Country Living Crafting a Business: Make Money Doing What You Love

by Kathie Fitzgerald

Home-based businesses are a common starting point for many entrepreneurs—and women in particular yearn for flexible hours as well as the chance to do creative work they really love. But how can that dream become reality? Find out, from the experts who already made it happen. The women artisans at the heart of this volume will inspire and motivate anyone who wants to follow in their footsteps. In illuminating in-depth profiles, they provide invaluable practical information on what it takes to get started, develop a saleable product, organize a company, market your goods, manage the finances, and handle staffing. All types of business are featured, from hand-weaving, doll making, and rug hooking to travel, interior design, and photography. Gorgeous photos showcase each businesswoman happily in her element, along with her work.INSIDE, YOU’LL
Amy Butler, owner of Amy Butler Design
Anna Corba, owner of Found Cat Studio (home accessories)
Michelle Joy, owner of Primrose, a floral design and vintage shop
Marilyn Lysohir, owner of Cowgirl Chocolates
Lisa Norris, owner of Made by One Girl (handmade books)
Kate Shifrin Style Consultants Inc., Come Flea with Me
Jane Zaccaria, owner of Tiddlywinks and Scallywags, a child’s clothing store
And many more!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pleasant with inspiration and light on information until the final section, where lots of "getting started" advice is packed in. The bulk of the book features four or so pages per woman entrepreneur who turned a craft product or service into a business. Fun to look through. Getting into talk of business plans, accountants, taxes, and insurance scares me off from doing any "official" with MY crafts!

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a cute little book and it was neat to see what ideas some other people have come up with for businesses, but it left me feeling that making a living doing crafts I enjoy is beyond my reach...one really has to be a go-getter and have an entrepreneurial spirit...that's not me.

[Jossa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting or looking for. It's more like a bunch of bio's of women who made crafting a business.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of various women and how they made their dreams of owning their own business happen. Lots of how to's included at the end of the book. I'd recommend including this one in your library of books to read and research on starting up a business. Honest input from those who have been there and done that.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about other crafty businesses and the people who do them

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find this book really helpful, it is ten years old now so I wonder if the featured women are still doing their businesses. Great inspiration and helps me to know what it is I want to do and why

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great one to read for inspiration and motivation. It features tons of successful female crafters, and their helpful advice to those just starting out, as well as beautiful pictures to look at. My problem with the book, however, is that it presents itself as a resource for "how" to make money crafting. In reality, there is very little business advice in this book (if you want that, turn to The Crafts Business Answer Book by Barbara Brabec!). So I loved all the inspiration, motivation, and eye-candy - seeing other successful woman's stories was great, but this is hardly a hardcore resource for business advice. As with most Country Living publications, however, the selection of featured female entrepreneurs and their work is just lovely and presented beautifully.
I might recommend checking this out from a library or reading it at a bookstore as well, since it's not necessarily one you'll need to keep around for helpful advice.

[Quanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. This book featured more than a few women making their creative passion work for them in a lucrative fashion. Not only that, but being happy doing it. Each woman told their story, the beginning, the faith, fear, no money, bold mistakes and their outcomes. This book is truly inspirational, informative, encouraging and resourceful.

The first half of the book are the women featured. The second half of the book is how to take the necessary steps on what to do to start a business, what you need to have for your business and resources for everything you need. Names, websites and numbers for any and everything you would or will need. This book is excellent. I only wish they added more women. Too empowering to put down.

Go and get this book!!!

[penny shima glanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within the pages of this slender volume are stories of 25 women who have done it-- crafted a business and found a sustainable way to have joy in their daily work. I found the essays well edited and the photographs added so much more to it -- something I did expect when I saw that Country Living had a role in the process. I found the stories inspiring and useful to me as I try to break out of the mold I've been placed into for years and try to find the balance between the crafts I enjoy and the "knowledge worker" that sits in front of a computer screen.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not fit into this one. I was expecting more how to and these were just not down to earth gritty examples that are helpful to my mindset. Very disappointing when I checked it out from the library. I skimmed over and skipped a lot. You might like it, if you are-can I say-QVC type ?-and like learning about more vip type entrepreneur people. Every business they featured were not really my type of stuff I enjoy. that was probably a big reason I did not care for it much.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book for the unemployed Miss Sally to look at to get some ideas about what she could do with the rest of her life, since she's so crafty. She liked the book, but I too ended up being fascinated with the idea of starting a business doing something you love and are good at. Lots of good stuff in here.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book to flip through if you have ever thought about starting your own business. Features 31 successful women from a variety of creative companies (designers, artists, service providers.) The second half is the nitty-gritty side to starting a business with sections on marketing, sales, financing, business plans and more.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took this out for my daughter but I think I liked it more than she did - great stories from entrepreneurs who followed their bliss, already following up a few of them on their websites. I heart crafts and the artists behind them.

[Robin Norgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you do not have a business, this book is so well laid out with beautiful pictures and incredible interview with a slew of talented artisans. I actually read this and am re-reading it just to keep myself in the mindset of the value of this type of work. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Elisa Garza]

Inspirational stories from women making a living doing what they love!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It was totally inspiring, and I found lots of helpful tips.

[Elusive.Mystery · Rating 1 out of 5]

Upper middle-class East-Coast WASP types and others show off about their successes.

[Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clear info from those who have already succeeded in their own crafting businesses.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neat concept but everything is in VERY general terms