Entrepreneurial
Women's Digest 
 Start Your Dream Business

Inspiration, Ideas & Resources

The Creativity Corner
Parlay your hobbies and pastimes into a business of your own or just have fun!
 
Are you brimming with creativity? Show us what you have created lately. Let us showcase your knitting and sewing beauties -- that great pair of knitted socks, fabulous cashmere sweater, crochet creations, beautiful quilts, blouses and anything fabulously handmade. Photos should be in jpeg format of reasonable file size. Introduce yourself and include a brief description of photo. Email will not be shown online, only your first name and location. Your submission will be considered for an upcoming slide show. Send to info@ewdigest.com 

Knitting
It seems like everyone is knitting these days. The art of knitting, a centuries old pastime, has in recent years become the hobby of choice among thousands of people both young and old. This knitting trend has taken the internet by storm. There are literally thousands of internet blogs and websites on the subject.
 

There are also record numbers of knitting groups meeting in yarn shops, knitting cafes and campuses across America. So what's all the fascination about? There has always been an appreciation for things made by hand, and the whole process of knitting is said to be relaxing.  Some knitters have turn their passion into entrepreneurial ventures: opening shops stocked with exquisite yarns and knitting tools or running knitting workshops. The large majority are into producing fashion items including: scarves, hats, sweaters and socks. 
Read related knitting article

Sewing
Fabric and sewing shops are mesmerizing places with their shelves of colorful fabrics, buttons, and sewing accessories. The internet provides thousands of sewing resources including patterns for garments, sewing machines, fabric shops, tips and expert advice from sewing enthusiasts. You might consider taking a sewing course or joining a sewing community. For the sewing entrepreneur, the possibilities are endless: wedding gowns, children's clothing, resort wear, furniture slipcovers, custom-made draperies, handbags, throw pillows, quilts etc. 

 
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1. Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics (Spiral-bound) by Francesca DenHartog
2.. Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (Spiral-bound) by Amy Butler
3. Last-Minute Fabric Gifts: 30 Hand-Sew, Machine-Sew, and No-Sew Projects (Sewing) (Hardcover) by Cynthia Treen

Scrapbooking
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Marketing tips for your creations:
1. In-Home parties are a great way to get your business off to a good start. Have an open house to showcase your creative products; invite friends and family and have them invite others.

2. Consider an inexpensive brochure. Use classified ads to promote your products.

3. Take advantage of the internet and construct a website for your products. Online auction sites are also very popular to sell your products.

4. Sell to hospital gift shops, children and maternity clothing stores, host a show for expecting moms. Advertise your products and services for baby showers. Hand out your business cards at malls, supermarkets and other high traffic areas. Also check your yellow pages for specialty shops where you could offer some of your products on consignment.

5. Promote your products at craft and trade shows.

6. Teach what you know. Start a blog or website about your passion. Offer classes online and offline in your area of specialty.

7. Word of mouth advertising. Obtain referrals for your business.