Site-Wide Activity

I have used VAs for about 5 years now. I first started when I was still working full-time and just didn't have the time to do everything myself. My needs for a VA have changed over the years, as well as my willingness to NOT outsource certain things, especially if there are tasks that end up taking way too much time for a VA to do as opposed to…[Read more]

Hey everyone! I am Jen and I have a online yarn shop, Train Track Fiber Designs
I am having trouble getting traffic to my site. I have a ton of yarn and colorways available so I think if people saw my shop I could be making more sales. Could y'all please share my shop? I would really appreciate it. Thanks 🙂

Hi @rachel-brooks– I just replied to your post, but don't see it here, so I'm trying again.

First of all, I love your pattern. What's really unique about it is the 3-dimensionality, which your photos capture well. However, to really showcase it, what it is and who it's for, I'd suggest having a baby or toddler in the shot “fiddling” with it. In…[Read more]

I like the wood background of the second picture! I think putting a chestnut in there is a good idea to give it some scale, and if you have any fall leaves where you are that could help as well. Having little fall things in the photo could make it more appealing for fall time knitting, and gives it scale as well.

How fun!!!

Do you have any baby stuff at your house at all? I think it would be cool hung onto a crib edge, pr held by an actual baby. If you don't have that option, then maybe styled near a baby onesie or a really cool modern outfit and some toys, like a “gift guide” styling? On a natural wood background, or a white furry rug, or just a plain…[Read more]

Good luck, @hannah-simons! I think giving it time to mentally “percolate” is such an important step! And if you're having trouble envisioning specific things you want, try to think of it in general terms. Like, I want:
– serenity/peacefulness
– creativity
– connection with others
– financial stability
– a safety net

Stuff like that?

I'm also having a hard time getting through it. I loved it up until I hit wall with looking towards the future and trying to figure out what I really want. I sat on that wall for about a month, and today I'm opening the book again. Wish me luck! Have you worked on it at all since you posted this?

No problem! And just to re-emphasize, that's a minimum of what I would take with me.

I used to only have Etsy, and I did super duper well. I do believe that Etsy has been faltering over the last couple years, and I've seen a dramatic decrease in my Etsy sales over the last two years. I keep using it because it does give me decent traffic and sales.

All that being said, I ABSOLUTELY recommend having your own website/online…[Read more]

Thanks you too for the advice! Most of my stuff is priced between $10-$20 so I always feel like I need to sell more for that reason. I will definitely take @hannah-simons advice and use that- I really like how you did the math to figure out how much to make.

Judging how much inventory to make/take for shows is so hard! With three back to back I would recommend making as much as you have time for.

One thing that I often did when I first started packing shows is figure out how much money I would like/need to make from the show, figure out how much inventory that was, and use that as a baseline minimum…[Read more]

I always bring as much as I can. I've had back to back show and shows where I only have a week between them. It doesn't leave much time for creating especially when I have to include soak and dry time with dyeing yarn. I never really set a number but I'll work extra hours those weeks before and then take off more after (kind of like you'd…[Read more]

Hi! In the guide it says that you can see map examples on Tara's site, but I haven't been able to find any. I would love to see some. Is there anything like that on the website or forums?

Thank you, @lisa-barnes 🙂 What you suggested is pretty much what I did. We have worked out an compromise that works for all of us and have agreed to NEVER collaborate without a contract again. Expensive lessons were learned all around!

I'm going! I plan to be there all weekend! Would love to meet some fellow Captains 🙂

Just noticed a typo in my link above. Here's a correction: Hands Occupied 😉

@elizabeth-floyd that's awesome! I'm so glad you found a system that works for you!!