How It All Began...
/I’m currently taking a business class through S.C.O.R.E. It’s called “Simple Steps” and it’s designed for individuals who are just starting their businesses. Although Naptime Inspirations has been “in business” since 2009 (!) in many ways I am just beginning. I thought it would be fun to recount how it all began…
Miriam’s quilt. This side of it was worn badly. The red fabric had held up the best. The back was in pretty good condition.
“1851” and the initial of the maker. It’s amazing that all of that quilting was done by hand!
I’ve always enjoyed making things, “crafting”, if you will. I never thought of myself as particularly artistic. I can’t draw to save my life. But in 2008 I followed a blog of a woman who would post tutorials of easy crafts. I tried my hand at a few of them and really enjoyed them. I enjoyed it so much that I kept making things. And multiples of things. Out of the blue it hit me that I could sign up for a craft show where I could try to sell the multiples of things I made. So I did! No business plan. No considerations of set up costs. No goals. Really no business knowledge at all. I didn’t even consider myself to be a business.
Miriam with me and the girls
As often happens in business, and in life, connections began to happen and I was invited to participate in an event at a local church. All of the “vendors” at this event created things by upcycling. There I met a delightful woman named Miriam who told me about an old quilt that she had and she was looking for someone who could cut it up and make it into items that she could share with family members. Together we brainstormed some of the items she wanted over the course of the next few months. I made a few small pillows and some cell phone pouches. She was thrilled to share them with family members. The girls and I visited Miriam a few times at her retirement community. She bought us ice cream and told us stories of her missionary days. These aren’t things you can write into a business plan!
I made my share of “Pillowcase” dresses. This one was actually made from a vintage feed sack and not a pillow case. It was such a beautiful feed sack!
I wish I had pictures of the things I made out of Miriam’s quilt, but I don’t. Over the years I’ve experimented with upcycling many different things—burlap coffee sacks, chicken feed bags, sweatshirts, crib bumper pads. I even turned 2 satin gowns into superhero capes and various purses for a friend to share with her daughters and relatives. I do love the creativity that goes into upcycling!
That church event also led to a connection to consign with My Aunt Debbie in Lancaster, the first of my retail relationships. My path to business has been convoluted and, at time, aimless. But since last year I have been honing my plan, making tough choices about my direction and learning more about business than I ever knew! I still believe that the best opportunities come in unexpected ways, so I keep looking. And hoping :) I thought it would be fun to include some “classic” Naptime Inspirations items in the pictures here. Enjoy!
These wallets were commissioned from a friend. They are all made from feed sacks that had been in her family. I made these wallets that she then gifted to the ladies in her family.
These wristlets were made using coffee sacks from Honduras!
This one is so special to me because it’s mine! For many years my Grandma crocheted doilies and coasters and gave them to the women in the family for Christmas. I amassed a tidy stack over the years. I collected various linens from clothing give-aways and the 25 cent rack at the thrift store and made 6 stockings, one for each member of my family. Each stocking features at least one of Grandma’s doilies.