The excitement is building

Remember how I was talking a little bit ago about working up to my potential and feeling the urge to make some positive changes and move forward and all that? Well I'm still in forward motion mode and I'm getting more and more excited about what I have in mind. I don't want to let the cat completely out of the bag yet but I would like to spread the spark a little and reach out for some more ideas, inspiration and potential companions for this thrill ride.

The Basics:
I'm working on a two phase plan for starting my own business in the craft/art industry.
I envision a place where people can find inspiration, instruction, supplies and a work space to also perform up to their creative potential. It will also provide a forum and place to share, sell and promote their own artwork and skills through gallery shows, trunk shows and classes.

The first phase will be web-based. I want to provide a portal through which customers can find a quarterly e-zine full of free patterns, articles, and tutorials covering an eclectic mix of art media and crafts. There will also be an online store where readers will be linked from the e-zine directly to the products and supplies featured in that issues articles and patterns. The store will also include a pattern and bookstore. The last segment of the web-site will be the Artists' Gallery and Readers' Gallery. There will be monthly Featured Artists from a variety of segments of the arts and crafts world displaying their work along with an Artists' Profile and interview on the podcast. The featured artist can sell their work in this gallery for their featured month with a small commission going to My Eclectic Mess. The Readers' Gallery will feature an ongoing collection of reader submitted photos of completed projects from e-zine patterns and articles.

The second phase will be a bricks and mortar retail space. Here I will continue the same basic premise of the website with the addition of classroom and studio space for customers to come in a use for parties, Scout field trips, Girls-Night-Out activities, and for classes and artists' workshops. The retail space will also have an area for monthly or quarterly Gallery Shows. Each month or quarter will feature a new up and coming artist and include a "meet the artist" night/reception and the opportunity for the featured artist to teach an Artist's Workshop class in the store.

I also intend to market a specific segment of the business to the "tween" and teen market. There will be a section in the e-zine written by and for the 8-18 year old crafter featuring patterns and designs targeted at them and their interests. When the bricks and mortar store is opened there will be Teen Craft Nights were teens can come and gather and engage in self-directed crafts with friends or individually. Birthday parties and Scout events will also be offered at the store where groups can come and have use of the space, instruction in a group craft project (using a store kit) and time for snacks. A large portion of the kit development will be aimed at this segment.

What I Need to Make This Happen:

First and foremost I need other creative people to submit; ideas, articles, patterns, and artwork for the gallery. I'm currently working on coming up with some formal submission guidelines and a timetable for what I need and when I will need it.

I also need someone with a strong working knowledge of digital/web design to help put this all together in a user friendly and eye-catching format.

Advice from anyone who has already been down the online retailing business road is also greatly appreciated.

Resources and connections to suppliers willing to work with small businesses and thusly, small minimum orders.

Opinions and feedback from all of you about what you'd like to see. What you like and don't like about my proposal so far and suggestions to make it better.

Money always comes in handy when one is starting a business. That is why I'm starting small and online, less overhead. I'm also listing a bunch of stuff on ebay to try to raise the money needed for legal advice in setting up a LLC and getting the proper tax forms filed. Over the next few months watch my ebay listings and my etsy shop for additional listings. All money raised there will be put directly into the kitty for getting this little show on the road.

Support and encouragement. Especially when I start freaking out because it is all just too much or when I get lazy and just want to go lay down and knit or curl up into fetal position and cry.

What I will be doing:

Alternately manically working on new ideas, research and development and freaking out and preparing to give up in despair. See last item above.

Reading and researching what steps need to be taken to formalize this as a business entity (LLC).

Raising funds to pay for legal advice and form filing with State, Local and National governments.

Writing up a formal business plan outlining my goals, plans, and ideas.

Writing up formal submission guidelines and agreements/contracts (see legal advice above) for the web-based business.

Network and market the business idea to other creative people to solicit submissions, featured artists and instructors.

Whew! That really seems like a lot when I see it all typed out. I've been gathering ideas in my head and in a spiral bound notebook for weeks now and it is kind of liberating (and scary) to see them all collated in one nice neat package. Please do me a big favor. Share this with anyone you know that may be interested on any level. I really want to keep with the theme of this being an eclectic gathering of creative minds. The more people that are involved from a variety of places and disciplines, the more successful and inspiring it will be. Spread the word, fan the fire. Thank you.