Work at Home Grandmothers

I’m still contemplating changing the template to this blog, it’s been nice looking at Spring flowers, but I think it’s time to go for a more professional look.  But before I take time to do that, let me invite you to join me as I do what was suggested in lesson 2 of the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge (I think you can still join!).

Over the year, we’ve featured a number of grandmothers and their work at home businesses.  I want to list them here in one post for you, to encourage or inspire you, if you are still trying to find your “niche”. Click the Grandmother’s name to visit their post for a lot more information about them, and how they started their business.

1. Angie Baker is an example of someone who has taken a craft that she loves, jewelry making, and turned it into a business.
2. Paula Jackson is a grandmother that I have known “virtually” for a number of years, and helps people keep their homes clean and healthy without polluting the environment.
3. Darlene Demell is another grandmother in Canada who has a home business that provides delicious things to enhance your meals, your health and your home.
4. Jackie Thompson’s post is a popular stop, she has built a business out of making military purses…her story is wonderful, do stop by for a visit.
5. Self-Taught Artist - this is a grandmother I found while searching the internet, and was fascinated by her story and video, she has never attended art school, but is a talented self-taught portrait artist.
6. Karen is a grandmother with a unique situation, all 3 of her children were born on the same date…no, they aren’t triplets, they were born the same date but different years.  Read about how she works at home in the country.
7. Rita Sweet is another crafty grandmother who has started her own business making soap…you have to visit and see her hand made crayons, your children and grandchildren will love them!

That is only a few in the list, please contact me if I can feature you, it would be my pleasure to do so!  The only requirement is that you be a grandmother, a grandma “wanna be” like me, or “old” enough to be a grandmother.

I want to invite each of you to join me at a new gathering place for Work at Home Grandmothers, a companion to this blog, that just started today, please click here, and join the community.

I will be promoting the network more after I get used to all the features, but I’m ready for people to become a part right away. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Today I am happy to introduce you to a very “sweet” grandmother by the name of Rita Sweet. Rita has tried a couple of home businesses, and in the process has found her niche, and rather than tell you about it, I’m going to let Rita share herself. Please read on, and be inspired! Visit her site, maybe you’ll see something crafted by Rita that will be just the right hand-crafted gift for someone you love.

I live on the Oregon Coast with my retired husband. For years I have tried to live as healthy a life as possible. I know it is impossible to eliminate all toxins from our lives, as they are in the very air we breathe!

I have sold products for companies, that I have felt were safe. As time went by, I realized that I knew how to make a lot of these products at home. So I began doing just that! Now I KNOW they are natural as possible.

Companies are not required to list all the ingredients they include in personal body products. That scares me a bit. Thus, my little at home business began.

I have just started building my web site, where I offer coconut oil based soaps. There is an article on my page telling you why I use coconut oil!

My signature product ,Kids Soap Crayons, has proven to be a really big hit! It makes bath time fun! My neighbor’s grand-daughter was visiting and was given a box of the soap crayons. The little girl wanted to go right home (a two hour drive) so she could take a bath!

What I do promise is a quality product at as reasonable price as I can possible offer. All products are made with love! These products are *From My Heart to Your Home”.

I also have a new yahoo group called “Gals Go Green“, where I share and want you to share your recipes and tips!

Please leave me a message on my web site, Rita Sweet Soaps, guest book!

Hugs and Blessings
Rita

Visit my new web site - sign my guest book here:
http://www.ritasweetsoaps.com/home.html

Hello friends!

I had a bit of fun today looking at an article about soap making, that inspired me to head on over to YouTube to see if there was a video on soap making. I have never made my own soap, but since I love herbs, and have wonderful single essential oils and essential oil kits available to me, I have been interested in giving this a try.

First, I enjoyed the following video showing someone making soap, and next there’s a very basic article for those who may be giving some thought to making a little extra money selling the soaps you make. Enjoy, and have a wonderful day!

Soap Making – The Home Business That Makes Scents

By: Lynn Powers

Maybe you’ve been making soaps for a while now and it has become more of an addiction than a hobby. Why keep investing more money into your “hobby” without getting anything in return? Why not turn your hobby into a full fledged business? One that not only makes sense, but can also earn you some major cents!

The Basics:

More and more, people are turning their hobbies into money making opportunities. And it’s no wonder. There’s nothing better than getting paid for something you spend time doing anyway and already know you enjoy!

With much focus these days on taking care of our earth, soap making offers a wonderful way you can do your part in promoting products with natural ingredients - vegetable oils, herbs and clays, to name a few.

It may take some trial and error on your part to get the hang of it, but once you have it down, the marketing options are endless. Not only do homemade soaps appeal to earth conscious consumers, but they have also become popular gift items. Aromatherapy items are in demand, as are fun and unique products you can’t find on every store shelf. Homemade soaps make perfect gifts for house warming, bridal or baby showers, Teacher Appreciation, Mother’s Day, or even as children’s birthday party favors.

What you will need to begin:

While oils, lye and distilled water are the base ingredients, there are several others you will need for your soaps, including fragrances and colors. You’ll need to research which exact ingredients are needed for the particular soaps you intend to make.

Other than ingredients, molds are a must. You can use any form of mold made from plastic, wood, or cardboard. Some candle and candy molds work well but there are many various soap molds available, which give you plenty of options.

Of course, a computer and Internet access is vital with any home business today so you can promote and advertise your soaps on message boards, blogs, and by creating your own website.

And don’t forget about the technical stuff, like a business licenses or permits and record keeping essentials.

Money matters:

You definitely will not get rich quick making soaps. In fact, you may not even get rich slowly. But once you’ve established your business, you could earn a comfortable income, depending on how much time you invest into it. The major factor will be how well you market yourself as a soap maker and how quickly word spreads.

Between moulds, ingredients, and wrapping materials, the cost per bar of soap you make can be anywhere from $.50 $2.00. So, if you charge say, $3.99 per bar, you will earn a 100 (or more) profit. And then you must also factor in your time and other miscellaneous business costs. But don’t let that seemingly small number discourage you. By researching wholesale supply companies and spending wisely, as well as learning to make soaps quickly, your overall earnings greatly increase. It’s not unusual to make upwards of 500 bars of soap per month. That can add up to a nice amount of cash.

Where to sell your soaps:

As mentioned above, a website is an easy way to widely spread word about your business and direct potential customers for more information. Other avenues of advertising and selling include craft fairs, local gift shops, or hosting home parties. But, of course, word of mouth is the best way to gain a reputable reputation and cause those orders to start rolling in. Give your soaps away as gifts and include a tag or business card with contact information.

Author Resource:-> Visit WahmZone, the ultimate community for the Wahm and work at home mom. http://www.wahmzone.com or http://www.wahmforums.com/

Article From Selling With Articles

Today I received an email from a WAHG who visited this blog and wanted to share, and I’m hoping she doesn’t mind that I’m sharing what she wrote with you. What a unique craft she does, and what a beautiful website! Enjoy what she shares, and read the birthdates of each of her children! Amazing!

My name is Karen. I have three grown children (all born on February 7th- 1972, 1982, and 1984). I have five grandchildren, ages 4, 5, 7, 12, and 17. We all moved four years ago to the country on sixty acres of land, each building their own house, and now we are not only family, but we are neighbors as well. We love it and I especially love being close enough to my grandkids that they can just walk down for lunch or ice cream whenever they want!

I love being a grandmother, but I also love working at home, owning my own craft business and making money at it. I have sewn all my life, being taught by my own grandmother, and mother. And the fact that I can enjoy what has always been my biggest hobby, and make it into a business that allows me to make a little extra money is just the cherry on top of the sundae!!

My business is Lilybella, and you can read more about me on my website. I make handmade oilcloth items for children and women. I have this passion for oilcloth that I just can’t seem to get past. I can’t get enough of it. I started out just making cute little things for my grandchildren, and it just blossomed into more and more things as time went on. It is so much fun to create new things to sew with oilcloth. When I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get to work. I even have my granddaughters in on the fun. They love to come down and play with the oilcloth and think of all kinds of ways to play with it. The oilcloth bracelets were actually the idea on my 7 year old granddaughter who wants to make jewelry out of everything she sees. It is just fun and I enjoy sharing it with everyone out there. I hope someday, my granddaughters will want to carry on where I leave off, but if not, it will be fun while it lasts!

So, I just wanted to put my two cents worth in…. That you can be a creative, businesswoman, grandmother all at the same day. I thank my lucky stars everyday for my life, my family, and the ability to enjoy doing what I love every day!

Karen Hulshouser

www.Lilybella.com