These baby alpacas won’t sit still for a bath! Learn to wash their fiber after shearing.
| |  | | | Thinking about turning your hobby into a business? It's important to have a plan before you do so.
| You know the line: do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life. Luckily for us, working with fiber is not only fun, but can be a fruitful and rewarding business enterprise. Fiber people are incredibly supportive of indie businesses, and thanks to the internet and a growing range of local fairs, festivals, and markets it's easier than ever to start a cottage industry related to your spinning.
It seems unavoidable that if you spin long enough, eventually people start to ask if you've ever considered selling your yarn. So, have you thought about it? Maybe you spin more yarn than you could ever use and are looking for something to do with the extras. Or maybe you'd like to start production spinning with the specific aim of selling your wares. Either way, starting a small business requires preparation, and it's important to be informed and have a plan before you begin sales.
| |  | | | What makes handspun yarn appealing to buyers? Color, for one thing.
| If any of this is ringing a bell, grab a copy of Abby Franquemont's latest video, Get More Spun: Spinning for Sale. It has everything you need to know to take your spinning from hobby to market. Coming up with a business plan is easy if you break it down into chunks, and Abby covers:
- Pros and cons: should you do it?
- What equipment do you need?
- Spinning for production
- Pricing and packaging
- Understanding the market
If you've been thinking about selling your yarn, don't be afraid to take the leap. Get some solid planning behind you, and you'll be off on the right foot. Good luck!
--Stefanie |
