New display Room

[Amber]

I'm so happy, spent a couple days rejigging a few things in the house to make myself a display room for all my glass and I love how it turned out! I get some folks booking appointments to come  look at some small glass pieces for a gift and often I was hauling a 6 foot table up the stairs and then the long trail of up and down to fetch glass an display props. Needless to say it was getting tiresome and last week I had to do it three times *ugh*. I don't like the idea of having to take people downstairs, it's not as sunny, and it's next to the t.v room where I put the pooch when clients come over to keep him from being underfoot (big dogs, people and glass don't mix *lol), and he'll whimper at the door if I'm in the next room with a stranger..... not cool *lol.
So after a chat with the hubby I'll switched rooms, his office for my glass storage room and I love the results!!!! Before since no one was down stairs I kept the room a mess, boxes, glass, junk *lol. Plus it's in dire need of it's on paint job, which starts today so hubby can have a room back *LOL.

So without further ado, here is my little retail area :).

[Kev]

Looks awesome! Nice, bright and organized!

[Amber]

Now I just need to hop to it and make some glass *lol! I even started a new to me way of making my suncatchers, I hated (truly despised *L) doing them before...., but now I found a more whimsy type style with the kiln and I'm on a roll *lol. I've got some fishes and dragonfly ones hanging on the mirrors in the pics and I've drawn some simple patterns for a ladybug and butterfly that I'll start working on sometime Monday.  I think this will help in getting the smaller ticket sales at craft shows, and without driving me batty either :P.

[Anne]

A ladybug and a dragonfly..........go Amber!!! They DO sell! Your room looks really nice, and it's so bright.  Good luck with the sales.

[Amber]

They do sell *lol, it just took me a while and a little trial and error to find a style :).

I had done the foiled suncatchers, but I only liked the look of them when I added extra detail with wires and then the little pieces at the tips of the lower wings started to bother me because of fitting them nicely when some pieces were as small as my pinky nail. With the little details making them pretty, it was driving me batty with the extra time put into each one, even with tinned wire I find I still have to add solder or it doesn't patina/polish as nice.

Now with firing them in the kiln I limited the amount of individual pieces per suncatcher and a few quick cuts/grind/wash and I'm ready to go *woohoo*. I'll have to take pics when I have all four styles done, they are more playful then what I was doing before and I like them so much more!


These are what I did before and I hated them!!!

[Graham]

Display room looks great.

But, it kind of takes you beyond "semi-pro in the basement" status. Are you all clear as to "official place of business" stuff - like permits, insurance and such??

[JoanFrances]

Amber you did a great job setting your space up.  Bright space for sure, it really makes your glass pop. 

Graham has brought up some good questions Amber.  Many home owner's insurance companies will not cover you when you are using some of the space for business.  For instance if a person were to have one of those "slip and fall accidents" that we have all heard of, and it were to come out they were there to view your glass gifts, the insurance company would find the little loop hole and not pay.

I think I have already shared the story of a friend of mine who used to rent stalls out in his barn.  (if so, please excuse) Anyway, his barn burned down and because he had charged a fee to outsiders, they did not pay for his loss.  Not only was he out the money for the barn but was libale for the saddles and other personal belongings of his renters, and the vet bills for the horses because of the smoke that got into their lungs. 

[Glassic]

I was thinking on the same lines as Graham, didn't you landscape a pathway down the side of the house for business purposes?

[Amber]

I actually upgraded to small business level with my insurance last fall when I brought a kiln home :). I got liability coverage, from someone cutting themselves on my glass if it broke during shipping and they open it at their home, to slip and falls, fire, craft show damages and yadda, yadda all sorts of bad things *lol.
I also made sure to file business taxes with H & R Block to use their experience, opened a separate sole proprietorship account for my finances and got a merchant account with Visa/MC. I've been told that because I'll make less then a certain amount per year I don't need to apply for a business registration number and do the title search, since I don't need to charge taxes on my sales.

Now, the one part that you've mentioned Graham about permits, *huh*? I have no idea what I would need for that and what kind of permits would I get???

[ct4mom]

Beautiful display area and so happy you covered everything. I love that display mirror I bet the suncatchers look cool hanging against it.

[Lou Ann]

Now, the one part that you've mentioned Graham about permits, *huh*? I have no idea what I would need for that and what kind of permits would I get???

Around here, we need to have a permit called a mixed use permit which allows us to operate a business in a residential location (we have property taxes only on a residence but a business also incurs personal property tax on the fixtures and materials) -- very important if you have people coming and going (not required if you prepare the items at home and take them someplace else to sell) -- I'm sure things are different in Canada so I would recommend calling your local "clerk" (runs the town/collects the taxes) to see what the requirements are

[Audrey]

Very nice, bright room. Just what you need for displays. I love those butterflies, too. Good Luck.

[Graham]

I'm sure things are different in Canada so I would recommend calling your local "clerk" (runs the town/collects the taxes) to see what the requirements are

That's the key: "LOCAL". Your municipal govt. may have rules or permit requirements or fees, for running a business in your neighbourhood. It may not be applicable where you are, but it's impossible to tell without asking.

You seem to have all the other bases covered, which shows some considerable foresight.

[Marsha]

Nice setup Amber!!  And a great window so the sun can shine in on them!

[Amber]

I'm happy to report that I don't need a permit or licence :). I'm not exporting or importing any fauna or other wildlife, not performing any music, not too keen on taxidermy nor do I plan on forming an arts association *woohoo*. That was an interesting question that took me to a cool website that the government put together that collects all the information, federal, provincial and municipal, for permits and licencing and it was so easy to use! It's the first part of Government Canada's website that I've come across that didn't frustrate me *lol.
Thanks for the tip Graham, I would have never thought to check and if I did need a permit that could have left me in a sticky spot if I got fined, I may have a proper bank account but that doesn't mean it has many dollars in it *winks*.

[Malinda]

bright show room....i like it alot and i'm sure it will make life / sales much easier now.