Starting a Handbag and Quilt Business

BRAND New

When I first started StitchCraft I did what everyone does and had a website built.

It was great! Eco Web Design did a fabulous job. It listed my services; showed the pictures of all my creations. I was all set for business.

Luckily, I had word-of-mouth business so I had all the alterations and custom sewing I could handle. It almost seemed like maybe I didn’t need the website so it fell by the wayside. I checked it once in a while; Eco made suggestions for updating but I still put it in the back of my mind.

I even went so far as to think the website wasn’t working so I let the domain name lapse.

Wool Handbag using upcycled materialIn between the alterations I made quilts for various family members and friends. I grew to like quilting. It wasn’t all precise cutting and intricate patterns. The modern quilt movement got my attention with its negative space and bright colors. I was also making handbags and aprons out of gently used clothing from thrift stores.

After a few years, I wanted to change my focus and concentrate on just making quilts and handbags. I went to Penland School of Arts and Crafts to take a week long seminar on working with leather. That week really gave me the impetus to change StitchCraft.

After saying goodbye to customers, I contacted Eco Web Design and told them I was really serious this time.

Luckily, the domain name was still available and I could still use my business cards.

I’m going to be a brand now. Watch out Michael Kors!

My brand will tell my customers what they can expect from my handbags and quilts.

I’m getting up close and personal with meta tags and descriptions. My logo will be tweaked and I’ll put it everywhere. When you call my business phone you’ll hear “Hello, this is StitchCraft GA,” not just hello. My signature will be on all the forums that I belong to.

We’re working on color schemes, taglines, making sure everything is consistent.

It’s a lot of hard work, but I’m learning a lot. This time it’s real!