Time management is a weak point for many “artsy” types; yet the more quality work we can produce in a streamlined manner, the better chance we have of making a decent living, with enough left over to buy insurance and pay the tax man (and take an occasional vacation)!  Here are some tips that assist me in my daily creating (I produce five scarves in a typical day of knitting; creating and designing is my fulltime career).

• Set up work stations: I maintain a designated area for packaging up orders with all necessary supplies and information within reach, for example. Each work station has the tools necessary to complete the task(s) from start to finish without leaving the area.

• Multiple tool sets: For essential tools, I find it helpful to have one in each work station as well as back ups on hand to avoid, “Oh no, I can’t get anything done, I lost my whatzit!” For example, I have a pair of sharp scissors for the car as well as each work station. I also keep a pair of cheap-o scissors in the bathroom and kitchen for the rest of the family to use instead of my nice scissors.

• Be flexible: Since my main craft is knitting with yarn, I have a few pairs of each size of needle. That way, if I’m working on a blanket and an order for a scarf comes in, I can just leave the blanket on its needles and start right away on the scarf with another needle set.

• Organize supply and finished product inventory: If we have and properly use containers, shelving or another keep-it-neat system, we avoid having to hunt for ‘that one bead’ or ‘that journal I know I made months ago’

• Prioritize: If a task can only be performed at a particular workstation or time window (for example, my friend Erin Krug of http://www.etsy.com/shop/krugsecologic only brings out her soap making supplies when her small children are sleeping), then we must focus and work at maximum efficiency during that production opportunity (that includes  ignoring facebook!).

• Take good care of yourself: I work best when I’ve had enough (and not too much) nutritious food and have had a good night’s rest the night before. I drink water throughout the day because I find staying fully hydrated allows me to think clearly. It also seems to prevent stiff joints and aching muscles, which is so important for those of us whose craft involves repetitive motion.

• Take a break: I stretch, do a different task, move around (and walk down the hall to the bathroom after all that water, tee hee) for about 10 minutes of every production hour.

• Find a balance: Studies have found that we are at our most productive when we work “assembly line” style and concentrate on a specific task or set of tasks for a few hours, and then it’s best if we switch roles to alleviate fatigue and maintain speed.

I hope these tips help all my fellow worker bees as they hum along in their hives!:)

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Article contributed by Celeste (Crickets) of CricketsCreations

You may have heard of domain forwarding, but do you know what it really means or how to use it?

Unless you’ve been under a rock…for a while, I’m sure you know what a domain name is. Simply put, forwarding a domain name is like the signs you see at the end of streets, pointing to the house that’s for sale.  In this case, it’s the sign that tells the internet where to go to find your site.  So, instead of saying, “visit my site: http://sallyurbans.crossfirelite.com”, you can say, “visit my site: http://sallyurbans.com”.  When people type in http://sallyurbans.com, the internet will see the directions and take the visitor to your site!

Why this is such a good thing.  Basically, what is easier to remember: sallyurbans.com or sallyurbans.crossfirelite.com?    That’s why domain forwarding is a good thing.

Don’t have a domain?  Get one now!  GoDaddy is offering some specials on domain names!  Click here!

Well, we’ve joined the world of Twitter and will be tweeting our new posts!  Be sure to follow us!

eWiro’s Twitter: Click here!

Have a great day!

This is your chance to get a FREE Gold Package Ad for 3 months on our site!  Simply comment to this article with your Business Question and you are entered to win!

A winner will be selected from this post on July 1st!

So, let’s hear your business questions!

So you want to figure how to price your item?  First, you must look at ALL the expenses involved.  From the 2 drops of candle scent you need for one candle to the boxes you’ll be putting your chocolates in, every little detail is important when figuring your prices.  This may seem tedious, but it is very important.

Below is a sheet that will help you figure both your wholesale and retail prices.  Now, you don’t have to go with 2 times your wholesale to get your retail….you can use 1 or 4!  Just be sure that your items will sell at that price…and that you are getting PAID enough for your time that your business isn’t just a hobby.

Pricing One Item

• Cost of Your Materials (EVERYTHING it took to make one)     __________
• Time it takes you to make one item                                                      __________
• Time x Your Hourly Rate = Labor Cost                                              __________
• Overhead                                                                                                         __________
• Materials + Labor + Overhead = WHOLESALE PRICE          _________
• Wholesale X 2 = RETAIL PRICE                                                       _________

Now that you’ve figured out your prices, how do you feel?  Are you pleased?  Are you upset?  Have you compared “your prices” with that of a competitor to see where you stand? Can you add a little more to your “hourly rate”?  Or can you find more affordable materials to use?  Pricing will always require a little tweeking!

If your business is JUST going to be your hobby…your prices simply covering your expenses work.  If you are doing this for more than just a hobby, make sure that you are getting paid enough for your time!

If you have a business related question, please ask!  We are always looking for new topics for our articles!

If you are reading this, I’m sure that you know the potential value of your facbook page.  But why does it have to be so darn hard to get new fans?

Here are some awesome tips for doing just that!  Put these to use right now and you could have more fans by tonight!

• Point a domain to your FB page.  That’s right…if your business is Sally’s Urban Designs, you can purchase www.sallysurbandesigns.com and have it pointed to your FB page!  What this means is, if someone were to type in your domain name, they’d be directed to your facebook account!  GoDaddy.com is offereing some great prices on domains right now so the time has never been better to do this.  Click here!
• Create content JUST for fans.  Add content to your page that your fans won’t find anywhere else.  This will make others want to be part of the exclusive club!
• Create a hide and seek.  This is a really fun one…hide something on your page, (an image, a word, something) and have your fans seek it out.  When someone finds it, offer them a prize.   Even better, have them tweet about their winnings!
• Have some kind of regular drawing or contest.  Who doesn’t love to win something!
• Interact with your followers.  Don’t neglect your fans!  When someone writes on your wall, be sure to write back…on THEIR wall!

Have some facebook tips you’d like to share?  Comment and leave them here for others!