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February, 2011

  1. Yahoo

    February 28, 2011 by Administrator

    Category CelestinePaints.com | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Colorful Zen

    February 21, 2011 by Administrator

    Category Art, Arts and Crafts Business, CelestinePaints.com, Crafts, Decorative Painting, General Information, Zentangle Inspired | Tags: | No Comments

  3. Enjoying my weekend, by painting!

    February 19, 2011 by Administrator

    Category CelestinePaints.com | Tags: | No Comments

  4. Let’s Get it Started! Post # 4

    February 16, 2011 by Administrator

    Let’s Get it Started, Post #4
    How Will I Do This?
    This is my fourth post on starting my own creative business. So far, if you missed it, I have reviewed the process I used to develop my business plan. The first two parts of my business plan centered around:
    1. What do I want to do?
    2. Can I make money doing this?
    Here I will discuss:
    3. How will I do this?

    This is a more creative part of my business plan, there for more fun. for me. I imagined the steps I would take to put my plan into action and recorded the steps. As I brainstormed, I didn’t concern myself with the order of the steps I would take, but what steps would be required and what assistance I would need. I included marketing, sales, operation, accounting, purchasing, production, shipping, scheduling and other activities. I tried to picture non-traditional cost saving methods to do each task. I planned to use current technology whenever possible to result in cost savings. I imagined a typical daily and weekly schedule.
    I envisioned activities and tried to foresee problems. Once the brain storming was complete I organized my thoughts (and written notes) into a concrete action plan with a proposed timeline. I highlighted potential challenges and recorded options for confronting the challenges that may occur.

    I developed a list of services with pricing. I also developed a list of planned marketing/promotional activities and cost. I will discuss these two activities more in later posts. I developed a list of proposed costs for my first month, first six months and first year of operation and compared it to a list of proposed sales for the same periods. This list included equipment, supplies, insurance, shipping and all costs both directly related to the product/sales (ie. raw materials, shipping) or indirectly related to the product (ie. rent, utilities). I estimated costs to the high side and estimated sales revenue to the low (conservative) side whenever possible. I included labor costs for myself.

    I didn’t like the result of the original analysis of cost versus revenue. I had to go back and change my whole business plan to realistically improve the cost versus revenue projections.

    Now that I have drafted my plan I continue to research to ensure that my plan is all inclusive and realistic. At this point I need to confirm cost estimates, research legal, insurance, licensing and tax requirements. I need to road test my action plan to ensure that I haven’t any major problems.

    This process has been a great deal of work so far, but it has been fun. It is fun because I am making a plan to do what I love- full time. If my plan comes together correctly, I will make money while doing it. What could be better than that!

    Category Art, Arts and Crafts Business, CelestinePaints.com, Crafts, Decorative Painting, General Information, One- Stroke Painting | Tags: | No Comments

  5. Hand Painted Denim Jacket

    by Administrator

    I found this demin jacket on sale. I painted it as a gift.

    Category CelestinePaints.com, Crafts, Decorative Painting | Tags: | 1 Comment

  6. Let’s Get it Started – Post #3

    February 13, 2011 by Administrator

    Let’s Get it Started!
    In my last business blog I talked about the first part of business planning:
    1. What do I want to do?
    Now, on to step 2:
    Can I make money doing this?
    After listing many, many options for what I could do as a business venture I had to take a realistic look at these options. I had to look at many factors including:
    1. What is my skill set,
    2. Do I have (or can I get) the resources to do this well? This includes education, location, supplies, labor or anything else required
    3. Can I compete?
    4. Is there a market? – does someone want this?

    In reviewing these questions, I enlisted the advice of a local agency that supported small business development*. I attended a few classes offered by this agency. Then I made an appointment with one of their small business counselors to discuss my plan. This one-on-one meeting with the counselor helped immensely. I was able to ferment my thoughts while explaining my plan. The counselor also reviewed my draft plan and gave me advice. The majority of these services were free.

    It is very important to be realistic at this point. The decisions need to be made based on facts and research. Know who your competition is. What will be your cost for rent, labor, supplies, insurance etc? Who will be your clients or customers?

    I did not expect to make money selling the same thing that is sold at the local Wal-Mart unless my product had some added value. By added value I mean something that makes my product better. It could be something as simple as convenient or customization. I knew I could not compete with a craft supply store because there are about 4 or 5 large chain craft stores in my area. So I had to look at what the large chain stores did not do as possible business ideas.

    I did not just look at selling anything or everything. I had to look for a need that is unmet. What do potential customers need? What can I do with my skills to fulfill that need?

    I reviewed census information, the Craft and Hobby Association website, Art supply manufacturer’s information and many other sources looking for background on my potential market. I read materials with business start-up information. I researched methods to sale products both online and local traditional outlets. I also researched potential supply sources. I researched franchising possibilities.
    I discussed my developing ideas with trusted friends and family members. Most importantly I listened to their input.

    I drafted potential rate structures and reviewed supply and labor costs. This part is not easy for many people but you may want to seek out a small business counselor to help you. Through this process I came to the realization that I could not afford a leased location – yet.

    I have narrowed my plan to teaching painting at various sites, painting customized murals, face painting and painting parties. I plan to emphasize group classes and bring as much socialization to my classes as possible. I want painting to become a social experience for both children and adults. I determined that safe, social outlets for aging baby boomers were a need not being fulfilled in the current market. The big box stores offer classes but the classes were not the complete social experience I wanted to develop.

    Next time I will explore:
    Let’s Get it Started!
    3. How will I do this?

    * Check for a Small Business Administration funded program near you.
    I attended programs offered by a branch of the:
    MI-SBTDC, Michigan Small Business and Technology Center
    Host Institution: Grand Valley State University
    Phone Number: (616) 331-7480
    Fax: (616) 331-7485
    Web Address: http://www.misbtdc.org

    Category CelestinePaints.com | Tags: | No Comments

  7. Let’s Get it Started! Post #2

    February 11, 2011 by Administrator

    Let’s Get it Started!

    As I introduced in my last blog post my plan is to record my adventures while starting my own creative small business. So here goes!

    To bring you up to date I have been working on planning my business for about one year during my spare time. I am a wife, mother and still a full time employee. My retirement is planned for July 2011. Then I will be a wife, mother, retiree and small business owner. So far I have registered my business name, drafted a business plan, purchased insurance, purchased business cards and started some marketing efforts. My first few posts will discuss the business plan.

    My business plan is not complete – but no business plan is ever completed. My business plan will be re- drafted as circumstances change. My business plan is a written document to lead me on my journey and will be updated to reflect all changes in my plan. I look at the business plan as more of a personal itinerary or planner for this long business journey ahead. Not a set map.

    Many books* will give outlines to follow in writing a business plan but I view my business plan in three parts:
    1. What do I want to do?
    2. Can I make money doing this?
    3. How will I do this?

    Today I will discuss:

    1. What Do I Want to Do?

    I struggled with the question of what I wanted to do for some time. I had the following facts to consider:

    I had employment experience with business, purchasing, accounting, inventory control, computers and inventory control.

    I enjoy painting, sewing, knitting and learning new crafts.

    I enjoy color selection, design and shopping.

    I like problem solving and helping people with their problems.

    At first I centered the most around my professional skills as I planned my new venture. But I came to the realization that if I wanted to continue with my current career field I could continue at my current job. Then I started to think more creatively.

    I came to the conclusion that I wanted to use my business experience in the world of arts and crafts. This decision leads to many ideas about what to do next.
    Sell paintings or crafts (on consignment or as a representative).
    Create paintings for sale.
    Work at craft fairs.
    Work for a craft store.
    Teach painting.
    Start my own arts and craft store.
    Advise artists and crafters.
    Write about art and crafts.
    Design.
    Paint murals.
    Give painting parties.
    Face paint.
    And I could go on and on with ideas that I considered and some I did not think about.

    So how do I choose what to do?
    First I had to look at my resources and skill set. Then I had look at the reality of the marketplace. I will discuss this journey in my next blog:
    Let’s Get it Started
    2. Can I Make Money Doing This?

    * Here are links for a few books and websites to assist you in writing a Business Plan
    1. www.bplans.com
    2. www.sba.gov/category/navigation…business/starting-business
    3. www.entrepreneur.com › Starting a Business
    4. http://www.amazon.com/Crafts-Business-Answer-Book-Marketing/dp/1590771087/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
    5. http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Inc-Creative-Business-ebook/dp/B003MEHEGE/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1297434755&sr=8-11
    6. http://www.amazon.com/How-Start-Home-Based-Craft-Business/dp/0762744006/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1297434755&sr=8-18

    Category Art, Arts and Crafts Business, CelestinePaints.com, Crafts, Decorative Painting, General Information, One- Stroke Painting | Tags: | No Comments

  8. Let’s Get it Started….

    February 9, 2011 by Administrator

    Celestine Paints 2011

    The making of a creative business…..

    I recently was presented with the opportunity to retire. I have been employed in the private and public sectors materials management (purchasing, inventory and operations management) for over 27 years. In 1983 I was awarded a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from Michigan State University.

    After much self evaluation, I decided I definitely wanted to leave my current position to allow for a change in careers. But, what next? My decision was to start a home based creative entrepreneurial venture. This venture will include the following services. Painting/Art instruction, murals, face painting, and painting parties. I became a Certified One-Stroke Instructor in 2005. I have taught painting since that time.

    After I get my painting business started my next step will be to expand my business to consulting with other creative businesses. My consulting services will offer advice on business planning, technology, sales and materials management issues.

    I am very excited about my new venture. I’m going to blog about my venture and the various challenges faced here. Hopefully my experiences will help others.

    Stay tuned for more news on the business venture front!

    Category Arts and Crafts Business, CelestinePaints.com, Decorative Painting, General Information | Tags: | No Comments

  9. Happy Platypus Day!

    February 7, 2011 by Administrator

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  10. What is Zentangle you ask?

    by Administrator

    <<<< click here

    See this Cool 2 Craft clip and find out about Zentangle.

    Category Art, Arts and Crafts Business, Crafts, Decorative Painting, General Information, One- Stroke Painting | Tags: | No Comments

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