My Big Plans

Ok so as most of you know I am done working here at Big Blue in the middle of March. At first I was feeling desparate to stay here, feeling like I was going to lose it all if I didn't keep this or any other kind of corporate peon job. Well folks, I have plans. God has answered my plea for help and direction and I am now full of a passion I have never felt toward any man, beast, or job. When I get out of here, and actually starting tomorrow when I have a free day, I am going to start learning how to open my own business and start an arts and crafts supply store/art gallery!





It came to me in a hazy sort of way last weekend, then on Monday morning I woke up at 4:30am and my brain started going crazy!! I couldn't sleep! It started honestly when I was wishing I had some Beadalon wire to make some more of those necklaces with the triple strands of beads. To get some of that I had to either order it online and pay for shipping and overhead, or I could pack the kids in the car and drive all the way to Williston Road to Michael's and end up buying other stuff I didn't need or couldn't afford. I said, "Why doesn't Milton have some sort of arts and crafts store??" There have been so many times when I have wanted something like a paint brush that wasn't from Kinney Drugs or a component for jewelry making or a canvas and have ended up spending too much time and money to get it.





Here is the overview so far:





My Mission: To provide supplies of all kinds of art to local/regional crafters and artists at as low a cost as possible, tailor made to what kind of artists are in the demographic. I also aim to provide a gallery space for up to 5 artists (painting/photography, small sculpture) at lowest possible rental cost needed to pay lease and with only 10% commission on sales going to keep the gallery running. Services can be traded for discount on gallery use. My desire is to help struggling artists who have no place affordable to show and sell their art, and to create connections in the community among artists and crafters. I will have a suggestion survey at the counter that asks people what type of craft they do and what they would like to see in the store so I can get a feel of what will sell and what the demand is. I don't want a store full of yarn if there are no knitters you know!





The Store: Moonshine Designs & Supply





What: Sell my jewelry designs at the counter, along with other jewelry maker's designs (on a small commission) and also sell supplies for art and crafts such as canvas, oil and acrylic paint, varying styles of brushes, yarn and needles, PMC supplies, pottery supplies, jewelry supplies, beads, findings, etc, homemade (by me) light boxes and other useful things like displays and gift boxes/cotton batting to start your own online/mail order store, thread in colors other than black and white (that's all they have at the Rite Aid), needles both for hand and machine, maybe some fabric at a later date if that is desired, ribbon, hemp, chain, drawing/sketching supplies, felt, things like barrette clips that are ready to be embellished, headbands, etc., and maybe even stained glass making supplies and glass blowing rods! I'm open to any kind of art!





Where: Across the street from my house in the ST Plaza which is currently EMPTY!! I'm going to check it out tonight at 8:00!!!! There are 3 stores available and the rent is $800/mo/1000 square feet!!! I'm so excited I could puke!





When: I would like to get everything started by summer! On Feb 5th is a Small Business Owner seminar for people like me who want to start something up. Its 40$ which I don't really have but will pull out of my ass somehow. I am going to call and see what kind of grants I can get for being a woman and all, and see how I can talk to some people who have done it already. I am willing to go back to school to get a Business Degree (2 year) instead of nursing if that is what it takes!



I'm checking into wholesale pricing to see what I can expect to pay in bulk. Tomorrow I'm going to be on the phone as much as possible to get grant applications etc taken care of! I've never been this excited or driven to do something. Did I say that already? I feel high, I feel anxious, I feel like I have a purpose in life finally!! Well, other than being Mommy and Wifey that is.



The Gallery: Starlight Community Art Gallery



I want to open part of the store as a place that people can rent space to display and sell their paintings/photography/small sculptures. I want to do it in a way that people are not getting ripped off and can actually get a start as a professional artist or at least get their name out there. I wouldn't charge more than the cost of the rental for the space per person, and maybe only charge 10% commission on sales or something, or trade services (upkeep of shop) haven't really figured that part out yet! I just want to do something that ties in the artist community and gives people a break!!



DISCLAIMER:

SARAH please do NOT tell Mom and Dad about this! I want to get as much of it taken care of first before I tell them. I do not want to keep using them for help or expecting them to pay or fix it all for me. I want to do something on my own for once!! Then maybe they will realize that I am a grown up!!! :) You got to move to prove yourself, but I can't do that so I have to be more...creative! :) (Still wish I could have moved lol) I am putting all of my trust in God that this is my destiny, at least for now, and it feels good. I'll be going to church on Sunday for sure!!



I'll be updating as things happen...for I know they will! I'll bring my camera and take pictures of the space tonight too and post them up here! Dominos Pizza is moving in to the space I originally wanted but that's ok, it only screws up my plans a little bit ;)