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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / 31 days / {Handmade Business in 31 Days: series recap}

{Handmade Business in 31 Days: series recap}

November 15, 2012 · 29 Comments
Filed Under: 31 days, blog & handmade advice

For the entire month of October I published a post on Handmade Business. Some posts included tips to share, others addressed topics we personally have had to work through the challenging way, and other posts were a bit more simple yet thought-prov0king. Participating in this series was a brand new experience for me, however I know many of you have participated before in this annual series The Nester started {y’all are brave!}.

day 2: The importance of a blog.

I knew writing a business post for 31 days straight would challenge me in unique ways, and of course I had that moment of doubt — Did I really want to commit to this? — right before October started but, I kept at it. And I’m so glad I did. Writing this series ignited emotions I forgot I once inside me. When you own a business, and specifically a handmade one where everything we do, make and share feels so personal, you invest so much of your soul into it. And sometimes it’s easy to forget about those investments.

day 15: Developing your product/style.

Side note: yesterday I watched a biz video on amateur verses pro and the simple concept shared has me on my toes once again. I seriously LOVE when that happens!

Handmade Business in 31 Days was an amazingly successful series and I am very much appreciate of all the interaction + feedback you have provided. I wrote this series with all of you in mind, but I walked away from it with a few new ideas/realizations, which I very much appreciate. Your feedback throughout the entire month of October was amazing. Thank you :)

day 27: Holiday Tips.

SERIES RECAP — HANDMADE BUSINESS IN 31 DAYS:

Day 1// Knowing when to say ‘no’.

Day 2// The importance of a blog.

Day 3// Gaining support from your spouse/partner.

Day 4// Creating goals.

Day 5// How to handle copycats.

Day 6// Where to buy materials.

Day 7// Managing your email.

Day 8// Find quotes that inspire you.

Day 9// Addressing your biggest issue.

Day 10// Linky Parties: To participate or not.

Day 11// What to do during your slow seasons.

Day 12// Shipping madness.

Day 13// Do something: Having the courage to make mistakes.

Day 14// Taking time to rest.

Day 15// Developing your product/style.

Day 16// Work vs. Family Time

Day 17// How to network via email.

Day 18// Perfecting your elevator speech.

Day 19// My thoughts on moving a business across the country.

Day 20// Tackling writers block.

Day 21// Creating an editorial calendar.

Day 22// Having grace towards others.

Day 23// Is it still handmade if I don’t make it myself?

Day 24// How to move forward when you have a lot going on.

Day 25// Working from home.

Day 26// Trapped: On being courageous.

Day 27// Holiday tips.

Day 28// How to creatively package an order.

Day 29// Traveling to conferences.

Day 30// Hiring help.

Day 31// How to accurately price your handmade products.

+ + +

What post(s) spoke to you the most? Which post ignited a fire inside of you — one that is challenging you to follow your passions + purpose? I wrote this above, but just so you know — I’m really so appreciative + thankful of all the interaction, questions, feedback you left. xoxo

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29 Comments
Filed Under: 31 days, blog & handmade advice

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Comments

  1. Emily E says

    November 15, 2012 at 4:33 am

    All these posts were so helpful & perfectly timed!
    Some that really stood out to me are: Days 9, 15, 17, 18, 29, & 31.
    I’m still learning on the networking email portion {sometimes I feel silly} but when the right blog/shop comes along I’m ready :) Thank you for all your indie biz advice/encouragement.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      November 15, 2012 at 8:21 am

      @Emily E, THANK YOU for sharing which days were most helpful! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Jenna says

    November 15, 2012 at 5:40 am

    Each post gave me SO much to think about. I need to go back and read them again and really do my homework. But Day 4 (Creating goals) & Day 15 (Developing you product/style) are things I really need to work on asap!
    p.s. did you happen to get my email?

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      November 15, 2012 at 8:22 am

      @Jenna, Hmmm — I don’t think so? Can you re-send it?

      Reply
      • Jenna says

        November 20, 2012 at 7:16 pm

        I sent another one!

        Reply
  3. Jessica says

    November 15, 2012 at 6:07 am

    The pricing post (day 31) changed my business. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m just beginning, but to be able to start off considering all of these things is so helpful. If not for that post, I would be selling at my first craft fair next week and only breaking even (and barely paying myself; I just guessed on pricing). Now I’m pricing at a point where I can look ahead and have money to reinvest in my business! I can never thank you enough for explaining so clearly how to price. Best small business article I’ve ever read. As Dave Ramsey says, you have the heart of a teacher!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      November 15, 2012 at 8:28 am

      @Jessica, OH my goodness, what a testimony you have left here!!!! Thank you so much Jessica!!!!!! But more than that, I’m so glad you’ve figured out the pricing “monster” — that is so huge and I can’t wait to hear how your craft fair sales are!!!! :) Having knowledge over your business is such a powerful thing, don’t forget that :)

      Reply
  4. Jessica Angel says

    November 15, 2012 at 7:53 am

    Thank you so much for putting it altogether in one place! Networking via email, making an editorial calendar, and perfecting my elevator speech really spoke to me and gave me a little push to take some action. Thank you again for this amazing content!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      November 15, 2012 at 8:29 am

      @Jessica Angel, WOO HOO! Nothing better than a little action!!! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Jenny says

    December 1, 2012 at 10:55 am

    Hey girl!! I know I’m a little late BUT Thanx so much for spending the time to share your wisdom with others. (Oh and your baby bump is cute too) I have a question I’m not sure if I just missed a blog about it or not? So…. I feel like I have so many ideas for a great shop based on my favorite things. But my questions is two part: how many different kinds of items makes a good shop and if items aren’t related is it weird? ( for example can I survive with just one item with different designs to start out then expand later?) thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      December 2, 2012 at 3:11 pm

      @Jenny, Work towards having a collection in your shop. The relating theme to your collection could be type of product, type of material — that sort of thing. Maybe you have a seasonal-themed shop which allows you to transition through the products you offer a bit more often? xo

      Reply
  6. jessie says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    love your blog serie and also featured your blog and indie biz posts on my blog :)

    http://www.freaktvblog.de/?p=11697

    Reply
  7. Christine says

    August 25, 2013 at 1:13 am

    I just finished reading the whole series and I just want to thank you for all the tips you’ve shared. I’m now more ready to work hard on this new venture of mine. Such a great guide! Thanks again and you’re awesome!

    Reply
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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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