Here’s part of an email I just sent to a company that buys patterns from me. Yet again, my payment was not made in a timely fashion. I sadly deal with more than one company who doesn’t start processing my payments until they are on the cusp of due, which means by the time the […]
The Personal and the Political
Yes, I’ve been quiet of late. It’s been one helluva season… I moved house and studio in early December, my delightfully dodgy heart landed me in the hospital (again) during the holidays, I’m sore and shaken from a recent car accident, and we’ve had this huge, traumatically divisive election season. I got quiet because I […]
WASWI – What should you do when a long-arm artist won’t return your quilts?
Sadly, I’m here to ask for help. Let me clarify… I’m not sad to ask for help – and I’m certainly thrilled to have the collective here to ask my questions to! But I’m sad that this question needs to be asked, and I wish I had an answer: What should you do when your […]
WASWI – One of My Patterns Has Been Plagiarized
I’m pretty steamed. I’ve discovered that someone who bought my Chunky Wee Zippy Pouches pattern has ripped it off, obviously believing the “just change 5 things or X percent and you’re safe” nonsense. Whatever the nuts and bolts of copyright law might state about what is in the public domain and what can’t be protected on […]
The High Cost of Discount Pricing
Everybody loves a bargain. Scoring something on sale is a modern day hunter/gatherer coup of the first order, a proof positive that you are conducting your life with thrifty adult aplomb. But the push for sale prices is eroding the quilting (and other) industries. Many chain stores have resorted to constant discounting as a way […]
WASWI – Raising your prices, not working for free, and a new Alliance
There have been some great discussions out on the interwebs, of late, covering some thoughts on pricing and working for free. These are definitely worth your time! First: Karen McTavish on the Crafty Planner Podcast. At about minute 42, Sandi and Karen start discussing the pricing for long-arm services. Karen makes her version of the point […]
WASWI – How you use your time
A friend messaged over the weekend, asking for help to price a commission. We went over the costs of materials, and the time it might take to make. Yes, it does come down to time and money. As with all work, you are effectively making a trade in hours/materials for cash. But here’s another factor […]
WASWI – Saying NO (or more Snappy Comebacks)
Recently, Karri G wrote with this question: “What do you say when someone wants you to make them a copy of a pattern without sounding holy than thou?” First of all, can I just say I don’t care about sounding “holier than thou”. I think a little righteous indignation is a good thing in this […]
WASWI – Legs of the same table
We need each other. Every person, in every role in the quilting industry, whether it’s on the buying side or the selling side, from the CEO to the fledgling sewist, is necessary. Absolutely necessary. Every role is important, and without each of them, we ALL fall down. Consider each of us to be legs of a […]
WASWI – Should you tip in the quilting industry?
Tipping. The cash kind, not the cow kind! How do you feel about it? And should it be part of the quilting economy? I would really welcome your thoughts and discussion in the comments. I ask YOU this question as I was approached at my local guild’s sew-day by another member, who asked me if […]