originally started her business, Bags by Colette, on eBay in May of 2008, but switched to Etsy a few months later. "The more I pushed the business, the better it did. I realized I needed to focus on either my business or my day job," Aizen says. She ran the numbers, discussed it with her husband, and took the risk, quitting her job in June of this year to concentrate on her Etsy-based business. Aizen keeps regular hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) every day, just as she did at the office, and so far, business is good. This doesn't mean you should quit your day job tomorrow, of course! But make sure you do some serious thinking about the time commitment involved, and how much energy you're willing to put in, especially if you need to keep your day job and make your business a side project for now.
2. Make a plan.
Creative people are often turned off by the idea of making a traditional, formal business plan, and unless you're applying for a loan, it's probably not necessary, says Meg Mateo Ilasco, author of Craft Inc.: The Ultimate Organizer for Turning Your Crafts into Cash.
"Put together the plan on your own terms. It doesn't need to be spiral-bound like an assignment you turn in. Just try to do a plan for the next 12 months," she says. Include things like short-term and long-term goals, what your market is (as in, who are your customers) and how you will market your business.
3. Establish your own style.
"Don't be too quick to imitate," Ilasco advises. "You make a name for yourself with originality." If you copy the same style of earrings as all of the other earrings you see, how will yours stand out? Keep in mind that your style won't appeal to everyone--you don't need it to. It just needs to appeal to the market you've identified in your business plan. For example, Aizen saw a popular bag style that was selling at a local craft fair and that was the impetus for starting her business. But instead of copying it, she used the bag as inspiration and designed her own product with her own unique touches.
4. Do research.
Assume the role of student and do your homework up front. If you're opening a brick-and-mortar retail shop, you'll need to research locations very carefully and look at what has traditionally done well in any particular neighborhood. If you want to try to get your goods on the shelves in boutiques, investigate the wholesale market and figure out who is buying what. Online-only businesses require leg work too, and places like Etsy have forums where you can learn the tricks of the trade. Also, don't keep your idea a secret for fear it will get stolen, Ilasco says. Part of your research should be talking to people about your business to get feedback. "Ask questions of industry colleagues, potential competitors, new customers, friends, and family," says Jennifer Pirtle, who started The Make Lounge, a London-based venue offering contemporary craft workshops, in 2007. "You'll find that people are gracious and generous and often willing to give you time and help if you ask."
5. Brand yourself.
"Branding is how you package yourself and your business and how you want the world to perceive you," Ilasco says. Your brand is both visual and verbal; from your Web site to your logo to how you answer the phone, everything about your brand should feel consistent. It's your business' personality, and while it may be inspired by many things, it should be unique. Get a handle on your brand with this easy exercise: write down five words or phrases that either describe your product or describe how you want people to perceive your product--words like whimsical, clean lines, luxury, quiet, bargain, shabby chic, modern, nostalgic, etc. Those words and phrases should resonate in everything you do, whether it's your packaging or your email signature.
6. Test the market.
Big companies don't put out products without testing the market, and neither should you. Pirtle didn't immediately take on a real estate lease after coming up with the idea for The Make Lounge. She first ran her workshops in a shared space that she had access to through her full-time job. To try to get a sense of what customers would pay, Aizen listed her first bag on eBay for just $.99 cents--it sold for $42 (a price point she still uses). Other ways to test: do a test retail site (before you pour a lot of money into an expensive web design) or take your goods to a craft fair and pay attention to the feedback you're getting.
7. Foster connections online.
"I cannot recommend blogging enough," says Erin Linneman, owner of Lucky Designs, which specializes in monograms and custom invitations for weddings and other special events. Linneman runs Lucky Designs as a side business (she works full-time), and spends about 10 hours a week on it--much of that time is directed toward her blog, Lucky Me! "It's not just writing my actual posts, but also communicating with other wedding bloggers and professionals, looking for real weddings, DIY projects and ideas to share. Blogging to me not only means posting each day, but also participating in a community," she says. The handmade community is a tightly knit one, and it only helps you to befriend other craftspeople, even if they're doing the same thing you are. "You promote other sellers, and they promote you," Aizen says.
8. Be wary of too much inventory.
"Be careful of investing too much money upfront in inventory," Ilasco says. Making everything to order is one solution. Aizen keeps no inventory; she takes pictures of every bag she makes and can recreate any of them in various fabrics; orders take from one to two weeks. Linneman works with brides to create custom invitations, and is working on re-launching her Etsy shop where brides will be able choose from a standard set of invitations. For brick and mortar retail locations, you need inventory, obviously. This month, Pirtle is opening a retail shop for The Make Lounge, where she'll sell fabric and craft supplies. She always wanted to open the shop, but waited until the business was off the ground before she invested too much money into the retail side.
9. Create a personal experience.
Once you've established your brand, you can use it create a personal experience for each customer. The small details (colorful packaging, pretty tissue paper or handwritten thank-you notes) really matter, especially if you're selling online. When that package arrives on a customer's doorstep, it's their first real sense of who you are, according to Aizen. "I want the customer to feel like they're opening a present," she says. The sale isn't over once you collect the money: if you want repeat customers (and referrals), you have to work as hard at the endgame as you did to make the actual product.
10. Be ready for your big break.
Know what your best case scenario is and be ready for it! A mention in a magazine, on a TV show, or on a blog can shoot sales way up. When you're seeking PR, be ready to meet the demand, Ilasco says. Take advantage of those great jumpstarts you get, and then work to grow your business steadily, at a pace you can manage.
The growing number of Etsy shops and retail stores committed to carrying handmade items (and consumers committed to buying them) suggests that now is an ideal time to launch a crafts-based business. Wondering what it takes to get your creative endeavor off the ground? Here are ten tips from business owners who know.
1. Treat it like a business.
Crafting as a hobby and crafting as a business may be equally enjoyable, but they aren't the same. If you're going to start a crafting business, you need to treat it like a business, which means giving it the attention it deserves. Colette J. Aizen originally started her business, Bags by Colette, on eBay in May of 2008, but switched to Etsy a few months later. "The more I pushed the business, the better it did. I realized I needed to focus on either my business or my day job," Aizen says. She ran the numbers, discussed it with her husband, and took the risk, quitting her job in June of this year to concentrate on her Etsy-based business. Aizen keeps regular hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) every day, just as she did at the office, and so far, business is good. This doesn't mean you should quit your day job tomorrow, of course! But make sure you do some serious thinking about the time commitment involved, and how much energy you're willing to put in, especially if you need to keep your day job and make your business a side project for now.
This "Fine Lines" wristlet, made with Amy Butler fabric, is $20 in Colette's Etsy store. Photo: Bags by Colette/Etsy
Creative people are often turned off by the idea of making a traditional, formal business plan, and unless you're applying for a loan, it's probably not necessary, says Meg Mateo Ilasco, author of Craft Inc.: The Ultimate Organizer for Turning Your Crafts into Cash.
The Craft Inc. Business Planner walks you through starting your own handmade company. Photo: Chronicle Books
"Put together the plan on your own terms. It doesn't need to be spiral-bound like an assignment you turn in. Just try to do a plan for the next 12 months," she says. Include things like short-term and long-term goals, what your market is (as in, who are your customers) and how you will market your business.
3. Establish your own style.
"Don't be too quick to imitate," Ilasco advises. "You make a name for yourself with originality." If you copy the same style of earrings as all of the other earrings you see, how will yours stand out? Keep in mind that your style won't appeal to everyone--you don't need it to. It just needs to appeal to the market you've identified in your business plan. For example, Aizen saw a popular bag style that was selling at a local craft fair and that was the impetus for starting her business. But instead of copying it, she used the bag as inspiration and designed her own product with her own unique touches.
4. Do research.
Assume the role of student and do your homework up front. If you're opening a brick-and-mortar retail shop, you'll need to research locations very carefully and look at what has traditionally done well in any particular neighborhood. If you want to try to get your goods on the shelves in boutiques, investigate the wholesale market and figure out who is buying what. Online-only businesses require leg work too, and places like Etsy have forums where you can learn the tricks of the trade. Also, don't keep your idea a secret for fear it will get stolen, Ilasco says. Part of your research should be talking to people about your business to get feedback. "Ask questions of industry colleagues, potential competitors, new customers, friends, and family," says Jennifer Pirtle, who started The Make Lounge, a London-based venue offering contemporary craft workshops, in 2007. "You'll find that people are gracious and generous and often willing to give you time and help if you ask."
Happy customers at The Make Lounge, which offers craft workshops. Photo: The Make Lounge
"Branding is how you package yourself and your business and how you want the world to perceive you," Ilasco says. Your brand is both visual and verbal; from your Web site to your logo to how you answer the phone, everything about your brand should feel consistent. It's your business' personality, and while it may be inspired by many things, it should be unique. Get a handle on your brand with this easy exercise: write down five words or phrases that either describe your product or describe how you want people to perceive your product--words like whimsical, clean lines, luxury, quiet, bargain, shabby chic, modern, nostalgic, etc. Those words and phrases should resonate in everything you do, whether it's your packaging or your email signature.
6. Test the market.
Big companies don't put out products without testing the market, and neither should you. Pirtle didn't immediately take on a real estate lease after coming up with the idea for The Make Lounge. She first ran her workshops in a shared space that she had access to through her full-time job. To try to get a sense of what customers would pay, Aizen listed her first bag on eBay for just $.99 cents--it sold for $42 (a price point she still uses). Other ways to test: do a test retail site (before you pour a lot of money into an expensive web design) or take your goods to a craft fair and pay attention to the feedback you're getting.
7. Foster connections online.
"I cannot recommend blogging enough," says Erin Linneman, owner of Lucky Designs, which specializes in monograms and custom invitations for weddings and other special events. Linneman runs Lucky Designs as a side business (she works full-time), and spends about 10 hours a week on it--much of that time is directed toward her blog, Lucky Me! "It's not just writing my actual posts, but also communicating with other wedding bloggers and professionals, looking for real weddings, DIY projects and ideas to share. Blogging to me not only means posting each day, but also participating in a community," she says. The handmade community is a tightly knit one, and it only helps you to befriend other craftspeople, even if they're doing the same thing you are. "You promote other sellers, and they promote you," Aizen says.
Linneman's business creates custom monograms for wedding invitations. Photo: Lucky Designs
8. Be wary of too much inventory.
"Be careful of investing too much money upfront in inventory," Ilasco says. Making everything to order is one solution. Aizen keeps no inventory; she takes pictures of every bag she makes and can recreate any of them in various fabrics; orders take from one to two weeks. Linneman works with brides to create custom invitations, and is working on re-launching her Etsy shop where brides will be able choose from a standard set of invitations. For brick and mortar retail locations, you need inventory, obviously. This month, Pirtle is opening a retail shop for The Make Lounge, where she'll sell fabric and craft supplies. She always wanted to open the shop, but waited until the business was off the ground before she invested too much money into the retail side.
9. Create a personal experience.
Once you've established your brand, you can use it create a personal experience for each customer. The small details (colorful packaging, pretty tissue paper or handwritten thank-you notes) really matter, especially if you're selling online. When that package arrives on a customer's doorstep, it's their first real sense of who you are, according to Aizen. "I want the customer to feel like they're opening a present," she says. The sale isn't over once you collect the money: if you want repeat customers (and referrals), you have to work as hard at the endgame as you did to make the actual product.
10. Be ready for your big break.
Know what your best case scenario is and be ready for it! A mention in a magazine, on a TV show, or on a blog can shoot sales way up. When you're seeking PR, be ready to meet the demand, Ilasco says. Take advantage of those great jumpstarts you get, and then work to grow your business steadily, at a pace you can manage.
A Modern Take on Old-Fashioned Skills
These days, when saving money is like the new black, we're realizing that the generations that came of age in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s may have been on to something with their penny pinching and creative thrift. Today, we'd be foolish to assume that a weak economy is solely responsible for the resurgence of such creativity among so many women.
Click through below to meet women whose creative thrift was triggered by far more than a dwindling economy. Draw inspiration from their ideas and learn how you can cultivate your own.
Click through below to meet women whose creative thrift was triggered by far more than a dwindling economy. Draw inspiration from their ideas and learn how you can cultivate your own.
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Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
For Becca Ribbing, who started the blog The New Old-Fashioned Gal, it was an exercise in self-discovery. "I wanted to learn to be more self-reliant. I realized that I didn't know how to make some of the most basic things that we use throughout the day," she says. "I needed to find out whether doing them was indeed as boring as everyone around me seemed to think that they were." As it turns out, Ribbing found immense enjoyment in a lot of "old-fashioned" activities, like making rag rugs, knitting socks, and making homemade vegetable stock.
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Mending a pair of pants instead of buying new, or creating a piece of art instead of buying something at a big box retailer makes good economic sense. But the conscious decision to make-do isn't just about saving money: it's also about momentarily opting out of our pre-packaged, high tech, made in China culture, and instead tapping into a kind of crafty self-reliance. "I think we're all spiritually craving some simplicity," says Amanda Blake Soule who writes about weaving creativity into family life at her blog Soulemama. Her adventures in sewing, gardening, and family crafting have helped her find that place. "Creating together-as a family-is a great way to connect with each other," she says.
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Start Stitching
Fifteen years ago, fabric stores were struggling because women just weren't sewing much anymore. Who had time to try to make clothing or quilts when you could buy ready made so much more cheaply? But like knitting, sewing has made a grand comeback. It helps that shows like Project Runway feature hip designers at their sewing machines, making fabulous things. Also, with so many new retro patterns, mod prints, and funky florals available at places like Purl Soho or online retailer ReproDepot fabric has finally lost its frump.
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Mend Your Clothes
As Ribbing's experiment demonstrates, the burning desire to learn to sew on a button, hem a pair of pants, or fix a ripped seam isn't just about thrift (though taking 10 minutes to fix a few buttons on a shirt versus buying a new one certainly is easier on your wallet). We want to be better, more responsible consumers-which means taking care of our things and making our clothing stretch a bit longer. Handy how-to tutorials are all over the Web. For example, here's a refresher course on how to sew a button from Purl Soho.
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Repurpose With a Purpose
Most of our great-grandmothers rarely threw out a good piece of cloth-old workshirts could be made into quilts, sweaters into hats, and pants into baby clothes. Repurposing things like clothing and linens is a creative way to fight our throw-away culture, says Soule, whose second book Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Handwrite a Letter (without the LOL)
With texts, emails, and voice mails, there are much more efficient ways to communicate than pen and paper. "Our modern day mantra is that faster is better, and that's not necessarily the case," says professional letter writer Samara O'Shea. "When you choose to put your thoughts on paper, you're saying to the recipient, 'To me, you are worth the inconvenience of writing this letter,'" says O'Shea, who is also author of For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Air Your Clean Laundry
There was a time when clotheslines hung from practically every driveway or balcony in America. These days, driers are considered a necessity, but there is growing movement to return to our laundry-hanging roots. Groups like Project Laundry List tout the many benefits of hang-drying laundry: clothes smell better and last longer, and you save money and electricity (and get a little exercise).
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Start a Family Drawing Night
Before television, families entertained themselves by doing things like reading, playing games, singing, and drawing. Soule, a mother of four kids, whose ages range from 8 years to 6 months, decided to start family drawing time as a way to spend quality time together as a family, while nudging her kids' inner artists. One way she approaches it is to take a walk together as a family, and find an object to bring home. She sits it in the middle of the table, and everyone draws it-and then they talk about how everyone sees the object differently. Or, they take turns picking a "theme" and everyone draws something related to that theme.
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Try a Recession-Proof Craft
Let's face it, by the time you buy the fancy hole punch, the glitter, and the special decorative scissors, crafting can be expensive. Yet women in the 1930s and 40s managed to do incredibly creative things without spending money, like sewing dresses from flour sacks. Free craft materials are all around-especially in your own backyard, says Jennifer Worick, author of Backcountry Betty Crafting With Style: 50 Nature-Inspired Projects
Old Fashioned Skills Making a Comeback
Bake From Scratch
The grocery aisles are full of convenience. While pre-made cookie dough, boxed brownies, and icing in a can will always have a place for those last-minute baking emergencies, getting cozy with the baking powder and real vanilla beans is a wonderful throwback. "There is nothing quite like eating homemade bread while it is still warm," says Ribbing. "It tastes infinitely better, but more than that, you know you made it yourself."
Quiz: What Type of Organizer Are You?
How we organize our space has a huge impact on our quality of life, says organizational expert Peter Walsh, author of It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff
. We teamed up with Walsh to come up with four different organizational styles. Take our quiz and find out yours--then check out Walsh's tips for working within your style to create the home you want.
. We teamed up with Walsh to come up with four different organizational styles. Take our quiz and find out yours--then check out Walsh's tips for working within your style to create the home you want.Cleaning & Storage, Storage & Cleaning, Fun Stuff, Quizzes, Storage & Organization
Get Ready-for-Fall Checklist
Fall is the perfect time to get your space (and your life) organized, weatherized and maybe even a little energized! The more you can do before the freezing temperatures hit and the holiday lights come out, the better!
Click through to find out what made the list on our countdown to fall.
Click through to find out what made the list on our countdown to fall.
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Countdown to Fall!
Prepare your garden: "Hands down, fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, and even perennials," says organic gardening guru Joe Lamp'l, host of Fresh From the Garden on the DIY network. The soil is still warm, but the air is cooling off, so the roots can really take hold, Lamp'l says. It's also a good time to prune your perennials, or even to divide them and replant or give away. Bring your tropical plants inside, empty out your containers, pull out your annuals, get rid of any garden debris, and add compost to your soil if you haven't already. If you've never had a soil test, now is the perfect time: contact your county extension office for information (it's usually under $10).
Winterize your outdoor space: Clean your gutters and do a quick roof check to make sure you don't have any loose shingles. Cover or bring in patio furniture, of course, but Lamp'l also says to make sure you drain your garden hoses and bring them inside (the contraction and expansion from freezing and thawing can damage them). Drain irrigation lines as well. If you have a rain barrel, drain it, disconnect it from your downspout (freezing/thawing can crack it otherwise), and turn it over.
Clean and organize your garage: "Fall is the perfect time to clean your garage, because it's not too cold and not too hot, and you can leave the door open," says organizing expert Maria Gracia author of Finally Organized, Finally Free (2007). Take everything off your shelves and sort into "donate" and "trash" boxes; clean everything else and put it back in an organized fashion. Use pegboard to hang tools, trashcans for sporting equipment like hockey sticks and bats, and large plastic bins and storage boxes (clearly labeled) for everything else. "When you're done, have a big party!" Gracia says.
Organize your home office: "Use the back to school time as inspiration for yourself," Gracia says. Pair down those paper files-and computer files. Take the opportunity to update your database or address book to make sure you have everyone's current contact info so you're not scrambling when it's time to send holiday cards. It's also good to re-evaluate your magazine subscriptions (are you really reading 8 magazines a month?) and dump everything you can into a recycling bin.
Get your car ready: Depending on where you live, this could be a quick process, or a lengthier affair. If you've been putting off getting new tires, it's best to do it before winter hits. Now might also be the time to have your car serviced. If you took a long road trip this summer, and there's still sand in the trunk, chips on the floor, and a lingering smell of mildew from too many wet towels, consider getting your car detailed.
Do a safety check: Check your smoke detectors-it just takes two seconds and could absolutely save your life! Also, evaluate your fire plan, and make sure all family members know what they should do in the event of a fire (or any other natural disaster that could strike where you live). Check your carbon monoxide detectors (consider buying one if you don't have one) and the pressure in your fire extinguishers (just look at the gauge on the front). Also, if you've never done it, think about getting a radon test for your home.
Clean your fridge and pantry: The best way to clean your fridge is to take everything out (so that you can clean your shelves and drawers), and then only put back in what's edible. Ditto for the freezer. As for your pantry: remember that many non-perishables do eventually perish! Check to see if your spices are still good, if you've got rice growing legs, or free cereal samples from five years ago, it's safe to assume it's no good anymore. Use what you can, and throw away the rest
Get your house ready for winter: Those of us with newer windows don't have to install special storm windows anymore, but you might still have some drafts you need to tend to. Also, it's a good idea to actually turn on your heat before you need to, simply to make sure it works (better to have it serviced now than when it's 20 degrees and you're waiting two days for a tech!). Go ahead and change your furnace filter now. And if you have a fireplace, have it cleaned/serviced now (again, better to do it now than to wait until you need it).
Pair down kids' toys by donating: Do it now-before the holidays bring an onslaught of new toys from the in-laws! There are two strategies here: one is to not even mention it to your kids and just do it, because they won't miss what they haven't played with in a year. Another way to approach it is to use it as a consciousness-raising activity for your child, so that he/she understands that there are many children in your community who are less fortunate. Find a charity that accepts toys, and get your kid involved in choosing which toys to donate, and dropping them off.
Put your tools to bed: Take the opportunity to drain the gas from your lawnmower and to sharpen the blade (a dull blade can tear your grass, Lamp'l says). Clean your gardening tools too. Lamp'l uses this easy trick: fill a 5-gallon bucket with all-purpose sand and a quart of motor oil. Drive any tools with heavy debris (spades, shovels, hoes, etc.) into the bucket. The combination of oil and sand cleans off the grime-plus the oil coats the blade. Disposing of it is tricky, but Lamp'l has an easy solution: just keep re-using it year after year!
Your Home, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning
Be Back-to-School Ready at Home
For millions of moms, back to school conjures up images of neatly sharpened pencils, color-coordinated backpacks hanging in a row and the promise of some precious quiet time around the house. But saying so long to summer and hello to endless permission forms, earlier bedtimes and pants that don't fit anymore is a stressful transition.
Even celebrity moms are prone to the highs and lows of this crazy time of year. Actress Denise Richards, mom of Sami (5) and Lola (4), tells ShelterPop that she is trying to get a jumpstart on the school year. "This year is bittersweet for me with Sami starting kindergarten. My daughter is no longer a toddler!" says Richards, who stars in the reality show Denise Richards: It's Complicated on E!. Full-day kindergarten for Sami means that Richards will have time with Lola when she gets home from half-day preschool. But it also means more preparation. "I just ordered Sami's [private school] uniform. I'm trying to slowly get everything ready so that I don't have to do it last minute," she says.
Advanced preparation can mean the difference between calm and chaos, come mid-August. "I learned from my parents that it's best to get everything ready the night before," Richards say. "This year school will be early for us, and mornings are usually hectic. If we can prepare lunches and backpacks, and set out what they're going to wear the night before, it will make mornings much easier!"
Click through below to get more tips, tricks, and solutions for getting your school year off on the right foot-and keeping your sanity once it starts.
Even celebrity moms are prone to the highs and lows of this crazy time of year. Actress Denise Richards, mom of Sami (5) and Lola (4), tells ShelterPop that she is trying to get a jumpstart on the school year. "This year is bittersweet for me with Sami starting kindergarten. My daughter is no longer a toddler!" says Richards, who stars in the reality show Denise Richards: It's Complicated on E!. Full-day kindergarten for Sami means that Richards will have time with Lola when she gets home from half-day preschool. But it also means more preparation. "I just ordered Sami's [private school] uniform. I'm trying to slowly get everything ready so that I don't have to do it last minute," she says.
Advanced preparation can mean the difference between calm and chaos, come mid-August. "I learned from my parents that it's best to get everything ready the night before," Richards say. "This year school will be early for us, and mornings are usually hectic. If we can prepare lunches and backpacks, and set out what they're going to wear the night before, it will make mornings much easier!"
Click through below to get more tips, tricks, and solutions for getting your school year off on the right foot-and keeping your sanity once it starts.
Be Back to School Ready at Home
Have a meeting: A few weeks before school starts, have a family meeting to discuss the transition and expectations-things like new bedtimes and curfews. "Especially with younger kids, it's important to make this gradual," says Kathy Peel, author of The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home (2008). Also, go over the new guidelines for things like television, cell phones, and Internet. "Talk about these parameters before school starts," she advises. And don't forget to keep it all in a positive tone: these guidelines will help them reach their academic goals.
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Grab a shopping cart: Your kids aren't the only ones who need a little kick in the rear to get going! "September always makes me feel as though I've been shot out of a cannon and can't see where I'm going to land," says Jen Singer, author of the Stop Second Guessing Yourself guides to parenting and creator of MammaSaid.net. Singer, mother of Nicholas (going into sixth grade) and Christopher (going into fifth grade) starts assessing what supplies and clothes they have and what they need at least three weeks before school starts. "That way, we're not stuck with the last pair of (pink) soccer cleats for my son, or nothing but a 'I Do All My Own Stunts' T-shirt for picture day," she says.
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Set up command central and create an SOP (standing operating procedure): Pick a central location where all school paper work can be kept. Singer uses a desk in the family room. She keeps pick-up slips, flyers, lunch menus, permission slips, and other paperwork on the desk. "Also set up a standard operating procedure for you and for the kids," Peel says. For example, have the kids unpack their backpacks first thing every day after coming home, and put any important papers in an inbox. Then it's your responsibility to go through it after dinner, so they can load it back in their packs.
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Keep a family calendar:"Every family needs a central calendar to keep track of schedules," Peel says. A large wall calendar works fine, or if your family is tech-savvy, a calendar on the computer. She also recommends either a small bulletin board or a three-ring binder for each kid where you can keep information about extracurricular activities, sports team rosters, and other things. Singer always makes sure she knows which kids are in her kids' after-school activities and she gathers their parents email addresses and phone numbers to facilitate carpooling.
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Get kids oriented to new schools and new experiences: Definitely take advantage of any school open houses before school starts. If you can, do your own orientation, Peel says. Show them the motions of walking to the bus stop (or walking to school), and also show them the front doors, where their classrooms are, where the bathrooms are, where the cafeteria is, and where they'll catch the bus (or wait in line for pick-up) after school. Also, if this will be your child's first experience with a cafeteria, practice walking at home with a tray filled with food. "They've probably never done that before" Peel says.
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Get the closets ready: Not all attire is appropriate for school, so once you know the dress code, get the closets in order to make dressing less stressful. "It's a good idea to put clothes that are not viable choices away-out of sight on a higher shelf, for example. That will help to prevent fights once it's time to get dressed," Peel says. Your hall and coat closets can benefit from some organizing too. "I clean out the shelves in the closet near the door and place my son's clarinet, shin guards, hats, etc., where they can easily find them as the school bus approaches," Singer says
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Start morning the night before: Once school is in full swing, stay ahead of morning madness and frantic grasping for lunch boxes and backpacks by doing advance prep work the night before. "Remember, kids are heading into a stress-filled world. Send them out the door on a positive note," Peel says.
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Treat school like an important career: "One thing I always did was to make sure my kids knew that school was their career, and just as important as mom or dad's career," Peel says. Be sensitive to the fact that things like homework are as important as your own deadlines and projects. Decide with your kids where homework will be done, and give them all the "office" supplies they need to do their jobs effectively, whether it be a good desk lamp or a good printer that doesn't crap out every other day.
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Don't forget to involve your kids: "My boys love summer, so going back to school is hard on them. We live in a lake community where we all hang out on the beach with neighbors and barbecue," Singer says. "It's a tough to sell the idea of homework and jazz band carpools after a summer in the sun with friends." One way she tries to get them excited is to make sure they are part of the process, through tasks like picking out clothes, clearing out a nice study spot, or writing their names on their backpacks.
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