It’s been one of those crazy days, between watching the work being done in the pasture, to doing my banking and shipping to trying to get some work done in the studio. I got my shipment of batting yesterday and was able to put my Kalico Kitty Quilt together. Now I just have to tack it. It’s already sold, the money in my paypal account.
When I first started my business I didn’t want to be paid for something before I finished it. I think in part I didn’t trust myself to get it done. The other part of it is that once I get to this point in a quilt the creative work is done and something in me feels like the quilt should be finished. Like I’ve done my job and now the elves should finish it up. So I always thought of selling the quilt and getting paid for it as an incentive to finishing it. But recently I’ve taken down payments for quilts I’m working on or as in this case, I’ve gotten full payment before it’s finished. I’m glad to say, so far, I haven’t taken money for something and not finished it. The strange part of it is I know I would never intentionally do such a thing. And since it doesn’t happen often, I’m not likely to forget if I owe someone something they’ve paid for, so I’m not sure where this fear comes from. But I guess it doesn’t matter, because I’m obviously getting over it. And trusting myself and understanding that everyone screws up now and again, and if and when it happens, I’ll be able to deal with it.
So tomorrow I’ll tack Kalico Kitty and get it in the mail to Luanne by the weekend. I’m beginning that being paid in advance is even more of an incentive to finish a piece and maybe that little fearful voice in the back of my head isn’t all bad.
Maria, you are wise to ask for a downpayment. You have an investment in cloth and in your designwork and time. The downpayment would cover some of this. I felt as you did, in accepting money, in another sense with my bed & breakfast reservations. Yet, it is a business, a very small business but unless I get deposits in for reservations, it means people can and will cancel without thought when they don’t have a financial commitment and others may miss out on a room already reserved. You are running a business. I know for creative people, it is the creative part that is enjoyed; the business part is often secondary.
SandyP in Canada
I’m figuring it out as I go Sandy. The more I do it the more I feel that the business end can be just as creative and sometimes almost as enjoyable.
Hi Maria,
What a treat to know this beauty will soon be in the mail! Thank you so much for creating such a magical piece. I shall never tire of looking at it. It will be well loved and used. Love the name, too! LT
Well, that’s the most I could hope for Luanne.
Wow, that statement to Sandy sounds so positive Maria. Good on you! 🙂