Studio space
Friday, June 10, 2011 at 8:35AM Most of you know that I planned to build a quilt studio sometime next year, for several reasons. I need more space, and I would like to have a separate space for customer quilting, rather than traipsing everyone through the house.
But I’m running into space issues… there isn’t anywhere on our property that I think I’m going to be happy with locating the studio. Either it’s too far away from the road (like about 800 feet or more) to run power and to ask people to walk… or it’s so close to the house and shop that our backyard feels boxed in.
Lately I’ve been tossing around the idea of looking for a studio space to rent in town. While I have no idea of what rents run, I have no doubt that anything in a strip mall would be way out of my budget! I thought I’d check downtown in the old district.
Anyway… I’m curious if any of my fellow longarmers rent studios, and how this has worked out for you if so? It would be a combo space for me, I’d also move all my personal sewing stuff there and out of the house… or most of it anyway.
I think I would probably get a whole lot more quilting done, but the house, yard and cooking would get neglected.
I might consider selling fabric and supplies out of the studio, but I don’t really want to be tied into normal business hours either. Hmmm… Thoughts?
Reader Comments (10)
Before we added on to the end of the house, we spent about a year researching options. We chose to add on to the house for several reasons, the rent (even in lower rent areas) was outrageous ($1200/month+ utilities was the cheapest I found that I thought was safe for customers to come to). We'd have to run a second utility account for everything, electric, water, internet, phone. And in order to support that (because longarming wouldn't support that much expense) I would have had to have gone totally brick and mortar retail. There are already 2 quilts shops in town, but 2 more in the next town north of me, and Jo-Ann fabrics is moving in next month. The logistics didn't pan out for my market area so we did the add-on. It's separated by a door from the rest of the house (gate actually for my dogs sake -- separation anxiety issues with 2 of them). I keep specific "open studio" days and hours and we also put in a separate porch entrance just for the studio so nobody actually comes into the living section of the house. So far it's working out well.
I have thought in the same lines but it came down to this.
There are times I like to sew/quilt at night (as you do) and I didn't want to have to go into town to do it. I can put something on the stove for dinner, do laundry, etc. and quilt while I'm multi-tasking. Plus, I don't have the additional expense of rent, utilities, etc. with an outside space. I even thought about an outside "quilt/sewing studio" and for the same reasons, decided to stay in the house. It's not particularly inviting since my quilting frame is in the dining room but our 14 year old will be out of the house (mostly) in 4 years and I can take over his room and get my dining room back.
Another thought. If you don't want to keep "regular" hours, it is going to be hard.
Judy in MO
I know that sure wouldn't work for me. I would think that your customers wouldn't mind at all walking down a nice pathway to your studio set back off of the road. As much as you love to garden and cook, I don't think you would be happy with a studio in town. Unless, you are thinking of opening a real live "quilt shop". But, then you are tied down to regular business hours. Then there goes the gardening and cooking again. Just my two cents worth on the subject.
I agree with Judy. I have run a small business out of my home for many years. And I would not have it any other way. However, I do not have customers in and out of my home. What about building a side entrance. Would that be possible?
I don't think you would be happy away from your kitchen, animals and yard. A pathway to your studio wouldn't be a chore for anyone to walk to. If you would rent a space you have to deal with insurance also - I don't know if you are earning enough to cover rent, utilities and insurance - it comes up to a bit and people like to know a shop is open at certain hours all the time so they know when they can stop by. I don't think anyone likes to drive to a shop expecting it to be open only to find you didn't feel like opening up that day.
On the other hand :) it would be nice to have a brick & mortar shop in town for all us quilt gals to get fabric and stuff at but then you are talking regular hours and possible down the road an employee or two or three!
Another to thing to think about is if you move most of your own sewing stuff there would you really have time to work on your own things with people stopping by and staying to chat awhile - I have heard some people say they end up closing shop because they have no time to do their own stuff.
Just some things to think about - I would price it all first.
my two cents :)
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I must agree with most everyone else. Having worked both in and out of home, I found in home most suited me. I can see you in town wishing you could start dinner, or putter in the garden a bit,
CJ, I don't have a quilting business, but I have had a "craft business" where I worked from my home. It was the best profit wise, and for my customers too. However, I did not have more than two or three customers per week coming into our home. How many quilters are now coming into your house?---and is there any way to create an outside entry into your present studio? I ask that because my friend has a lovely "outside" studio, and she even dislikes it not being attached to her house! She say's it's awful when it rains or snows to walk out to the studio, then back to the house, then back to the studio (you get the picture) So, they are adding a studio directly to the house ---which you have already. Your other alternative is to find a good "meeting" place in town to meet with your clients. I've done this for a few quilts that my friends wanted me to quilt, but they didn't want to drive out my place. I met them at the local fabric shop. The owner is very agreeable for me doing this as it brings quilters into the shop and they just might buy some fabric! We lay the quilt out on some of the big class room tables they have there, doing the estimates....You asked, and in my opinion unless you have a large customer base that is going in and out of your house several or more times a day--and you don't want this to happen, then I would investigate a store front or separate entrance of some sort.
My SIL has an art studio in town. Security and safety have become big issues for her to be there alone, and now gas costs too. And you need to pay for a second insurance for your stuff being stored there..
I too think that it would be too hard on you personally leaving the "farm" to be in the store and have no one come all day.
My vote is for the separate entrance or meet in town.
Having had a home-based business for 14 yrs, I only had to pay for a slight increase in insurance which also included accidental in case a customer was injured on my property. My customers were mostly by word of mouth, so I had few concerns about my own security. Only one couple really unnerved me by staying and talking for over an hour. I felt that they were staking out the place to see how much money that I kept on hand. (very little) I preferred taking local checks. I know that sounds strange, but it kept me from spending the cash and the checks were deposited directly into the business account.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
I've seen where you wake up in the wee hours and start or work on projects. If most of your personal things went in town you would be frustrated by not being able to work on your ideas right away(I would). I like home best. Can you go up above your garage and maybe add outside entrance? Not sure how your house is situated. I would like to do that here because I had it in VA and miss it. This house has a mud room between house and garage so I am still trying to figure out details. And I won't be doing business but I miss my big studio! Maybe my skills will improve and business will be in my future! Good luck!