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I prefer to give gifts that are hand-made. They don’t have to be made by me-a fellow crafter from the US of A will do just fine! Throughout the year I attend many regional craft shows, and I prefer to give my business to crafters in my own community. I’ve been a quilter for 10 years, and like to make small wall hangings as gifts. But, as happens to all of us, we fall behind in our projects due to nonsensical things such as having to work for a living, kids and their activities, doctor appointments, etc. Good intentions just don’t pan out. So, I always rely on craft shows to save the day. Whenever I come across something too fantastic to pass up, I’ll buy extras and store them away. Sometimes I’ll hang onto a gift for a couple years before I give it to the right person for the right occasion.

One time many years ago, I thought I’d try and make some extra money and sell some of my quilts at a yard sale. What in the world was I thinking? I was marketing to the wrong audience. Yard sale attendees want to purchase inexpensive items (and I’m no exception). If I’d have put more thought into it, I’d have realized it wouldn’t work. Chalk it up under ‘Learning Experiences’.

The biggest craft show I ever attended was the International Quilt Festival in Houston. Now, I know I’m doing it a grave injustice calling this event a craft show. Because if you’ve never attended this magnificent show before, you have no clue as to what you’re missing. People come from all over the world, and attendance estimates number 50,000. I went for the first time last year, and it was so overwhelming! After three days, I still couldn’t see every booth and exhibit. It is an incredible experience-so much so, that on my first day I realized I’d redefined my focus as a Professional Organizer.

Let me explain. In my business, I organize home-based businesses, residential clients, and small commercial accounts. I’m hands-on with everything from cleaning out garages, to creating more efficient filing systems. I’ve also organized craft rooms, but once I attended the Houston show, I knew I wanted to specialize in organizing ALL types of crafters: Quilters, garment sewers, home dec sewers, embroiderers, scrap bookers, beaders, artists, etc. Who better to help organize crafters than a Professional Organizer who’s also a crafter? I’d found my niche! And now I’m also a Speaker for quilt and sewing guilds.

So now I’ve come full circle-I started out buying gifts at small, local craft shows, and finally made it to the granddaddy of all craft shows, the International Quilt Festival. My love for quilting-my crafting hobby-has unknowingly directed me into a new focus with my business. I am truly blessed.