Um, Hello, anybody out there?

Well, I have been gone from stitching and from these forums for a while, as I made another attempt at nursing school. I am back now, having decided I am sooo tired of school. To my dismay, as I log into these forums which used to be fairly active, it seems as though they aren't nearly as active as they used to be. So, I am checking to see who is still out there.

Last edited by cmthmpsn on 3:48 pm Dec 19, 2015; edited 1 time in total

quote:

---

Originally posted by cmthmpsn
I am checking to see who is still out there.

---

I'm still here and was wondering the same thing.

(Are you a nurse yet?)

quote:

---

Originally posted by BarBaraPrz

quote:

---

Originally posted by cmthmpsn
I am checking to see who is still out there.

---

I'm still here and was wondering the same thing.

(Are you a nurse yet?)

---

No, after 6 tries in 12 years, and never finishing the first year, I have decided enough is enough of that useless banging of my head against the proverbial brick wall. On some level, I would still like to be a nurse, and many of the nurses I know say I would be a good one. But, I am just completely tired of school, so it's time for me to be done with that, and to go out into the world and become an adult

I am still a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and I am working on the paperwork to get a job with a nursing agency, so that I can work when I want to. I, of course, need to work ASAP.

But..... I am also deciding on a career change and am in the middle of it. I am quite tired of corporate stupidity, so I want to be my own boss. I have stitched for fun and relaxation for over 20 years now, and now I am going to see if I can turn my hobby into a livelihood. So, I am in the early stages of writing up a business plan to open a small needle arts store in my (now) small town of Ontario, Oregon!

I, of course, will carry SQ patterns, along with other things. I hear there is a market for Brazilian Embroidery, so I will stock supplies for that art form too. I suspect one of my biggest suppliers will be Nordic Needle, as they have the higher end stuff that Wally World and Jo-Anns (my only two competitors) don't carry. And, my two favorite forms of needle arts are cross stitch and Hardanger, so I will have those materials. I will look for suppliers for hand-painted needlepoint canvases, and stock supplies for that, it there seems to be a market for that. I will also probably carry Victoria Sampler patterns. And, although I will have to carry DMC floss (which I know I won't be able to price as low as Wally World and Jo-Anns do), I also plan to carry specialty fibers: silks, rayons, overdyed, etc. And beads and other surface embellishments. Fabrics, frames, and other tools, too.

I don't have a name chosen for my shop, yet, so any suggestions would be welcome.

I will most likely be sharing store space with a quilt shop in town. I have already spoken with the owner of that shop, and she is the one who brought up that topic in our conversation. A FB friend had suggested that concept to me, but it's a good sign that the quilt shop owner brought up the topic in our conversation.

Good Luck!

Good luck with pursuing your own shop - it sounds wonderful

quote:

---

Originally posted by rifestitch
Good luck with pursuing your own shop - it sounds wonderful

---

Thanks! Now if I can figure out how to get all the qualifications to join The National Needle Arts Association, which is the trade association for fiber arts retailers, so I can go to the trade show in January. Have to be a member to go, and have to show proof that I have a shop to become a member. I wanted to go to the trade show, make contacts and attend the classes on how to have a better business, then open my shop.

Still here... you?

quote:

---

Originally posted by BarBaraPrz
Still here... you?

---

Yes, but not as often as I would like to be. Between launching my shop, and driving 180 one-way each month for my National Guard drill, I don't seem to have many free moments.

My shop is progressing. At the end of April, I signed a lease on a storefront, and ever since then, I have been working every day to get it up and running. My biggest hold-up has been the absolute dearth of contractors willing to even call me back when I leave a message that I'm needing slat wall put up in my shop. Pretty hard to open to customers if I don't have a way to display merchandise. I finally got someone who will start next week to put up my slat wall, so now it is getting close to being time to order my merchandise.

That's good to hear.
I know what you mean about "handymen" who turn out to not be so handy after all. Or who insist on doing things contrary to your instructions... a simple shed turns out to be 16 feet tall at peak, with 4-foot eaves (happened to a friend).

quote:

---

Originally posted by cmthmpsn

quote:

---

Originally posted by BarBaraPrz
Still here... you?

---

Yes, but not as often as I would like to be. Between launching my shop, and driving 180 one-way each month for my National Guard drill, I don't seem to have many free moments.

My shop is progressing. At the end of April, I signed a lease on a storefront, and ever since then, I have been working every day to get it up and running. My biggest hold-up has been the absolute dearth of contractors willing to even call me back when I leave a message that I'm needing slat wall put up in my shop. Pretty hard to open to customers if I don't have a way to display merchandise. I finally got someone who will start next week to put up my slat wall, so now it is getting close to being time to order my merchandise.

---

Congratulations on your shop! It's nice to hear there is a new one opening (I wish it were close to me!). Most of the stitchery shops around us have closed and I really miss them. We have a Michaels, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn but it's not the same as a dedicated stitchery shop. These big stores carry the basics but it's very limited in selection. I know I can get anything I need on line but there's something about being able to go to a shop, look through patterns, feel the threads and compare fabrics as well as chat with fellow stitchers. I hope you do well and exceed your expectations!