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Chapter 3
Making Money Making Lampshades
What's included . . .
This chapter covers how to start your own lampshade business, including marketing ideas, and other ways to make money with this in-demand craft.
Excerpts from intro to this chapter . . .
"The only "downside" to knowing how to make a lampshade is also one of its most appealing up-sides. You have to be careful about revealing that you have this ability to anyone, unless, of course, you want to make money with it. That's because when those around you find out you know how to make lampshades, it's highly likely that the next thing you know they'll be asking you to make one (or many) for them, too. And there are a number of other ways to make money making lampshades"
"An enhancement to your current business If knowing how to make lampshades is something that could be making you money in the business you're already in, I'll just bet that you already realize the potential. If you're an interior decorator, antiques dealer, seamstress, upholsterer, professional crafter, flea marketer, home furnishings or gift shop owner, or one of the other possibilities I'm not thinking of, offering original and/or custom-made lampshades to your customers will almost certainly be profitable. If you haven't thought of it until now, you might want to consider how you can put this craft to work for your business. Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to make the shades yourself; you can provide someone else with this information (an employee, your seamstress or upholsterer, your aunt), and have them make the shades for you."
"A wonderful way to make money from home Whether you go into lampshade crafting as a full-time business or just use it as an occasional source for extra cash, it's a swell way to make money from home (or wherever you are; you could make "Victorian"-style (and other hand sewn) shades while traveling and sell them along the way). Other than possible advertising costs, the overhead is minimal, and hardly any start-up capital is required (particularly if you're using recycled frames and other materials)."
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Saving money making lampshades
"Whether or not you ever make money at this craft, you'll obviously be saving it by being able to make your own lampshades, especially when using recycled frames and materials. Another money-saving and rather nice idea is to give your handcrafted lampshades as gifts (to anyone, of any age). You can give them with a lamp (either one you made to go with the shade, or find a used or vintage lamp and make a shade for it), or just give the shade by itself. You can do shades (and lamps) based on something the recipient of the gift is interested in or collects (fishing, cooking, Elvis). If you're familiar with their home, you can make a shade you know will go with or perk up their decor. Holiday lampshades, that can be brought out during the course of the year, are a real nice possibility. Not only will you save yourself some money, but this is a gift that may just get used, and for sure won't be returned (and will probably even end up making you money, as it's likely to lead to orders for more shades)."
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