Turn a Hobby into Money

15Feb09

Recently I applied to a course in ceramics. It sounded very interesting and different. The lady running the course had set up a studio in her back room. Initially making plates and other ceramic items had been a hobby of hers and from that she developed a thriving business all from the comfort of her own home.

This lady, just like me had taken an interest in making pottery and ceramic dishes. She never considered herself as an entrepreneur or particularly creative but after doing a small course in pottery developed a love for it. She decided to give up her day time job and apprenticed herself to a well known pottery maker who had a studio in one of the big cities. She stayed there for over a year learning all of the tricks and methods to make pottery decorate and glaze.

Eventually after having been pushed into it by her husband, they took a bank loan and built a studio in their own home. She equipped the studio with modern pottery equipment from a roller that rolls the clay automatically, to an oven that bakes the clay items over a 17 hour period. She was ready to start her business.

At first she only offered to make hand made items by order for people who were interested and then she realized the potential that was available for teaching. She advertised her first workshop and it was booked up within a day. Since then she has not looked back. All workshops are advertised to include everything; materials, and tuition, ideas and so on. It is a great workshop to do, easy thanks to the great tuition and also very rewarding. You always come away with something you have made and the lady in question enjoys herself immensely while making money.

If you have a hobby that you think others would like to learn, it is worth thinking about opening a business or workshop from home for others to join in and learn with you.

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Tags: ceramics