Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Entrepreneurially Minded Children

With our family earning our living now through creating and selling on Etsy, some of our children have joined in.
Nolan carved these rainbow gnomes.  We will be adding them to our shop after we find a paint that dries without smearing when wet and is child safe.  Does anyone have any ideas for him? 



Nolan is also making buttons - of hemlock, ash, birch and maple that have been selling well.  I crocheted a pencil case for myself from some beautiful yarn from Suzanne, and added one of his hemlock buttons.



Sarah, age 7, loves to draw chickens and she asked if she could sell notecards, each one individually made.


Our family is featured in an article on Etsy today in a series called, Quit Your Day Job.
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18 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Beautiful work...

    Blessings,

    Renee

    A Knitters Notebook

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  2. ErinJuly 13, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Very resourceful children! My daughter is often asking me if Grandpa (a publisher) will sell some of her books. Maybe we need to take the etsy route. Home-made is the best and the sweetest!

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  3. Gillie@livingsimplefrugalityblogJuly 13, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Aw- it is so lovely that your children want to join in the family business. You are obviously teaching them good values :)

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  4. no spring chickenJuly 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    That's what I call learning with a purpose. I love the initiative... and the talent!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  5. JulieJuly 13, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Oh my! It's so wonderful to see children creating and even better, for them to see and participate in this alternative form of 'working', knowing that a real income can be made from their own gifts and talents. Far too often, I think, these 'pastimes' are discarded as children grow up.
    Right now, my 6 y old is on the deck setting up 'shop' with some of her colorings. I think it will be soon that she, like your children, will join in contributing to my Etsy shop.

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  6. house full of jaysJuly 13, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    These are incredible creations! I will have to check out the buttons - and I'd love to see some of those gnomes in the shop. I have a little girl who would love them!

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  7. JennyJuly 13, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Oh those gnomes are so cute! Great work kids!

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  8. Kathy at Knitting Off The GridJuly 13, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    I just read the Etsy article. Congratulations! That is so exciting and I'm thrilled for you and your family.

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  9. EmilyJuly 13, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Wonderful!

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  10. angieJuly 13, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    so exciting! I love your etsy shop! My kids have been trying to make things to sell lately, Corey is working on a branch chess set.

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  11. The Knitty Gritty HomesteadJuly 13, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Beautiful! Our school does a Christmas card fundraiser every year where the cards are made by the children...they're bestselling because they're wonderful! Best of luck with your etsy store!
    www.theknittygrittyhomestead.blogspot.com

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  12. Old Gates FarmJuly 13, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    congrats on being featured on "quit your day job"!! :)

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  13. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    i make gnomes similar to these for the children of my preschool to play with. (out of willow branches) i first paint with a non-toxic acrylic wash (watered-down paint) and then rub the entire gnome with a mixture of beeswax and jojoba oil. you can see how the paint looks here... http://kleas.typepad.com/kleas/preschool/
    i love that the children are participating in this way. truly "mapping" mom and dad.

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  14. SuzanneJuly 14, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    The gnomes are just lovely:-) Your interview was so good!
    Blessings,

    Suzanne

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  15. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I use A2 Chroma acrylic paints. They are non-toxic. I then rub the wooden pieces after the paint has dried with a food grade beeswax polish with jojoba oil by Three Beeautiful Bees.
    These products work wonderfully.
    Good luck! I love your blog.

    Babe

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  16. MariaJuly 15, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    I love this post and I love the Etsy article. I'm not married, but this is what I hope for my life in 10 years or so. What a wonderful way to life, especially for a family!!!

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  17. NicolaJuly 16, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    They learn by example! I love that. I am sure you have tried this, but we have had good success on wood crafts for our kids with milk paint, natural pigment added, and a beeswax polish. Congrats on the feature!

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  18. DanielleJuly 19, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    I think it is wonderful that you all have been able to be your own bosses and make enough to money to survive on. My questions are, "Have you had to use government assistance at all on this journey and how long have you been self sufficient in this way?

    ReplyDelete

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