Final Blog for FM 438

• what you learn from the class

I have to honestly admit that this was the most fun I have ever had in a college level class. I am happy I got to revist a passion of mine that had fallen by the wayside. Through out this class I have learned what it is really going to take to have my own future business. It has given me a real life look as to what it is going to take to devlop this future endevior. I have also learned how to perfect my own personal craft.

• options bout class materials is vidoes, guest speaker, assignments

One of the main reasons I loved this class so much is because of all the different learning techiniques we used. We never had a dull class meeting, always watching a new video, reading a new blog, or getting to network with new people. I think going to meet this business owners downtown was my favorite aspect of the class. I love meeting new people and hearing new stories. I feel like I had connections that I could possibly used in the future.

• what you recommend for future classes

My advise to future classes would be to stay two steps ahead from the beinging. That way if something happens and you, for some reason, need a break you have a little have some lead time. I feel that I was successful in this class was because it was something I am whole heartly interested in, this is not a class to take to get an easy A. You have to be dedicated to be successful.

Finance Interview - Questions I Asked My Momma :)

• Is it smart to charge state taxes on Etsy products? it would strengthen the tax base of the state, but only if it is bought in your home state. However, if you do you have to file a separate tax return for sales tax every month. It is not against the law to sale products and not charge tax.
• How do you go about placing it on your regular taxes? You simply file it as a schedule C - sole proprietorship tax return; however you only have to file it if you make enough money to consider it to be more than a hobby.
• Can you still be filed as a dependent on your parents tax return? Yes, as long as you are under 24 and are still considered a full time student.
• What makes you a small business owner? it depends on your gross receipts, and how much time you put in it, if it becomes your sole income

Other OnLine Venues

I looked through many many site before i found ones i really like the first one i chose was....

iCraft -- http://icraft.ca/

Mission: We are a marketplace for handmade products, offering the highest quality Arts, Crafts, and Fashion collections from independent creators from around the globe. Professional and recreational artisans, designers, artist, and craft people submit their unique, one-of-a-kind merchandise and make it available for purchase by those who appreciate their work. We accept handmade items only! All submitted work is reviewed for quality, uniqueness, and presentation. New arrivals are posted daily. Treat yourself or someone you love!

This is a Canadian based site. This site charges a $25 dollar activation fee after which you can sell 5 items a month for free. However, their are other upgraded version you can pay to receive.

Reasoning: I chose this site because it is very customer friendly, which is very important. It also is easy to search and locate items. However; i do not like the steep fee for activation, but iCraft is very legitimate company and the fee covers all the help they supply the seller.

The second site i chose is.....

MadeItMySelf --http://www.madeitmyself.com/default.aspx

Mission: Welcome to MadeitMyself.com, an online marketplace where users can buy and sell handmade goods.

For buyers, MadeitMyself.com eliminates the need to spend countless weekends scouring the craft fair circuit to find that special item. Collectors of imported goods no longer need to travel abroad or pay overpriced importer/exporter fees, or bid on items at live auction.

For sellers, MadeitMyself.com is the perfect way to compliment or even replace their current method of doing business. The global visibility your goods receive can’t be matched to what a craft show or store can provide. MadeitMyself.com is also a great way for the casual hobbyist to make some extra cash. For those who have always been told, “You should sell these” by friends and relatives, now you can. A digital camera and a few mouse clicks are all that’s needed to turn a hobby into a small business.

Tagline: Think It. Make It. Sell It.

Reasoning: there are no fee for this site just, a 3% commission on sells made. it is a very nice site that is very customer friendly. I liked it because it made the products look nice even if they were not.

Entrepreneurship Life

"Five $ Questions to Ask Before Quitting Your day Job"

1. there are many expenses that you are not going to know to plan for

2. how much company can your business really generate

3. start saving 6 months before you leave your full time job

4. find a mentor, someone who has done this before you

"Seven Tips for Part-Time Business Owners"

1. get your family involved

2. focus on the task infront of you

3. be prepared to give up yours personal time

"Start a Part-Time Job VS. a Full-Time Job"

1. it is very easy to run down and burned out very fast if try to do both at the same time

2. it is very important to sit down and make a business plan to see if your business will be able to sustain its self

3. if you are more worries than excited, a part time business is ultimately your best bet

"You Don't Have to Quit Your Day Job"

1. has many part time as full time

2. make sure you are able to separate your two or more jobs

3. be patient if its meant to be then it will be

The Cheri Earring (Coral)

Tag: jewelery, earring, coral, gold, dangle, circles, interlocking, unique, handcrafted, vintage flair, light weight, jewellery, AllConnected

Materials: real coral beads, gold crimp beads, jewelry thread, earring hooks

Description: This set of earrings are composed of 4 interlocking circles, made for 100% real coral. Lightweight for comfortable wearing, also completely one-of-a-kind. The will go perfect dressed up or down.

They are approximately 2 inches long!!

The Dotty Necklace

tags: jewelry, necklace, red, gold, chain, unique, vintage, pop, twist, upcycled, metal, beaded, jewellery, AllConnected,

Materials: red seed beads, vintage gold chain, gold crimp beads, jewelry threads, gold toggle clasp

Description: The Dot Necklace is a very original take on a plain old vintage chain. I sized the chain down to wear just the part that lays on the chest is actual chain. Then finished out the necklace with long twisted red seed bead chains. For a final punch of color I twisted the red beads around the actual chain to make it pop just a bit more.

Blogs that Promote Other Etsy Stores

http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/handmade-weddings-a-fall-affair-12441/

In this blog the blogger talks about and describes her dream wedding. The above is an actual picture of the wedding party. In it she talks about what she wanted and what she ended up getting. At the end of the blog she links loads of etsy shops that you could get similar products from.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/get-the-look-decor-whitewashed-12491/

this blog gives wonderful decorating tips, and uses etsy store to show where to get the decor from. Over 30 different etsy stores are listed on this one blog. The writer took the picture above and broke it down into small sections to show where and how much the products were listed for.